"The Automobile is the Art"
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News & Views for the Car Enthusiast! | |
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From the Desk of Darrel Burnett
Executive Director
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the Autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
September Song
Frank Sinatra, 1965
Even Old Blue Eyes couldn’t avoid the sobering onset of September as his 50th birthday loomed back in 1965, though I’m quite certain he felt much better after September of My Years won the Grammy for Album of the Year. I’m not prepared to be the great defender of September, but I am convinced that today is the first day of a short month that too often gets the short end of the stick. I’m just far enough down the runway of life to remember when September wasn’t a metaphor for- back to school – back to work - back to the grind or back to being in a bad mood. There was a time when September actually sizzled with excitement!
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President Franklin Delano Roosevelt deserves the credit for that. In 1935, FDR was desperately trying to jump start America during the Great Depression, so he convinced U.S. automobile manufacturers to debut their new models in September rather than wait until the new year in an attempt to create excitement. Thus began a tradition teaming with anticipation that survived well into the ‘90s.
| Back in the day, car dealers went to great lengths to keep us in suspense, even going so far as covering showroom windows with butcher paper to keep people from sneaking a peak at the new models before the appointed day and time. Some readers are probably shocked by this next admission, but there was actually a time when we could keep a secret in this country. It was a big deal buying a new car. The whole family dressed up and showed up. | I was really young then, probably a worldly man of 7 if that, but I remember it well. I pressed my face to the glass at the local Standard station which doubled as the car dealer in my hometown trying to see what that ugly brown paper was hiding. I was as eager as an 8th grade boy at his first junior high mixer. Superman’s X-ray vision would have really come in handy about that time. No such luck, I had to wait just like everyone else until the following morning to drink in every detail. | |
I’m not sure when new models are introduced these days. It seems to me that I was informed last week that I could leapfrog 2023 and 2024 to secure my 2025 model before anyone else. It’s all so confusing now. How ironic then that there is one company left that chose the month of September to debut its new lineup….DeLorean. Can you say Back to the Future?
| Don’t miss Darrel Burnett’s Steering Column coming to an inbox near you on the 15th….The Porsche 550 Spyder….James Dean’s Last Ride! | If you aren't signed up for it, let us know HERE (scroll to the bottome of the page) | |
Early V-8 Club National Driving Tour Celebrates its 10th Anniversary at the Gallery!
Bruce Nelson calls Minneapolis home but as 2020 President of the Early Ford V-8 Club and 2022 National Driving Tour Coordinator, Bruce had dreamed of hosting a tour of Wisconsin dating back to the late ‘80s. A visit to the Harley Davidson Museum in 2018 stoked that fire followed by a visit to The Automobile Gallery & Event Center in 2021 for a visit with Executive Director Darrel Burnett. From there the plan was put in motion.
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August 23rd, our Gallery parking lot was filled with Fords and fun as 38 members of the Early V-8 Club kicked off their 10th Anniversary National Driving Tour with a tour of our Gallery. To qualify for membership, a Ford must fall between the years of 1932 and 1953 with Lincolns and Mercurys from that era also welcomed into the family. Club members from Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, California, Nevada, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota were among those paying us a visit.
This 1953 Ranch Wagon owned by Luke Cordes from Houston, TX was among the most intriguing. Yes, there was a time when Ford and other manufacturers made two-door station wagons. Extracting passengers in the third row of seats could be a bit daunting!
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By far, the most unique ride of all was this 1956 Ford pickup that runs on recycled vegetable oil!!!!
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The multi-million dollar Midnight Rider is officially the world’s largest and heaviest limousine as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Midnight Rider was built over a 7-year period and measures 70 feet in length (4 times the length of a typical stretch limo) while mashing the scales at 50,000 lbs. Lest you think the Midnight Rider is in dire need of a Jenny Craig plan, we think you’ll be impressed to learn that its 435 horsepower Cummins diesel can push this Gigantasaurus down the road at 90 mph. While certainly impressive, we at The Automobile Gallery & Event Center recommend steering clear of parking decks.
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Welcome to the Gallery Family!
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our family here at The Automobile Gallery & Event Center. Just last week, this fabulous 1940 Ford 5 Window Coupe took up residence as a permanent member of our family thanks to the generous donation of Bob and Peggy Lyons from Middleton, WI.
In addition to being the perfect complement to our collection, this 1940 Ford 5 Window Coupe is as close to perfect as a car can get. It has the distinction of being a 3-time Dearborn Award winner, the highest national award achievable in the Early V-8 Club judging system. If you are looking for a perfect activity might we suggest visiting the Gallery and soaking in the perfect automobile!
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A View of The Automobile Gallery & Event Center “From the Top Down”
There is only one way to truly appreciate 170 classic convertibles when they arrive all at once at The Automobile Gallery & Event Center and that’s “from the top down”. We hope you enjoy this aerial view of this impressive collection of convertibles as we were honored to be part of the 16th Open Air Classic for Convertibles Saturday, August 27th.
OpenAir Tours was officially launched in January of 2006 and has been touring with the top down ever since. We salute our friends and look forward to seeing you again next year!
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Images taken by Jeff Jacobe, TAG Volunteer | |
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One for the Ages!
We often say that The Automobile Gallery & Event Center transcends generations and never was that more evident than Sunday, August 21st when four generations of the Van Asten family came to visit the beautiful 1985 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Gordy and Mona Van Asten donated in 2021. Gordy, now 91, and his late wife Mona purchased this Biarritz nearly 37 years ago to the day the Van Asten family visited the Gallery August 21st.
A fraction of the 74,100 total Eldorado Biarritz models produced in 1985 were adorned with a stainless-steel roof making this Biarritz timeless and peerless….just like Gordy and Mona Van Asten!
(Pictured above: Mike and Gordy Van Asten)
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$5 Friday is Back! September 9!
- $5 Admission all day
- Bar open from 3-6p for happy hour with drink specials
- $5 food specials from Captain Quesadilla food truck
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Blood Drive at the Gallery - We Need You!
American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive right here at the Gallery on September 29th, 9a-2p. We are calling on our members, volunteers, and guests to participate to be a lifesaver; drive over to donate!
To sign up for your 15 minute donation, CLICK HERE
Every donor receives:
2 Gallery general admission tickets
1 free Sports Clips haircut
Enterd to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience, sponsored by SportsClips
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What: AUTOberfest
When: October 1st, 2-6p
Why: Because who doesn't want to browse through 40+ rare German vehicles, drink German beer, and eat German food!
How Much: Only $15 gets you admission to the Gallery to see the one-of-a-kind German display, 2 Zambaldi beer samples, and a pretzel necklace
Purchase your tickets HERE!
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"God Bless the USA"
Patriotic Concert at The Gallery
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center has teamed up with the wildly talented and entertaining Daddy D Productions show to bring you the Gallery's first ever 'God Bless the USA' patriotic concert, celebrating our great country, all those who have served, still serving, and those who support them.
You'll hear a fantastic mix of songs from the land of the free and the home of the brave including patriotic anthems, hits from the ’50s, ’60s, 70, and ’80s, good clean comedy; all surrounded by pristine collector vehicles (most are American-made too!).
Join us on the United States Navy's 247th birthday, October 13th at 6:30p, for this special occasion. Doors open at 5:30p to tour the Gallery.
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Tickets are only $33 (Veterans, seniors, and students under 18 are $30).
Seating is limited so to reserve your seats, CLICK HERE
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Google Reviews - we'd love yours!
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is already on most Top 10 Lists for great things to do in Northeastern Wisconsin, now you can help even more visitors find us by giving us a great Google review.
CLICK HERE to leave your review.
It's that easy! Thank you for your time and review - it means a lot to us!
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GET INVOLVED!
Opportunities at the Gallery
If you or anyone you know would like to get involved with the Gallery we have three opportunities available right now:
Marketing intern to help us build our marketing plans and social media strategy
Event Coordinator (casual part-time) to work and manage on-site evening and weekend events
Volunteers to staff events, maintain the vehicles and Gallery, and educate guests
If interested in any mentioned role, please email Megan Lehmann at MeganL@theautomobilegallery.org
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A World of Fun!
The popularity of The Automobile Gallery & Event Center continues to reach around the world. A few days ago, we enjoyed hosting this wonderful family of four from Israel.
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Pictured above: Moshe(Mosha), Rut(Ruth), Rajel(Rachel), and Jarael(Israel) | |
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A Prestigious Parade of Porsches!
As we prepare to celebrate what would have been Ferdinand Porsche’s 147th birthday September 3rd, The Automobile Gallery & Event Center couldn’t have picked a better way to celebrate than spending the day with the Milwaukee and Fox Cities Porsche Clubs recently. Executive Director Darrel Burnett shared stories from the Gallery’s past and present and the Porsche club members toured our collection which includes the exclusive Porsche 550 Spyder famous for being James Dean’s last ride. The fabulous parade of Porsches in our parking lot was the perfect punctuation for a perfect day of enjoying this wonderful hobby!
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center wishes to send heartfelt thank you to Milwaukee Region Porsche Club President Gene Guszkowski and Fox Valley Porsche Club President Shaun Stamnes for organizing a tremendous event and putting smiles on so many faces!
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This Month's Featured Car Club
Sept. 10 The Old Timers Car Group
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CARes for the Community comes to The Automobile Gallery & Event Center!
Our area leaders have generously allowed us to display their extraordinary vehicles all in the name of raising money for our area's youth services.
If you're interested in participating, contact us at inquire@theautomobilegallery.org!
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Memberships at
The Automobile Gallery
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We have memberships for individuals, couples, families, and corporations!
All memberships include:
- Unlimited visits to the Gallery for one year
- Discounts on all gift shop purchases
- Discounts on special event tickets
- Early ticket sales for special openings and special events
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The Automobile Gallery is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and enrichment of our visitors and community. Becoming a member of The Automobile Gallery helps support its mission, which in part is to educate, inspire and share the passion of the automobile with others. Through the generosity of memberships, donations, admissions and event income, The Automobile Gallery will continue for generations to come as one of the finest galleries of its kind in the country.
You may support The Automobile Gallery by making a gift to our endowment fund. This endowment will provide funding in perpetuity for the Gallery to serve the community through various educational programs, exhibits, and interactive learning environments to teach the history of the American Automobile.
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Joyce-Lyn & Steve Altieri
Brent Baker
James Bednarowski
Christopher Boland
Ann & Steve Bradford
Kaleb Cieslewicz
Grant De Broux
Joe Griffiths & Family
Michael Sullivan &M2Logistics
Keith Obermiller & Family
Tom & Dawn Olejniczak
Jeff & Cheryl Tyndall
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Contemporary Automobile Gallery and Event Venue Where
"The Automobile is the Art"
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Gallery open 9:00am - 3:00pm daily, hours subject to change.
*Prepurchase Tickets and Gift Certificates Available*
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