|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
![]()
The day before I was at the Gilmore museum for the Model A grand opening, I heard a comment that someone thought that museums were a bad thing because they simply hoard cars and keep them out of people's hands. Thus they had no interest in donating to the museum.
![]() I'd never heard a comment like this before, and I couldn't disagree more with their thinking. Museums are a great place to preserve history and make cars available for ALL to see. Most of the wonderful cars on display at the Gilmore would probably be under lock and key and never driven, if in private hands. Actually many of the cars on display are owned by private individuals and are proudly on display for all to see and enjoy. ![]() If Henry Ford hadn't built his wonderful museum I'd guess most of the things on display would have been turned to scrap and made into some modern junk, not worth looking at. ![]() Anyway, I don't suppose what I say will change minds, but I think museums are great and I want to include the Gilmore in my will. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
Posts: 3,022
|
![]()
I got a rude awakening about museums when I was about 18 or 19 years old.My girlfriends family were auctioneers,dealers,brokers,insures,etc.for antiques.They drilled it into me that the vast majority of donated stuff gets peddled off for cash.So many people have the idea that if they donate their stuff it will be preserved for others to enjoy.Where I got my shock was at an old house in town there was a Hupmobile and an Auburn.They were parked there in 41,and nicely stored.Extremely well preserved.The woman there had never driven,they were her late husbands and fathers cars.She donated the cars and a lot of historical stuff about the war to the Smithsonian.They came out and took dozens of pictures,and I got hired to make sure the cars would roll onto a trailer.A truck showed up for them,it was an antique car dealer from New Jersey that had bought them from the Smithsonian just by the pictures.He bought them cheaply,sight unseen,and the Smithsonian had a little bit of cash without a lot of effort,just a rep flying in and taking pictures.The buyer laughed and said,I bet you thought that these cars were going to be preserved and shown off to the general public.He then told me that they get hundreds of cars donated just like that,with the donor never knowing that his pride and joy will just be peddled off to the highest bid broker.
|
![]() |
![]() |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central FL, USA
Posts: 1,149
|
![]()
Keith True,
Wow, that's an interesting tid-bit of info about the Smithsonian! When I die I "was" going to have my '65 Harley donated to the Smithsonian. Along with my and my dogs ashes secreted in the frame. Not now! Bob-A |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,015
|
![]()
I once bought a car from the Peterson museum in Los Angeles. It was surely not up to display standards. The donation to the museum and subsequent sale helped keep things running, and the car did not go to a scrap yard. The donor was able to take a tax wright-off. We all need to think through our needs and motives for the actions we take and act accordingly. I personally love museums of all kinds.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Richland Mi.
Posts: 1,172
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: wherever I am today, whatzit matter
Posts: 431
|
![]() Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Al ( Tax deductibel also ) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,289
|
![]()
My grandson and I loved the new Ford Museum, there was so much there as well as a small history lesson for him that included Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. It was hard to explain that it was a Model A Museum, that there was other cars inside as well. It was a wonderful worthwhile trip for both of us. Old Blue ran 694 miles round trip effortlessly, and without a problem. The only disappointment for me was when I saw the chopped coupe with a chevy engine was allowed to go in with the original A's. There was another sedan there that had a 289 and an automatic in it, but the outside looked close to original, and it seemed the driver had a medical condition that would not let him shift gears, so....in my books, he gets a pass.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 492
|
![]() Quote:
![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,365
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,289
|
![]() Quote:
The fact that this was a Model A event dedicated to ORIGINAL cars, and that we were allowed on the grounds with our cars, I felt the Hot Rod belonged in the regular parking lot. This is my opinion as stated, and you have the right to disagree, after all it is a FREE country, but am I not allowed the same privilege without being ridiculed? By the way, this is not a DEUCE museum, and I would have not been there if it was.... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 492
|
![]() Quote:
![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,289
|
![]() Quote:
I am still in the realm of Model A, Jim |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Senior Member
|
![]()
As some know that comment that Tom posted came from a Club member in MY Illinois Region, Absurd and embarrassing to say the least!.. In fact actually a very ignorant statement..Museums and this museum is magnificent. Institutions as these are the future for our generations.. and as far as the hording...gosh glad someone horded the declaration of independence and the constitution while they were at it !!
__________________
Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Princeton, NJ
Posts: 965
|
![]()
Here's a story about how the Brooklyn Museum (a big art museum) got in 1932 a bequest of large art collection from a wealthy businessman and collector. But a lot of the stuff turned out to be fake or of poor quality, and a condition of the donation was that they could never sell any of it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/ar...rned.html?_r=0 Doug
__________________
My '31 S/W sedan project:http://31ford.dougbraun.com My restoration diary: http://dougbraun.com/blog |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Richland Mi.
Posts: 1,172
|
![]()
I took a tour of a museum a couple of years ago and they showed us the out buildings with tons of trashy pieces in it. I asked what was to happen to these donated items and was told that they would be donated or sold to continue the ongoing expenses of the museum.
So the museums may not want that inner tube that you took out of your Model A in 1935. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,015
|
![]()
That inner-tube just may end up in a depression era garage exhibit. One thing good about donating to a museum is if the item is eventually sold to raise working capital the museum staff should be able to find the right match for the item, or offer it in the right category.
Last edited by J Franklin; 05-21-2013 at 06:40 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ridgefield, Ct
Posts: 3,443
|
![]()
The GREAT museums were started by people with a passion for the cars, these are the ones i enjoy seeing. Any time there is a commettie running things, tax writeoffs, back door deals, National Club funding things I tend to avoid them. There is one that I'll never set foot in based on the way it was founded and currently funded. I hope to see all of the Gilmore collection some day. Bob
__________________
They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
![]()
Be sure to arrive early, as there's a lot to see. You can also take a lot of detail shots to help with restoring a car. Bring a picnic lunch as they have tables for you to sit at, and beautiful shade trees.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 114
|
![]()
There is no Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. Museums are a business and your gifts to them are theirs to use or sell as they see fit. I've been to the auctions at Henry Ford's Museum where they've been getting rid of their cars to the highest bidder. And Crawford in Cleveland has always been selling of their donated cars. Crawford also had parties where their guest has taken the cars for the day. One over heated and the fool using the car poured water over the over heated engine and cracked it. Myself, if I was to give any of my cars to a museum it would be to AACA. But I am not naive to believe that they would keep it for others to enjoy till the end of days.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Lake Forest, California
Posts: 246
|
![]()
With millions of Model A's built, I am not at all worried about them all getting hidden in museums. While I have mixed feelings about them selling a car very quickly without ever taking it into inventory, I do see the value for them to generate operating capital by selling excess inventory. This keeps the museum in the black, allows them an opportunity to change up displays to keep it fresh, and may keep admission prices down a bit.
Dave |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|