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Gilmore Car Museum.

Gilmore Car Museum: Drive a Model T

Field review by the editors.

Hickory Corners, Michigan

The largest and most lavish car museum in North America, built by Donald S. Gilmore, a superrich businessman. It opened to the public on July 31, 1966, and sprawls across 90 bucolic acres. The cars are kept in high-tech barns, one of which displays nothing but steam-powered vehicles. The museum has its own operating 1941 diner, a perfect replica of a 1930s gas station, a replica car dealership just to display its collection of Franklins, and a replica train station to house its world's largest collection of hood ornaments. Featured vehicles include everything from a Tucker Torpedo to the "Gnome-Mobile" from the forgettable 1967 Disney film of the same name (Walt was a personal friend of Donald Gilmore).

In 2017 the museum began teaching visitors how to drive its collection of vintage Model Ts. The cars were built so tough that there's little chance that a visitor will break anything, including themselves, as the cars have a top speed of only 30 mph.

Gilmore Car Museum: Drive a Model T

Address:
6865 W. Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI
Directions:
I-94 exit 74 onto US 131. Drive north to exit 49A (Plainwell). Follow Hwy 89 east 12 miles to stop sign. Turn left (north) on Hwy 43 and continue for five miles to Hickory Rd. Turn right (east) and the museum entrance is on the right.
Hours:
M-F 9-5, Sa-Su 9-6. Diner open 11-4. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
269-671-5089
Admission:
Adults $15. Model T driving $105.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

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In the region:
Shoe Tree - Cursed!, Belding, MI - 42 mi.

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