This second post highlights Don Garlits’ antique cars from 1950 to the mid-1980s, especially the muscle cars of the time period. Have fun reading and looking through this post and perhaps you’ll find a car from your childhood or one you even drove. Wonder if there’s a museum somewhere that shows the cars from the 1980s to day. We started walking through the museum by seeing a replica of Don’s garage from 1956 to present day.
Don and Pat started the family business in 1956 in Tampa, Florida; the 3rd member of the business was Don’s brother Ed, who was just out of the Marines.
Some of the original tools and equipment are displayed here; other tools are still being used to restore these old cars.
Don, like his father, was a pack rat, so the garage was full of parts.
This 1950 VW was completely restored by Don, who was known as “Big Daddy,” and featured on the cover of “HOT VW” magazine.
Only 151 of this rare model were imported to the U.S. and has turn signals on the door columns.
Barney said his first VW looked just like this one. Our first memory while walking through the museum.
Remember the TV show “Happy Days”? The “Fonz” drove one like this 1950 Mercury Lead Sled with a purple paint job with green flames.
This Mercury was Big Daddy’s Friday night cruiser in Ocala, Florida.
My family’s favorite place for special suppers in the 1950s and 60s was George the Chili King in Des Moines, Iowa. We could park in the parking lot and order our food that was brought to us on trays like this that rested on the open window. Another memory.
A 1951 Studebaker Commander Starlite Coupe was the first year of the V-8 engine.
It’s been driven 12,000 miles and has never been restored. What a beauty.
The Federal Government ordered about 100 of these 1952 Chrysler Victory Sirens when Russia obtained the 100 megaton hydrogen bomb.
These units were placed on tall buildings around major U.S. cities and were tested at noon every day in most cities. Our local fire station tests their siren at noon every day where we live. We just thought it was to tell us when it was 12 noon and time for lunch. Another memory.
This machine runs perfectly and is often started up during some of the shows on the Museum grounds.
Don bought this 1954 MG so his wife Pat could drive around town.
After a restoration, Miss Pat didn’t want to drive it, and we get to enjoy it.
Don and Pat found this rust-free 1955 Chevrolet Delray Coupe in Iowa. Originally a California car, a lady purchased it in 1955 and left it in her will to a young man in Iowa. He took it apart, but couldn’t put it back together.
After selling it to another man who restored it, he then sold it to Don and Pat to drive home.
Don owned a car like this purchased new to tow his dragsters during the 1955, ’56, and ’57 drag years.
In 1956, Mamie Eisenhower purchased this Chrysler for Ike’s birthday.
Built especially for them, it has a custom 45 rpm record player installed so Dwight could listen to his favorite music. Some of the records are still in the car.
If you like engines, you’ll like this 1966 Dodge Coronet. It was originally ordered by the FBI.
It is an automatic with AM radio and bench seats.
This 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 Ranchero was upgraded and became the equivalent to a “Hemi” car.
This pickup was driven every day until the owner passed away and the car was donated to the Museum.
I dated a guy who had a car like this one and I just couldn’t see the attraction. Another memory.
Now you get to see the Dodge Coronet.
This 1967 is a 2-door hardtop that was donated to the Museum in honor of her deceased husband.
Just 13,700 of these beautiful cars were loved by the public when powered by a V-8 engine.
This 1969 Corvair Convertible was so popular at the time.
Very few this nice are in existence.
This 1970 Dodge Challenger was powered by a powerful Hemi engine that could reach 140 mph.
Don found this car tucked in a garage in Ohio with only 29,000 miles on it.
Have you ever seen or driven a Karman Ghia? A friend of mine in the 1970s had one. Another memory.
This 1974 car was purchased from the bank sale of a new car dealership. It belongs to the Volkswagen family of cars.
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