This morning I wanted to go to the Morikami Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, Florida, but it is closed on Mondays.\u00a0 I soon discovered that all the museums in the two surrounding counties are closed on Mondays!\u00a0 I searched all the event pages on the Internet for interesting activities and events nearby without much luck.\u00a0 Finally Jeff found the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum and it was open!<\/span><\/p>\n I might be the only woman in the world who likes cars.\u00a0 Ever since I was a kid, I enjoyed “automobilia”, or everything that had to do with cars.\u00a0 In eighth grade science I learned how the combustion engine works, and the difference between gas and diesel engines!\u00a0 It was fascinating. <\/span><\/p>\n I enjoyed looking at cars and remember being excited about the new models every year during the ’50s and ’60s.\u00a0 I love sports cars; especially the Ferrari – Testarossa, my favorite car!<\/span><\/p>\n Most of all I love driving cars!\u00a0 One year, my car was totalled during the night when it was parked across the street from the house.\u00a0 I was so depressed and upset not to have “wheels” for a few weeks.\u00a0 If I had to choose between my car and a place to live, I would choose the car!<\/span><\/p>\n Also, I have owned and driven RED cars since 1978, most of them stick-shifts. To me, the car represents “Freedom”, in every sense of the word, and independence and happiness.\u00a0 Whenever I’m sad or depressed or upset, I get into MY car and drive.\u00a0 Drive on a high-way.\u00a0 Drive on a free-way.\u00a0 Drive in wide open spaces and go….<\/span><\/p>\n It was a wonderful idea to go to the Antique Car Museum today!\u00a0 What I didn’t know was that all the cars were Packards.\u00a0 According to Wikipedia, Packards were luxury cars built in Detroit, Michigan between 1899 to 1958.\u00a0 The Packard brothers thought they could build a better horseless carriage.\u00a0 Packard automobiles were the first to have modern steering wheels and they built the first production 12-cylinder engine.\u00a0 Packards were sold to wealthy clients at prices starting at $2600, at a time when simple roadsters sold for $375.<\/span><\/p>\n We drove South to Fort Lauderdale on Route 95 and found the Antique Car Museum on SW 1st Avenue behind the Broward County Hospital.\u00a0 The museum was in a non-descript building on a commercial street surrounded by vacant lots and train tracks.\u00a0 We hesitated, but then a young woman opened the door and gave us a cheery welcome.\u00a0 We paid the senior admission fee of $5.00 each, turned around, walked into the huge room, and our jaws dropped.\u00a0 “Wow!”\u00a0 We both said out loud.\u00a0 We couldn’t believe our eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n All around the perimeter of the room were the most beautiful antique Packard automobiles anyone could imagine. They were all in like-new condition from top to bottom.\u00a0 The bodies of the cars gleamed; the chrome glistened, and each car was in perfect condition.\u00a0 The room looked like a new-car dealership.\u00a0 Even the tires were clean!<\/span><\/p>\n As we walked around the cars we noticed that the walls were covered with a variety of Packard and automobile parts.\u00a0 There were also beautiful oak cabinets filled with more automobile accessories.\u00a0 There were collections of: headlights, cigarette lighters, carburetors,\u00a0 radiator covers, hub caps, hood ornaments, toy cars, flower vases, oil cans, gasoline signs, door handles, etc., etc…..\u00a0 It was an unbelievable collection of cars and car parts.<\/span><\/p>\n On three sides of the room there were the self-driven roadsters and chauffer-driven special cars.\u00a0 On the other side there was a bright red Packard delivery truck and a “paddy wagon” police truck.<\/span><\/p>\n Then we discovered a second room filled with more antique Packards!\u00a0 These were newer cars from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.\u00a0 These was also a tow-truck and a fire engine.\u00a0 What an unbelievable collection.\u00a0 Further on there were two more rooms. <\/span><\/p>\n One room had more car parts and a small theater showing a video of the history of the Packard company.\u00a0 The last room was a memorial to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and exhibited FDR memorabilia.<\/span><\/p>\n We noticed that the two mechanics were working on several cars.\u00a0 Their job was to keep all the cars in running order.\u00a0 Unbelievable! <\/span><\/p>\n We watched them start one of the cars.\u00a0 It actually took both of them to accomplish the task and about 10 minutes: one depressing the clutch pedal and playing with the choke while the other sprayed ether into the engine.\u00a0 After a few false starts, they got it running and backed the magnificent red Packard out into the sun shine.\u00a0 We followed to take pictures.<\/span><\/p>\n Then the mechanic driving the car asked the other mechanic, “Would they like to come for a ride?”\u00a0 “Holy Moly!\u00a0 Would I?!!”\u00a0 I thought.\u00a0 It was a two-seater up front, so we had to take turns.\u00a0 Jeff went first, (I took photos of him in the car) and then it was my turn!\u00a0 It was just once around the block, but WOW! I felt like a kid on a joy ride!!\u00a0 I looked at the old dials on the dashboard and watched the driver double-clutch to switch gears.\u00a0 It had three speeds and reverse.<\/span><\/p>\n It was a quick run-around the block and we were at the back door again.\u00a0 WOW!!\u00a0 Was that fun!!!\u00a0 I was afraid to touch anything on the door.\u00a0 It had a double red leather hinge and chrome door handle.\u00a0 Amazing!\u00a0 I felt like a giggling school kid!! That was FUN!!<\/span><\/p>\n I thanked the mechanics and we stood by to watch them drive the car into the showroom of the museum.\u00a0 The second mechanic moved a flat metal pan in position under the car to catch the oil dripping from the engine. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gallivantinggrandma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/DSC_4445.resized.jpg\" "\\"DSC_4445.resized\\"")
<\/a><\/span>Front of the Museum
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>A Packard “Woody”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n