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Muscle Cars Make Long-Awaited Return To America
On Wheels
“Pure Muscle – Fast, Fun and Furious” is a dazzling
display of the vehicles that represented the turbulent
1960s as they blended muscle, motors and music and
gave voice to the Baby Boom Generation. Represented
in the display, which open May 1 and runs for six
months in the Changing Exhibit Gallery at America
On Wheels are limited editions that include a 1965
Pontiac GTO, 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang, a 1969 Corvette
Convertible and a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner.
MAIN ENTRANCE In the 1950's, the big auto
manufacturers, and small private shops, one of a kind
show cars. The essence of these creations would often
show up on future production models. The style was
influenced by America's preoccupation with space exploration
and penchant for low, long and sleek automobiles with
abundant chrome. The talented designers of these show
cars often became household names. America On Wheels
celebrates these timeless beauties and the artisans
who created them.
We look forward to continuing to offer an outstanding
array of exhibits, events and educational programs.
New additions to our galleries--on loan from Herb
Singe, Jr. includes a 1909 Marsh Metz motorcycle once
owned by actor Steve McQueen and a 1913 Harley Davidson
Model 9-A with its unique handlebar-mounted acetylene
gas tank used to illuminate the head and tail lights.
The Bonneville Streamliner in our lobby set land speed
records at the Salt Flats. Exciting news to share
at this time is in 2011 Chevrolet turns 100 and
the museum will be showcasing a Century of Chevy's!
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Soapbox Derby Exhibit
The Mini Exhibits will be on display for approximately
six weeks and are designed to increase the flexibility
of the museum's display space, allow for more frequent
rotation of popular trends in transportation history
and encourage repeat visits from AOW's growing fan base.
The Soapbox Derby exhibit includes some of the most
notable homemade cars in the history of the Derby, including
several raced locally over the years. |
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Lobby/Corridor Gallery
This gallery features an array of vehicles that have
a special relationship with their owners and the communities
in which they reside. From hotrods to sports cars,
from emergency vehicles to unique forms of personal
transportation, each of these vehicles hold a significance
all their own.
In the interactive exhibits, learn the stories behind
the other exhibits in the museum, have your photo
taken in the driver's seat of a mini-Indy racecar,
test your knowledge of auto-related locations in Allentown,
and learn how Mack Truck's uses their specialty vehicles
to strengthen our communities.
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Did you know?
 In
1956, Zora Arkus-Duntov, "The Father of the Corvette"
charged up Pike's Peak in a pre-production prototype
Chevy.
The
1933 Hupmobile on display in the lobby originally
cost $995. Now it is priceless as it is only one
of five known to exist today
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South Gallery
This gallery features several examples of the
extensive array of trucks produced over sixty-eight
years by Mack Truck, Inc, including one of the first
models with an enclosed cab. Also included in this
gallery is an extensive collect of bikes, both motorized
and self-propelled.
In the interactive exhibits, practice driving your
own Mack truck, find out what type of vehicle you
are most naturally suited to, test your knowledge
of auto tools and their functions, hear audio of actual
Mack employees and truck drivers talk about their
experiences, and much more!
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Did you know?
Mack
Truck's adopted the bulldog as their corporate symbol
after WWI, because British soldiers referred to Mack
trucks as "bulldogs" because of their stamina and
ruggedness on the battlefield.
Gina
Bovaird of Maxatawny, PA and owner of the 1974 Yamaha
TA125A, was the first woman to race in the premier
motorcycle world championship Grand Prix, and the
Daytona 200.
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North Gallery
This gallery features vehicles used for personal transportation
spanning over a century. Here you can view many of
America's "first" in automobile history, such as one
of the first American cars every made, an early electric
car, and the first type of car to be made by methods
of mass product. You can also see some of the most
recent options for versatile transportation available
today that get you out of the car and on the road!
In the interactive exhibits, be a sleuth and figure
out who actually built the first automobile, try to
figure out just what the differences are between a
car and a carriage, learn about how we might fuel
our vehicles in the future, and even design your own
car!
Did you know?
Before 1901, automobiles had been handmade in individual
workshops, machine shops, marine-engine plants or,
bicycle factories. The demand for the Curved Dash
Olds led the company to institute primitive mass-production
methods to help meet the demand.
The Electrobat IV built in 1895 is one of the first
electric cars built in USA. In 1900 28% of all cars
built in US were electric.
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