Sunny and – more important – dry: A good day for moving 40 antique cars.
The first of the hundreds of cars to be displayed at LeMay-America’s Car Museum rolled in Monday. Some made the trip on their own power. Others were trucked in. The rest of the initial 200 being moved will arrive by the end of November.
Before heading out, the cars are cleaned and prepped, said Renee Crist, the museum’s collection manager. Once in the museum, they’ll get a light detailing and another cleanup.
Where did they come from? Most from the museum’s interim headquarters in Fife; others from the former Marymount Military Academy in Spanaway where much of the collection of the late Harold E. LeMay is housed.
First in the door: A 1926 Marmon Speedster.
Oldest moved: A 1906 Cadillac Model M Tulip Tourer.
Least likely to be in your garage: A 1917 Crane Simplex, bought new by John D. Rockefeller.
What’s next: The cars soon will be put in place for upcoming events; eventually they’ll be used in exhibits or put on display.
Where the museum is: Across the street west of the Tacoma Dome at Interstates 5 and 705.
Who provided cars: Most from LeMay’s 3,000-plus collection, largest in the world, and from other collectors.
What type moved Monday: Those that don’t do well in the rain because they’re made of wood, have no windows or sport older paint jobs. All were from 1942 or earlier.
How moved: Driven by staff members or carried via truck.
When museum plans to open: June 2, 2012.
Cost: $60 million.
Highlights: 15 rotating exhibits using up to 300 cars, music, film and photos, banquet center and cafe, educational center and gift shop in four-story, 165,000-square-foot building.
Projected attendance: 425,000 visitors a year.
Randy McCarthy: 253-597-8277 randy.mccarthy@ thenewstribune.com
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