Indiana: The Automotive Crossroads of America

As spring blossoms, and summer approaches drivers across the country are thinking about the annual summer road trip. To make sure your trip goes off without a hitch, make sure your vehicle is top running condition. Also make sure you have all the coverage you need for the trip by comparing auto insurance quotes and updating your existing policy. With gasoline currently averaging $3.28/gallon in much of the United States, it makes sense to pick a destination that will offer many interesting places to explore. If you like cars and museums, one such choice is the state of Indiana.

Most of us know Indiana as "the Hoosier state," but the state also refers to itself as "the crossroads of America." It should be no surprise, then, that there are at least fifteen car-related museums in that state. Michigan might be the center of automotive production these days, but Indiana has the lock on automotive history.

Here are highlights of six popular Indiana auto museums. Any one of them would be worth the visit:

• Studebaker National Museum, South Bend: This museum is a tribute to all things Studebaker, and makes it their mission to honor local history "…through the interpretation, conservation and preservation of Studebaker vehicles…." In addition to the physical museum, which is open daily except major holidays, they offer an extensive collection of archived information on their website. Admission is $8 for adults, less for senior citizens and children, and they also have an ongoing fundraising campaign in which individuals can "adopt" one of their fifty-three antique cars for a year. Sponsors receive a photo of the car, and an adoption certificate, but sadly, don't get to drive the vehicles. Website: www.studebakermuseum.org

• The RV/MH Hall of Fame, Elkhard: This museum is dedicated to Recreational Vehicles and Manufactured Housing, and includes a library and conference center, as well as the museum itself. Founded in 1972, it is "dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the pioneers and individuals who have made significant contributions to the RV and Manufactured Housing industries." The museum houses a collection of historic RVs as well as a multimedia exhibit sponsored by GoRVing, that educates visitors about modern RV lifestyles. Website: www.rvmhhalloffame.org

• Ragtops Museum, Michigan City: Billing themselves as the largest antique auto museum in Northwest Indiana, this museum has an extensive collection of antique cars, though not all of them are ragtops. In addition to the autos, there are replicas of a 1950's service station using vintage bricks from the town that were removed before regular pavement was put down, and diner, with mannequins dressed to look like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. Website: www.ragtopsmuseum.com

• NATMUS, Auburn: NATMUS, or the National Automotive and Truck Museum, is one of two major auto museums in Auburn, Indiana, which town was once a veritable center of American car production. The museum features mostly post-World War II trucks and buses, but also has several vehicles that date back to the early 1900s. As well, it also houses a model car, truck and toy museum known as NATMATMUS. Website: www.natmus.org

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, Indianapolis: It's should be no surprise that the country's most famous speedway also serves as home to one of the most comprehensive museums celebrating auto racing. This one includes a permanent exhibit of roughly seventy-five cars, and includes a 1957 SSI Chevrolet Corvette, a 1998 Stewart-Ford SF-2 Formula One car, and one of only three 1935 Duesenberg Model JN four-door convertibles. Website: www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/museum

• Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, Auburn: This museum is special not just because it highlights three American carmakers, but because those cars were produced in and around Auburn itself. It has a variety of permanent displays, highlighting engineering developments (like the first front-wheel drive in the United States) as well as the various models to come from these three marques. In addition, there's a gallery celebrating all the cars of Indiana. Website: www.acdmuseum.org

These six facilities are just a sampling of the various automotive museums in Indiana, but represent a fairly accurate cross-sampling of the sorts of attractions the state has to offer. Perhaps they should consider changing their motto to "the automotive crossroads of America."

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Page modified 4/7/2008