Fun Facts

Here are a couple of interesting tidbits about vehicles here at the museum

 Ford Model T

Did you know that the Ford Model T could run on multiple fuels? Gasoline, kerosene, and ethanol were all options. Of the three fuels, gasoline turned out to be the most sustainable choice. Prohibition made ethanol less accessible and gasoline became less expensive.

Chevrolet Model F-40

Did you know that the Chevrolet Model F-40 was one of the Model T’s fiercest competitors? Chevrolet utilized shipping dealerships knockdown kits, which contained all the parts necessary to assemble cars. Dealerships assembled the cars using locally sourced glass and rubber. Consequentially, Chevy could keep prices low.

Franklin Olympic

Did you know that the Franklin Olympic arose from the collaborative efforts of the Franklin Automobile Company and REO. The Olympic was based on REO’s “Flying Cloud” model which was known for it’s speed and style. The car incorporates Franklin’s well-known air-cooled, six-cylinder engines. This collaboration evolved when both company’s sales fell dramatically in the midst of the Great Depression. The Franklin Automobile Co. featured luxury cars, which people couldn’t afford at the time.