don smith racecar museum
 

Does anyone know if Don Smith ever opened a racecar museum in Terre Haute? Saw some pics on another website and the collection is unbelievable. Please post if you have any info. Thanks.:)

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

I believe he opens it up once a year for a Komen for the cure Charity fund raiser. I don't know when it is.

Its not really a race car museum, More like a collection of his life and racing he's been around, Two of the four buildings are Race Car related and two are miscellaneous vehicles including some rare and one of a kinds.

If your in a car club its possible he may be open to a visit making a appointment to do so. Don't just show up. I took some pics and there are much better pics out there on some hot rod site.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...00000460296154

If you get a chance. Visit but like I said, Don't just show up :)

There is also the 500 museum in Terre Haute run by his son-in-law that has several of his cars. This is only open some saturdays to my understanding, Several of the cars are visible thru the front window with their descriptions. I believe that is on Ohio Ave.

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

I am not sure if he opened a public museum but I am certain he will have a couple of his cars on display at the Terre Haute fair grounds on the 11 with the Midwest Oldtimers. I have seen his collection and it is Amazing! He is a very nice man and has some very interesting racing stories to tell.

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

There is the 500 Musuem of Wheels, while it might not be his musuem, I believe it is his cars in there. I don't know who owns it. It is located about 2 blocks from my work and is open on Fridays from 4-7 pm (I think) and Saturdays 9-12. It costs 5 dollars to get in. It is on Ohio street near 15th.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cvmnrob...7602741813778/

This is a picture of the building.

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

Oh I totally agree, Don never stopped chatting with people. In fact the third hour we were on site it was pretty much a bull session between himself and race fans he never knew :)

If you get a chance to go. Check out the walls, the paintings some of the race articles on the walls. Hes got practical jokes made up (the one that got me was the birdcage with a bottle of Old Crow and wild turkey in it :) The paintings are STELLAR as you can see from some of the pics.

I can't remember who he hired to do all the paintings and woodwork at the site but hes quite talented and has a obsession with Crows! (Theres a crow somewhere in every painting :) )

anybody know if bob mcconnell in urbana, ohio ever allows the public to check out his collection.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

I can tell you this... IT IS AN AWESOME COLLECTION...... I would pay to go visit it again.......

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

Thanks for the link Chuck, great pic's !

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

thanks for all the help. it is greatly appreciated.:9:

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

Public, I highly doubt it and thats all Im going to say. You can catch some of his cars at high end shows like Ault Park and other Concourse d elegance events, Vintage Indy meets. Do a search, There are some pics at shows. Seems like a very busy man and any one of his cars at a show is worth the price of admission.

thanks for the info i drive right past his place everyday for work and it drives me crazy knowing im that close to all them original indy roadsters and everything and not be able to check them out.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

its about 11th and ohio :19:

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

Sorry, I just know it is down the street from work......

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

just a appitizer from don smiths

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=163095

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

I want to see Frank Kelptz collection, it might not be race cars, but he has super rare cars (Chrysler Turbine car, one of only two running {Jay Leno has the other}).

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

they are 6 chrysler turbine that curently run in the world jay leno has flown to terre haute to help frank out there was also a video clip on tnn of them crusing around terre haute in the turbine..i have seen franks collection twice..he isnt doing so well.we was trying to talk him into another tour ..bad thing about it it when frank passes the boy has no interst in the shop:7:

---------- Post added at 07:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 AM ----------

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ne01_crop1.jpg

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

A few years ago I enjoyed a visit to a museum in Bedford that I understand is no longer there. Can sombody tell me the fellow's name that owned it and what became of him and his collection?
Thanks!

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

Eddie Evans he passed away few years back, they sold all the cars at fort wayne auction.

Re: don smith racecar museum
 

Hate to hear that news, but I appreciate the info.