Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Clipped from the Terre Haute Tribune-Star:

"View private racing collection Nov. 1

First Financial Bank and Komen Race for the Cure invite the public on Nov. 1 to see the private racing collection of First Financial Corp. Chairman and President Donald E. Smith.

It includes a large collection of race cars, racing memorabilia and more rare and unique items.

The collection will be shown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in First Financial Complex at Indiana 159 and Harlan Drive.

Admission is adults, $10, children under 12, $5.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Komen Race for the Cure in support of breast cancer research, education and patient services."

This collection is impressive beyond description (it takes 3 barns to hold it all!) and if you have a chance see it, I would definitely recommend it. He only opens it up every couple years or so.

Jerry

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I have heard alot about Dons collection and would love to go over and see it. Can
you get the word to him to have another day for those of us that will be in Calif.
at the races. It would be neat to see him do it again when there are no conflicts
for us racers.:applaud:

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I'm 500 miles away but would travel to see this. Are they moving a few of the vehicles to this location or is this the site where all the cars are housed?

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

As far as I know, this is where the collection is always housed. It's just not usually open to the public, though. There was talk a couple of years ago about moving the collection to a place on Ohio Street that was going to become a museum, but I guess that never happened.

Jerry

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

its where its always been ,just west of that intersection on harlan

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I really wish Indiana had a museum that was dedicated to motorsports beyond the speedway museum. THe pictures on the other site were impressive and need to be shared.

Indiana has a rich history in racing and could support such a museum. It could include a hall of fame and even a section on Indiana in the automotive industry. I know there used to be the one in Bedford. For this type of museum to survive, I would see it in Indianapolis.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Can anyone tell me how to get to Don Smith"s museum...will be coming from Indy on 70...tks.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Stay on 70 till you get to Exit 11 (IN-46). Take 46 East till you get to Riley (3.5 mi.). When in Riley, turn right onto Hwy 159. Take Hwy 159 till you get to Harlan Drive. It's probably 3 or 4 miles. Turn right onto Harlan Drive. The property is the first one after you turn onto Harlan Drive, on the left-hand side of the street.

Jerry

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

We have seen this..it is a truely magnificent collection!! Worth every penny to go see it. Truely a race fans heaven!!
George & Tammy Gamester

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Thank you...have heard about this private collection for a long time and am looking forward to seeing it...tks again!

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

:thumb

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Couldn't make it last year, but this year I am...I will post pictures.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I know there is cars inside that building on ohio....weather it is actually open or not yet, I don't know.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

A new story on the subject from the Trib-Star:

http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_...303230233.html

Jerry

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I am going and will be taking pics also. There will be a photo gallery of the trip up on T2D after the trip.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

See you there Kyle.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

man what a collection of memrobilia nice nice collection well worth the trip at least once......

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Not just the collection but the property it sets on also is very beautiful I took a few shots of that also. The collection is one of a kind I am very very glad I went this morning worth loosing sleep over.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

It's hard to describe just how extensive this collection is! That was worth WAY more than the $10 it cost to see it. One thing that kind of stands out is the enormous amount of AJ Foyt memorabilia that Don has. I bet he has more than AJ does, himself. Don was no doubt a big Pat O'Connor fan, too. Steve Turner would definitely enjoy seeing Don's collection.

Jerry

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

It was the second time for me, this was better than the museum at the speedway!

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

Not only is the collection great, but Mr. Smith was there to personally greet and talk with everyone. I had the opportunity to chat with him for a couple of minutes. What a gentleman! It is so evident that he loves racing.

If he opens this again, I urge those who couldn't make it this time to go. You will enjoy it greatly.

Frank Daigh

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I was able to see the collection and I was amazed at the collection. The street cars alone was well worth the 10 dollar admission, the race cars were a added bonus.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1562.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1570.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1578.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1581.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1613.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1617.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1618.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1619.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...h/DSC_1671.jpg


All my pictures.
http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ith/?start=all

Now to see Frank Kleptz's collection.

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I agree about the Don Smith collection. I was there today, saw our buddy Kyle. Photos and words don't do it justice. The non race car stuff is indeed facinating.
Dusty

Re: Rare Chance to View Don Smith's Private Collection
 

I took photos for a gallery on T2D that will go up SOON I promise!!!!