Northeast Classic Car Museum — Attraction in City of Norwich

05/07/24: A quick update since my last visit here. Currently at the Northeast Classic Car Museum through the end of May 2024 is a collection of more than two dozen European and Japanese sports cars on display. For anyone with an interest in iconic imported sports cars, consider a visit here if you're in the area.

07/03/22: For anyone with even the slightest interest in classic, antique, or muscle cars, if you haven't visited the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, NY, you really need to add this place to your bucket list. This shrine to American automobiles large and small is a real treasure among car museums and is very unique in many ways. And don't let the fact that this museum is located in a small town in upstate New York State make you think that it's not worth the drive here. With approximately 200 vehicles inside representing 100 years of automotive history from every American car manufacturer imaginable (as well as some unimaginable), there's a lot to see in this very underrated regional museum. My latest visit here during July 4th holiday weekend was actually my third visit in the last 15 years and, with each new visit, I'm pleasantly surprised by a significant new addition to this very impressive automotive shrine. And just completed in the Spring of 2022 is a stunning new retro facade which is a fitting tribute to what awaits you inside. In addition to the cars on permanent display here, you'll also find changing exhibits of special interest vehicles featured. Need more reasons to visit? How about the largest collection of Franklin motor cars in the world, or how about a special exhibit of vehicles manufactured in New York State, including several very rare cars. And if motorcycles are more your thing, they've got that covered too. Are there other car museums in NY State? Sure, a few, but you'll have to drive a lot further than Norwich just to see a vehicle collection of this size, variety, and quality. I highly recommend a visit. Now, some details for your visit. There's free parking in the paved lot directly across from the museum. All of the vehicles are located on the ground floor of the museum with easy access from the outside, and wide isles inside. A large gift shop located in the lobby offers a wide variety of gift items at very reasonable prices. As of this review (July 2022), admission for adults is $12, a reasonable price for everything you'll see here. Another plus is the friendly people working here. Some detailed background history is provided for each vehicle. Allow at least two hours for your first visit. Want to know more about what automotive treasures you'll find here? Take a look at the freshly posted photos that I've added to this review. Enjoy, and thanks for reading...

A fabulous place. One beauty after another. We start with early 20th century models, some (e.g., Ford) marketed to the common man, while others, 50 times more expensive than the Fords, are hand-made coaches targeting the fabulously wealthy. Then we move on to the pre-WW2 section, where Franklins are perhaps over-emphasized, but don't think I'm complaining. The craftsmanship, considering these things were production vehicles, is, well, humbling. Things calm down somewhat after the depression and during the war, but the examples remain magnificent. At the end, we come to the modern era, 50s-60s-70s. That's when I grew up, so I experienced quite a bit of nostalgia. The strange thing, though, is that those very cars, which I find at car shows and cruise-ins throughout the summer months, where I envy their owners, seem so ordinary compared to the early models.

What I see everywhere in this museum is love. The people who restored these vehicles clearly did it out of love. There's not enough money there to reflect the massive work involved. Sometimes there's a picture book showing you what a poor car looked like when it was discovered. To my eyes, there's not much to work with, more missing or rotted away than intact, yet here it is, right in front of you, resurrected back to factory condition. Not just shells, either. They were restored to running condition, many of them bearing state registration and inspection stickers. Most haven't been started for a few years, so you can't just turn the key and go, but I don't think it would take much work to get them moving again.

Norwich may not be on your way, but if you like cars, even just a little, it's well worth the detour. Plan to spend a few hours, and then write...

The Northeast Classic Car Collection is home to 170 different cars spread over five buildings! The cars are very well presented and look like they are in tip top shape. For each car a small sign explains the make and model of the car, the historical significance of the car, and engine specifics. They also have an awesome display of early motorcycles, and airplane engines. The museum is home to a large collection of Franklin automobiles. Franklins were manufactured in Syracuse, NY from 1902-1934. They were air-cooled and luxury vehicles of their time. You can even get into a rare model Franklin if you want. On top of the Franklin collection the museum houses other very rare cars. For instance, the 1925 Stanley Steamer, a car that had a steam engine, has to be seen. There is also an 1899 Leggett, which is one of only two known to still exist. The museum has several other former NY State manufactured cars including Mora, Playboy, and Pierce Arrow. Numerous automobile brand names, that are synonymous with automotive history, including Ford, Packard, Studebaker, Nash, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, DeLorean, Plymouth, to name just a few are represented in the museum. The museum also has a nice collection of motorcycles. There are some really great looking Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles. Many of the motorcycles are from the first half of the 20th Century. The museum has a well stocked gift shops, where prices are reasonable. The staff is friendly and can answer your questions. If you are really into cars you can spend several hours here. For most, set aside at least 1 ½ hour. You can only purchase tickets at the museum. A museum that...