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Florida is famed for many things—beautiful beaches, incredible theme parks, and, of course, its sunny disposition. But car enthusiasts know that Florida is also renowned for automobiles.
From the fast-paced Daytona 500 races to its vast collection of vintage rides, Florida is a fascinating stop for automobile enthusiasts from around the world. You’ll find dozens of car museums around the state, each with its own unique collection. Whether you want to learn about the history of racing, the innovation of modern cars, or admire the bygone era of vintage models, you will not be disappointed. Here are some of the best car museums in Florida.
Orlando Auto Museum – Orlando
Home to one of the largest and most unique car collections in the world, the Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Park is one of the best car museums in Florida. There are thousands of cars from all eras and regions of the world, organized into different collections. There are even cars straight out of fiction, with vehicles from famous films like Batman, Harry Potter, James Bond, and more.
As you stroll through the museum, you can check out interactive displays, participate in scavenger hunts, take quizzes and more. The park also offers fun entertainment for the whole family, including go-carting, arcade games, bowling, a trampoline park, and more.
American Muscle Car Museum – Melbourne
The American Muscle Car Museum features the private collection of Mark Pieloch – a muscle car enthusiast who has been collecting vehicles for over 40 years. There are over 300 cars in the museum, with vintage rides from the 1950s to the 1970s, modern cars, Indianapolis race cars, and more.
Because this is a private collection, it isn’t open to the public. The museum is mostly used for non-profit fundraisers and other charitable events, so check the website for upcoming events.
Sarasota Classic Car Museum – Sarasota
With just over 100 vehicles, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum is far from the largest, but it is one of the best and oldest vintage car museums in Florida. It’s the second-oldest continually operated antique car museum in the United States, with cars dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
As you take the guided tour of the museum, you’ll learn all about the history and development of the vehicles they have on display – perfect for history buffs and car lovers alike. It’s one of the best things to do in Sarasota.
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum – Pinellas Park
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is a hidden gem with a unique spin on the classic car museums. Unlike most other museums in the state, this museum features vehicles that were considered innovative and creative in their time. They also focus on telling the story of automotive design from the past up to the present.
The museum showcases vintage cars (mostly from the 1920s and 1930s), but they also have antique auto parts and a collection of exhibits on engineering, design, and innovation.
The Classic Car Museum – St. Augustine
Situated in the historic St. Augustine, The Classic Car Museum offers an extensive look into the much-loved automotive history. Despite its unassuming exterior, this museum houses a remarkable collection that appeals to both casual visitors and die-hard enthusiasts alike.
All the vehicles on display have been meticulously restored, making visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a time capsule back to the 1950s and 1960s. The museum also acts as a special events space and a car storage facility, and there’s even a cute cafe onsite!
Tallahassee Auto Museum – Tallahassee
Housing an extensive collection of classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and rare automobiles, the Tallahassee Auto Museum is one of the best car museums in Florida. From the elegant curves of pre-war luxury vehicles to the raw power of modern supercars, there’s something to captivate the imagination of visitors of all ages.
There are even exhibits on vintage bicycles, antique appliances, and American pop culture. This is the perfect museum for anyone who is looking for a fun history museum with a healthy collection of cars.
Dauer Museum of Classic Cars – Sunrise
Tucked away in the vibrant city of Sunrise, the Dauer Museum of Classic Cars offers a captivating glimpse into the golden age of automotive design. The museum boasts a meticulously curated collection of vintage automobiles from 1906 to 2020, including names like Bently, Rolls Royce, Buick, and even some European models.
There are also some fun exhibits, like the fully restored vintage ambulance and the perfectly replicated Texaco gasoline station that looks like it came straight out of the 1930s.
The Revs Institute – Naples
The Revs Institute stands as a premier destination for automotive connoisseurs and historians alike. Renowned for its unparalleled collection of historically significant automobiles, this museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the study and celebration of the automobile.
From rare race cars with storied pedigrees to groundbreaking prototypes that shaped the future of motoring, each vehicle has been carefully selected. Only automobiles that meet the rigid Revs standard are showcased – prerequisites include historical importance, rarity, technical, aesthetic, or social significance.
The Brumos Collection – Jacksonville
The Brumos Collection features a range of impressive race cars spanning three centuries. The oldest vehicle is an 1894 Peuget, and there are other old-school models from Miller, Duesenberg and Bugatti. The other part of the museum is dedicated to Porsche, with models dating from 1953 to the present.
Each car has a digital screen in front of it with information and history about the vehicle. The museum also has other racing memorabilia on display, including trophies, vintage photos, engines, and gear.
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing – Ocala
Founded by drag racing legend Big Daddy Don Garlits, the Don Garltis Museum of Drag Racing is one of the best car museums in Florida – even if you’re not an overt drag racing fan.
The museum is split into two sections. One area celebrates the history of drag racing with original and replica race cars, funny buses, and more. The other building houses a collection of antique cars. Once you’ve taken a look at the vehicles, you can explore the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, which commemorates key figures in the industry, including drivers, crew, track owners, and more. If you’re lucky, you may even see Big Daddy himself showing people around the museum!
The Collection on Palmetto – Clearwater
The Collection on Palmetto is a unique non-profit that sports a one-of-a-kind collection of antique automobiles and engines. The museum has a special focus on vehicles from the Brass Era (1896-1915). This time period was significant to the technological development we take for granted in today’s vehicles, and the museum does a fantastic job of showcasing and teaching about automobiles from this era.
As you wander the museum, you’ll see plenty of vintage vehicles, but there are also some other cool features, including steam and gas engines, life-size murals, and education programs.
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America – Daytona
Located at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a mecca for motorsports lovers. The museum is filled with iconic vehicles across all race sports, including cars, boats, motorcycles, and even planes!
The exhibits at the Hall of Fame rotate frequently, so even if you’ve visited before, you’ll likely see something new on your next trip. There are also plenty of permanent exhibits, plus racing videos, photo ops with the current Daytona Champion car, and more.
Ragtops Motorcars – Lake Worth Beach
Step back in time at Ragtops Motorcars in Lake Worth Beach. This vintage car museum doubles as a dealership, so if you find something you love, you just might be able to drive it off the lot (if the price is right, of course). Because of the ever changing inventory, you can come back time and again and see new vehicles on display.
The museum features vintage cars and related memorabilia, including signs, neon lights, posters, and music to take you back in time. There’s also a gift garage with fun souvenirs to remember your visit.
Elliot Museum – Stuart
Named for Sterling Elliot (a prolific inventor credited with over 125 patents in his lifetime), the Elliot Museum is one of the most unique car museums in Florida. The main draw for car lovers is “the Wheels of Change” exhibit, which features over 50 vehicles stored on a three-level car racking system. The cars can be automatically lifted out and transported to a window for viewing.
In addition to the cars and impressive technology, the Elliot Museum also has exhibits on local history, baseball, Americana, artwork, and more.
Living Legends of Auto Racing – South Daytona
If you’re into historic race cars, make your way to Living Legends of Auto Racing in South Daytona. This museum has an ever changing rotation of historic race cars on display, making it a must see for NASCAR fans, history buffs, and car enthusiasts.
The collection is made up primarily of antique racers, but you’ll also find a vast array of other racing artifacts here, including helmets, archival photos, engines and more. This Florida car museum may not be as well known as other spots around the state, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re already in the Daytona area.