Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed Announces New Acquisitions, Loans Now on Exhibit
Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed announced today recent acquisitions and loans now on display at the museum including over 10 vehicles and engines that are now on exhibit.
“Every time you visit there is always something new and exciting to see,” said Tim Matthews, curator Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. “We are continually adding to the collection and are excited to announce new acquisitions and loans that are now available for viewing.”
The new vehicles that are now on display include:
- ’57 Corvette- Donated by Joel and Lynette Jansen from Papillion, Neb. This all-original Corvette debuted the 283ci twin 4 barrel engine and marks a significant year in performance advancements for GM.
- ’57 Bel Air- 60’s gasser themed build on loan as part of the new Herzog Motorsports Racing Collection. It was reportedly previously owned by baseball star Reggie Jackson.
- Phaze II- part of the Darryl Starbird collection it was originally built by Dave Puhl in partnership with Rod & Custom magazine in 1969.
- 1998 Mile High Corvette- it sports a chassis and body designs created by one of Speedway Motors owners, Carson Smith and team utilizing Indy-Car grade performance features. Raced Pikes Peak in the late ‘90’s.
- 2005 Ford GT- a great example of modern American performance.
- 360 Sprint- first-ever built and raced 360 limited Sprint car. Sprint class later took off as a national sensation and reinvented the sport of Sprint racing.
- ’57 Daytona Corvette – on loan from Joe Trybulec—the last surviving unrestored GM factory Corvette race car featuring a prototype GM fuel injection and other rare parts as raced at Daytona Beach, Nassau, and Sebring.
“Our restoration team is always hard at work preserving historical vehicles and artifacts,” Matthews added. “We are so excited to partner with Joe to display his extremely rare ‘57 Corvette. It is a miracle that it survived without being changed other than being hidden under a coat of gold paint for so many years. Joe is contemplating having the gold paint meticulously removed by conservators here to reveal the white original livery which is still intact underneath. We are so excited to be involved with the process and feel like the Museum of American Speed is a perfect place for such an important vehicle to be viewed by the public.”
A number of engines are also now on display including:
- Italimeccanica Flathead crank driven Supercharger, possibly one of the rarest superchargers ever known, Italimeccanica produced performance blowers and other accessories for the Flathead V8 prior to being acquired by S.Co.T. Superchargers.
- GM 396- newly finished and restored at the museum this 396ci cutaway originally debuted at the New York Worlds Fair GM exhibit in the mid-60’s.
- Chrysler Slant 6 - recently fully restored at the museum the ultra-rate OHC conversion for the Chrysler Slant 6.
Recognized last year as the #1 Attraction for Car Lovers in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards, Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed is currently home to over 150,000 square feet of display space over three levels. The Museum was formed to present a continuous chronology of automotive racing engine and speed equipment development and to preserve, interpret and display items significant in racing and automotive history. The Museum’s collection results from “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith’s personal involvement in racing and hot rodding, and their family’s lifelong passion for collecting and preserving racing and automotive history.
The Museum also features many other unique displays including the largest collection of vintage pedal cars, gas-powered miniature race cars, automobile-themed toys, automotive art, lunchboxes and more.
Last fall they announced an expansion project that will add another 90,000 square feet to the museum. The first phase of the expansion is currently underway expected to be completed by Fall, 2022.
For more information about Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, museum hours or displays, visit www.museumofamericanspeed.com.
About Speedway Motors, Inc. Speedway Motors is a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products. Celebrating their 70th Anniversary, Speedway Motors has been committed to providing a broad selection of high-quality, affordable automotive parts—delivered quickly, efficiently and without any hassles since 1952. Their products and expert advice are available to customers by calling 1.800.979.0122, online or at retail stores in Lincoln, Neb. and Tolleson, Ariz.
About Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed The Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed is a federally recognized 501 (c) (3) private foundation located in Lincoln, Neb. Founded in 1992 by the “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith family, the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed was formed to present a continuous chronology of automotive Racing Engine and Speed Equipment development and to preserve, interpret and display items significant in racing and automotive history.