Pontiac Museum in Pontiac, IL

StealthBird · #1 08-13-2011, 06:58 PM

Here's some pictures from the Pontiac Museum grand opening last month in Pontiac, IL.

Pontiac IL is a wonderful little Mayberry-type town, very old fashioned, surrounded by farmland. There are huge Route 66 themed murals on many of the brick buildings. The center of the town square reminded me of 1955 Hill Valley from "Back To The Future"! There is also a little Route 66 Museum, as well as a War Museum, with more uniforms on display than I've ever seen. The War Museum has true VFW's on staff to answer your questions.

Anyway, as for the Pontiac Museum, it's small, but packed with fascinating material. For the grand opening, Arnie Beswick was there with his "Tameless Tiger", along with Jim Wangers, and designer Bill Porter, who helped design the 1969 Trans Am, and was instrumental in developing the 2nd Gen Firebird body and Trans Am package.

Tim Dye is the museum curator, and a super nice guy. The memorabilia on display is only about 1/3 of what he has, there just isn't enough room in the museum to display everything.

The museum library area was simply unreal. Factory manuals, huge binders filled with Pontiac bulletins, parts books, sales albums, and the material from the Oakland days up to 2010. Simply the most incredible collection we've ever seen. Like an old fashioned library, you need a ladder to get to the upper shelves! You could easily spend 8 hours there just doing research.

Here's some pics:

StealthBird · #2 08-13-2011, 06:59 PM

This is an incredible Pontiac hood ornament collection from the 30's to the 50's. Some very elaborate ornaments.

StealthBird · #3 08-13-2011, 07:02 PM

Beswick's Tameless Tigers. That's Arnie in the background, center, wearing the dark sunglasses. Still as gracious as ever, and a great guy to talk to. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

StealthBird · #4 08-13-2011, 07:10 PM

Some memorabilia :

StealthBird · #5 08-13-2011, 07:13 PM

Some of the cars inside:

StealthBird · #6 08-13-2011, 07:14 PM

Another shot of the 1968 RAII Firebird. Beautiful red on red with redlines. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

**grantprix** · #7 08-14-2011, 06:47 PM

WOW! I'd really like to see that in person someday. Well done Tim! Thanks for sharing the photos. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

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