Jan 13
13
Are you a car nut? Pardon me, I mean: an automobile aficionado? Do you know all sorts of arcane auto trivia that astounds your friends? Or do you just like looking at old cars for the nostalgia factor? Then when you visit Las Vegas, you should make a beeline for the classic car collection at the Quad (formerly the Imperial Palace). Even if you’re not normally into cars, don’t discount this as an interesting way to spend an hour. I barely know the make and model of the car I’ve owned for the past six years, but I’ve been to this collection twice and both times I’ve enjoyed myself.
What’s the appeal? Well, as the website says, it’s the world’s largest classic car museum. There are over 150 classic cars on display—in excellent condition, I might add. (Although some are recreations, not the originals.) Some are for sale, if you’ve got anywhere from $50,000 to $900,000 burning a hole in your pocket.
Not only are there classic cars here, some of them have colorful histories. According to their website, they currently have on display: a Lincoln Continental Mark V formerly owned by Elvis; President John F. Kennedy’s Lincoln Continental Towne Limousine; Johnny Carson’s Chrysler Royal Sedan (with which he learned to drive); and the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback that was used in Gone in 60 Seconds.
On my most recent trip, I took advantage of the opportunity to practice my photography. You’d be surprised how beautiful the curves and lines of a classic car are when showcased up close in a photograph.
Look at those lines!
By far the most interesting car I saw that day was this 1925 Rolls-Royce that belonged to the ex-Maharajah of Kotah, who equipped it with guns to hunt Bengal tigers and other wild game on his estate. I’m not endorsing that behavior, but the car itself had many fascinating features, as you can see in the photos below. I’ve never seen anything like it.
1925 Rolls Royce Phantom I Barker Torpedo Tourer – The “Tiger Car”
The car was equipped with guns in the back, since it was used for game hunting on the Maharaja’s estate.
I have NO idea what this was all about.
Seems a little over-the-top, doesn’t it?
I do think they’re missing a fun opportunity at this car museum/showcase, though, to play classic rock ‘n roll car songs in the background. I thought I was going to go insane listening to a looped tape of Johnny Carson over and over and over again for an hour. I’d much rather have heard a medley of “409,” “Pink Cadillac,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Mustang Sally.” (Feel free to use that idea, Quad; you can thank me later.)
Vroom, vroom
Remember these? Yeah, me neither.
What you need to know:
- Showroom Location: 5th Floor of the Parking Garage at the Quad.
- Hours: Daily 10am-6pm.
- Admission: Free; just print up your free admission pass at their website.
- There is an audio tour with information about the various cars.
- As you can see, photography is allowed.
Gray — I’ve never been to the Auto Collection, but this makes me want to spend an hour or so there next time on the Strip.
Dave
Then my work here is done, Dave.
I GO TO THE AUTO COLLECTION EVERY OTHER YEAR WITH A FREE PASS FROM THEIR WEBSITE. ALL OF THESE CARS ARE FROM THE HARRAH COLLECTION AND MOST OF THEM ARE FOR SALE IF YOU HAVE THE FUNDS TO SPEND. FROM TIME TO TIME THE CARS ARE ROTATED OUT SO YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE SOMETHING NEW. MY FAVS ARE A 70 ROADRUNNER (USED TO RACE ONE) AND A 61 CADDY (MY FAVORITE BODY STYLE). THERE ARE MILLION DOLLAR CARS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR CARS ON DISPLAY. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THEIR GIFT SHOP ON THE WAY OUT – LOTS OF COOL THINGS FOR SALE.
Thanks for the reminder about the gift shop, Raymond! I did stop by there, but didn’t buy anything. But yes, there is one.
You definitely do not have to know anything about cars to enjoy the exhibit. My favorite car when I was there was a 1987 Yugo Sport. I think it was going for $25,000, a far cry from the $3,995 price tag when the Yugoslavian car hit the market in the mid-80′s. Definitely not a car you’d expect to see in a car collection.
A Yugo Sport? Wow, that’s a blast from the past. That makes me think…what cars during my lifetime would possibly ever end up in a classic car museum 30 years from now? Somehow I can’t see anyone showing off a Subaru wagon or a mini-van. LOL.
A friend in college had one of those Yugos. If you can imagine, someone actually broke into it and stole the radio and air conditioning system. IIRC, the a/c was not standard equipment.
Oh, I can imagine it. If it’s not bolted to the ground (and sometimes even if it is) there will always be someone who wants to steal it.
I have seen and done a lot of things in Vegas, but I’ve never been to the car collection at IP, and I stayed there once many years ago. I’ve seen Human Nature and the drag queen show at IP, but not the cars, shame on me!
Next time, Hardware! Add it to your list!
I visit every year, I’m glad to see it hasn’t been closed down in the remodel.
Not yet anyway. Keep your fingers crossed, Shawn.
It has been about ten years since I have been in that museum. It might be time for another visit. It does bother me that the cars are for sale now so it is not really a museum.
Yeah, but look at it this way, Jeff. If the cars weren’t for sale, the “museum” probably wouldn’t be able to sustain itself, and it would close. And on the bright side, with cars being sold and acquired all the time, you’re bound to see something new every time you go.
I visited the car museum on my last trip to Vegas. I’m not into cars but I enjoyed this. We had a coupon for free admission. Not sure if they do that anymore but it doesn’t hurt to look for them.
Yes, they do still have the free admission coupons. You can print it off their website. It should never cost you anything to visit.
I think my husband and I have visited The Auto Collection 3 times and it is entertaining every time. They do change out the cars because we have seen different ones every time. Its a nice quiet pace if you want to get a way from the hustle and bustle of the strip for an hour or more. We live in Vegas now and will plan to visit again and again. The gift shop has a lot of nostalgic gifts in it and it is fun to go down memory lane with a lot of the items. It’s just plain good entertainment.
You’re right, Lisa, it’s definitely a nostalgia trip!