Reliable Chevrolet - Springfield

The Swope Auto Museum

In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, a unique collection of vehicles promises to take you back in time. It is a major attraction for car fans from all over the world, and surely not anything we have in Springfield, MO. At Reliable Chevrolet - Springfield, we love car museums, so that's why we're sharing this blog with you.

Tucked between two car dealerships—Chrysler and Nissan—you’ll find The Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum. More than 60 vehicles are on display at the special museum owned by the Swope Family of Dealerships.

Whether you’re shopping for a new car, having your vehicle repaired at the collision center or driving through the area, you won’t want to miss this attraction. It is located less than 50 miles from Louisville.

Established in 1952, Swope Family of Dealerships includes six stores in the area: Nissan; Hyundai; Ford; Toyota; and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram are located on Dixie Ave. and the Mitsubishi and Certified Pre-Owned dealerships are about 15 miles away on Dixie Blvd. in Radcliff. They also have the Swope Freedom Plan dealership in Elizabethtown.

In 1986, Bill Swope sold the dealerships to his son Carl and began collecting cars of his own. With a passion for vintage cars, his dream was to build a museum where car fans could see a wide range of vehicles from the 1900s to 1960s. It took years of planning before the museum opened in May 1999. Some cars were restored in the collision center and others were purchased.

Step inside and a knowledgeable guide is on hand to provide tours. There are antique vehicles as well as classics.

Here are some of the highlights of what you will see:

• 1923 Packard Sport Touring: popular among the “smart set” during the Roaring Twenties
• 1925 Pierce Arrow: the rich and famous as well as all presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Franklin Delano Roosevelt owned one. 
• 1936 Rolls Royce Phantom III: featured in the television movie “The Ultimate Legacy,” starring Raquel Welch
• 1956 Thunderbird: One of the first sports cars manufactured in the United States. 
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro: A popular car during the 1960s, this vehicle gained respect among car enthusiasts.

Bring the family, a car aficionado or stop by on your own. In addition to viewing the cars, there is a vintage car library and interactive car video theater. Those who are more passionate collectors have an opportunity to purchase some of the antique vehicles.  

If you’re traveling on a tour bus or driving an RV, rest assured there is plenty of parking available. The air-conditioned facility is open year-round Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Sources:  Wikipedia, MSN and DRIVE