I finally had a chance to check out the Blackhawk Museum, located in Danville, California. It sits on a hillside above fashionable (meaning expensive) shops and restaurants. At one time strictly an auto museum, it now includes art from the Old West, Africa, and China. Entry fee is $20, $15 for seniors. 2BukChuk says “senior discounts are one of the few benefits of growing old”.
The Don Williams Automobile Gallery maintains a selection of historically valuable cars. They’re showcased like jewels on display with downlights illuminating the cars. It’s impressive, especially when I think of my cars covered up in a dark, cold barn with no electricity! No need for rodent repellent here – you could eat off the polished marble floors! A beautiful black 1962 MGA was on display in the lobby, which reminded me of an important car story in my life. My uncle Tony drove a black 1959 MGA coupe before he shipped off to Viet Nam in 1968. He was KIA soon after, and seeing any MGA brings back memories of riding in his car when I was 12 years old. Like this MGA, Tony’s light still shines. RIP Marine.
The automobile collection is on the first floor. They’re roped off & staged in separate rows. I could only imagine how many car stories surround these vintage vehicles. Where to start? I saw Ferraris on my left, but the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gull Wing was like a magnet and drew me right to it.
I wanted to jump in, pull the doors down, and see what it looked like from the inside. But this isn’t Disney World. No long lines or rides happening here…So I resisted the urge and moved on.
You have to give Henry Ford credit for bringing the Model T to the masses. Here is a nice example of a 1915 roadster below.
Next up was a 1929 Duesenberg Model J, of which this convertible is only one of 60 manufactured.
I dig cars from the 1950’s. The dawn of the Space Age impacted car designs with bright colors, large tailfins, tons of chrome, and dashboards that simulated aircraft cockpits. How about this bright red 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible? More chrome on that front end than covers The Bean. What a great year for cars. Next came the 1957 Ford Thunderbird and 1961 Corvette – classics that will never go out of style.
My mission was to check out the cars and write up this car story, but I found the rest of the museum worthwhile, too. It’s kind of like going to Disney World and finding out Epcot has something to offer beyond Mickey Mouse. In both cases, you might learn something new about the past and other cultures.
I recommend checking out the Blackhawk Museum. You won’t be disappointed, unless you’re looking for a ride. To get on rides, head South to Disneyland, the “Happiest place on Earth” where they encourage you to get on their rides…