KEARNEY — The Classic Car Collection has officially relaunched as the American Automobile Experience and boasts a new process that will see new vehicles displayed at the facility.
The start of the Class Car Collection dates back to 2011 when a donation of 100 vehicles was made from Bernie and Janice Taulborg’s private collection.
After 12 years of maintaining the collection, located in the same building on the east side of Cabela’s, the owner put several cars up for auction. There were around 140 cars for sale in 2023.
Pete Stout with Blueprint Engines spoke with KGFW and said there had been some confusion, with some thinking the Classic Car Collection had shut down permanently.
To reinvigorate the facility, it was decided to shift from a static display of cars to now exclusively features vehicles on loan.
Stout said with the changed there was also an opportunity for a rebrand and now the Classic Car Collection is known as the American Automobile Experience.
It was noted that many of the vehicles in the former Classic Car Collection were pre-war vehicles but now the focus is on vehicles that have a wider appeal to the public. This includes 1960s, 1970s and 1980s era muscle cars.
“Nearly all of these additions are freshly acquired, ensuring a dynamic rotation that guarantees a novel experience with each visit to the museum,” the American Automobile Experience website stated.
“We are focused on bringing in other collections from other states or other private individuals to add more flavor,” Stout said.
In an effort to help promote the rebrand and relaunch, a full week of events had been planned at the American Automobile Experience.
Events started on Tuesday with a muscle and pony car night, a ribbon cutting was also hosted during the evening.
Derek Rusher, Executive Director of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone to the event saying, “There is a lot of people who have put a lot of time, energy and effort into this…as a chamber we are very excited for the rebrand.”
Rusher said the rebrand captures exactly what people want today, an experience. He added that not only can people see a collection of vehicles, but they can experience the passion and love for vehicles.
“What an awesome landmark to have in Kearney,” Rusher said.
Norris Marshall with Blueprint Engines is on the American Automobile Experience board and also spoke at the ribbon cutting.
Marshall said since the first Ford Model T rolled off the production line, people have been customizing their vehicles, making them their own.
“America loves cars, we love to personalize and modify our cars,” Marshall said, “America is in love with the car.”
Marshall said that cars are, “memory machines,” and we all can look at a model of vehicle that we had in the past and remember what we did in them or major milestones that happened while we owned them or were driving them.
“These cars represent memories,” Marshall said.
Marshall explained the change in philosophy from the Classic Car Collection to the American Automobile Experience, saying that the model is now to have vehicles on loan and have a rotation of vehicles.
Marshall emphasized that if a visitor comes today, when they return a year from now, there will be a completely different collection of vehicles to tour. He noted there are 120 cars on display at the moment.
The change over from the old model to the new model was not an easy one and Marshall noted all of the board members, staff and volunteers who worked hard to get the facility to where it is today.
Governor Jim Pillen was also on hand during the ribbon cutting event and spoke, “A gigantic congratulations…you have an awesome community.”
Pillen said a rebrand and a relaunch represents the epitome of Nebraska, saying that people show grit and determination by not giving up and continuing to pursue their passions.
When he toured the American Automobile Experience earlier, Pillen said one of the vehicles that stood out to him was the 1930s school bus.
Pillen was invited to do the honors of cutting the ribbon but also invited Marshall to take part.
The relaunch and reveal week continue with a different type or year of car being highlighted. The vehicle registrations are free for all the shows and the event is free to the public. The events go from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There are food trucks, door prizes, games, live music and more.
The remaining events for the week include:
- Wednesday, June 26: 50s, 60s, 70s Night
- Thursday, June 27: Street Rod, Rat Rod Night
- Friday, June 28: Exotic, Corvette, Foreign Night
- Saturday, June 29: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Cars and Coffee – All Classes
On June 29, there will also be a Drive-In Theatre at 5 p.m. with a feature film to be announced. The event will be free to all.
