A visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn MI

Here's yet another advertising icon that has disappeared from American highways: Howard Johnson's "Simple Simon and the Pieman".

A few more old signs...

Here is one of the most unique and historically important exhibits in the Ford... the actual bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery Alabama on December 1st, 1955.

The bus, a model TDH-3610, was built by GMC in 1948 and originally ran in Terre Haute IN before being transferred to Montgomery's bus system. The museum purchased it from a private owner in 2001, and spent approximately $300,000 restoring it to its original appearance. Before making the purchase, museum researchers located extensive documentation proving that this was the actual bus ( #2857 ) that the incident involving Ms. Parks occured on.

Here I am sitting in the same seat that Ms. Parks was sitting in at the time of her unfortunate encounter with the police.

The Henry Ford Museum has one of the most incredible collections of antique cars and other vehicles that I've ever seen. Here's what is probably their oldest piece, Theodore Roosevelt's 1902 Brougham carriage.  

This is the 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, with its special "bubble top", that was first used as the presidential limo by Dwight Eisenhower. It continued in use until 1967.

 In my humble opinion the Ford Museum (including Greenfield Village) is second only to the Smithsonian Collection as the stellar location for us to be able to maintain contact with our heritage. It is a wonderful place to visit.

This is the first school bus ever built by Blue Bird Corporation, in 1927. Blue Bird is one of America's leading manufacturers of school buses. 

Remember the Chevrolet Corvair from the early '60s? This is the car that made Ralph Nader famous.

... And now a word from our ( long-extinct ) sponsor.

Bob,

I've been to the Ford Museum a handful of times.  Your photo essay may be better than going in person.  This is an absolutely great report!

Bravo, my friend.

Jim

I have no idea what make or model of car this is, but it certainly has a unique appearance. Anyone know?

Here's the ill-fated Tucker Torpedo from 1948. The Tucker organization came and went so quickly that only fifty-one of their cars were ever built; all but two or three still exist.

nocarolina


I have no idea what make or model of car this is, but it certainly has a unique appearance. Anyone know?

It reminds me a lot like the 1950 - 1952 Nash (see a red one at: http://www.industryplayer.com/licenceinfo.php?licid=016210 & a blue one at http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/03/0301_forgotten_lux/source/14.htm )

Thanks, 6star. I've looked at both of those photos and I think you're right; the "mystery car" in my picture does appear to be an early '50s Nash. 

Great report. I have enjoyed your photos and commentary.