The Springfield Museums will pay tribute to Springfield's role in transportation history with the second annual Automobiles and Motorcycles of Distinction show on Saturday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the museum grounds at the Quadrangle. Automobiles from every decade since 1893 will be exhibited along with vintage motorcycles.
The event is sponsored by AAA. Among the vehicles on display will be an original copy of the Springfield-built Duryea, the first successful gasoline-powered car; a 1911 Cole touring car; a 1937 Packard; and Springfield-built Rolls-Royces. Newer vehicles will include a 1964 Studebaker Avanti, a 1966 Mustang, and cars that have been restored by students in the automotive technology program at Putnam Vocational Technical High School in Springfield. A highlight of the event will be preview tours of the transportation gallery in what will become the new Museum of Springfield History. The display features a large selection of Indian Motocycles and a rare 1927 roadster manufactured by the Indian company. The Indian collection was recently donated to the Museums by Esta Manthos, who was director and owner of the former Indian Motocycle Museum. Activities in the Museums will include a display of Duryea automobile memorabilia on loan from AAA, a scavenger hunt to look for cars in the museum collections, and a craft workshop to make a checkered flag. A deejay will spin classic oldies from the '50s and '60s, and hot dogs, hamburgers and soda will be available. Trophies will be awarded for the best pre-1950 and post-1950 vehicles. There is a suggested donation of $3 for adults to view the cars. Visitors who contribute the donation will receive a 25% discount toward admission to the museums. For more information about the event, call 413.263.6800, ext. 379.