While
thoroughbred horse racing is synonymous with Saratoga
Springs, New York, there is also another kind of horsepower there at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Located inside the historic brick bottling plant that was once home
to the famous Saratoga Springs waters, the Museum has an excellent collection
of permanent and special exhibits. If you love automobiles, this Museum will
have your engine racing!
Saratoga Automobile Museum
We visited
the Saratoga Automobile Museum on Friday, July 22, 2022, and thoroughly enjoyed
seeing their diverse exhibits and permanent collections, including their "Racing
in New York" exhibit. As car racing fans, we were surprised to learn
that the first car race held in New York State was in 1896, with six cars
competing. The race consisted of driving the roads from New York City to
Irvington-on-Hudson and back. Once bitten by race fever, New York State has continued
as a race destination and held the first Grand Prix in Watkins Glen in 1948,
setting in motion the tradition of car racing in New York State.
1974 Carlin Black Lable McLaren M16C/D IndyCar
A few of
the exciting race cars on display included the fire engine red 1950 Allard
J2 bearing race number 98, the 1974 Carlin Black Label McLaren M16C/D
IndyCar bearing race number 73 driven by David Hobbs, the 1975
Edmund's Midget with race number 2 and listing a host of drivers, the 1979
Budweiser McLaren M24B bearing race number 4, driven by Johnny
Rutherford, the 1985 STP Pontiac NASCAR driven by Richard Petty
bearing the race number 43, and the Castrol Mazda bearing the race
number 16 owned by Dyson Racing.
Another
enjoyable exhibit was their RADWOOD SARATOGA - A CELEBRATION OF 80'S
& 90'S CARS & CULTURE, presented by RADwood & Hagerty,
(which runs until October 2022). We first saw RADwood cars in 2021 and 2022 at
the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, and it seems that collectors cannot get enough of these fabulous 1980s
and 1990s cars.
1994 Bugatti EB110 GT
One of the
RADwood highlights at the Museum included a 1991 Calloway Corvette Speedster,
which was number 3 of 10 produced, that was custom ordered by film director
James Cameron (Aliens, The Terminator, Titanic, The Six, and many more).
Also of interest was a 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT, which cost $350,000 at
time of production. Interesting to note is that there were only 84 of these
exceptional cars produced.
1991 Calloway Corvette Speedster
However,
there is much more to the Museum that race cars and RADwood cars, they have a
stunning collection of impressive motorcars including a 1928 Franklin Airman
Series 12 Sport Sedan that was once owned by the American Aviator Charles
A. Lindbergh (1902-1974)). Interesting to note about Mr. Lindbergh was that he
made the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris.
1936 Ford Phaeton
Also of
interest was a stunning 1936 Ford Phaeton. Interesting to note about
this motorcar is that there were only 5,500 built with the special options of
side-mirrors, two fog lamps, and grill guards, making it a rare find. President
Roosevelt also had a 1936 Ford Phaeton.
Porsche Car Show at Saratoga Automobile Museum
The Museum
holds special events throughout the year, and we returned to the Museum on
Saturday morning to see their Porsche Car Show held in their parking lot. It
was a wonderful show with the proud owners displaying the beauty of the varied Porsche
models and happy to discuss the features of their cars with attendees.
Racing Suits
We
thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Saratoga Automobile Museum admiring, and daydreaming
about, their stunning vehicles. We highly recommend that you allow yourself
enough time to leisurely stroll and appreciate their wonderful and diverse
collection of vehicles located on two floors of the Museum, as well as visit
their gift shop.
Rhody's Racing
Until next time, we sign our
postcard, "With love from the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Keep enjoying the
ride! Love, Debra and Edward"
About the
Saratoga Automobile Museum
Pontiac STP Racing
"The
Saratoga Automobile Museum was chartered in 1999 and officially opened to the
public in June 2002. The Museum's mission is to preserve, interpret and exhibit
automobiles and automotive artifacts. We celebrate the automobile and educate
the general public, students, and enthusiasts to the role of the automobile in
New York State and the wider world. In addition to technical and design
aspects, our educational focus is on the past, present, and future social and
economic impacts of the automobile.
Casterol Racing
In keeping
with the Museum's exhibits and educational programs, including the Distracted
Driving Safety Initiative and various automobile restoration programs for local
youth, the Museum also organizes the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, a nationally
acclaimed vintage and collector car auction held each September. The Auction is
the Museum's largest annual fundraising effort.
Budweiser Racing
The Museum
is located within the 2,500-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, in the heart of
historic Saratoga Springs, New York, world famous for its legendary one-mile
thoroughbred track. The Museum's facility is the fully restored and renovated
New York State Bottling Plant, a beautiful neoclassical structure completed in
1935. The Museum sits adjacent to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the lavish
Hall of Springs event facility. Within walking distance; the National Museum of
Dance, the Spa Little Theatre, and the Gideon Putnam Hotel."
Debra C. Argen - 1HP Racing
Hours and
Admission
Hours: The Museum is open from January through March from Wednesday
to Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, from April to September daily
from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, and from October to December from Tuesday
to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Museum
closes at 1:00 pm on Thanksgiving Eve, and is closed on New Year's Eve, New
Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Admission: Adults: $12, Senior Adults (65+): $10, Students (17+ with ID): $10,
Veterans/Active Military: $10, Children (6-16 years): $10, Children (under 6
years): free, Members: free
Parking and
Charging Stations: There is a large
parking lot onsite as well as Livingston Energy Charge Ports. Please visit
their website to download the Charge Port app to purchase a charging session.
For
additional information please visit their website: https://www.saratogaautomuseum.org/
Saratoga
Automobile Museum
110 Avenue
of the Pines
Saratoga
Springs, NY 12866
United
States
Telephone:
+1-518-401-5190
Email:
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Website: https://www.saratogaautomuseum.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saratogaautomuseum/
For more features on what to do in Saratoga Springs, New
York, please visit our Destinations section. Also read about the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame .
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Automobile Museum on Facebook: www.facebook.com/saratogaautomuseum/
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2022. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
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