The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum was proud to bring the 1913 Stearns-Knight SK6 , 1927 Avions Voisin C7  and 1938 Panhard Dynamic  to the show. After a long day in the sun, we were thrilled to see the 1938 Panhard Dynamic take Second in Class. We also loved spotting a few gentlemen at the event wearing our Tampa Bay Automobile Museum button-front logo shirts . Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit with us and admire these extraordinary cars.

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum has opened an exclusive no reserve online car auction through Hagerty, featuring 18 active lots drawn from the museum’s long-term restoration, preservation and stewardship. For collectors, this is the kind of opportunity that almost never comes around: a chance to bid on a museum-owned vehicle you may have admired in person or had your eye on for years, and to bring a piece of automotive engineering history into your own collection. “This is a

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum recently welcomed something very different to its front entrance: the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IndyCar Show Car . During its special appearance, visitors had the chance to see a modern open-wheel race car up close, take photos, and experience the scale and design of today’s top-level motorsports engineering. Throughout the visit, guests stopped to admire the car’s aerodynamic bodywork, ultra-low stance, and race-ready details that

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum recently welcomed students from the French American School of Tampa Bay for a tour that felt like a fast-paced trip through French innovation. With so many rare French vehicles in the collection, the group had plenty to discover, from the earliest days of self-propelled travel to bold experiments in suspension, aerodynamics, and alternative power. The journey started where it all began: the 1770 Fardier de Cugnot, often recognized as the first

Looking for a simple, memorable way to spend Valentine’s Day in St. Pete FL? This weekend is a great chance to enjoy something a little different, with a relaxed plan that blends culture, conversation, and a standout local experience. Valentine’s Weekend BOGO at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum February 14–15 | 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL Enjoy buy one, get one free admission all weekend long at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum. Explore rare and unconventional v

The Alfa Romeo Club  stopped by January 17, 2026 at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum in Pinellas Park, Florida  for a relaxed walk through our collection and a chance to explore some of the stories behind the cars. The group moved from gallery to gallery, swapping notes on design details, unusual engineering choices, and how different eras solved the same problems in very different ways. There were plenty of side conversations, shared memories, and the kind of “did you notice

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the rotary engine was widely seen as the future of internal combustion, promising smooth operation, compact size, and fewer moving parts than traditional piston engines. Hercules, backed by its parent company Fichtel & Sachs, already had proven rotary engines running successfully in snowmobiles and small aircraft. Building a rotary-powered motorcycle was not a novelty stunt, but a serious attempt to bring this emerging technology to everyday

In the mid-1960s, when most sports cars still relied on small piston engines and familiar technology, NSU decided to bet on something entirely new. The result was the NSU Wankel Spider, a compact two-seat convertible that quietly rewrote history as the first Western production car powered by a Wankel rotary engine . Chairman of NSU, Dr. Gerd Stieler von Heydekampf, unveils the “NSU Spider” Built in Neckarsulm, West Germany between 1963 and 1967, the Spider was produced in ver

In the early 1960s, Japan’s automakers were still known for tiny city cars and economy sedans. The country was rebuilding and learning fast but few outside Japan believed it could compete with Europe’s engineering or America’s horsepower. Then a small company from Hiroshima decided to gamble everything on an engine that most engineers considered impossible to tame. If Mazda could make the experimental rotary engine work, Japan would not just catch up. It would leap ahead. Maz

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is excited to offer a rare, hands-on learning experience for rotary enthusiasts, a Rotary Engine Restoration Workshop , taking place March 21 and March 22, 2026 , in conjunction with the museum’s new exhibit, The Wankel Rotary Engine: Innovation That Never Went Mainstream. These exclusive workshops provide a full day of practical instruction, in-depth demonstrations, and real-world restoration techniques designed to preserve the future of rotar

In the late 1800s, bicycles were more than a novelty. They quietly reshaped daily life, gave riders new mobility, and even opened unexpected social possibilities. Few captured this moment better than the 1897 Stearns Combination Tandem, a bright orange machine designed for two, and remembered today for the unusual freedom it offered Victorian couples. From Simple Tools to the Automobile Age The story begins in Syracuse, New York, where industrialist Edward C. Stearns built hi

If you are fascinated by automotive history and the evolution of engine design, the 1929 promotional film Silent Knight: The Triumph of Silence Over Noise  is a remarkable artifact. Produced by Willys-Overland, Inc., it was created to promote the innovative sleeve valve engine system developed by Charles Yale Knight. This design promised quieter, smoother, and more refined performance at a time when noise and vibration were accepted parts of motoring. The Story Behind Silent

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum’ s 1942 Tatra 87  was recognized at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance with multiple honors, including the Chairman’s Award. Surrounded by some of the most remarkable automobiles in the world, the Tatra drew steady attention for its unusual beauty, its engineering innovation, and its distinct presence on the show field. For the museum, the recognition felt like a celebration of both art and science. The Tatra 87 is not just an elegant

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum has officially added its first motorcycle and it’s no ordinary bike. The 1989 Norton Commander , powered by a 588 cc Wankel rotary engine, represents a daring engineering experiment in motorcycle history. Unlike traditional piston engines, the Wankel rotary uses spinning triangular rotors instead of reciprocating pistons, producing power in a smooth, continuous motion. The result is a compact, lightweight engine with an uncanny turbine-like fee

Learn more about Hoods Up Week at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum!

Learn more about Hoods Up Week and our 1973 Citroën DS Pallas Prestige!

At the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, every vehicle tells a story of innovation, engineering, and creativity. Now, one of the most...

If you’re a fan of rare and vintage cars, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum has just released a collector’s item you’ll want to get your...

Now offering hundreds of rare, vintage, and original magazine car ads for sale in the Gift Shop!

We are excited to announce that the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is now serving Motorworks Brewing beer and Copa di Vino wine! Guests 21+...