Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, in Tampa, Florida

News

Fardier de Cugnot Featured in Octane Magazine Article!

Octane magazine recently published an article focusing on the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum's reproduction Fardier. The article is a good read, mentioning many of the technical issues and controversies surrounding the history of the Fardier de Cugnot. We give this article a "thumbs up!"

Click Here to read the Article!

For more information on the Fardier de Cugnot visit www.NicolasCugnot.com

New Additions to the Collection

The museum recently has added a handful of autos to its expanding collection. After searching for almost 10 years, the museum has acquired a 1929 Cord L29 Brougham. The Cord L29 was the first American made front wheel drive car to be offered to the public. The car boasts a lovely styling and superb handling. Today, only 8 Cord L29’s remain.

Cord L29

Also new to the collection is a 1953 Hotchkiss Gregoire (France). The Hotchkiss will be undergoing extensive restoration and on the floor early next year.

Always looking for the unusual as well as keeping with its front-wheel drive theme, TBAM has recently purchased a race car dating from 1920-1930. This automobile was found in the Netherlands and will soon be on its way home to the museum. Extensive research has already begun in order to properly restore this race car to its original state. If you have any information on this vehicle, please contact us. The car will be arriving at the museum in November. Click here for our information request flyer on this unusual racer.

Another recent acquisition is a rare an remarkably original Talbot Lago Record T26; first registered in France in July 1950 and entered into service with the Consulate General of France in the Denver Colorado administrative center from 1953 to 1961. With very low original miles (35,000) this car is in excellent condition.

The T26 has an inline 6 cylinder engine, Wilson pre-selective gearbox and independent front suspension. It is a dream to drive - comfortable, quick and smooth. The paint and interior reflect the French Diplomatic Blue color scheme.

Other News

Rainy Rolls- A Homage to Salvador Dali's Rainy Taxi

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is proud to present its Homage to Salvador Dali by recreating one of his most popular exhibits! In 1938 Dali presented a rainy taxi at a surrealist exhibit in Paris. His car was literally raining inside and of course, eventually rusted away. St. Petersburg has opened a new building to house the Dali Collection and asked TBAM to recreate the raining car. TBAM retrofitted its 1933 Rolls Royce Sedanca with a lexan window panel system to simulate rain. Sound and light effects were added to create a thunderstorm. CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO of the Rainy Rolls. For more information go to www.thedali.org

Events

Henry Ford Old Car Festival

The Fardier was honored at the Henry Ford Museum's annual Old Car Festival held the weekend of September 10th and 11th, 2011 at Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan. The Fardier ran demonstrations each day and wowed the crowds of over 15,000! It even participated in two Pass-In-Review Parades.

Click Here to Watch the Video From The Old Car Festival

Lake Mirror Classic - October 14th - 16th 2011

TBAM will be presenting its 1930 Tracta E Sedan at the 12th annual Lake Mirror Classic in Lakeland, Florida. There will be more than 600 automobiles on display throughout the downtown streets as well as surrounding the shores of Lake Mirror.

This rare automobile was built in France by Jean Albert Gregoire, inventor of the C.V. joint. There were only around fifty of these automobiles built, with only two known to survive. With a 2.7 liter six cylinder Continental engine and a body designed by famed coachbuilder Henri LeMoine, the Tracta E is a very sturdy and comfortable automobile. This car is a previous award-winner, selected as Motor Trend Magazine's top five picks at the 2008 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, as well as brining home an award from the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance formerly held in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

For more information about the Lake Mirror Classic, go to www.lakemirrorclassic.com.

Winter Park Concours d'Elegance - November 5th - 6th 2011

The Winter Park Concours d'Elegance is celebrating its 10th year and TBAM will be presenting its pair of Cords. The 1929 L29 Brougham and the 1937 Supercharged 812 Beverly Sedan will be making an appearance together! The two Cords will participate in a Tour d' Elegance on Saturday November 5th driving through the lovely roads of the Winter Park and Orlando area. The actual Concours will be held on Sunday Nov. 16th from 10am to 4pm.

To view the schedule of events and additional information, visit www.winterparkconcours.com

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance - Mar. 9th-12th 2012

TBAM has applied for the 1929 Tracta A Race Car and the 1930 Tracta E Sedan participate in the 17th annual Concours d'Elegance. Records show that only fifty Tracta E Sedans were built and there are only two known survivors. There were only two Tracta A Race cars built. Our #27 car is the sole survivor and was J.A. Gregoire's personal race car.

The cars are in excellent condition and both vehicles still have the original engines. The restoration of these two vehicles has been primarily cosmetic in nature, such as new paint, interior and tires.

Both Tractas are award-winning automobiles from national shows, and they would be exquisite and complementary additions to the 2012 concours.

For additional information visit www.ameliaconcours.org