Tyred Car Museum
6.15.2008
PLEASANTVILLE, PA - In the heart of Pennsylvania oil country lies a little gem. This place is more than just a pile of antique cars, it’s a labor of love for it’s owner Gene and his wife Cora. There are may reasons I say this. Part of the reason is because they’ve been charging $3.50 for the past seventeen years. Part of it is because they built the museum to be their house, but instead it became a home for their cars. But most of all it’s because if you sit down and talk to them you will learn how much they love cars, and especially these.
I came upon this place as a recommendation from the gift shoppe lady over at the Drake Well Museum and I have to say I’m glad I did. The area around Oil City is obsessed with oil, a little to it’s determent from the sounds of it. The Tyred Car Museum isn’t on the list of tourist attractions because it doesn’t focus on oil. Gene has tried to tell them cars run on oil, but…whatever.
The museum is a beautiful collection of old cars from the turn of the century through the ‘60. All restored by Gene and his wife, which I love. It’s not often you hear of women into cars, and with Clara being in her golden years it’s even more rare (she even helped Gene build the place). They do drive all of the cars, although it takes a while. And Gene is willing to talk to you about every one. I wish I was a car gal so I would be able to converse with him better.
All of the cars are absolutely gorgeous and it makes you realize that they just don’t build them like they used to. I love especially looking at the mid century cars. Their curves and hefty chrome grills make you realize they’re built to withstand the looming cold war threats. The interiors are a fantastic collection of knobs and dials that take you back to the era. There are two things in the world that take a snapshot of the time they were created, fashion and cars. Fashion tends not to be that long lasting.
A few tips, well, actually just one. DON’T MENTION FOREIGN CARS! In this hallowed place foreign is a dirty word. I made the mistake of asking Gene if he drove a modern car like a Honda Civic (I don’t know why I said Honda Civic, I drive a Dodge Neon) and didn’t hear the end of it. Gene drives a Lincoln. And one from the 80’s. He’s not a fan of the new cars. Not how they run, not how they look, nothin’. Although he does know his stuff when it comes to the new cars, he even gave me some advice on min.
Because the Tyred Car Museum doesn’t have a website I’m going to give you their hours and address. That way you can find your way there and see some beauties.
Tyred Wheels Museum
1164 Russel Corners Road
Pleasantville, PA 16341
Open Saturday, Sunday and Monday Only
1PM to 5PM Memorial Day through Labor Day
