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Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?

  • Chris Summers
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29 Oct 2006 02:00 #5669 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic :-)
The Popular Mechanic book is called "How to Restore Antique and Classic Cars." I've got it from the library before and it's wonderful--a lot of old-fashioned methods that aren't covered today, as well as great old 1950s photos. "This Duesenberg was found in a barn by Jack Smith 15 miles from his house" sort of thing. MSI is covered extensively.

MSI is still worth a trip if you're in the Chicago area--U-505 (the only German U-boat in the U.S.) is incredible, as is the Pioneer Zephyr train.

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  • mason maynard
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28 Oct 2006 23:51 #5668 by mason maynard
Replied by mason maynard on topic science and industry duesenberg
yes its a shame the car collection is down. the comments regarding the past at s&i are correct. at one time the museum had at least 2 people working on cars in the 1950's, rube delany and jack roush. they were both in their 70's. jack participated in the first automobile race in the us, held where? chicago. i think it was mechanics illustrated that published a hard cover book on how to restore your antique car in the 1950's covering their work. many cars, unfortunately, were modified to use tires that were available at that time, along with later carbs,etc. reproduction parts were not available then. the museum had a foundry and a small machine shop mostly devoted to restoring the cars. i rather casually know Keith Gill curator of transportation at s&i. i'll have to stop and visit him to find out whats going on. he's mostly a submarine guy,but does enjoy the cars. what i do know is unless things have changed, not too many people involved at the museum know very much about cars.

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  • Duesey
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23 Oct 2006 04:55 #5632 by Duesey
Replied by Duesey on topic Re: Hmmm...

CMHSDuesy wrote: Another possibility may be that some of these cars were donations.


Many of the cars came from the D. Cameron Peck collection, so you're right int hat the museum didn't pay for most of them.

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  • Chris Summers
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20 Oct 2006 20:19 #5619 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Hmmm...
They've sold a handful of cars over the years (Randy Ema has an electric car that used to be in their collection, it was featured in Cars & Parts recently) but none recently, to my knowledge.

Another possibility may be that some of these cars were donations. The Detroit Historical Society has a similar problem--a wonderful car collection with no place to put it, and they cannot sell the cars because they were donated with the expectation they be put on public display for all eternity. I know for a fact that the Rolls-Royce Phaeton and Cadillac V-16 on display currently were donations, as was late MSI director Lenox Lohr's entire collection.

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  • 1930 Jordan
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20 Oct 2006 06:26 #5614 by 1930 Jordan
Replied by 1930 Jordan on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
I to am sending out a hand written letter. Letting them know that they (MSI) should as a MUSEUM let the cars be seen, and not hide them away. Also if they need money for something at the facility they should think of having some kind of auction (with the cars), and raise some funds. If the can't keep all of the cars that they have. It is not a good thing to hoard the spectacular cars that they have and not have them on display. I worked over at the ART Museum in Chicago and let me tell you they do Hoard the items and don't tell what they have hidden over their. So why would the other Museums be any different including MSI?? Or do they just like being piggy with the stuff that they have??

1930 Jordan"G" line 90,1953 Plymouth,1951 Chrysler Saratoga,1975 Dart,1974 Schwinn Collgate,1978 Schwinn Continental,1971 Honda 500"4",1973 Honda 350"twin",1975 Honda 500"twin",1955 Norton,1988 Honda Shadow custom,05 crossfire roadster.

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17 Oct 2006 02:29 #5594 by Randy_G
Replied by Randy_G on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
That is pretty much the same response I got as well. All you can do at this point is hope for the best.

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16 Oct 2006 22:32 #5593 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Received the following reply today:

Dear Mr. Summers,
Thank you for contacting the Museum and sharing your concerns. Due to
exhibition space, it is difficult to display the entire collection at one time.
I am sorry you are not happy with our current display of racing cars, located on the ground floor of the Museum's East Pavilion. You may not be aware, however, that we also have a couple cars on exhibit throughout the building. In addition, the Collections Department is home to the "Milburn Mob," a group of very hard-working volunteers who painstakingly restore our cars to working order. After restoration, they demonstrate the cars during Museum events, at classic car shows, and even drive them in local parades! In fact, just last month the "Mob" completed the restoration of our 1896 Benz and took it offsite
to a classic car show. Also, some of our cars are currently on loan to other institutions, where they are exhibited and made available to visitors who may not otherwise be able to visit them here.
Thank you again for your concern; please do not hesitate to contact me with
additional questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Lindsey MacAllister
Archivist
Museum of Science and Industry

So it looks like MSI's cars might be in good hands after all; it's just taking a while. That's the first time anyone at a museum I've contacted has bothered to respond, by the way.

In the meantime, let's hope that they get the Rolls and the Cadillac V-16 up and running soon! :D

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30 Sep 2006 01:58 #5515 by Randy_G
Replied by Randy_G on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
My comments are on the way to Chicago. I hope that enough people read this thread and send a e-mail. I am a member of many forums, I will post this topic on other boards and see what kind of response I get. This is a worthwhile cause.

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29 Sep 2006 16:54 #5512 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Thanks, Duesey
<!-- s:idea: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_idea.gif" alt=":idea:" title="Idea" /><!-- s:idea: --> And if anyone out there has friends in other car clubs (CCCA, AACA, etc., etc.) please let them know about this, too.

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29 Sep 2006 11:06 #5510 by John Trittschuh
Replied by John Trittschuh on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Thanks for the link, Eric. I just sent an email to the Museum of Science and Industry using your "here" link. It's so easy, we should all send them a quick note and get their attention. Another car museum they could utilize is the Gilmore Car Museum here in Kalamazoo, sponsored by the CCCA. They would get their cars back in better condition than they sent them and get good publicity as well. A win-win.

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29 Sep 2006 08:38 #5507 by Duesey
Replied by Duesey on topic Re: Wow....

CMHSDuesy wrote: anyone have suggestions as to how to get a petition or letter-writing campaign started?


Great idea! Let the letter writing begin, here is where to send it.

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  • Chris Summers
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28 Sep 2006 17:04 #5504 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Wow....
anyone have suggestions as to how to get a petition or letter-writing campaign started?

And I don't live in Chicago, either, but as a tourist I feel that I have a right to see those cars. :D

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  • 1930 Jordan
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28 Sep 2006 08:23 #5497 by 1930 Jordan
Replied by 1930 Jordan on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Could the cars go to the ART Museum in Chicago?? Due to the art form of the automobile?? I used to work at the Art Museum and they have gobbles of money over there. I did make a good living over there, when I was with them. They do have some room over in the new part of the building, and they could put about 10 cars in there. Also maybe we could get to the Mayor of Chicago and see if he could get something going with a automobile Museum like you said?? I don't know if I could go in due to I don't live in Chicago. What would that take?? That is something that Chicago is missing a good Transportation Museum.

1930 Jordan"G" line 90,1953 Plymouth,1951 Chrysler Saratoga,1975 Dart,1974 Schwinn Collgate,1978 Schwinn Continental,1971 Honda 500"4",1973 Honda 350"twin",1975 Honda 500"twin",1955 Norton,1988 Honda Shadow custom,05 crossfire roadster.

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22 Sep 2006 16:30 #5469 by Duesey
Replied by Duesey on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
There are some great shots of the collection in Flyod Clymer's book 'Those Wonderful Old Automobiles.'

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22 Sep 2006 16:23 #5468 by DJT
Replied by DJT on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Anyone have some pictures of these autos so we <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> know what these wonderful cars look like that all of you are talking about? I was at MSI this past year, but hadn't been there since the 6th grade and that was quite a few years ago :(

-David
member: Professional Photographer Association
TnT Shutterbug Photography
www.tntshutterbugphotography.com

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22 Sep 2006 15:36 #5463 by Duesey
Replied by Duesey on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
I can't diagree with you there, but MSI, which is one of the most popular museums in Chicago, needs to cater to the consumer. It would be nice if they would at least loan their collection out for display purposes to someone though. I'd really like it if they kept it in Chicago since there really aren't many decent car museums here. We should start a 'Save the Peck Collection' movement to rescue the reclusive MSI collection!

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22 Sep 2006 06:42 #5460 by 1930 Jordan
Replied by 1930 Jordan on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Could someone from the Auburn Museum get over to MSI and see if they would let us have the cars on loan. Instead of letting them rot over there. I to was out to the MSI and was lost with out seeing the cars that they had there. I WILL NEVER go back for they just are in for the NEW things that are out there to bring in the people. This is why NO Young kids know about this old stuff, they(MSI) just don't care to let them know about it. What about us that REALLY spend the money for the donations and to join the Museum. They should be catering it us because we spend the money over there!! If they don't want the cars any more let them go to someone who wants them. <!-- s:x --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mad.gif" alt=":x" title="Mad" /><!-- s:x -->

1930 Jordan"G" line 90,1953 Plymouth,1951 Chrysler Saratoga,1975 Dart,1974 Schwinn Collgate,1978 Schwinn Continental,1971 Honda 500"4",1973 Honda 350"twin",1975 Honda 500"twin",1955 Norton,1988 Honda Shadow custom,05 crossfire roadster.

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09 Sep 2006 16:57 #5392 by Duesey
Replied by Duesey on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Cars are as much a part of MSI as anything, after all the museum dedicates much of its spcae and money to the history and evolution of transportation. Personally, I think the collection should be regrouped and displayed in some form, it is such a waste to box them up like that. Maybe they could buy one of the old dealerships along South Michigan Avenue and put them in there. Or at least give me a few cars to break in!

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  • Chris Summers
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08 Sep 2006 20:52 #5380 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Location, location, location
Although I am on the car guys' side here, I think that one of the main problems with MSI's car collection is its location. Lenox Lohr (who ran the museum from the early '40s to the late 1960s) was a car guy's car guy and originally used the transportation section to house he and D. Cameron Peck's car collections during World War II to keep them from being crushed. The public liked them and he thought cars were important to history, so they stayed.

With Lohr and Peck gone, the museum's focus has gone back to "science and industry," and while cars may fit into that I think they're out of place at that particular museum, especially with its new, "socially-conscious" (blah) image. I would like to see them sold to a charitable organization (say, the local AACA or CCCA chapter) and put on display at a separate museum in one of Chicago's many nice old buildings. A big dream, but then, so was the ACD Museum. :)

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08 Sep 2006 07:01 #5375 by Duesey
Replied by Duesey on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?

CMHSDuesy wrote: Sorry, I may have been a bit harsh in my descriptions. I just wish the cars were a little better maintained, and that the museum had the funds to do so. (There were five quarters in the donation box when I visited. At the end of the day. I donated $5.)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could bring together all of the special show cars built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair--Duesenberg Twenty Grand, Packard Car of the Dome, Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, etc., etc.? Imagine what an exhibit that would be!

A lot of Chicago car guys are really disappointed by the Museum of Science and Industry's poor treatment of it's incredible car collection. The collection, which is very positively referred to in Floyd Clymer's 1954 book Those Wonderful Old Automobiles has been in storage for the last four years or so. Some of the cars have been loaned out and a handful are on display, such as a Cadillac V16 upstairs and a few cars forsaken in the corner of the basement (includng a Franklin Airman, a Rolls Royce Phantom I, and a Baker Electirc). The folks I know that are familar with the situation tell me that the museum downsized the people that were really pushing the car collection, and the current people on board don't care much for cars (I think an exhibit on video games in there in its place now, how our culture has fallen to such depravity!). Hopefully they will dust off the collection, which includes (among other things) a 1913 Mercer Raceabout and loads of Brass Era and Classic Era cars, and put it back on display.

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19 Jun 2006 13:33 #4991 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Sorry, I may have been a bit harsh in my descriptions. I just wish the cars were a little better maintained, and that the museum had the funds to do so. (There were five quarters in the donation box when I visited. At the end of the day. I donated $5.)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could bring together all of the special show cars built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair--Duesenberg Twenty Grand, Packard Car of the Dome, Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, etc., etc.? Imagine what an exhibit that would be!

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19 Jun 2006 11:56 #4989 by ilikescars
Replied by ilikescars on topic Science &amp; Industry
Hi: I always thought that the cars in the museum were pretty nice, considering that they are unrestored examples. Unmolested, as it were.

Mark

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15 Jun 2006 02:32 #4966 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic I think I know that one...
Thanks, Mike. I went back to my last photos from Auburn and found it. #2223/J-200. Better off at Auburn, since the cars at MSI were pretty ratty--shame.

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  • Mike Dube
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15 Jun 2006 02:19 #4964 by Mike Dube
Replied by Mike Dube on topic Museum of Science and Industry Duesy?
Don't know the numbers, but it is a black Murphy convertible coupe, and has been on loan to the ACD museum the last few years. It was still there last Labor Day weekend.

Mike
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14 Jun 2006 06:48 #4960 by Chris Summers
Museum of Science and Industry Duesy? was created by Chris Summers
I've just returned from a visit to Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry. While I was there (and looking at the pitiful leftovers of what was once a huge car collection), I read that they had once had (get ready for this one) a 1929 "Dussenberg." :rolleyes: <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->
Does anyone know what the numbers were for that car? It might have been part of the Cameron Peck collection, since a lot of his cars went to the museum.

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