April 6, 2014

4/1/14 - Laughlin Classic Car Museum

Most people go to casinos to gamble, and we've done that on occasion.  But mostly we go to eat (senior breakfast at Cliff Castle in Camp Verde, $3.50) or to check out old cars (free).

Don Laughlin, one of the casino owners, is apparently an old car-buff (or is that old-car buff?  In this case, I think it works either way...)  His Classic Car Collection is in 2 separate areas at the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, NV.  


The main Classic Auto Exhibition Hall is located on the third floor of the south tower, up the escalator and through the gift shop.  


There's no particular "theme" or to the exhibit.  There are antique cars and classic cars, even a motorcycle or two.  
1914 Model T Ford
1933 Buick 2 door coupe
1954 Corvette
This is the Honda Gold Wing that Emilio Scotto used for his record-setting journey around the world.  Can you imagine riding 460,000 miles in 10 years on the back of a motorcycle?  He visited 280 countries, which makes our 41 states in 3 years seem a bit wimpy.  He called this thing the "Black Princess".  Not my idea of royalty...
Emilio Scotto Honda Goldwing (Black Princess)
I liked some of the cars, but some are just plain odd.  
1941 Hollywood Graham
George likes these 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertibles--not my favorite decade for cars.  My theory is guys like cars like the very first one they owned, which was probably used and already a bit old.  Women--more into fashion--start out as teenagers liking new cars.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air (pick your color)







 
1963 Studebaker Avanti R-3
63 Corvette Stingray
55 T-Bird
 
 


1981 Delorean

Neither of us ever liked the Chrysler Prowler.  This one's a 2002, last year it was made.  There's a reason for that.
 

Some of the cars in the collection are just for display, but some are on consignment.  If it were up to me, based on their price tags, they'd be just for display a mighty long time!

Doesn't this look like it should be on a bus?  It's the hood ornament on a 1935 Ford sedan.  It was an option that sold for $2.85.  What a deal!

More pictures here:  Laughlin Classic Car Museum