We’re in luck! In addition to the Lane Motor Museum, the Frist Center For The Visual Arts has a special exhibit that just opened: Bellisima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945-1975. Fortunately, that includes three American cars, including one of the Chrysler Turbine Cars. Good thing, as the Lane is pretty much all foreign cars, and is also having a special Italian exhibit. So now to the logistics:
Jason Shafer, who is driving his ’63 Galaxie from Missouri, will not have any more water pumps go out, and thus pick me up at the airport around 4PM Friday. He and I, and JPCavanaugh, who is driving in from Indy, will be staying at the Red Roof Inn (510 Claridge Drive). We had planned to hit the Lane when it opens at 10 AM on Saturday. The question is when we should go to the Frist. It’s open until 9PM on Friday, so we could do that. Or we could go after the Lane, if we don’t get too distracted there. The Frist is open until 5:30 on Saturday. Or we could go to the Frist on Sunday, at 1PM.
Update: We’re going to leave all day Saturday for the Lane, as it’s very dense. So we’ll do the Frist Friday night, which is open that night until nine. So if you’re coming to that we’ll probably get there around 6-6;30.
And we’ll plan to hang out at the Lane entrance/lobby at 10AM on Saturday for a while, to give folks a chance to meet.
And then we’ll find someplace to go eat and socialize on Saturday evening; on of our readers ther eis going to come up with some recommendations.
BTW, here’s the list of cars at the Frist:
Bella Berlinettas
1950 Cisitalia 202 SC
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic
1955 Maserati A6G 2000 Zagato
Berlinettas: The BATs
1953 Alfa Romeo BAT 5
1954 Alfa Romeo BAT 7
1955 Alfa Romeo BAT 9
Styling Gems
1946 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Speciale
1952 Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 Spider
1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica
Il Ultimo
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Wedge-Shaped Cars
1955 Chrysler Ghia Gilda
1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero
1966 Ferrari 365 P Tre Posti
Italian and American Excitement
1952 Cunningham C3 Continental
1955 Lincoln Indianapolis
1963 Chrysler Turbine Car
Mid-Engine Marvels
1963 ATS 2500 GT
1968 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada
1970 Lamborghini Miura S
On Two Wheels
1957 Moto Guzzi V-8
1973 MV Agusta 750 Sport
1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport
And if anyone needs to find us, here’s my phone number: 541-556-5789
The St. Louis Museum of Transport also has a turbine car as well as Bobby Darin’s custom ride.
Have fun!
This looks to be a great exhibit. I was planning a trip to The Lane Museum in August as I will be on my way to the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville. I’m now stopping at The Frist while I’m in Nashville as well.
Take lots of pictures! We should do a Pacific NW meet up one of these days.
Nice! I had seen the Turbine car on Jay Leno’s Garage, and it’s such a smooth running engine that you can put a glass of water on it, and the water will not move. Also, it runs on some things that aren’t gasoline, too.
You will need all day to really do the Lane right, trust me. And will need to break for lunch. There is WAY more to see than you think and it’s not just cars. Motorcycles, a few boats, even a plane and bunch of racing bicycles to geek out over. Do the Frist the day before or the day after.
I saw the Alfa BAT cars years ago at the Blackhawk in Danville, CA. Amazing cars and not to be missed!
Thanks for that. Yes, I think we should do the Frist Friday night, as they stay open late. And then save ourselves for a deep Lane immersion on Saturday, followed by a social evening somewhere.
I’m going to have to put the hammer down to get to Nashville and be ready to go out again by 6 but I’ll give it my best shot! My only goal for the weekend besides what you outlined is to take a stroll somewhere with a tree ID trail, to learn a bit about the local flora. Maybe Sunday morning.
We are going to be there next week with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club national convention. Jeff Lane is a genuine automotive historical hero, one of an encouragingly increasing number of them. His preservation of brilliant if not always commercially successful machinery is I think of great service to those of us who prize brilliant engineering over commercial success
Sounds like a great time, and I’m very sorry I won’t be able to make it. I can make a restaurant recommendation for the group gathering: the Loveless Cafe. Fantastic Southern food, and it is in an old roadside motel building. Check it out: loveless cafe.com. You can make reservations for a large group in advance, which would be necessary, since the place is hugely popular.
A barbecue pork omelette? Livers and gizzards with gravy? Breakfast served all day? No wonder it’s popular, that sounds great – except for the livers and gizzards part.
Now I just need to finish giving the old Ford a going-through, and she should be ready for the trip. She’s been washed, vacuumed, coolant and brake fluid checked, a recent oil change, with tire pressure and cleaning glass still to go. Plus packing tools and spare parts in the trunk.
The cafe sounds great to me, too.
I used to live about a three-minute drive from the Loveless, and it is quite good – though since an ownership change several years ago, it’s become a little more “commercial” and breakfast is not quite as generous as it used to be. (No more endless free biscuits.) Still, worth the scenic drive into the countryside. If you want to do more scenic driving, jump on the Natchez Trace Parkway, whose northern terminus is seconds away, and head south.
I’d also recommend Swett’s, if you’d like to explore another Nashville institution with more of a soul-food menu, or Hog Heaven, near the replica of the Parthenon, if you’re into barbecue (get the pulled pork).
Wish I could be there…..
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Jason : always check the fuel filter and ignition timing before a road trip , never assume the filter is clean unless it’s a clear plastic one and timing *does* drift and long distance is where it gets you when you’re trying to have fun .
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I hope we’ll get an after event report .
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BTW : you really had to have been there when the turbine cars were new ~ it was so exciting to read about , sort of like ‘ you’ll all be driving the Jetson’s car soon ! ‘ .
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-Nate
Great points. I have a spare fuel filter and will check the timing this week.
Thank you!
Don’t forget to pack a spare set of ignition points as well, or short of that, bring along your dwell meter and a piece of fine-grit wet/dry sandpaper (for dealing with the points). You don’t need a timing light – if you set the dwell properly to the same value every time, you ignition timing will be spot-on.
I had the most problems with ignition points (cleaning/adjustment every 3K miles, even with the pricey $25 NAPA points), followed by cooling system leaks, on my older cars that I drove long distances.
A spare voltage regulator is also not a bad idea. Truth be told, on our 1971 LTD, we carried a whole mess of spare parts in the trunk, along with the tools to change them: alternator + regulator, water pump, hoses, ignition parts, etc.
FWIW ;
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I don’t own any modern vehicles and ALL of my oldies have been converted to simple and basic electronic ignition systems , they run *MUCH* better , idle smoother and start easier hot or cold .
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More power and better fuel economy , one thing few ever remember to do is : open up those spark plug gaps to ensure proper 100 % combustion .
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Those who claim electronic ignitions are unreliable , always didn’t dot every ‘I’ and cross every ‘T’ , NO EXCEPTIONS ~ I know this because they always call me to sort it out when things go sideways , I have a couple rigs that have TWENTY YEAR OLD Pertronix Ignitions , never one failed yet and my oldies are all daily drivers and touring rigs .
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Old Ford V8’s have a well earned reputation for hard hot starting (usually caused by ‘economizer valve’) and electronic ignition helps greatly .
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I’m insanely jealous I won’t be able to ride shotgun in your vintage Ford .
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I miss my ’62 Ford Rang Wagon greatly .
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-Nate
“Too much good stuff” department. The Motor Muster at Greenfield Village is also next weekend. The Lane is about an 8 hour drive for me. The Village, about 20 minutes.
Have fun guys!
I got in late last night and thought I’d wait and reply today. I agree with the update plan, was going to suggest same. A little number crunching revealed a tad over 2 minutes per car to hit both places the same day. As to where to socialize Sat. eve. The busy restaurants want you out after a meal. The less busy with open tables don’t seem to mind especially if you dole a few tips out during refills. Then again it doesen’t have to be a restaurant . So I to am wide open at this point. Last week I checked for Nashville area car cruises for Jason to roll in with the Galaxie but came up empty for that date. l’ll do some more checking . I’m glad the main itinerary is down, the rest is not a life altering decision, just have fun.
“A little number crunching revealed a tad over 2 minutes per car to hit both places the same day”
A guy I know visited the Schlumpf collection in Mulhouse, France when it was occupied by the union (1977). After banging on the door and explaining he had come all the way from Australia, they let him in – for one hour! There may have been 600 cars there including more than 100 Bugattis, their main passion.
Have a great time everyone!
I had planned on attending as Nashville is less than three hours from my house. Unfortunately life has gotten in the way and I will not be there. Hope everyone has a great time.
Update Here is a Saturday night suggestion. There are 2 Saturday night car cruises in the Nashville area, the burbs kind of. The first is in a shopping center in Goodlettsville 15 mi. To the north. 5-9pm. It looked like a very large center with a couple of restaraunts on the space map. I emailed the contact guy for info and tactfully asked approx. how many cars we may find there to photograph and enjoy. In other words is it 6 cars or 60. The other cruise is in La Vergne 20 miles south at a Sonic and adjacent lot. When I hear back from the contact guy I’ll let you know. Not exactly in town I know but what’s 15 miles after driving 4 or 5 hundred? Guys let me know what you think.
Anyone can contact me at richceglinski@gmail.com
Do BA fly to Nashville?
Have a great time – looking forward to the trip report on CC!
I found you a flight from Heathrow to Nashville and a hotel – only $1600 or 1800 pounds (sorry, the keyboard doesn’t take anything but dollar signs!).
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I think the flight is about $1360 and a room is about $330 (3 nights) which is about £1200.
Ah The Turbine car. it still looks futuristic even today. I saw the episode of Jay’s garage with his and it is a really remarkable car.
Yes, very cool episode, I’d love to see one run. Incredible cars.
Thanks for that video Phil. I had seen part of it before, on an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, but it wasn’t nearly that extensive. It was merely part of one of his shows on season 1 of the show that airs on MSNBC. That car is so cool. It’s a shame they destroyed all but three of them.
BTW, season 2 starts up this week on MSNBC.
Have fun at the meet up guys… Wish I could be there! Looking forward to the post meet up reports.
Wish I could be there; sounds like a full weekend! Definitely looking forward to the after-event report/photos.
Hi guys thank you for the update. I rarely post but read the blog almost everyday. I am about an hour from Nashville and although I don’t think I can make the Frist on Friday, I hope to drive my ’67 Corvette up to the Lane on Saturday. Look forward to meeting you guys and you will love the Lane Museum !
Hope to see you there!
Any chance they ever actually run the turbine car’s engine? And does it make a distinctive sound? Love to hear that.
One pretty car. To bad they crushed them al, except for a couple of ones kept for museums. They didn’t want to pay the import fees, however, the engines and transmissions appear to have been kept (see article on them in Mopar Action) I even remember reading an article in Hot Rod about a kid getting his license in one. I am surprised that no one has made a kit car body for them, I guess they look too much like 63 Darts.
Just returned from Nashville. The show at the Frist is absolutely not to be missed! For all you can eat Southern cooking try Monell’s at the Manor, right near the airport. Reasonable prices and great service. Just sit down at a table for 12 and start passing the dishes.