The Phoenix region is renowned for its numerous vintage auto shows and auctions such as the immense Barrett-Jackson auction held annually in Scottsdale showcasing some of the most fabulous vehicles ever produced. There are other noteworthy events such as Chesters Classic Car Show at the Melrose Street Fair on 7th Avenue in central Phoenix each spring. It also attracts a devoted following.
However, it’s easy to overlook some of the less publicized, hidden gems in the area such as the Martin Auto Museum in northwestern Phoenix. This collection of vintage autos numbers around 140 from the turn of the twentieth century to the early 1990s. It’s exciting to view the many decades of automotive history on display here, although this writer is partial to cars of the 1950s and 60s.
The Thunderbird pictured above is one of the first classic autos to be seen upon entering the museum. This model has figured prominently in two early James Bond movies, Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965). In the first film a CIA operative driving a white Thunderbird keeps Bond under surveillance near a Kentucky horse farm, and in the following Bond entry another white Thunderbird serves one of James Bond’s adversaries (played by Sean Connery in both pictures) from the SPECTRE organization.
Another exciting model is the Chevrolet Bel Air from 1955. This classic was a centerpiece of the iconic coming-of-age film American Graffiti (1973) and driven by Harrison Ford early in the story. The model pictured below is a well preserved example.
One of the most rare vehicles in the Martin collection is one of my personal favorites: the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham from 1957. Supposedly it was the most expensive American-made car that could be bought at the time, with a whopping price tag starting at $13,074! Among its many luxuries at the time was air conditioning and cruise control with a brushed aluminum roof. All we’re hand-built – and only 400 we’re ever made.
In any event, the Martin Auto Museum is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, learning fun facts and trivia about numerous domestic and foreign models, a few of which are featured here. For more information check out: museum guide.com/martin-auto-museum/
