Savoy Automobile Museum

from V3 - January 2023

Bartow History Museum

THE SAVOY AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM opened to the public on December 8th, 2021 after the grading of the property began in 2018, construction of the Vehicle Storage Building in 2019, and finally the museum in 2020. The campus is a stunning 37 acres and consists of a Vehicle Storage Building, Showgrounds, and an outdoor Pavilion area. The beautiful scenery is quite hard to miss, which is a good thing because you won’t believe what is inside this 65,000-square-foot building. The museum houses a Great Hall, four exhibition galleries, a state-of-the-art Theater, an extensive Research Library, the Savoy Café, two private Dining Rooms, the Savoy Store, Archives, and administrative offices. Within its exhibits is entertainment for the serious car collector or a casual car enthusiast. The museum exists to educate and entertain by providing visitors with unforgettable experiences. And for those looking for a truly educational visit, be sure to get in on a Highlight Tour which is offered every Wednesday and Thursday at 11 am for the first 15 guests to arrive with regular admission. museum, the exhibits, and the vehicles to our audience. Included are a wide and exciting array of vehicles, some of which individuals might not be familiar with or had the opportunity to see in person. For instance, since our opening last December some of the vehicles we have had on display include a 1933 Pierce-Arrow, Silver Arrow, a 1948 Tucker #144, Richard Petty’s 1970 Superbird, and a 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II with Ford 429/375 HP.”

The Savoy Automobile Museum got its name during the clearing of the property when an abandoned 1954 Plymouth Savoy was discovered on the grounds. This Savoy has been preserved and is now part of the landscape. There are plenty of other cars to see as the museum’s car collection sits at around 100 cars, with about 40 of those being displayed at a time. Savoy also hosts events on their site including car shows, car-club meetings, concerts, cruise-ins, demonstrations, and lectures. And art enthusiasts will be happy to see a substantial collection of original, automotive-themed art displayed throughout the museum.

If you love automobiles and have a passion for automobile history, you can serve the community by becoming a Savoy volunteer. They are always looking for volunteers who enjoy learning and making new friends.