Warehouse Wonders: The Auto Collections at Imperial Palace
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A while back we profiled a small collection of classic American and European iron that was housed in a fairly nondescript warehouse amidst a sea of other similar buildings in Southern California. Inside, we found not only some great cars, but bikes, scooters, automobilia and even airplanes! Today's installment in this recurring series takes us to Las Vegas. We've already visited the new Exotic Cars at Caesars Palace when we covered the US launch of the Koenigsegg CCX, but this time we are looking at a huge collection housed across the Strip from Caesars. Billed as "The World's Largest Classic Car Showroom," it's buried inside the Imperial Palace, on the fifth floor of the parking garage. It's essentially a 125,000 square-foot showroom displaying a rotating selection of "250 World Class Automobiles."
There is an admission charge of $6.95 for adults or $3.00 for Seniors and children, but free passes can be printed from the website or found in the numerous attraction guides you find all over Sin City. Once you find the right elevator, you'll be greeted by some of the most beautiful and rare vehicles you've ever seen. Unfortunately, they are bathed in some of the worst lighting ever devised. But that didn't stop us from taking tons of pics and putting together a gallery for you to sample what they have. You'll have to visit The Auto Collections yourself to really experience what these cars are like in person. And don't be surprised to see a completely different set of vehicles on display should you go. This is a dealership after all. And vehicles are also on display from other collections that sometimes make road trips to national events. Most of the vehicles have handy placards, as well, to help you identify them and learn a bit of their historic significance.
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This is really about the photos, so we'll keep our narrative short, but suffice it to say that you will be amazed at the incredible cars on display. Johnny Carson's 1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan is displayed in a Tonight Show-like setting. One of the "Eleanor" '67 Ford Mustang Fastbacks used in the remake of "Gone in Sixty Seconds" is right next to it. Not too far away is a Silk Cut Jaguar Le Mans car, nestled up against an MG Metro rally car. Several star cars, prototypes, and rare sports cars sit alongside Pre-War classics from Duesengerg, Packard and Rolls.
Not rare enough for you? How about something from Hispano-Suiza, Talbot Lago, Bentley, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Cadillac, Delahaye, Delage, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Horch, Isotta Fraschini, Pierce Arrow, or Minerva? Maybe a unique model from Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Chevrolet, Porsche, Volkswagen, Ford, Jaguar, Maserati, Lancia, Austin Healey, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chrysler, Cord, Auburn, Franklin, Hupmobile, International, Kaiser, Hudson, Lincoln, Locomobile, Mercury, MG, Morgan, NSU, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Renault, Shelby, Stutz, Cooper, Harley Davidson, or Indian is more your style.
As the company's website puts it: "There is no other showroom on the planet where you can walk in and see the assortment of Antique Cars, Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Custom Hot Rods, Movie Cars, Celebrity Cars, Low Mileage Cars, 100-point restored cars, former Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Cars, former SEMA Cars, Exotic Cars, Race Cars, Hill Climb Cars, Rally Cars, Indy 500 Race Cars, Indy 500 Pace Cars, Concept Cars, plus many cars rarely seen by the public." Definitely a must see attraction for car nuts visiting Vegas.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rade 7:54PM (4/18/2007)
I've been here...this place definitely has rare ensemble but most of the cars are pretty rough around the edges with chipped paint, crappy body work, etc. The best part, however, is reading the asking prices which are so outrageously over-market, you wonder if anybody has EVER bought a car there.
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Dude 8:25PM (4/18/2007)
I think I remember hearing that Jay Leno bought one of the steam-powered cars he owns from the Imperial Palace... Maybe it was the 1925 Doble.
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aaron 9:48PM (4/18/2007)
Rade, I agree with you. Those cars are absolutely above market value (I've been there myself). The only decent deal I found was in '99, and that was a Corvette ZR1 for under 45 grand. Black on black, Previously owned by Wayne Newton. It was one of the few cars in perfect condition that I found when I was there.
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Damon P. Humphries 8:32AM (4/19/2007)
I've been there several times, and I never even NOTICED that there were cars for sale! I was just so blown away by the assortment of cars. I remember a time in 1999 when I saw a birdcage Maserati, with the body panels removed. I must have studied that car for at least 45 minutes. What an amazing piece. I also developed an appreciation for old Dusenbergs and Rolls Royce at the time.
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Dave 11:19PM (4/18/2007)
I think the prices are there to make things interesting for casual viewers. The collection doesnt make money through sales.
If someone actually wanted to buy one of the cars, it would probably be an unpleasant inconvenience for the Imperial Palace, so the prices are purposely too high.
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Rade 10:54AM (4/22/2007)
Another place with an even better "for sale" auto collection is at Galpin Ford in the Valley...They have this crazy collection of cars the likes of which I've not seen. I don't know if its open to the public as I was with a well-heeled friend in the market for an Aston when I got to see it. If it is, make sure to check it out.
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doglet 12:52AM (4/19/2007)
ive been there, entry is free with a AAA membership. totally worth the time if your in vegas. its just room after room of unbeliveably bad ass beautiful cars.
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Jim in Tampa 8:25AM (4/19/2007)
The auto collection and "O" are my two favorite things to do while in Vegas!
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Galley 9:34AM (4/19/2007)
My favorite car of theirs was a Tucker.
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Brian 12:06PM (4/19/2007)
it's a shame these cars aren't being driven
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Justin 1:01PM (4/19/2007)
I've been to this, got some good photos. I should post them somewhere.
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