Autoblog

Branson Auto Museum pledges to rebuild after tornado

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

A tornado with 130-mile-per-hour winds touched down in the tourist area of Branson, MO, in late February. Among the many damaged businesses was the Branson Auto Museum, which lost its roof, according to Old Cars Weekly. The majority of the 100-plus cars in the museum survived the disaster, though at least seven were damaged by debris.

Branson Auto Museum manager Sue Uygun tells OCW that the museum plans to rebuild and reopen in the same location as soon as possible, but will be closed for at least a couple of months. The museum was launched on May 15, 2009 in a former crafts mall and had recently begun expanding its collection to include more antique tractors and farm implements.

Click past the jump for a press release on the tornado rebuilding efforts from the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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Ken Lingenfelter opens doors to his collection for charity [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Event Alert

Back in 2009, we gave you an inside look at a truly amazing car collection located in Michigan. At the time, the owner preferred an air of anonymity, so we referred to him as the "Sultan of Michigan," which is a moniker we've since learned he dislikes and we won't be using anymore. His collection is both expansive and all-encompassing, containing automobiles from a range of eras and locations. The man's name is Ken Lingenfelter (cousin of the late John Lingenfelter), and the doors to his collection will open to the public on Saturday, June 18th.

For $15, you will gain access to a collection of over 150 vehicles that range from early Chevrolet Corvettes to the Ferrari Enzo wearing build plaque number 399. Lingenfelter has amassed the type of automotive showcase that makes all enthusiasts envious, while also providing a timeline of exciting vehicles that spans decades.

This isn't just about viewing a collection that's rarely shared with the public. Ken Lingenfelter is hosting the event to support the Detroit Institute of Opthalmology. The organization is devoted to being the leader in collaboration of vision related research, and a champion of helping those with impaired vision.

You can get a look at Lingenfelter's cars by way of the Lingenfelter Collection website. If you're in the Brighton, Michigan area, however, we suggest you pony up some dough and see the vehicles in person. You'll feel good about helping a charity, and we'll feel jealous that we're not there to see the cars for ourselves. This is a collection that is not open to the public, but is occasionally available for car clubs to view when they donate proceeds of the viewing to charity.

Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone (313-824-4710), or at the door (7819 Lochlin
Brighton, MI). We've gone ahead and posted an older video showing just a portion of the Lingenfelter Collection after the break.

Continue reading Ken Lingenfelter opens doors to his collection for charity [w/video]

Ken Lingenfelter opens doors to his collection for charity [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Sultan of Michigan's car collection is one of nicest we've ever seen

Chris Paukert — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Videos, Supercars, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Saleen, Alfa Romeo, Callaway, AMG, Specialty

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We've been through a lot of great car collections and museums over the years, but even we have to admit that we've never seen a private collection like this. Assembled by a shadowy figure known only as "The Sultan of Michigan," this cache has something for car enthusiasts of most every stripe, although the focus is clearly on vintage and present-day muscle and Eighties-and-up supercars. Truck enthusiasts, vintage foreign guys and brass car enthusiasts will largely have to look elsewhere, but it's a magnificent collection, with the most flabbergasting thing being that it appears to be up-to-the-minute current.

The whereabouts and ownership of the collection are two things that the owner prefers to keep private - we actually have confirmation on both, but prefer to respect privacies. What we can confirm is that this treasure trove is, in fact, located in Michigan, which is both heartening (to know that such wealth and mechanical beauty still exists in the state) and somewhat confounding (as the area lacks truly great winding roads on which to exploit much of the machinery). In either case, the collection is generally kept under wraps, although periodically we understand that the owner invites in selected parties to share in the gorgeousness. Some of the folks at MidwestSSC.com are obviously part of the 'inner circle' judging by the video and this photo gallery. Follow the jump to take the tour for yourself. Thanks to Andrew Weber for use of his video, and we appreciate the tips, Justin and Evan!

[Sources: Andrew Weber; MidwestSCC.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sultan of Michigan's car collection is one of nicest we've ever seen

VIDEO: Sultan of Michigan's car collection is one of nicest we've ever seen originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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