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It's been a long time coming - but our Phase I building is finally up! In August at our MotorFest IV in Auburn, Indiana, we celebrated Phase I's construction and began moving our collection to it. Click on any photo to see an enlarged version.
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| Our 2.5 acres of land in Auburn, Indiana, waiting for something to "grow" on it. |
In 2007, it looked like this. |
We then had some preliminary paving done for our future driveway. |
During MotorFest 3 last year, attendees went to work doing some seeding. |
A unique way to seed. Hey, it worked! |
Work went on even with threatening weather! |
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| Then in the spring of this year, the foundation and slab were poured and the steel started rising. |
A wet spring put a damper on the progress. |
The signs went up at the American Heritage Village where our land is located.... |
....then a sign showing the way to our new home. |
And there it is...Phase I. Enclosed, electrified, and air-conditioned. Almost ready for MotorFest. |
Also being built at the same time is our new neighbor - the Andy Granatelli Hall of Fame Museum. |
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| It's literally "across the street" from our location. |
While at MotorFest IV in August, work continued on Phase I. We'll have 8 windows on this side and large metal letters spelling out our name. |
While we had a "captive audience" at MotorFest, we asked for volunteers to travel to Jordon Beller's two museum locations in Illinois. |
Jordon, shown here, was ready for us! |
Jordon, Life Member #1 of the Foundation, has been storing our large literature collection in his Museum for many years. |
We had plenty of trailers and workers to get the job done. |
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| Yes, the weather was great, and the help was awesome! |
At last - we begin moving items from Beller and items stored by the Stauffers into Phase I. |
We had lots of stuff to move. |
Bob Malley and Ron Stauffer donated this custom-made V-8 sign which Bob had made in Rochester, NY. |
Up it went. Don't drop it! |
It works! Time to take a break for a photo. |
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| Time to move some engines from the Kruse Museum, also "across the street" from our home. |
This cut-away engine runs with an electric motor to show the workings of a flathead V-8. |
This 1940 60HP restored engine was donated by the Northern VA regional group, and it runs! |
Here's an engine wraped in plastic. That twisted item above it is a '36 Ford front axle that was twisted at the 1936 Ford show in Dallas to demonstrate its strength! How many of these have you ever seen? |
More help arrives during MotorFest. |
The work continues. We have a LOT more to bring to Auburn. Building Phase II, our fantastic "Rotunda" Museum, will soon be needed to accommodate our entire collection. |
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| The ladies also pitched in to help. |
One looks serious, the other happy. But we know they both enjoyed helping. And help they did! |
Two of our cars and a custom-made air hose holder hade from a 1932 Ford wheel, axle half and hubcap! |
Another of our beautiful, donated cars. |
A '32 Ford Model B truck and a Dearborn Award winner, Ford 8N tractor - now ours. |
Our donated "gas station" being assembled. |
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| Signs are one thing we have a lot of, like this original 1950s Strato-Star neon sign. |
Remember the licence plate map we raffled off at last year's MotorFest? It was donated back to us by the winner - Don Fales of Florida. |
"Gather around, folks." Time to uncork the champagne and celebrate! |
The ladies raise their glasses for a job well done! |
Here you go. Don't spill on the new floor. |
And you sir, thanks for your hard work this week. |
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| "Salute!" Your Board of Trustees can't thank you enough for your support. |
Two Presidents (V-8 Club, V-8 Foundation) enjoying a toast. |
Our Architect, Bill Fox, and our founder, Jerry Windle, looking pleased with our accomplishments. |
Outside, progress continues! |
We'll definitely be back soon! |
Last, but not least, thanks to our photographer(s) for all the great shots! |
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P.S. More progress in October! |
A view from within - with some of our Ford Lab Sets. That's I-69 straight ahead. |
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Our sincere thanks to all who helped make this building, our FIRST STEP, a huge success. It's this kind of support and willingness to pitch in hands-on that will help us realize our dream of a World Class Museum dedicated to the Ford Flathead V-8!