Transporting you to another time, this museum features a showroom for luxury Packard cars that lit up the early 20th century with their extravagance.
The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum has one of the nation’s largest collections of Packard cars and vehicle-related vintage artifacts. Displays bring visitors back to a bygone era, with its range of old-world gas station signs, hood ornaments and other car-related pieces. Bring your family to see the fascinating designs and models of yesteryear.
As you make your way around the exhibits, learn about the Packard line of cars, long considered a luxury vehicle brand. The museum contains a vast selection of vehicles, inside and outside. Notice the cars’ various deluxe touches, including compartments for golf clubs and medical bags.
Study the elegant two-seat Gentlemen’s Runabout Speedster from the early 20th century and admire the 1930 Packard Model 740, which can fit seven passengers and stands out for its Dalmatian ornament on the hood. The 1926 Model 243 has a long yellow nose, while the marketing along the side of the 1915 delivery truck is a reminder of days when home cooking was extremely popular.
Learn about the history of Packard and peruse the display with memorabilia relating to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Old-fashioned baby strollers, magazines and music players bring you back decades. Attend an event in the museum, when dining tables covered in checked tablecloths are set up between the cars.
Pay the suggested contribution and get half-price fare for kids. Toddlers can enter for free. Note that the site opens Monday through Friday from morning until late afternoon. You can also make an appointment to visit on Saturdays or to book a private event.
The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum is in the Croissant Park district, a little south of the city center. Arrive at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and drive north for 4 miles (7 kilometers) to get to the museum in about 15 minutes.
While in this part of town, visit some of the surrounding attractions, such as Lauderdale Memorial Park, the Sunshine Cathedral MCC and the MUSE Center for the Arts.
