Don Garlits museum of drag racing

[fwi]

After more than 25 years of driving by it on I-75 while on the way to or from somewhere and never having the time to stop, we finally had the time and stopped in yesterday morning. It was well worth the visit! There is so much stuff to see (if you are into drag racing especially).
There are two buildings with somewhere around 300 plus cars, a few nice B bodies, two 62 Plymouths and one 62 Dodge, a 66 Dodge Coronet 4 door sedan with a Hemi (reputed to be worth an astronomical amount of $$$, it was ordered new by the FBI), a Superbee, root beer color, it is one of one!. Also a room full of engines with lots of Hemis, parts, etc...
Tons of dragsters, and in another building his old cars collection.
Don was a real pack rat (all quality stuff though!)
Don Garlits is to drag racing what Elvis Presley was to rock and roll.
Took lots of photos but I am unable to download them!!!:angry1:

 

[Budnicks]

Great place for sure

 

[petieg383]

My Dad and I went there a few years back. Got to meet Don and his sidekick Lemons before he past. It's a fantastic place. If you even think you like Drag Racing it's a must see place.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Yeah, if you are gonna be a hoarder, do it like old Don. Its on the bucket list. Hopefully before he passes away I can make it. God only knows what will happen to it all once he is gone.

 

[fwi]

Some photos:

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The cars are in there very tight, unfortunately could not get good side views.....

 

[64BEL]

Yeah, if you are gonna be a hoarder, do it like old Don. Its on the bucket list. Hopefully before he passes away I can make it. God only knows what will happen to it all once he is gone.

Hopefully it will continue on. I believe he turned over the running of it to one of his daughters in recent years. But he's still very much involved with it. He could use another building to display things a little more spread out. But the way it's laid out is kind of the great thing about it. It's very unassuming - just like a real car guy would lay it out. The items are the focus - without a lot of overblown flashiness.

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Here's the FBI car.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I was there last year and met Big Danny himself, member moparmarkk (and wife Lyn) and Dan Dvorak. A good trip it was!

 

[GearAddict]

Thanks for the post... I have lived in Tampa area for 8 years now and always wondered if the Don G museum was worth the stop. Looks like the answer is yes.

I also understand they have a big car show with a lot of Mopars in the spring.

 

[furyus]

Thanks for the post... I have lived in Tampa area for 8 years now and always wondered if the Don G museum was worth the stop. Looks like the answer is yes.

I also understand they have a big car show with a lot of Mopars in the spring.

The Mopar show is the first week of November. Good swap meet section too.

 

[GearAddict]

The Mopar show is the first week of November. Good swap meet section too.

Thanks! That means I might actually make it this year...seems like I'm always missing the big events in my area.

 

[YY1]

Way cool.

Don's a genuine good guy.

How is Dvorak doing?

I haven't seen him in years.

I saw his car sell on ebay out of new York, and heard he was looking for an apprentice to sell the business to.

 

[roadrunnerman]

I've stopped in there a couple times when I was driving thru florida. Never walked away disappointed.