Sitting above Downtown San Diego is a place of repose and a cultural oasis, Balboa Park. At the southern end of Balboa Park sits the San Diego Auto Museum. This museum is housed in a structure built for the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition. The building was repurposed for the museum in the 1980’s, opening in 1988.
Inside, the museum is quite spacious, broken up by “Display Areas”. This gives a more intimate experience. All cars and motorcycles, except for the “Barn Find Display” (a barn find being every car lover’s dream), are beautiful originals or meticulous restorations.
My personal favorite is the ’31 Caddy V-16 Roadster, what a grand statement this vehicle makes. Every visitor is sure to have a favorite.
An interesting Display is the “Plank Road Display”. The Plank Road was a section of the highway which ran from San Diego to Yuma, Arizona. Built in 1915, is a seven-mile section to traverse the desert called the Algodones Dunes with wood planks, resembling railroad ties held together with metal straps. It must have been quite a ride driving vehicles at that time with virtually no suspension. The road was used until 1926, being replaced by a black top highway. There are still sections of the original road visible today.
The “Red Display” has a group of cars, all red. A first-year Viper, a Countache, a Testarossa and a Bizzarrini P 538, 1 of 4 built, and the only one with a Lamboghini,12 cyl. engine. There are many other auto displays with a wide variety of fine models.
The “Indian and Harley Davidson Displays” are fantastic, and the international bike sections have many I have never seen. All great examples. The Area Displays are changed on regular intervals, and I am anticipating the next change to make another visit.
The Auto Museum being my primary objective, there are 15 other museums to visit and enjoy. There is also the San Diego Zoo at the northern end of Balboa Park. When visiting the Park allow at least a day to browse and it will be a day well spent.
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