Cruise by New Jersey’s Only Public Antique Auto Museum
John Mahoney, Trustee
Vintage Automobile
MUSEUM OF NEW JERSEY
www.sparkexploreocean.com 35
It all began on a cool September night,
the last Cruisin’ Downtown Toms River
of 1998. A bunch of guys from the
Vintage Auto Club of Ocean County
were discussing what they know best—
cars. We talked about all the great cars
we saw at car shows that season. A
question arose during that conversation:
“Why doesn’t New Jersey have a
museum for old cars?”
As antique car enthusiasts, it was our
duty to remind the public what a Model T
looks, sounds and smells like.
The concept for the Vintage Automobile
Museum of New Jersey grew from
the drive, determination and initial
investment of nine members of that
Vintage Auto Club. The Vintage
Automobile Museum became a not-forprofit
organization in July 2000. Instead
of having a location for people to visit,
they took the museum to the people with
acclaimed educational programming,
including “History on Wheels,” and
brought antique cars to schools, nursing
homes, historical societies, fraternal
organizations and just about every group
who wanted a car museum in their own
backyard, even if for just a few hours.
In the summer of 2012, the Vintage
Auto Museum procured nearly half of a
5,000-square-foot building at a scenic
marina in Point Pleasant Borough. Within
six weeks of opening the installation was
destroyed by Superstorm Sandy, but the
museum celebrated its grand re-opening
in August 2013.
“The Biggest Little Car Museum in the
Nation” displays about ten vehicles
at a time for 60- to 90-day exhibition
periods and features a diverse collection
of automobilia, vintage toys, die cast
car models, auto service equipment,
operating displays and a host of
period antiques. Experienced antique
car collectors are present to explain
the historical significance of these
remarkable automobiles.
A Speakers’ Bureau features
presentations sharing the history and
development of the automobile and
the highways and byways on which we
all drive. The Youth Group works with
students from area schools and scouting
organizations to build safe, responsible
drivers and leaders.
Vintage Automobile Museum, New
Jersey’s only public antique and classic
automobile museum, is funded in part
by a grant from Ocean County Business
Development and Tourism and is a
member of the National Association of
Automobile Museums.
Admission is free, so bring your family
and friends to see us at 1800 Bay Ave.,
Building 13, in Point Pleasant (next to
the NJ Museum of Boating). We’re open
afternoons, Wednesday through Sunday.
For more info, call 732-899-0012 or visit
https://vintageautomuseum.org/
VINTAGE AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM OF N.J.
New Jersey’s only public
antique car museum
This program is made possible in part by a grant
administered by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage
Commission, in conjunction with the New Jersey State
Council of the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency
of the National Endowment for the Arts.
FREE ADMISSION – Open Wednesday-Sunday
1800 Bay Ave., Building 13, Point Pleasant
732-899-0012 • www.vintageautomuseum.org
/www.sparkexploreocean.com
/
/vintageautomuseum.org
