Wheels Through Time Museum
Written by Keith Fudge

Not long ago, Dennis Gage headed to the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina to visit the Wheels Through Time Museum.  Located in the town of Maggie Valley, the museum was founded by Dale Walksler who also serves as its Curator.  When Dennis arrived, he met with Dale who told him a bit about the museum.  Dale said that 90 years of classic American cars and motorcycles are represented here and that they all run with one exception!  It was at this point that Dennis saw that the “exception” was a 1929 Duesenberg Murphy J 142 Roadster!  Dale said that he had been driving the car for years, and one day the engine began to knock.  It was at that point that he decided to restore the car and thought that it would be great to restore it in the museum where visitors could see the restoration process.  So, even though this one doesn’t run now, it will run soon!  Dale said that the museum hosts more than 200,000 visitors per year.  He refers to the museum as “more than a collection of motorcycles and cars.  It’s a collection of peoples’ lives.”  As far as the museum’s location in the Great Smoky Mountains goes, Dale calls it a place “where history meets hospitality.”  Soon it was time for Dennis to see some more of the cars that are in this historic collection!

First, Dale showed Dennis a 1932 Packard 902 Convertible Coupe.  Dale said that he drove this car from Los Angeles to New York for the 1986 Great American Race!  Next, Dale pointed out a 1914/15 Locomobile that may have taken two years to build.  Dale said that there were 230 of these cars built during that two year span.  A beautiful 1932 Lincoln LeBaron Roadster was the next car in line, and this one has a bit of a celebrity history.  This car was owned by the founder of J.C. Whitney Auto Parts.  To look at some more rare rides, Dale and Dennis went outside where Dale had a couple of these beauties poised and ready to roll.  The first car that they saw was what Dale refers to as, “the first street rod!”  Custom built by 1930’s musician Cletus Clovis (so he would have room to carry his equipment), this car is as radical as it could be for its time.  Dale guessed that the car was originally a Model A two-door Phaeton, but that it was dropped, chopped, and still maintained its original paint job of brush-painted, hand-rubbed lacquer!  With seating for two and a huge rear compartment for musical equipment, Dale and Dennis climbed inside and took this prototype street rod out for a spin!  When they returned, Dale showed Dennis another vehicle with a celebrity history.  This 1930 V-16 Cadillac Madam X Coupe was once owned by rocker Neil Young!  Sporting an abundance of lights and horns up front and a 452 cubic-inch, overhead valve V-16 engine with four dual updraft carburetors, this car is a sight to behold!  At that point, the only thing that seemed appropriate was to take this pristine example of early Cadillac elegance and power for a spin on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.  After driving a short distance, Dale turned the wheel over to Dennis who then drove back to the museum.  After driving and riding in this car, it was clearly apparent why Cadillac set the benchmark for luxury and performance for American cars.

Dennis and the crew had a great time at the Wheels Through Time Museum!  If you would like more information on the museum you can visit them on the web at www.wheelsthroughtime.com. That’s it from picturesque Maggie Valley, North Carolina.  So until our next visit, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”