Clive Cussler Museum

twobjshelbys · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2009, 09:26 PM

My wife and I went to the Clive Cussler museum on Saturday. I can't take the time to cross post everything here, so here is a link to one of the three sites that I posted the pictures.

http://www.stangmafia.com/forum/f37/...16/#post194049

Here is the text of the intro topic text there:

OK, I think I have sorted and adjusted them. I'll be posting for a while so please hold off until I give the all clear.

As a little background Clive Cussler is one of our favorite authors. He started with the Dirk Pitt series. I've read a few of his others and am eagerly awaiting next Isaac Bell book (coming in November).

WHen he "got rich" from his books he started doing real investigations. His NUMA (National Underwater Marine Agency) which is a real group of his friends and associates, was responsible for locating, among others, the Confederate submarine Hunley. My best friend from college (Bill) was there too although I don't know if they were connected since his site says divers are not volunteers. (Bill passed away from colon cancer, so please get the exam).

For those that have read Cussler's Dirk Pitt books you know that every one contains a link to one or more exotic cars. Like a Hispano-Suiza or a Pierce Arrow. He used his books to start buying cars and fortunately for us, most of them are housed in another little warehouse in Colorado.

The Colorado Shelby Breakfast Club managed to get to go along with several other car clubs on Saturday. The museum is open seasonally and I think the last days are this coming week until next spring.

The building is organized so that when you go in you start with his second collection. THere are about 50 or so purely classic 1950's convertibles. After you drool (they ask you not do that) then you go to the classics. I'll start the pictures with the convertibles.

Enjoy.

P.S. There are just too many pictures to do much editorializing, and I'm trying to post these to three sites, so please be patient.

Here is one photo that might stir some memories here:

And one of my favorites - these classics have hood ornaments that are works of art:

Enjoy.

This is a good place - if you're in the neighborhood check it out. The web site is down right now, and their season is all but over - they close in a few days to re-open in the spring - but here is a link:

http://www.cusslermuseum.com/

HI Cobra · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2009, 09:52 PM

What a great collection of pictures - of a great collection of cars.
That place is on my bucket list.
Thanks for posting them.

twobjshelbys · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

What a great collection of pictures - of a great collection of cars.
That place is on my bucket list.
Thanks for posting them.

Make a Colorado tour of it next summer and do:

The Shelby American Collection - between Longmont and Boulder

The Dougherty Museum (old classics, including steam powered farm equipment)

The Gateway Museum (John Hendricks of the Discovery Channel's collection) between Grand Junction and Durango (on the Western Slope).

Only the Shelby American Collection stays open during the winter. Both of the others are closed or closing within the next week or so.

HI Cobra · #4 (**permalink**) 09-27-2009, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the list - next summer might just be the time for me.
I was born in the Springs and have a sister in the Springs and a brother
down near Castle Rock area. Time for a visit!

kurtmart · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 09:23 AM

Aren't they all supposed to be full of bullet holes?

Kurt

twobjshelbys · #6 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtmart

Aren't they all supposed to be full of bullet holes?

Kurt

Yeah, but most of them were buffed out.

JBCOBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 12:42 PM

Wow! Awesome collection! Great Photos too.

David Biele · #8 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 01:41 PM

I have read just about all of the Dirk Pitt series and someday I will make the visit to see his collections. In the novels Dirk collects old airplanes, does his collection have any?

David

twobjshelbys · #9 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 08:40 PM

You're right - he has a hanger somewhere by Washington DC. No airplanes here.

He used to have a home nearby but now I think he lives in Scottsdale year 'round. One of the folks there said that one of his children still lives in the area.

twobjshelbys · #10 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

Thanks for the list - next summer might just be the time for me.
I was born in the Springs and have a sister in the Springs and a brother
down near Castle Rock area. Time for a visit!

Hmmm... How about trading houses next summer? Your house/Cobra for my house/Cobra???? Could be interesting. (I don't think I'd recommend the Cobra to go to Gateway but the Shelby GT/SC Mustang is a hoot.)

bobcowan · #11 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Make a Colorado tour of it next summer and do:

The Shelby American Collection - between Longmont and Boulder

The Dougherty Museum (old classics, including steam powered farm equipment)

The Gateway Museum (John Hendricks of the Discovery Channel's collection) between Grand Junction and Durango (on the Western Slope).

Only the Shelby American Collection stays open during the winter. Both of the others are closed or closing within the next week or so.

Don't forget the Fourney Museum of Transportation in Denver. Fascinating place.
http://www.forneymuseum.org/