Fri Mar 12 2010
by Eric Marotta
Editor
Macedonia -- If you thought museums were all about dusty, static exhibits, think again.
This summer, for the first time in its 10 years in the city, the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum's preservation facility will be open to the general public on a regular basis.
"We're going to make this a destination," said museum director Allan Unrein. "We're going to make a lot of smoke and movement. We're going to give people rides.
"For the price of going to the movies, you're going to see something you're going to remember for years," he added.
Hidden on Empire Parkway in the commercial-industrial section of Macedonia off Highland Road, the suburban branch of the Western Reserve Historical Society houses dozens of historic automobiles, as well as trucks, motorcycles and other examples of technology dating back more than 100 years.
Like the 1901 "Hupmobile," for example.
Calling it the "ugliest car in the collection," Unrein said the Hupmobile is remarkable for having been driven around the world with only one breakdown at a time when automobiles were being invented and built in converted horse stables.
Carrying up to 1,200 pounds of supplies, the machine used an acetyline tank to power its headlights. "And it got 28 miles per gallon," he added.
Its single malfunction on the 14-month journey happened when an axle broke in Japan, Unrein said, adding a new axle forged in a potter's shop is still in the car, which today still "runs perfectly."
The preservation facility houses numerous other antique vehicles, all in perfect running order, such as a 1901 Trimotor, said to be the worst production vehicle ever made.
"It's a scary ride at 8 miles per hour, said Unrein.
A short list of other specimens include some models built when 80 varieties of automobile were manufactured in Cleveland, as well as Detroit favories -- such as a blue, 1914 Model T.
As Unrien explains, the car's inventor Henry Ford switched to an all-black fleet in 1915, after determining black paint was cheaper and dried faster than other hues.
Later model vehicles are also represented, including a street-legal, supercharged Dodge Colt with a 1,000 horspower engine that Unrien said goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 2 seconds.
The program begins June 6, when the facility will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a cruise in and to offer visitors a chance to tour the collection. The event will also mark the 30th anniversary of the Cozy Coupe®, a toy vehicle produced by Little Tykes® that has outsold real automobiles.
Other Saturday events ($5 admission) will take place July 18, Aug. 15, and Sept. 26.
The facility will also be open for special programs on select Wednesday evenings beginning June 17.
The June 17 program, which begins at 7 p.m., will focus on Cleveland Automotive History. Adult admission is $10 and youths age 20 and under and WRHS members are admitted for free.
Reservations are required for the Wednesday evening programs by calling 216-721-5722 ext. 260.
Unrein said the programs are meant to bring the collection alive, and to give people a chance to have a hands-on experience with history.
Since taking charge of the collection in 1999, Unrein said his No. 1 goal has been to build a base of volunteers to support the museum and today he supervises a crew of auto enthusiasts that include attorneys, executives, welders and other individuals with handy skills.
His No. 2 goal was to get all the vehicles in running order -- which is what makes the Macedonia preservation facility a crucial part of the museum's endeavors.
"Here, I can fire things up in a very controlled environment. We have a core group of exhibits and can be very interactive with the public," he said.
For more information about the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, hours of operation and collection questions, see www.wrhs.org.
E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3171
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