Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, Harold LeMay's car collection is the largest in the world. A Tacoma, Washington businessman involved in the refuse collection, recycling, and auto salvage business, LeMay's professional success allowed him to indulge in his passion for car collection like nobody else. Before passing away in 2000, LeMay at one point owned more than 3,000 vehicles.
Celebrating his life, his passion for cars, and America's love affair with the automobile, LeMay's collection is transformed into a major automotive showcase named "LeMay -- America's Car Museum." On its grand opening date of June 2, 2012, LeMay's collection will officially become the largest car museum in the North American continent.
Housing 350 vehicles at a time, or $60 million worth of classic metal, the 165,000 sq. ft., 4-story museum is designed by Alan Grant of Grant Pierce in Los Angeles. Inspired by the organic lines of automobiles, the museum features a bold, flowing, and extended aluminum roof that mimics a roadster-like silhouette.
Chief executive David L. Madeira explains, "Enthusiasts only make up about 10 percent of the population, but everyone has a car they have passionate feelings about, whether it's the '65 Mustang they've always wanted to own or the first car they ever bought with their own money. That's what this place is really all about -- America's love affair with the automobile."
More than just a permanent, rotating exhibit of the 1,500 car collection, museum communications director Scot Keller also sees the LeMay Museum as a place of gathering for automotive enthusiasts. "We're planning to host a full range of events outside on the lawn, from casual Saturday morning coffee and tire-kicking sessions to high-profile events like the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance."
Madeira expects to see 400,000 car enthusiasts to come to the LeMays Museum each year. However, you can be one of the first to experience the exhibit by simply checking out the video preview of the museum below:
