In early December of 2012, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan announced that it would be closing its doors to the public at the end of the year. This announcement came after the museum lost nearly $1.5 million in the prvious two years. The museum had been open, although below the radar, since October 1999.
The museum's extensive collection included more than 60 classic and concept vehicles housed in a three-level, 55,000-square-foot facility. The museum was well-loved by those who knew of its existence, and it was not only popular with retired car guys. Groups of elementary and middle school students frequented the exhibits, learning about classic car history via interactive, refreshingly technical displays between vehicles. These displays allowed visitors to discover how the Chrysler Airflow's suspension and seating setup contributed to a more comfortable ride for passengers, along with other cool things about the designs and building processes of Chryslers.
Since its closure to the public in 2012, the museum has been open to the public only on special occasion, such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group events of Chrysler Employee Motorsport Association (CEMA) car shows. Fortunately, FCA has announced plans for a limited reopening of the museum beginning next month.
The mueseum will open its doors on June 4 and 5, welcoming visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as some other dates (shown below) for the remainder of 2016.
To keep operating costs at a minimum, the museum will be staffed by volunteers who will help the facility run without getting into the same financial trouble as it previously experienced. The cost of admission will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors over age 62, $6 for youths age 6-17, and free for children under 5.
Upon entrance to the museum, guests will see the building's atrium being dominated by a rotating tower highlighting Chrysler concept cars over the years. The first floor is dedicated to the brands' first half-century with vehicles like De Soto, Hudson, Nash, Plymouth, Rambler, Willys-overland, and more.
Once on the second floor, guests will walk through the introduction of the first Hemi V-8 in 1951 and will be carried through the muscle car era, the birth of electronics and computers in cars, and even bold experiments by Chrysler like the Chrysler turbine car.
The lower level of the museum, referred to as "Boss Chrysler's Garage", contains key products from the 1960s and '70s along with racing cars, Jeeps, trucks, and other assorted vehicles from the Chrysler collection.
The museum's open dates for the remainder of 2016 are:
- June 4 &5 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- June 25 & 26 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- July 9 &10 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- July 16 & 17 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- August 6 & 7 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- August 19, 20 & 21 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- September 10 & 11 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- September 24 & 25 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- October 1 & 2 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- October 22 & 23 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- November 5 & 6 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- November 19 & 20 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- December 17 & 18 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.