Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 8:51 am

I've pimped the auto museum enough on here that I think most of you guys are aware of it. But, I thought I'd create a thread to give you the entire story, let you know what events are going on at the museum currently and then give you an insider look at the "big" museum we're working toward.

There have been several guys from here and Rennlist (dammit) swing by the museum to check it out over the past 5 years. DTM brought the family a year or two ago. It is currently housed in a temporary facility, meaning the first floor of a small office building that my wife and I own and where my law office resides on the 2nd floor. Any time you find yourself in the KC area, please reach out to me and I'll give you the VIP tour and we can grab a beer and some BBQ.

OK, the backstory: Between work and vacations, I've traveled a lot, and always seek out the local auto museum when in a town for the first time. I retired from the Navy in 2009 (6 years active duty, 17 years in the reserve). About 2 years later, I was getting bored. I had always thought it was strange that KC didn't have a public auto museum since we've got a lot of automotive history, including multiple GM and Ford assembly plants. I bounced the idea of starting a public auto museum off a few friends, who didn't think it was the worst idea I'd ever come up with, and voila, in March 2011, the Kansas City Automotive Museum was born. We formed a board of directors, created the corporation and got non-profit status. The first couple of years were spent as a "virtual" museum - we existed only via our website. We would host events and then have info booths at car shows around town. I had a Countach replica that we used at shows to promote the museum and let the public sit in for pics. It was totally a grassroots effort, and we gradually gained momentum and made inroads into the local museum community and the national auto museum community.

In October 2013, we got our big break. We were connected with a wonderful lady whose fortune was made in the auto industry in KC. She loved the idea and pledged the funds to get our current museum open. We hired our initial staff and built out the museum in the winter of 2013/2014, opening our doors in May 2014. There were a ton of volunteers joining in to make it happen.

Fast forward to today - we've continued to grow and develop our staff and programming. We have a full-time Executive Director and a staff of 8 part-timers. The museum is not just a building with a bunch of old cars. We are a history museum, not a car collection. But, we have a kick-ass car collection in our history museum that completely changes over every 6 months.

The thing that I'm most proud of is our programming. We are very much an event-driven organization. We are constantly hosting events at the museum and other venues around town. We have a great Scouting program, hosting over 25 Cub Scout Pinewood Derbies a year and multiple Boy Scout overnights where we teach the Automotive Maintenance merit badge. About 1/4 of our display space is given to a different car club each month, and that club puts on its own display. This month, for example, is Cadillac month. April will be Porsche month. So, those clubs canvas their members and put together a group of cars to represent their club for the month.

Our biggest current project is creating a world-class facility for a new home. We would like an approximate 60,000 square foot facility (about 5 times bigger than our current facility) in an architecturally significant building somewhere in the downtown tourism district. We have hired an architect and an exhibit designer (the same one that did the Petersen Museum in LA). We are working with the city to determine the best location for the facility. Once we've settled on a parcel of land, we will begin the capital campaign with a fundraising goal of approximately $55 million. We've already done a couple of renderings of the new museum, but I can't share those yet. I'll post them up here as soon as I can. In addition to the 60,000 square feet of interior space, the new museum will have a significant outdoor event space because we are so event driven. We have many organizations now that want us to host their car shows, but we just don't have the facility or parking. Because we are located in the middle of the country, I envision the museum becoming a prime spot for hosting national car shows - think large events like Porsche Parade. With car shows, everybody drives in - being in the middle of the country means the east coast people don't have to drive to California and vice-versa.

I was the president of the museum for the first 4 1/2 years, but forced one of the other board members to take over back in 2015 (I needed the break!). Now, I'm just one of 17 members of the board of directors. It's really exciting to see an entire community come together behind a project that (hopefully) someday soon will be a major landmark in the city's landscape.

I'll use this thread to let you guys know what's going on around the museum. Here's a link to our website: www.kansascityautomuseum.com As mentioned earlier, please make it a point to swing by anytime you're in the area!
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 8:58 am

Here are some pics of various events:

The first car to move into the museum back in 2014:
20140506_085854.mp4
(35.19 MiB) Downloaded 210 times
And getting the first cars staged:
First cars in the museum, 2014-5.jpg
First cars in the museum, 2014-5.jpg (171.82 KiB) Viewed 2563 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:06 am

Our racing simulators that were built by a local high school as a special project:

Racing simulators.jpg
Racing simulators.jpg (372.24 KiB) Viewed 2560 times

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby:

Pinewood Derby.JPG

Our first Porsche month display:

Porsche month.jpg
Porsche month.jpg (210.54 KiB) Viewed 2560 times
Porsche month 2.jpg
Porsche month 2.jpg (167.85 KiB) Viewed 2560 times

And the 2nd Porsche month (after we had the floor redone due to oil stains):

Porsche month 3.jpg
Porsche month 3.jpg (311.32 KiB) Viewed 2556 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

Kalashnikov
OG (First 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 1020
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:04 pm
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by Kalashnikov » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:11 am

Very cool. Phoenix is also severely lacking in automotive history, which is ironic considering that entire MSA owes its existence to the car. I visit Mel Martin's place about once a year just to support it.

With your museum, I would visit for sure if I was driving through the town. Chances of me landing in KC are non-existent.

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:13 am

Hot Rod Month:

Hot rod month.jpg
Hot rod month.jpg (147.35 KiB) Viewed 2560 times

A visitor from Outer Space:

Vistor from outer space.jpg
Vistor from outer space.jpg (222.61 KiB) Viewed 2560 times

The 928 at one our our twice monthly Cars and Coffee events on Saturday mornings:

928 at Cars and Coffee.jpg
928 at Cars and Coffee.jpg (197.38 KiB) Viewed 2560 times

The Sterling kit car that we used as an interactive exhibit:

Sterling.jpg
Sterling.jpg (171.57 KiB) Viewed 2560 times

Wide variety of vehicles on display inside the museum that showcase local auto history:

Variety.jpg
Variety.jpg (252.37 KiB) Viewed 2560 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:16 am

Kalashnikov wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:11 am Very cool. Phoenix is also severely lacking in automotive history, which is ironic considering that entire MSA owes its existence to the car. I visit Mel Martin's place about once a year just to support it.

With your museum, I would visit for sure if I was driving through the town. Chances of me landing in KC are non-existent.
Thanks Kalash! Well, you never know when you might get forced to visit our little burg:


People train don't run through Wichita.gif
People train don't run through Wichita.gif (1.35 MiB) Viewed 2558 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
gnat
Power-drunk moderator
Posts: 4171
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:54 am
Location: Lobby, VWGofA HQ

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by gnat » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:17 am

Very cool. I had no idea you were so involved in it. I always thought you just rented the office space from them.

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:22 am

Volkswagen month display:

Volkswagen month.jpg
Volkswagen month.jpg (159.47 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

Another Cars and Coffee:

Cars and Coffee.jpg
Cars and Coffee.jpg (398.07 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

An art car created by a local high school art class for the museum to auction as a fundraiser:

Art car.jpg
Art car.jpg (315.76 KiB) Viewed 2556 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:30 am

The Great Car Show that we co-host with the National World War One Museum in downtown KC:


The Great Car Show.jpg
The Great Car Show.jpg (153.01 KiB) Viewed 2555 times
The Great Car Show 2.jpg
The Great Car Show 2.jpg (196.8 KiB) Viewed 2555 times
great-car-show-event-hero-2.jpg
great-car-show-event-hero-2.jpg (369.07 KiB) Viewed 2555 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Kansas City Automotive Museum: Updates and News

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:53 am

gnat wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:17 am Very cool. I had no idea you were so involved in it. I always thought you just rented the office space from them.
No, the other way around. I donate quite a bit of the space to the museum and rent the rest at a super low rate. If I had stuck to my original plan and leased the space to a regular tenant at market rate, I'd be able to lease a brand new GT2RS and Panamera with the difference each month.






But, I try not to think about that (much).

crying.gif
crying.gif (1.08 MiB) Viewed 2550 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

Post Reply