Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum has been around since 2005 and is located in Pinellas Park, Florida. It displays historic automobiles from the 20th century, with the focus on cars that show unique creativity and imagination in their history as well as engineering. The Museum is dedicated to the engineering innovations of the 1920s and 1930s. It is a showcase for the engineers who were responsible for the new technology of the time. The Museum features more than fifty automobiles, many of them being front-wheel drive or rear-engine automobiles.

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, located in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg area of west central Florida, features a unique collection of vintage cars and vehicles. They include pioneering front wheel drive and rear engine cars from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Every vehicle was specifically chosen based on the engineering achievements that made it and its role in the evolution of the automobile. These select cars are what set the standards for the engineering of automobiles today. Visitors enjoy this fascinating combination of art and science in 12,000 square feet of gallery space.The musuem came to be when the owner Alain A. Cerf bought his first “vintage car”. He had always loved the classics and was upset to see that one after another, after good service, they were garaged, waiting for better years. Then Tatra cars from Czechoslovakia started to become an interest. He was intrigued by technology and the idea of a collection based upon avant-garde automobile technology grew stronger every day. The museum galleries are home to some of the finest early approaches to aerodynamic shapes and packaging, front wheel drive and rear engine-rear drive engineering, unibody construction, pioneering uses of materials like cast aluminum, pressed steel and more.

The museum offers a look at very rare cars which are privately owned. Most are meticulously restored to show quality. Many are award winners at the most prestigious national shows. All have detailed descriptions which makes the visit very interesting. Most of the automobiles are registered and are driven on occasion. The staff are very knowledgeable and eager to engage in conversation. Florida's Pinellas Park's Tampa Bay Automobile Museum preserves and exhibits the artifacts of culture. Find one-of-a-kind and memorable art pieces at this great art museum and leave with some artistic inspiration. This exciting array of history can be seen from Monday to Sunday for just eight dollars.

A few words from the owner: "I was born in France and bought my first “vintage car” out of necessity in the 1950’s when a car such as a Talbot, Delahaye or Darl’ Mat was less expensive than a modern “people’s car”. I loved those classics and one after another, after good service, they were garaged, waiting for better years. Tatra cars from Czechoslovakia became another interest. I was intrigued by technology and styling that could almost have come from outer space. The idea of a collection based upon avant-garde automobile technology grew stronger every day."

“An Automotive Treasure Chest at Tampa Bay.” Plus Company Updates, 2017. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsggo&AN=edsgcl.497920823&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Belcher, Charley. “Tampa Bay Automobile Museum Showcases Cars from as Far as Czechoslovakia.” FOX 13 Tampa Bay, FOX 13 Tampa Bay, 14 Oct. 2019, www.fox13news.com/good-day-tampa-bay/tampa-bay-automobile-museum-showcases-cars-from-as-far-as-czechoslovakia.

Lindberg, Anne. "TAMPA BAY AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM; An unusual track record." St. Petersburg Times [St. Petersburg, FL], 16 Mar. 2005, p. 1. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A130367152/ITOF?u=orla57816&sid=ITOF&xid=15d428d9. Accessed 31 Mar. 2020.

“Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.” Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, www.tbauto.org/.

“Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.” Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida, www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/tampa-bay-automobile-museum/2018.