Many moons ago, I did the Ford Model T experience with a friend of mine at the The Reynolds-Alberta Museum. After that wonderful event, we decided to partake in a tour of some of the behind the scenes warehouse. With ninety percent of their impressive collection not on public display, we got to see some amazing rare gems.
There are racks and racks of rare, unique vehicles. We will only see a bit of a taste here given the sheer numbers. It is well worth your time to visit the museum and especially the warehouse tour.
There are plenty of Canadian market cars like this Meteor as the Reynolds Museum is very effective about highlighting the unique machines that once populated this country.
There are incredibly rare and unique cars such as this 1915 Briscoe Model B-15 Cloverleaf Roadster whose bodywork was partially made of a paper like substance. Constructed with a lightweight compressed papier-mâché body the Briscoe must have been quite the performance car of its era with a 2.6L four cylinder engine. The styling is dominated by a single headlight.
There are quite a few full classics like this two tone blue 1931 Cadillac.
A rare vintage car is this 1929 Willys Knight Model 56A.
Not too many British cars in stock but here is a rare to be seen 1950 Hillman Minx Mk4 in good condition.
There were so many vehicles that it was hard to see or photograph some of them. There were plenty of Canadian classics like this 1949 or 1950 Monarch.
This makes for an interesting pairing. The black car is a 1960 Frontenac with a (later) Ford Falcon which is what it was based on. The Frontenac was only sold in 1960 and featured unique grill and trim as well as many maple leaf logos.
The warehouse also contained the other, more rare but completely unrelated Frontenac. A 1930 Frontenac 6-70 Deluxe Sedan which was part of the GM family.
Not just cars, they also have a very large collection of vintage motorcycles. As well as bicycles.
It is Canada, so a good sized collection of early snowmachines were on display.
Need a hubcap? There is a whole wall of them from various eras.
There is also a large collection of agricultural machinery. Not many places or collectors would have the space to store these treasures inside.
There is a whole building full of airplanes. Or things that look like airplanes in the case of the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow replica that was used in a documentary. The Arrow is a very interesting story if you need a diversion (after finishing this post, of course!).
We can wrap up with a few vintage cars including this National.
I love the details on the front end of this Marmon.
There were plenty of outdoor treasures as well like this (I think) early Bombardier B-series Snowmobile. If you happen to find yourself in central Alberta make sure to book off a full day for this museum.
Oooh, this looks like a great place for a tour!
Both the National and the Marmon were built in Indianapolis.
Wow—-that’s just like an art museum: if 90% of a collection is off display, they’ve got a big inventory.
Thanks for the nice tour. For me it’s not at all close to home, but if I’m ever even remotely nearby, I’ll find a way to check it out.
I’ve been through the Reynolds Alberta Museum a couple of times but never into the warehouse. Its only about six hours away so I should plan another trip.
I always liked that two tone pattern on the 1949-51 Mercurys and Monarchs.
The 1930 Frontenac was built by Durant, not General Motors.
I’d love to go there!
The last time I was in this very nice part of the world I visited the dinosaur museum in Drumheller, also worth a visit.
Wow didn’t know they had such a big collection. I have a niece in Calgary now so I might just make a visit someday.
The Avro Arrow would make the trip worthwhile for me all by itself. Thanks for sharing these magnificent pics!
I’d love to visit this place…a bit of a long drive for me. 🙂
I’d say that this is the primary reason why I would want to find myself in central Alberta.
Thanks!
This looks like my kind of museum – I could easily spend a whole day here.
All of your highlighted cars are interesting, but the cyclops Briscoe piqued my interest here. I’ve never heard of Briscoe before, and in looking up some information, it seems that while Briscoe Motor Corporation was headquartered in Michigan, there was also a Canadian Briscoe Motor Co. that manufactured cars in Ontario. It’s not quite clear whether these Cloverleafs were manufactured in Canada too, but given its presence at the museum, I suppose that’s possible.
Thanks for the tour!
Good write up Dave.
It is one of the best transportation museums in Canada. I took have taken the warehouse tour and its amazing what they have stored away. We’re living in Calgary now so I don’t get to the museum as often now
Exactly where is this museum located?
6426 – 40 Ave.
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
http://reynoldsmuseum.ca/
Awesome! What an eclectic and vast collection.
It reminds me somewhat of the Miracle of America Museum, although this one looks to be a bit more “professional” in its curation.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/museum/cc-visits-the-miracle-of-america-museum/
Wonderful ;
Alas, too far away at this late date but thanks for the detailed review .
-Nate