N is for Nethercutt Museum: A Free to See #AtoZChallenge Post

 

The tan rectangular Nethercutt Museum shows no indication of what is inside

I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the fourteenth post in the series. 

If you have an automotive enthusiast in your traveling party, have I got a museum for you! The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar, California has an impressive collection of cars, along with a few musical instruments scattered here and there and a couple of train cars out back. (Sadly, I forgot to go out and see the trains.) The Nethercutt Museum is free to tour; the Nethercutt Collection, which is just across the street, does have a fee to enter so I will not be reviewing that today. Parking is ample and free. 

The museum is self-guided, with informative signs at each vehicle and display, but I did have a docent approach me and share more information about a car I was near.

Rudy Valentino's 1923 Voisin C-5 Sporting Victoria

Apparently Rudy Valentino was the owner of this beautiful car. The docent informed me that Mr. Valentino did all his own repair work; a fact the sign failed to mention. 

The spacious museum was packed with dozens of vintage and rare automobiles. 

Rows upon rows of cars shine under the lights at the Nethercutt Museum

I methodically made my way up and down the rows of cars, stopping whenever a car caught my attention. Although I didn't read every sign, I was impressed that almost every car was unique in its own way. 

This 1911 Olds Limited Limousine, according to the sign next to it, is "the only [one] in existence today and is in its original, unrestored condition."

This green 1956 Rolls Royce Phantom IV was one of only 18 Phantom IVs ever made.

The Binford Tools Tool Time Van from the TV series, Home Improvement

1912 White Model GF Sixty

The sign that accompanied the 1912 White Model GF Sixty had a matter-of-fact statement that I didn't know: "Like many automobile manufacturers, White started out as a sewing machine company." I had no idea that sewing machine companies frequently ventured into automobile manufacturing!

Another thing I didn't know (and still don't--perhaps if I had taken the Nethercutt Collection tour I would have learned) is why there is the occasional musical instrument found among the cars. It seemed rather random, but I certainly enjoyed finding them.

A player piano with beautiful stained-glass panels depicting a landscape scene

Along one wall, there are display cases filled with hood ornaments and automotive parts. I learned that the "motometer" was the first device that allowed drivers to know if their car engine was overheating--not always in time for them to prevent overheating, but it allowed them to know from the driver's seat that there was a problem. 

If you are not a car expert, you will most likely learn at least one new fact in the Nethercutt Museum, and even if you are, you will be wowed by the cars on display. If you are in the Sylmar area, stop by!