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The Walter P. Chrysler Museum opened its doors in October 1999, marking the first time that an active American automobile manufacturer had created its own museum. This book was crafted to reflect the Museum. With hundreds of illustrations and a straight-forward, lively text, these pages seek to capture the past of one of the world's most colorful automobile companies
Designed by Giffels Associates and occupying 10 acres adjacent the southeast edge of Chrysler's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the museum had three levels with about 55,000 square feet of exhibition space, its polished red granite and black glass exterior correlating to the nearby Chrysler Headquarters and Technology Center.[1] Groundbreaking took place on November 19, 1996, and the museum opened on October 5, 1999
The building featured 65 antique, custom and concept vehicles along with interactive displays and historical exhibits depicting Chrysler's design, technology and innovation, and the cultural impact of the automobile
A two-story atrium featured a prominent rotating tower, mounted with platforms suspending concept vehicles. The atrium gave access to two floors of exhibition galleries and a more straightforward lower level, which traced the first 50 years of the automotive industry, focusing on Walter P. Chrysler and his company. A number of rare vehicles from the early 1900s were featured. A timeline wall detailed the roles of individuals and legacy companies, including DeSoto, Hudson, Nash, Plymouth, Rambler and Willys-Overland
The second floor featured the first Chrysler Hemi from 1951, as well as displays about vehicle styling, electronics, turbine technology, safety and fuel economy. The garage-like lower level held vehicles from the 1960s and 1970s, plus a series of Jeep® vehicles and trucks
Unfortunately, the museum closed December 2012, with a brief re-opening in 2016 before closing permanently in December 2016. This lavishly produced "Coffee Table" style book chronicles this exceptional collection. 144 pages. 11" X 8.5" Hardbound
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