Step back in time and explore the historic storefronts and automotive settings throughout the National Auto & Truck Museum (NATMUS). From classic car dealerships and diners to vintage gas stations and speed shops, these immersive displays bring America’s automotive past to life.
Designed to complement NATMUS’s collection of historic automobiles and trucks, these storefronts help visitors experience the places, businesses, and communities that were part of everyday life during the golden age of the automobile.
Auburn Automobile Dealership
Step back into the 1930s automotive era with this historic dealership storefront at the National Auto & Truck Museum (NATMUS). Designed to replicate a typical small-town Auburn, Indiana, automobile dealership circa 1935, the display features a two-car showroom and a one-bay service area.
The storefront gives visitors a glimpse into what an automotive dealership may have looked like during the early days of the automobile industry. Its construction was made possible through the generous contributions of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.
Standard Oil Gas Station
Step back into the golden age of the automobile at this replica vintage gas station at the National Auto & Truck Museum. The display recreates a classic roadside gas station complete with a gas station attendant and the iconic drive-up service bell.
Be sure to try the interactive feature during your visit! Stomp on the rubber hose as you walk by and listen for the bell to ding. It’s a fun reminder of a time when gas station attendants greeted customers and provided full-service gasoline.
The Valentine Diner
Step back in time with this 1948 Valentine Diner, a unique piece of American roadside and restaurant history on display at the National Auto & Truck Museum (NATMUS). Manufactured by the Valentine Diner Company of Wichita, Kansas, this diner was one of approximately 2,000 produced between 1938 and 1961. This particular Valentine Diner originally served the community of Angola, Indiana.
The diner was donated to NATMUS in 2010 and lovingly restored by a dedicated group of museum volunteers. Today, this historic diner is preserved as a display for visitors to enjoy and provides a glimpse into the classic roadside dining experience of mid-century America.
Come See it for Yourself!
Our historic storefronts are even better in person! Step inside the National Auto & Truck Museum and immerse yourself in the sights, stories, and atmosphere of America’s automotive history.
Explore vintage dealerships, diners, gas stations, speed shops, and other immersive displays that bring the past to life. Come experience NATMUS for yourself and discover automotive history in a whole new way.
