Submitted by LeMay – America’s Car Museum
“My husband never met a car he didn’t like,” said Nancy LeMay about her late husband Harold “Lucky” LeMay. He at one time owned more than 3,000 cars, earning him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Harold’s legacy will be presented in “Lucky’s Garage,” the first permanent display at LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM).
The Lucky’s Garage ribbon cutting and exclusive member preview will be held at on Aug. 27 and opens to the public on Aug. 28. The exhibit will feature 50 treasured vehicles from the Harold E. LeMay Collection, including a 1947 Cadillac Series 62 2-Door Convertible, a 1922 Ford Model T Touring, a 1930 Packard 740 Custom Super Eight Convertible, a 1933 Hupmobile Series I-326 and a 1953 Kaiser Dragon.
Lucky’s Garage is inspired by LeMay’s childhood nickname, Lucky. He was known to say, “It takes a lot of work to be lucky.” Modeled after the Spanaway home he shared with his wife, Nancy, the exhibit will be true to the eclectic collection of supplies and trinkets that filled every corner of LeMay’s personal garage.
“Harold was a true American success story,” said ACM President and COO Paul E. Miller. “He was raised during the Great Depression, worked extremely hard and became an accomplished businessman and car collector. His affinity for a wide cross-section of automobiles is at the core of what ACM is about – America’s history and love affair with the automobile during the last 100 years. Lucky’s Garage will engage and educate visitors about Harold and his passion for cars.”
LeMay did not discriminate against any car based on make, model or value. “I don’t go for just the dollar value car,” LeMay said. “If it is unusual, I like it. So I am kind of a maverick, since I am not a dyed-in-the-wool Chevy, Ford, or Duesenberg man. I see it, I like it, I buy it.” The diversity of the many cars from the Harold E. LeMay collection at the exhibit is proof of his dedication to all automobiles.
The ACM exhibit opening coincides with the 38th Annual LeMay Car Show and auction on August 29 at the LeMay Family Collection at the Marymount Event Center, a 20-minute drive from ACM. It houses vehicles and other Americana (dolls, toys, antiques, farm equipment, etc.) from Harold LeMay’s personal collection.
According to Miller, ACM and the LeMay Family Collection constantly work together to honor Harold. “He liked everything and that’s what we want to show in Lucky’s Garage.”
For more information on Lucky’s Garage or other ACM exhibits and events, visit americascarmuseum.org.
