One of the greatest joys of working with cars is having the opportunity to enjoy the collections that have been expertly curated by connoisseurs over the last century of automotive enthusiasm. From barn finds scattered across the United States to museum collections such as that of the Prince of Monaco, these agglomerations of vehicles reflect the history and passion of car enthusiasts around the world. Whether it’s muscle cars, interwar cars, or F1 race cars, there is a niche for any car fanatic, and it just so happens that one of these great aficionados is located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The Martin Auto Museum, established in 2008 by Mel Martin, a real estate developer and passionate collector of unique cars, now houses an assortment of 177 rare and unique cars dating back all the way to 1886. Recently, members of the AutoMobility Advisors team had the privilege of touring the museum and meeting Mel, getting to hear his story and tour his incredible collection of cars. Here are a few of the team’s favorite vehicles.
A recent, temporary addition to the museum is the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega GTP special restomod. A two time winner of the SEMA show, this one of a kind Torino was featured in Fast and Furious 7, undergoing an over $2 million restomodification. The car boasts a 529 cubic inch V8 mated to a five speed manual transmission sending 750 horsepower to the rear wheels. The Torino has GT40 inspired custom wheels, significant custom fabricated bodywork, and a completely overhauled interior. The car is residing at the museum before it goes up for auction in Glendale, Arizona later this week, where it is expected to fetch a hefty price reflecting its SEMA success, movie stardom, and tremendous quality of the build. Undoubtedly a favorite of any museum visitor, at least for the short time that it is housed there.
Mel’s most recent permanent addition to the museum is a beautiful 1948 Tucker. Finished in black on a tan interior, the car is one of only 50 produced by the short-lived Tucker Corporation. The unique exterior design and clamshell doors give it a unique and stately appearance, invoking the postwar luxury imagery that companies such as Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler/Imperial became known for during the late 40s and early 50s. At the time, the car was intended to have revolutionary technological features, including a 589 cubic inch boxer V6 mounted in a rear-engine rear-wheel drive configuration. American manufacturers nearly exclusively had their cars in a front-engine rear-wheel drive powertrain layout in the postwar era, making this desired engine completely revolutionary. Other features intended for the Tucker 48 were disc brakes, fuel injection, and magnesium wheels, all of which were excluded from the final design for various reasons. Mel’s Tucker 48 is a stunning piece of American automotive history and an excellent addition to the collection.
A fan favorite (and necessity) of any car collection, the Martin Auto Museum has a pristine 1965 Shelby AC Cobra signed by Carroll Shelby himself. Designed to be Shelby American’s “Corvette killer,” the 2,355 lbs car houses a monstrous 427 cubic inch V8, producing 355 horsepower and 520 lb.ft of torque. Mel’s Cobra is finished in the iconic Shelby blue with white racing stripes and roundels. A part of Carroll Shelby’s personal collection, this special Cobra was acquired by Mel in 2004, and the car only has 6 original miles on the odometer. Two enormous side exit exhausts run along each side of the car, producing an unmistakable 60s Ford V8 rumble. The car truly speaks for itself, perhaps one of the most iconic vehicles produced in world motorsports history.
Possibly the most remarkable and important car in the Martin Auto Museum’s collection is Mel’s 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen. A far cry from the luxury of the Tucker or the speed of the Torino Talladega, this car is special because it is widely believed to be the world’s first modern automobile. The Patent-Motorwagen boasts a whopping 1.0 liter, one cylinder engine producing 2/3rds of a horsepower. While not fast, the inventor, Karl Benz, successfully proved the viability of the automobile with this vehicle, selling it commercially starting in 1889. Karl Benz’s company went on to merge with Daimler in 1926, creating the automotive giant now known as Mercedes-Benz. Seeing such a remarkable and important vehicle in person is like peering back in time towards a different age of technology and invention, allowing one to appreciate the incredible technological strides of the industry over the last 140 years.
Other cars at the museum and dozens more not on display include but are not limited to a 1950 Cadillac Model F Touring, an iconic 1970 Plymouth Superbird, a 1930 Lasalle, and 1968 ½ Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet. Once having 104 Ford Mustangs, the museum has since diversified its collection into other really special cars like the ones listed above and discussed throughout the rest of the article. Staffed by volunteer car enthusiasts from around the country, a $250 tax deductible donation allows one to adopt-a-car for a year, helping the museum preserve its growing collection of rare and iconic vehicles. It is perhaps no surprise that in the heart of the hot and dry Sun Belt such a museum would exist. The Martin Auto Museum is a shining example of a passion for cars turned into a preservation project that the public will enjoy for many years to come.
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