More than 120 restored vehicles are on display in the museum, dating to the late 1800s. There’s even a car once owned by Tupelo native Elvis Presley. /Tupelo Automobile Museum photo

New Tupelo car museum is a classic

Published: May/June 2003

Given Elvis Presley’s well-documented love affair with cars, the King’s pompadour is undoubtedly nodding in approval of the new automobile museum in his birthplace of Tupelo, Miss.

The Tupelo Automobile Museum is the first of its kind in Mississippi and features more than 120 restored vehicles displayed with interactive speakers detailing the history of each car. There are also scores of antique automobile signs, an old garage replica and a gift shop.

The museum is a dream come true for founder Frank Spain, a car connoisseur whose personal collection is showcased in the museum. The collection, valued at more than $6 million, includes an 1889 Knox, a Duesenberg, and a Lincoln previously owned by none other than Elvis Presley. There are a number of other vehicles in various stages of restoration that will be added to the display floor as they become ready.

The Tupelo Automobile Museum is located at 1 Otis Blvd. next to the BancorpSouth Conference Center. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday. Regular admission price is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and AAA members; $7.50 for groups and $5 for children 12 and under.

To celebrate the museum’s opening, Tupelo will also play host to the Blue Suede Cruise from May 2–4. The festival will feature dozens of antique, custom and classic automobiles and street rods, all cruising the city to the live sound of music from the 50s and 60s.

To find out more about the museum, call (662) 842-4242, or the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-533-0611. Details about the Blue Suede Cruise can be found online at www.bluesc.com or by calling the Tupelo visitors bureau.

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