Museum CEO Leads Team on Vintage Car Road Trip to the North American International Auto Show

Museum CEO Leads Team on a Vintage Car Road Trip to the North American International Auto Show America’s Car Museum CEO David Madeira and a team of drivers take three cars from behind the display rope for a 2,400 mile odyssey from Dec. 27 to Jan. 8, 2016

TACOMA, WA - December 21, 2015: Many CEOs are accustomed to traveling first class with a glass of wine and ample foot room. But not David Madeira, America’s Car Museum (ACM) CEO, who is excited about riding 2,400 miles in America’s first “Pony Car” a 1966 Ford Mustang. Starting December 27th, Madeira will embark on “The Drive Home,”where he and a team of drivers will hit the road in three vintage cars from behind the stanchions of the largest auto museum in North America on a journey from Tacoma, Wash. to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show.

Madeira is no stranger to adventuresome road trips. He takes an annual motorcycle ride through various places around the world including, Nepal, Brazil and Turkey. He’s also competed in the renowned Mille Miglia race, a historic 1,000-mile open-road endurance race throughout Italy.

Now, the Museum CEO is riding from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest in the cold of winter with a team that includes master craftsman and owner of Precision Motor Cars, Keith Flickinger; car aficionado Bill Hall; and U.S. Army veteran and ACM volunteer Gregg Smith.

Flickinger will act as a master mechanic and Smith will cruise in The Drive Home pace car, a 2014 Dodge Charger to set the stride for the three Drive Home cars.

“Each team member of The Drive Home plays an integral role, and we’re grateful they’ve signed on to join the action,”said Madeira. “But they are not the only ones taking part. Auto and travel enthusiasts across the country, as well as media, are welcome to hop in their cars and accompany us on journey.”

The 2,400-mile trek pays homage to the “Motor City,”as the caravan journeys to the place of origin of the three brilliant red cars, a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad, a 1961 Chrysler 300G and a 1966 Ford Mustang. The team will host events in several of the cities they pass through, including Portland and Bend, Ore.; Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Grand Junction and Lakewood, Colo.; Hays, Kan.; Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Bloomington and Chicago, Ill.; and Detroit.

“If we’re coming to a town near you, join us as we celebrate America’s unique automotive history,”said Madeira.

About The Drive Home (americascarmuseum.org/TheDriveHome)

The Drive Home, a 2,400-mile road trip from Tacoma, Wash. to Detroit, Mich., celebrates an era when the “Motor City” was the automotive center of the world. America’s Car Museum (ACM) is touring the country in three stunning red vintage cars from the “Big 3”U.S. manufacturers: a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad, a 1961 Chrysler 300G and a 1966 Mustang. From December 27 to January 8, ACM will take on snow and ice during the 13-day pilgrimage back to the cars’ place of origin, making pit stops for auto-themed events and rallies along the way.

Destinations along The Drive Home include Tacoma, Wash.; Portland and Bend, Ore.; Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Grand Junction and Lakewood, Colo.; Hays, Kan.; Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Bloomington and Chicago, Ill.; and a final celebration in Detroit in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Sponsors for The Drive Home include NAIAS, Opportunity Detroit, State Farm, Coker Tire, Hagerty, Michelin, Plycar, and Shell.

About LeMay :America’s Car Museum (americascarmuseum.org)

America’s Car Museum (ACM) :one of USA Today’s 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING5’s 2015 Best Museum in Western Washington :is an international destination for families and auto enthusiasts to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and how it shaped our society. The stunning, four-level, 165,000-sq.-ft. Tacoma, Wash., facility features 12 rotating exhibits, five annual Signature Events and serves as an educational center, hosting students of all ages. For more information on ACM, visit americascarmuseum.org.