~January 2024~

From the Desk of Darrel Burnett

Executive Director

Happy New Year!

Can it be that another year has come and gone so rapidly? Every trip around the sun brings with it new adventures and, of course, dreaded change. As if any of us needed more evidence that change is difficult, I read with equal amounts of amazement and bemusement the other day that gym memberships spike 12.5% in the month of January only to have good intentions bend to bad habits when 80% of those memberships are cancelled within 5 months. I’m not suggesting for a second that you step away from that tasty stack of rice cakes you were planning to ingest instead of Filet Mignon for the next year, rather I’m rooting for you to give change a chance as you look out the windshield in 2024.

To illustrate my point, January 3^rd, 1899, 125 years ago tomorrow, The New York Times wrote the following with seething cynicism.

"The new mechanical wagon with the awful name

automobile has come to stay..."

The New York Times

January 3^rd, 1899

The Times clearly considered the horseless carriage the pointless carriage and continued with this poison prose.

“They are all unutterably ugly and never a one of them has been provided with a good or even an endurable name. The French, who are usually orthodox in their etymology if in nothing else, have evolved "automobile," which being half Greek and half Latin is so near to indecent that we print it with hesitation; while speakers of English have been fatally attracted by the irrelevant word “horseless.”

Pictured Above: The First Oldsmobile circa 1897

In case you haven’t noticed, history always has the final word. Had that New York Times writer had his way, I might be penning these words by candlelight and hand delivering you the Gallery Times on horseback. While that might be fun once or twice and make for a great photo, I’m thinking it would eventually cramp my style not to mention the delivery schedule.

I’m fortunate that my job as Executive Director affords me the opportunity to appreciate the past every day while keeping a keen eye on the future…...and the future looks very bright from where I sit. Another 88,300,000 new vehicles are projected to be produced in 2024. Whether an all-electric automotive world ultimately comes or goes remains to be seen, but I can tell you that EVs sure know how to “GO.” The 2024 Rimac Nevera EV has four electric motors (one for each wheel) producing 1813 horsepower translating to an inconceivable 0-60 time of 1.74 seconds! The Nevera’s top end of 258 mph is astounding enough, but the Nevera just set the world record for going 171.34 mph IN REVERSE!

For those of you who thought the world was going in reverse when the power starved Prius was introduced in 1997, sit back and savor those Nevera numbers. While you’re at it, savor this great year and the exciting “changes” in store for all of us in 2024! 

Pictured Above: 2024 Rimac Nevera EV

Don’t miss Darrel Burnett’s Steering Column coming to

your inbox on the 15th…



The Gem from GM….The Exclusive 1941 Buick Roadmaster Sedan!

If you aren't signed up for it, click HERE (then scroll to the bottom of the page)

Fun Fact

Put a Lid On It!



In the modern era, sedans and hardtops often come first in the production cycle followed by the introduction of a convertible. It wasn’t always that way. In fact, the very first enclosed (hardtop) car in the world was introduced January 11^th, 1913 by the Hudson Motor Company. Prior to that, for more than a decade, cars had a convertible roof or no top at all leaving passengers to fend for themselves against the elements.



As it turns out, Hudson was on to something way back then. Today, 99% of all vehicles produced have a hard top.

2024 Save-The-Dates!

February 8, Thursday: Meet at the Malt Shop, Member Appreciation Party

(if you are interested a membership, click here)

March 2, Saturday: Shamrock Craft Beer Invitational

April 4, Thursday: Rock n' Roll Juke Box, Daddy D's Production

May 14, 15, 16, and 18: Brown County History Days, complimentary private Gallery tours and presentations

May 18, Saturday: Festa Italiana (Italian-only car show)

June 15, Saturday: Cars & Guitars

September 12, Thursday: Cruisin' the Classics, Daddy D's Production

September 28, Saturday: AUTOberfest (German-only car show)

December 7, Saturday: Old Fashion Christmas, Daddy D's Production

*More details coming soon!*

If you have specific questions on an event, please reach out to Inquire@theautomobilegallery.org

International Visitors

Mexico



Jorge Rafael Espinosa Becerra stopped into see us recently from Queretaro, Mexico, a beautiful city of 1 million people in north central Mexico. Jorge has great taste in cars and is an avid collector of English and Italian sports cars. One English car really captured his attention, the ultra-rare 2010 Morgan Aero SuperSport on display!

Panama



We were thrilled to meet a new friend from Central America a few days ago. Russell Goedjen is a native of Panama and spent several hours with us. Being home to the Panama Canal, this small country of fewer than 5 million people boasts the largest fleet of merchant ships in the world with nearly 8,000 vessels. You may be surprised to learn that Panama also has a huge classic car culture and Russell is a huge fan.

Finland



Kaisa Putkisto from Tampere, Finland took full advantage of her recent business trip to our area by visiting The Automobile Gallery & Event Center. Kaisa’s brother is a huge fan of Camaros, so she was immediately drawn to our beautiful Hugger Orange 1969 Camaro RS/SS on display.

We hope Kaisa’s trip was nice and relaxing because she hails from a city that is known for relaxation. Tampere, Finland is the sauna capital of the world! How is that for a great Finnish to this story?

Howard Suamico Christmas Parade



Okay, so it wasn’t a one-horse open sleigh, the Gallery’s 1959 Buick LeSabre Convertible was still open on a less than toasty December day! The top was down and the crowd was up for the annual Howard Suamico Christmas Parade. Our wonderful Pit Crew member Gene Fiala chauffered the Lions Club President and took home the Most Beautiful award. We think it was for the car, but Gene is pretty handsome too! Congratulations!!!! 

Maino and the Mayor



Our Executive Director Darrel Burnett shared the mic with the great morning team Maino and the Mayor, December 5^th on 97.9 WGBW radio. Three great friends reunited to swap stories and talk about the great collection of classics at The Automobile Gallery & Event Center. Media legend John Maino and former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt can be heard all across northeastern Wisconsin mornings from 6 – 8 AM!

Pickup or Surf’s Up?

Just in case you are wistfully thinking about running away from winter to a beach right now, we thought we would offer up the next best thing. Our great friend Keith Obermiller’s 1956 Chevrolet custom pickup is now on display and comes complete with its own surfboard and a paint job as blue and beautiful as the ocean in the tropics.

Personal history led to this creation. Keith was a windsurfer in his 20s, so he incorporated those wonderful memories into this build while paying tribute to his family. Family members worked at Michigan’s GM plants in the 50s that built these very pickups back in the day. This one just happens to be a little peppier with its LS3 engine! 

Girl Scouts Visit

The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is always happy to nurture the next generation of car enthusiasts and we were excited to host the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes as they toured the Gallery. The Girl Scouts were enthusiastic and asked our Executive Director Darrel Burnett some very insightful questions as they work their way toward earning their automobile design badges.

The troop learned various aspects of each car and the art and science behind each design. You never know, perhaps the next great automobile designer just toured The Automobile Gallery & Event Center!

For more information or to arrange a tour for your group please contact us at Inquire@theautomobilegallery.org or call us at (920) 437-9024!

Unlimited Gallery Access!

Read below to find out how

GET INVOLVED!

Opportunities at the Gallery



If you or anyone you know would like to be involved with the Gallery, we have opportunities available:

Volunteers to staff events, maintain the vehicles and Gallery, and educate guests



If interested in any mentioned role, please email Megan Lehmann at MeganL@theautomobilegallery.org

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The Automobile Gallery is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and enrichment of our visitors and community. Becoming a member of The Automobile Gallery helps support its mission, which in part is to educate, inspire and sharing the passion of the automobile with others. Through the generosity of memberships, donations, admissions, and event income, the Automobile Gallery will continue for generations to come as one of the finest galleries of its kind in the country.

You may support The Automobile Gallery by making a gift to our endowment fund. This endowment will provide funding in perpetuity for the Gallery to serve the community through various educational programs, exhibits, and interactive learning environments to teach the history of the American Automobile.

Jeff Tyndall

Joel and Bridget Hensley

Keith Obermiller

Dr. Ashok Rai and family

David Loppnow

Henry Isaksen

Scott Hemauer

Bob and Jolyce Rupp

White Lace Inn, Sturgeon Bay

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