La Crosse, Wisconsin is a city of about 53,000 people, situated along the Mississippi River. For tourists it offers a great historic district and the beautiful Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe.
Another interesting stop is at a museum belong to one of the country’s oldest auto dealerships, the Dahl Auto Museum. The Dahl family has been selling cars in La Crosse for more than 5 generations spanning over 100 years. An interesting collection of cars is presented in one of the old dealer showrooms, with a focus on Ford products. Of note, the Dahl Ford dealership is the eighth oldest in the nation (under continuous family ownership).
The museum contains an interesting assortment of restored classic automobiles covering the past century. An interesting feature of the museum is the Starlite Drive-in, a tribute to La Crosse’s old drive-in theater (1949–1978). The big screen (see top photo) shows old, classic films, and some cars are arranged as they would be in a drive-in. Admission to the museum is only $5.00, and the collection is worth exploring.
The cars I liked (and which photographed best) from this collection will be shared in two posts. This one contains the older vehicles, while a second post in two weeks will feature the newer vehicle in the Museum.
1905 Cadillac Model F Touring Car
This very vehicle was the first Cadillac sold in La Crosse, to a city attorney. A luxurious car, it could reach a maximum speed of 20 mph.
1911 Ford Model T Mother-in-Law Roadster
Featured innovations such as brass lights and a windshield. It sold for $680.00.
1919 Ford Model TT (Ton Truck). Ford Deluxe Phaeton
Built on an upgraded Model T frame, it was one of Ford’s first trucks and with special gearing could travel 22 mph.
1922 Model T Speedster
One of the variants of the classic Model T, this car was capable of reaching 40 mph. It featured a three-speed transmission with two forward and one reverse gears.
1923 Fort Model T Depot Hawk
Built to transport travelers from the train station to their destination — usually some nearby hotel. A response to the popularity of train travel a century ago.
1929 Ford Model A pickup.
Ford introduced the Model A pickup in 1928. Who would have guessed that nearly a century later Ford pickup trucks remain one of the popular vehicles ever made?
1929 Ford Model A Roadster
A very popular car, the first to feature safety glass in its windshield.
1930 Buick Country Club Coupe Model 64C
Featured a 331 hp straight 6-cylinder engine. The car had a roll-down rear window and a roll up front windshield. Only 3 cars of this type are still know to survive.
1932 Chrysler CP8
Four door sedan with straight 8 cylinder engine that yielded 100 hp.
1936 Ford Deluxe Phaeton
A popular convertible, with a removable rear windshield and rain skirt.
A popular 3 passenger car.
Stay tuned for more great cars from the Dahl collection in two weeks!
