The very last place we went in Okoboji before leaving town was the Classic Car Museum. I had read online that they were temporarily closed due to Covid-19, but they reopened a week before our
The very last place we went in Okoboji before leaving town was the Classic Car Museum. I had read online that they were temporarily closed due to Covid-19, but they reopened a week before our vacation. Perfect timing!
So, after our breakfast at O’Farrell Sisters, we drove there, walked in, and we immediately knew we were going to enjoy our visit. In fact, a tour had just about started, so we paid our entrance fee, and hurried to catch up.
Step back in time
Personally, I’m a car girl. I may not know the make and model, but when it comes to old cars, I adore them. To me, they are an art form, and admiring these artifacts from by-gone years is like witnessing a snapshot from a different era. Oh, what it would be like to see the streets full of 1957 Bel Airs and 1961 Comets!
Well, here at the Classic Car Museum, you feel like you are actually walking down these streets, past businesses and even into different towns. Local artist, Jack Rees, designed every scene, and hand painted every wall. You’ll see murals encapsulating sunsets, drive-ins, and bustling downtown main streets. The detail of these store fronts is incomparable. Business names you may recognize from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, with salvaged artifacts that once belonged in each establishment.
Setting the scene
Mannequins sit in front seats with the convertible top down, scenes are played out in car shops and a pizza place, there’s even a drive-in movie theater! Owner, Toby Shine, is from this area of Iowa, and wanted to bring a bit of nostalgia everywhere visitors looked.
From century-old Model T’s to 1990s and 2000s collector series, there’s even a room dedicated to one-of-a-kind motorcycles. Some with original 1980s paint, and some lovingly replicated. In addition, the owner and his son race Soap Box Cars, and have even beat state, national and even worldwide records!
Back to the future
Starting as a restoration and repair shop, it has evolved into one of the leading antique car facilities in the United States. Purposefully purchasing estate sales and rusted out mid-century clunkers, you can view the before and after pictures of some of these iconic treasures in their gift shop. In fact, the restorations are done on-site, and visitors can peer through the windows and get a glimpse at their current project.
Besides souvenirs, t-shirts and magnets, the gift shop is home to a very unique display: miniature models of every car you could imagine. In fact, this was a private collection, and after his passing, the owner’s wife donated her husband’s entire display under one condition, it had to be assembled in the exact manner to which he had it displayed at home. So, what you see here is an impressive collection of one man’s love for toy car models.
Above you, attached to the ceiling are model airplanes, and while you’re looking up, check out the hood ornaments and metal logos. And before you leave, right inside the doors is a wall full of vintage embroidered car brand logos. You’ll get a snapshot of how each emblem has changed over the years.
Plan your visit
Overall, this was one of the best experiences we had on our Okoboji trip. To think this remarkable museum is part of our Midwest is truly mind-boggling. Through his dedication, owner, Toby Shine, has been able to meet various celebrities, travelled worldwide, and used his knowledge to further educate the next generation on how to preserve history.
For more information on the museum and their current projects, check out their website (http://okobojicc.com/index.php), and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OkobojiClassicCars/).
712-332-8029
810 Jeppeson Rd
Milford, Iowa 51351
Also, read more about Toby and his crew:
Sioux City Journal: https://siouxcityjournal.com/business/local/okoboji-classic-car-museum-a-hobby-thats-gotten-out-of-hand/article_3dacea38-6181-5b61-b02b-ebd4188fa97c.html
The Globe: https://www.dglobe.com/lifestyle/automotive-nirvana-okoboji-classic-cars-museum-restoration-facility-and-dealership-all-under
Some of these cars are even for sale (https://www.okobojiclassiccarsiowa.net/) and some are part of Shine’s personal collection, but if you’d like to see how much you’re going to have to save to acquire one of these classics, check out their inventory. My husband and I only have to save up $62,000 for his dream car, the Shelby Cobra.
