The Kruse Auto Museum in Auburn, IN -- Great!

Right next to our RV park was the Kruse Automotive and WWII museums. Dean Kruse, the famous classic car auctioneer, has amassed an amazing collection of autos, carriages, and WWI related items. We will start with the auto collection first!

Kruse features a remarkable collection of horse drawn carriages and stagecoaches including this Wells Fargo Stage. At one time, these coaches were the choice of travelers all over the western USA.

There were also several carriages that were owned by famous folks -- such as this carriage called a Phaeton owned by U.S. Grant. Apparently, he really liked riding in it while in office to think about problems he was dealing with.

Kruse also houses many cars created by Carl Casper -- a famous customizer of cars and builder of movie cars. Here is the original General Lee from Dukes of Hazard fame that is signed by all of the cat of the show. Casper created many other cars that are displayed here such as K.I.T.T. from the Knight Rider series, the Batmobile and more.

Here is a blast from the past. The A-Team van is here and ready for action. I wonder what Mr. T would think about this!

In addition to the movie cars and carriages, there were many real classics on display, such as this Auburn. Auburn, IN still hosts a huge classic auto auction around Labor Day featuring cars like this one.

Wow -- look at this! the famed Marmon Wasp #32 -- the FIRST winner of the Indy 500 race in 1911. Driven by Ray Harroun, it was perhaps the first race car to use a rear-view mirror. It was fun for Rick to see this car since he had read about it several times.

This is a car of a storied owner -- the Indy 500 race car by Andy Granatelli. In 1967 and 68, he fielded a turbine-powered car was easily leading the field when minor failures caused the car to withdraw in the last stages of the race. How frustrating that must have been! He finally won the Indy a couple years later.