We have a love-hate relationship with the automobile.  On the one hand, it has given us freedom to drive on the open road across continents and to challenge speed records in Formula 1 and other races; on the other hand careless drivers cause un-necessary deaths in our cities and towns through speeding, carelessness and pollution (especially by diesel vehicles).  Automobile technology has set us free and new inventions have worked their way down from racing cars into everyday production; while politicians now seek to restrict freedom in the name of road safety. It must be remembered that the mass-production of the Ford Model T only started in 1913, yet was so successful that, by 1927, Ford had produced over 15,000,000 Model T automobiles.  Today, production is in decline – has the car had its day?   The world awaits to see what transpires with electric and self-drive cars.

The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida, is both a research institute and a museum showing the Collier Collection of over one hundred of the most notable 20th century automobiles, many being at the leading edge of technology and design at their time.

These are not rusty old relics – all of the cars are maintained in tip-top operational condition, ready to demonstrate their engineering and design innovations of their day, many linking to Formula 1 and other top races and, at the time of visiting there was an exhibition of posters and memorabilia from the Joel E Finn Collection, which included a poster for a Grand Prix in Cuba, something that would be hard to think of today.

All in all, a great and surprising place to visit and recommend it to anyone interested in the technology, design and history of the motor car, with potentially more to come with the development of self-driving electric cars.

“The American automobile has changed the habits of every member of modern society.” Raymond Loewy