Blackhawk Museum in CA worth a look?

tweezers74 · 06-25-2011, 02:26 AM

Going to a business trip to the bay area and wondering if this museum would be worth stopping at? I have cars on the brain because of the this forum and thought it would be fun. Anybody been to it and does it have many Porsches on display? I read on their website they have a library with a lot of Porsche information. True?

While we are on the topic, any other museums worth a look... other than the Porsche museum in Germany? Which is on my list...

PCA7GGR · 06-25-2011, 06:06 AM

The Blackhawk is worth a visit - a vast collection (two stories worth) of extraordinary cars. BUT you will be lucky to see a 356 - the museum is mostly pre-WWII.

MH911 · MH911's Garage

Yes, go check it out. Some amazing cars there. It's been a couple years. Don't remember seeing any porsches there.

Charles Freeborn · Charles Freeborn's Garage

It's been years (8 or so) since I 've been there, but it was a very impressive collection when I was there last.

Our art museum has this show running now:

http://specialexhibitions.pam.org/allure/

algs911 · 06-25-2011, 07:51 AM

Yeah, great place! Like Sergio said, lots of pre WWII cars. Still very well preserved and presented collection, for sure!

If you're in the Santa Cruz area, the Canepa Design studio is really cool too (and FREE). LOTS of P-cars there. Small place, but well worth a drop in if you're in that area. Canepa is in Scotts Valley, before Santa Cruz on Highway 17.

Nine17 · Nine17's Garage

Skip Blackhawk. Go to Canepa's.

Charles Freeborn · Charles Freeborn's Garage

It's not the collection it once was, but the Harrah's museum is worth a stop.
:: National Automobile Museum | Reno, Nevada ::
When you're in the Bay Area you might want to drop in at Easy in Emeryville (Porsche wrecking yard) and Parts Heaven in Hayward (also Porsche wrecking yard). You may find needed parts there for your restoration.

eastbay · 06-25-2011, 09:13 AM

Yes, worth the trip. I'm not much for pre 1965 cars but this places has amazing cars. Lots of one off cars. I don't remember seeing any Porsches there, but there must have been one or two.

When you are done, swing through the actual downtown of Danville. plenty of top notch dining.

kugelfischer · 06-25-2011, 10:18 AM

I was just out at the Blackhawk last weekend. Hadn't been there for about a decade. The collection was pretty good. Different at least.
I would HIGHLY recommend the Canepa collection over Blackhawk.
Canepa Design

Some blow your mind amazing Porsches @ Canepa. RSR, 917, 959...

K

donporfi · 06-25-2011, 01:35 PM

Check the Canepa site.
I think they are open for visiting their museum only on saturdays mornings.
If you are looking for Porsches this is the place to go. Also they have very interesting cars for sale.

tweezers74 · 06-25-2011, 03:02 PM

OK! I will go to Blackhawk... worth doing something fun on this trip. Canepa Design studio... Yeah, I heard about them and that's the place to go to see Porsches but I am going to be in the north east bay and don't know if I will be able to drive down there with my work stuff. Work gets in the way. I didn't know about Canepa until recently otherwise I would have totally checked them out three weeks ago when I was surfing in Santa Cruz. No work and could have easily fit it in. Bummer.

But the bay area is almost my second home (go there ALL the time for work and play) so maybe I will swing down there soon. Maybe I need to go surfing again. Naaaah... I need to get working on the P car!

Thanks for the info guys! You guys are awesome!

Tweez

tweezers74 · 06-25-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastbay

Yes, worth the trip. I'm not much for pre 1965 cars but this places has amazing cars. Lots of one off cars. I don't remember seeing any Porsches there, but there must have been one or two.

When you are done, swing through the actual downtown of Danville. plenty of top notch dining.

Thanks for the recommendation... I go to the area a lot and love it! See you are in San Ramon... I stay there whenever I am in the east bay. I love CA... sometimes I wonder why I moved from there. One day, when I get my car up to par, I want to make a road trip up Highway 1 and stay in the bay area and drive around for a week. There are so many pretty places to ride around up there. My original plan was on a motorcycle but because of other reasons, I can't ride a bike anymore and that's how this Porsche craziness took over.

tweezers74 · 06-25-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

It's not the collection it once was, but the Harrah's museum is worth a stop.
:: National Automobile Museum | Reno, Nevada ::
When you're in the Bay Area you might want to drop in at Easy in Emeryville (Porsche wrecking yard) and Parts Heaven in Hayward (also Porsche wrecking yard). You may find needed parts there for your restoration.

Ooooo... thanks for the tip. Don't know yet what I need yet but like I said, I always there and if I need something I will definitely check it out. Thanks, Freeborn! You might be getting on my good side!

tevake · 06-25-2011, 06:01 PM

Hey tweezers; I am also visiting L A area, And just have to mention Cars and Coffee, in Irvine on Sat morn. the best rolling car show around. lots of great Porsches there, as well as more than there is time to get a good look at. All kinds of cars! Good chance to talk with very experienced Porsche owners and restorers.
Just remember that is over early, and you miss a lot if not there early. See if you can work it into the schedule.

Cheers Richard

tweezers74 · 06-25-2011, 06:12 PM

Cool, Richard! I am going to be in Irvine two weeks after my bay area trip. Will definitely have to put that on my list to do. Only on Saturday? Will have to stay an extra day...to look at porsches and surf. Sounds good to me!

Charles Freeborn · Charles Freeborn's Garage

I'd have more advice for you, but I've been exhausted lately from sleeping with one eye open...
Ya, I'm a bay area native and lived in Oakland for 20+years before moving up here. Don't be put off by the dumpy look outside (and inside) of Easy. They've got a ton of parts and are very knowledgeable.
SF Bay Area Porsche New & Used Parts || EASY - European Auto Salvage Yard
While you're there drop in at Fantasy Junction - just around the corner.
Fantasy Junction: Brokers of Fine Collector Automobiles and Vintage Race Cars
They've got a '73E Targa (unless it's been sold) that's going to be pretty close to your car.

Cairo94507 · Cairo94507's Garage

I second the comments about Easy in Emeryville, CA. They have a ton of parts and are very nice and knowledgable. Have a nice trip.

vracer · vracer's Garage

1 Blackhawk Museum, everything roped off
2 Fatasy Junction Sales, but looks like a museum w. no ropes
3 EASY Great drive- in group 1st & 3rd Sat. AM
4 Reno may be only a shadow of what it used to be, but it used to be a complete blackout

MH911 · MH911's Garage

Just checked my photo's from my trip out there. Yup, there was a Porsche.

And a couple of others. Sorry their dark. Exsisting light and my flash.

crikett · crikett's Garage

Blackhawk is well worth a look... we've used it quite a few times as a venue for the year end awards for Golden Gate Region, and while rare, I've seen a few Porsches there over the years (but don't think I've ever seen more than one at a time in their collection).

Some pics from Blackhawk
Blackhawk - a set on Flickr

and some from Canepa too since this was mentioned:
Canepa Tour - a set on Flickr