Housed in the museum galleries are many of the most innovative early approaches to aerodynamic shapes and packaging, front-wheel drive and rear engine-rear drive engineering, unibody construction, pioneering uses of materials like cast aluminum, pressed steel and more.
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
Located in West Central Florida between Tampa, Clearwater, and Downtown St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum in Pinellas Park is a hidden gem showcasing a unique collection of classic cars and historic vehicles. The museum features pioneering front-wheel drive and rear-engine automobiles from the 1920s and 1930s, providing visitors with a captivating blend of art and science in its 19,000 square feet of gallery space. Among the notable exhibits are France’s 1770 Fardier de Cugnot, the United States’ 1905 Franklin Model F Touring, Great Britain’s 1909 Daimler TB22 Drophead, and many more historic cars, making it a perfect rainy day activity and a must-visit for anyone looking for what to do in St. Pete.
Each vehicle in the museum is there for a reason, showcasing significant engineering milestones and the visionary minds behind them. Highlights include the 1937 Peugeot with an overhead cam and 4-cylinder engine, and the Le Mans-winning Tracta A.
The museum celebrates visionary engineers such as Paul Jaray, Gabriel Voisin, Edmund Rumpler, and Jean Albert Gregoire, whose innovations transformed automotive design. With exhibits highlighting early approaches to aerodynamics, engineering, and materials, the museum is more than just a collection of antique vehicles; it’s a tribute to the creativity and ingenuity that shaped the modern automobile.
Hours: Open 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily, closed on Tuesdays
Visit tbauto.org for more info and tickets!
Our dedicated restoration team—Andy, Jeff "Smitty," and Steve—work tirelessly to maintain the museum's cars in pristine condition. Each restoration project is unique, varying in complexity based on the specific needs of the vehicle. Some cars require extensive work, such as being stripped down to the frame for comprehensive repairs, while others might only need a fresh coat of paint. When not immersed in restoration, our team diligently monitors the museum's cars to ensure they remain clean and "road-ready." We take immense pride in the fact that every car in our collection can be started and driven at any time, a standard upheld by our exceptional restoration team.
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is centrally located between Tampa, Clearwater and Downtown St Pete in West Central Florida. This hidden gem features a unique collection of vintage cars and vehicles that demonstrate special creativity and imagination in their history and engineering. The museum features the pioneering front wheel drive and rear engine cars from the 1920’s and 1930’s that played an important part in the evolution of the automobile. Visitors experience an engaging blend of art and science in 19,000 square feet of gallery space.
The 1920s "MIMILLE" Mystery Car represents a captivating piece of automotive history, possibly standing as the inaugural Miller front-wheel-drive prototype, a precursor to the iconic Indy car. Spanning from 1924 to 1929, Harry Miller played a pivotal role in designing, constructing, and supplying components for 15 front-wheel-drive race cars in the United States. Concurrently, Hamlin produced another front-wheel-drive variant, distinct in design. Our enigmatic front-wheel-drive race car, crafted in the twenties, constitutes one of only 17 such vehicles produced in America
accessible features
- Accessible parking
- Accessible restroom
- Wheelchair lift or ramp
- Wheelchair-friendly inside walkways
discounts
- Group Discount
- Military Discount
- Senior Citizen Discount
general information
- Family-friendly
- Free WiFi available
- Free parking on-site
- Gift cards available
- Hours Monday: 10am – 4:30 pm <br /> Closed Tuesday <br /> Wednesday: 10am – 4:30 pm <br /> Thursday: 10am – 4:30 pm <br /> Friday: 10am – 4:30 pm <br /> Saturday: 10am – 4:30 pm <br /> Sunday: 10am – 4:30 pm
- LGBTQ+ Friendly
- WiFi available
rates times
- Time to Experience Activity 1 - 2 hours
status alerts
- Modified hours