This Little-Known Maine Car Museum Has A DeLorean And A Car So Rare Only 51 Were Ever Made

Only 51 Tucker 48 sedans were ever built, and one of them sits in a quiet museum in southern Maine. Collectors call this car the holy grail. I’ll admit, that title alone makes me want to see it.

A few feet away waits a silver DeLorean with gull-wing doors. Yes, the Back to the Future kind. Even better, you can actually climb inside this one and test the seat.

There are no velvet ropes keeping you at arm’s length. Staff members will even pop open doors and hoods so you can peek at the guts of a classic. That earns serious points in my book.

Add a Hudson Hornet painted like Doc Hudson from Cars and a real Ferrari race car. Suddenly a quick roadside stop sounds like a whole afternoon.

So how did a collection like this stay so quiet for so long?

The Tucker 48 Is The Car Collectors Dream About

Fifty-one. That is the total number of Tucker 48 cars Preston Tucker’s company ever built.

The Maine Classic Car Museum owns chassis number 1028, and it is a true showstopper. Collectors often call the Tucker 48 the holy grail of classic car collecting.

The car looks like it rolled out of a 1940s science fiction movie. Its famous third headlight sits right in the middle of the front end.

That center light was designed to turn with the steering wheel. It was meant to help drivers see around corners at night, which was a bold idea back then.

This particular Tucker spent time away from the floor for an extensive refurbishment. It came back to the museum in spring 2025, looking ready for its close-up.

Here is my tip for your visit. Make the Tucker your first stop, then circle back at the end for a second look.

You will notice details the second time that you missed the first. With only 51 ever made, the chance to stand this close to one is rare.

Most people will never see a Tucker in person. You can change that with one easy road trip.

Yes, You Can Actually Sit In The DeLorean

Great Scott, it really is here. A silver DeLorean DMC-12 sits at the heart of an exhibit called The Future Is Now.

Fans of Back to the Future will spot it instantly. Those gull-wing doors swing up like wings, and the brushed steel body practically glows under the lights.

That makes the DeLorean one of the most popular cars in the building. Expect plenty of family photos happening around it.

So plan your pose ahead of time. A dramatic look over the shoulder works well, as if you are checking for a time machine chase.

The DeLorean was only built for a short stretch in the early 1980s. Its stainless steel panels were unusual then, and they still turn heads today.

Kids who know the movie will lose their minds a little. Grown-ups who saw it in theaters might get a bit misty too.

Either way, take your time in that driver’s seat. Sadly, it will not hit 88 miles per hour in the showroom.

Doc Hudson Fans Will Want To Say Hello

Disney Pixar fans, this one is for you. The collection includes a real Hudson Hornet finished to look just like Doc Hudson from Cars.

In the movie, Doc is the wise old racer with a secret past. Here, he looks ready to give Lightning McQueen another lesson on the dirt track.

The real Hudson Hornet had a racing career of its own. It was a major force in early stock car racing during the 1950s.

Its low-slung body helped it hug the road better than many rivals. That is part of why the car earned such a legendary reputation.

For younger visitors, this might be the first classic car they recognize by name. That makes it a great way to start a chat about real racing history.

Ask them what Doc would say about the other cars nearby. You might get some surprisingly strong opinions about the Model T.

Grandparents may remember when Hornets were cruising regular streets. Kids know it from movie night.

Put those two groups together in front of this car, and you have a fun family moment. Snap a photo, then let the stories start rolling.

No Ropes, No Glass, And Staff Who Pop The Hoods

Velvet ropes are nowhere to be found here. The exhibits are designed to be ropeless, so you can step right up to the cars.

That changes the whole experience. Instead of squinting from six feet away, you can study chrome trim, dashboards, and hood ornaments up close.

The docents add another layer of fun. These knowledgeable staff members share stories about specific vehicles and can open doors and hoods for a closer look.

Engines from different decades look wildly different inside. Seeing a 1913 setup near a 1960s sports car is like flipping through a mechanical scrapbook.

You can explore on your own at whatever pace you like. Docent-led tours are also available, including a VIP tour for anyone wanting the deep cuts.

My advice is simple. Pick one car that grabs you and ask a staff member about it.

Every car has a backstory, and some are wilder than you would guess. Those stories are what turn a pretty car into a memorable one.

Just keep a firm grip on your phone near all that shiny paint. Nobody wants to explain a scratch on a priceless classic.

The Lineup Keeps Changing, So One Visit Is Never Enough

About 50 cars are on display at any given time. They come from a private collection of roughly 160 vehicles.

That means the showroom does not stay the same forever. Cars rotate in and out, so a return trip can feel like a brand-new visit.

The collection belongs to E. Miles Prentice III, a lawyer and businessman with a home in Maine.

He wanted his cars to be seen by the public instead of sitting in storage.

Honestly, that is a generous move. Plenty of collectors keep their treasures locked away where nobody can enjoy them.

The vehicles cover about 130 years of car history. The oldest is an original 1913 Model T, and the newest reach into the 1990s.

Exhibits carry fun themes like Ford, America’s Brand and Vacationland. Another called Small Wonder highlights micro cars, which look adorable next to the big boats.

Woody station wagons also make appearances, adding some classic beach-trip charm. President Roosevelt’s Packard has been part of the exhibition too.

So snap photos of your favorites. Next time, you can compare and see what new arrivals have rolled into the spotlight.

European Exotics Bring Serious Speed And Style

A real Ferrari Formula One car in Maine sounds unlikely. Yet the exhibit Ferrari and Schumacher, The Making of a Legend brings racing royalty to the showroom.

Michael Schumacher is one of the most famous drivers in Formula One history. Seeing a race car tied to his legend is a treat for any speed fan.

The museum also features a 1968 Ferrari. Its sleek lines show how Italian designers turned cars into rolling works of art.

Then there is the 1967 Iso Grifo, a rare beauty that many car fans have never seen. It mixed Italian styling with powerful American engine muscle.

Chrysler Ghia prototype cars add even more flair. These were design experiments, built to test bold ideas for the future.

British cars get their moment in an exhibit called Coronation of the King. Touring Europe in Luxury and Trans Atlantic Elegance round out the fancy side of the collection.

Even if you cannot tell a Ferrari from a Fiat, these cars are fun to look at. Think of them as fashion, just with engines.

Pick a favorite and defend it loudly. Friendly arguments are half the fun.

Old Gas Pumps And Road Trip Relics Steal The Show Too

Cars get the headlines, but the extras deserve applause. Hundreds of curiosities and historical artifacts fill the spaces between the vehicles.

Antique gas pumps stand tall like retro robots. Old filling-station signs bring back the days when someone else checked your oil.

Vintage postcards are part of the mix as well. They offer a peek at how families traveled and vacationed decades ago.

Short films help explain the cars and their history. They give helpful context without turning the visit into a boring lecture.

Pedal cars for kids are also on display. These tiny rides were the dream toys for many children long before video games existed.

Before heading out, stop by the gift shop. It is a fun spot to grab a souvenir for the car lover in your life.

My suggestion is to slow down near the artifact displays. Many visitors rush past them, but they tell the bigger story of American road culture.

The cars show how people drove. The gas pumps, signs, and postcards show how they actually lived on the road.

Families And Picnic Fans Get Some Nice Perks

Little kids get in free if they are under 7. That makes this an easy pick for families trying to stretch a vacation budget.

The museum is also wheelchair accessible. It offers accessible entrances, parking, and restrooms, so more people can enjoy the cars comfortably.

Parking is free and right on-site. No circling the block or digging for quarters, which already feels like a win in summer.

Outside, an outdoor courtyard can be used for picnics. Packing a lunch and eating near a car museum sounds like a pretty great afternoon to me.

During special events, food trucks and vendors may set up in that courtyard. It is worth checking the museum’s event calendar before your trip.

Here is a practical tip for parents. Let kids pick one car to learn about, then quiz the grown-ups on the drive home.

The DeLorean and Doc Hudson make easy starting points for younger fans. Micro cars tend to be a hit too, since they look almost toy-sized.

Everyone leaves with a favorite. Some people leave with five.

Finding It Is Easy, And You Can Even Throw A Party There

Route 1 does the navigating for you. The museum sits right on the road at 2564 Portland Road, Arundel, ME 04046.

Arundel is close to Kennebunkport, one of the most popular coastal towns in Maine. That makes the museum an easy add-on to a beach or shopping day.

The Maine Classic Car Museum opened in 2019. It is run by the same team behind Motorland, a classic car dealership.

Hours can shift with seasons and holidays, so check before you go. A quick look ahead can save you a disappointing drive.

Want to celebrate something big? The museum offers event space for weddings, corporate gatherings, and welcome parties.

Up to 150 guests fit indoors. Using the courtyard as well brings that number to about 200.

Saying vows next to a Tucker 48 is a flex very few couples can claim. Your wedding photos would certainly stand out from the usual barn backdrop.

Whether you stop for an hour or plan a party, this place packs a lot of horsepower into one building. Just maybe skip the time travel request at the front desk.