My wife, my dad (six weeks after heart surgery) and myself went to a neat place today. Dad hasn't been cleared to drive or ride the bike yet, and it was raining so we took the Volvo instead of the Valkyrie.
We headed to find a Cushman museum! It was better than expected. I've been to several motorcycle museums and automotive museums before, but this is one of the best. It has slightly odd hours, and is a private collection at heart, but it is one of the best. And it is free!
The bottom floor of the museum building is mostly cars and memobrilla. A room in the back houses motorcycles. BMW, Honda, MZ's still in the crate from 1974, Triumphs, some Triumphs still crated, some fresh out. Some of the bikes are for sale, some are not. They were selling some small restored Hondas. The drag bike that sports two Triumph engines and two drag tanks has a small note taped to the triple tree that simply reads: Keep. Inline 6 cylinder Hondas. Schwinns. Whizzers. The ground floor is worth the trip. The second floor is dedicated to Cushman schooters. Also in scooter related products are Harley Scooters. Harley Davidson created the first step through frame for scooters. I've never seen one in person. This museum has four in the original colors with no miles. Vintage Indian Brave, Scout, and Chief, surrounded by Indian scooters and other odd ball servi-cars. The Cushman scooters with parachute clips (made to airdrop in to support airborne divisions) under a simple parachute creates a great display. One of the scooters had 89thousand miles on it. Others were fresh from the crate and everything in between. The second floor alone is worth the ride out there. And you get both floors for free!
You have to go visit this museum!
First floor back room
Second floor
Address: 4140 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC
Directions: The museum is on the second floor of Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, which is 1.5 miles north of Lowe's Motor Speedway on Concord Parkway South/Hwy 29. I-85 exit 49 onto Bruton Smith Blvd. When you reach the Speedway, (Hwy 29) turn left at the light, then drive 1.5 miles. If you reach another traffic light, you've gone too far.
The musuem is behind the show room buildings. Drive between the Ford showroom (left) and the tractor Cushman showroom (right) which house the parts and restoration services and head straight back. You'll see large vintage signs and head to them.
Double check the hours while you're planning the trip.
Phone: 704-786-8139
http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/I found out about this museum from
www.RoadSideAmerica.com Roadside is a fun site with oddities from around the country. This one is in my backyard and I didn't know it existed. I can't believe that I have missed this collection of midget cars, vintage bikes, cushman scooters, and restored vehicles. Here is a section from Dennis Carpenter's own website:
Dennis Carpenter offers a complete line of Cushman Motor Scooter parts, tires, accessories, books, and manuals. We have in stock the largest supply of NOS, reproduction, and used parts in the nation.
Right in the heart of North Carolina, sits our Cushman store which displays some of the hundreds of parts and accessories that we have available to our customers. Adjacent to our showroom is a collection of restored and used motor scooters for sale to any interested buyer.
And we're always looking for Parts and Machines for sale. We BUY all makes, American or Import. If you are thinking of selling your collection call our information number at
704-782-1237 and ask to speak with one of our associates.
Our Cushman employees have a combined 50 plus years of Cushman expertise and knowledge. We know the Cushman motor scooter inside and out and can help with or solve virtually any scooter related problem our customers may have.
