In Livonia, a unique piece of automotive history has opened its doors to the public. Sitting in a large garage in an industrial area are about 115 classic cars that chronicle the story of one of NASCAR racing and the auto industry’s most famous figures. This remarkable gathering is known as the Roush Automotive Collection.
Central to the display is a striking silver Mustang dubbed “Old Crow”. The car was designed as a tribute to Brig. Gen. Bud Anderson, a World War II flying ace who piloted four P-51 Mustang airplanes, all but one named Old Crow. Anderson, who passed in May at 102, lent his autograph to the car.
The man behind this remarkable assemblage is Jack Roush, who also happens to be the owner of most of the vehicles. Roush’s empire, which includes everything from NASCAR teams to product development services, employs about 3,500 people worldwide and brought in around $600 million in revenue last year.
Interestingly enough, to Roush’s daughter Susan, he is, above all, dad. Susan, a six-time national championship drag racer herself, is the program manager at the Roush Automotive Collection. She notes that despite his high expectations, her father gave her opportunities in an industry and motorsport where women were not commonly seen.
The Roush collection, which was scattered across various locations in the 1980s, was consolidated in the 1990s, thanks to Susan. She moved the collection to its current 30,000-square foot location in 2000, which is now open to the public, offering car enthusiasts a peek into the history of these unique vehicles.
From a 1913 Rauch & Lang electric Brougham and original electric charging station to the 1969 Gapp & Roush Mustang, which helped start the Roush Empire, the collection offers a diverse journey through automotive history. The range includes not only spectacular cars but also a somber reminder of a brush with death – the wreckage of an AirCam plane from one of the two crashes Roush survived.
The Roush Automotive Collection transcends a typical car museum as it offers a rich chronicle of personal and manufacturer history. Visitors can feel the love of cars and speed that ties the Roush family together, making it a must-visit for all motor enthusiasts.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering all a chance to marvel at these majestic machines and peek into the past of automotive greatness.
