Tucked away in an industrial park in Pinellas Park, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum houses one of the most unique car collections in America—a carefully curated showcase of engineering genius where every single vehicle still runs, carries a current Florida license plate, and might just cruise past you on a Sunday afternoon.
🚗 Why We Love This Place
This isn’t your typical car museum filled with Mustangs and Corvettes. The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is something far more special—a tribute to the brilliant (and often forgotten) engineers who pioneered the technologies we take for granted in modern vehicles.
The collection belongs to Alain Cerf, a French engineer and entrepreneur who bought his first “vintage car” in the 1950s—a 1937 Peugeot Darl’Mat—simply because it was cheaper than a new car. That practical purchase sparked a lifelong passion for innovative automotive engineering that would eventually fill a gleaming 19,000-square-foot gallery.
What makes this museum extraordinary is its focus on innovation over prestige. You won’t find rows of Ferraris here. Instead, you’ll discover the groundbreaking front-wheel-drive cars of the 1920s, aerodynamic Tatras from Czechoslovakia that look like they came from outer space, the world’s first self-propelled vehicle from 1770, and one-of-a-kind prototypes that exist nowhere else on Earth.
The Cerf family—Alain, his sons Olivier and Emmanuel, and daughter-in-law Susan—still run both the museum and their packaging machinery company (Polypack) next door. If you’re lucky, you might get a personal tour from someone who can explain the intricate engineering details of each vehicle with genuine passion. Every car here has a story, and the knowledgeable staff love telling them.
📋 At a Glance
| 📍 Location | 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33782 |
| 🕐 Hours | Mon & Wed-Sat: 10 AM – 4:30 PM | Sun: 12 PM – 4:30 PM | Closed Tuesdays |
| 💵 Admission | Adults $16 | Seniors (65+) $14 | Youth (9-17) & Military $10 | Under 8 FREE |
| ⏱️ Time Needed | 1-2 hours |
| 🚙 From Our Vacation Rental | ~8 miles, approximately 15-20 minutes |
| 📞 Phone | (727) 579-8226 |
| 🌐 Website | tbauto.org |
| info@tbauto.org |
🏆 What Makes This Museum Special
1. Every Car Runs
This is the museum’s signature distinction. Every vehicle on display (except those currently being restored) is maintained in full running condition with current Florida registration and insurance. These aren’t static displays—they’re driven to parades, car shows, and sometimes just taken home at the end of the workday. You might see a 1930s Tatra cruising down the road!
2. The World’s First Self-Propelled Vehicle
The crown jewel is a faithful, working replica of the 1770 Fardier de Cugnot—a massive steam-powered vehicle built to haul French army cannons. This enormous wooden contraption is the world’s first self-propelled land vehicle, predating modern automobiles by over a century. The museum’s replica actually runs and is periodically demonstrated.
3. One-of-a-Kind Vehicles
Several cars here exist nowhere else on Earth:
- Claveau 56 – The only surviving car designed by French engineer Émile Claveau
- Mathis VL333 – One of only nine prototypes built in 1946
- 1930 Tracta E – Believed to be the only one of its kind left in the world
- 1929 Ruxton – The first Ruxton ever produced, one of only 100 made
4. Tatras from Czechoslovakia
The museum houses an exceptional collection of Tatra automobiles—bizarre, beautiful vehicles with rear-mounted air-cooled engines, aerodynamic bodies, and styling that looks like something from a science fiction movie. The 1967 Tatra 603 with its six headlights and goofy tailfins is a particular favorite.
5. Engineering Education
Unlike museums that just display pretty cars, this one teaches. Detailed signboards explain the engineering innovations that made each vehicle significant—front-wheel drive pioneers, sleeve-valve engines, aerodynamic design, aluminum construction, and technologies that wouldn’t become mainstream for another 50-100 years.
🚘 Featured Collection by Country
| Country | Marques & Notable Vehicles |
|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | Citroën (including Traction Avant), Tracta, Panhard, Voisin, Delahaye, Talbot-Lago, Amilcar, Hotchkiss-Gregoire, Chenard et Walcker, Salmson, Delage, Derby, Darl’Mat |
| 🇨🇿 Czechoslovakia | Tatra (T77, T87, T603, T75 roadster), Aero, Detra |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Mercedes 130H, DKW, Auto Union, Audi, Adler Trumpf, Stoewer Greif V-8, Hanomag |
| 🇬🇧 Great Britain | Alvis (front-wheel drive), Allard, BSA, 1909 Daimler TB22 Drophead |
| 🇺🇸 United States | Cord, Ruxton, Ford Model A Gazogene, Willys-Knight, Stearns-Knight, 1905 Franklin Model F Touring, DeLorean DMC-12 |
🔧 Engineering Themes Explored
| Innovation | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive | See the pioneering cars from the 1920s-30s that developed FWD technology decades before it became standard |
| Rear-Engine Design | Explore the Tatra philosophy that influenced the VW Beetle and Porsche 911 |
| Aerodynamics | Discover how engineers like Paul Jaray pioneered streamlined designs in the 1930s |
| Knight Sleeve-Valve Engines | Learn about this forgotten but brilliant engine technology |
| Aluminum Construction | See vehicles built entirely of aluminum—technology that didn’t become common until the 21st century |
| Early Electric Vehicles | Discover EVs and hybrids that predate modern eco-cars by a century |
👨👩👧👦 Perfect For…
| Car Enthusiasts | A pilgrimage for anyone who appreciates rare, innovative, and unusual automobiles |
| History Buffs | Trace the evolution of automotive engineering from 1770 to the 1980s |
| Engineers & Makers | Deep dives into the technical innovations that shaped modern vehicles |
| Rainy Day Activity | Completely indoors with climate control—perfect when the weather doesn’t cooperate |
| Multi-Generational Groups | Grandparents can share memories while kids marvel at the unusual designs |
| Photography Lovers | Photography is encouraged—these cars are incredibly photogenic |
📝 Know Before You Go
What to Expect
- ✔️ A smaller, intimate museum—quality over quantity
- ✔️ Extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff
- ✔️ Ability to get very close to vehicles (no touching)
- ✔️ Staff will open hoods and doors upon request for closer looks
- ✔️ On-site restoration workshop you may be able to peek into
- ✔️ Beautiful art deco-style building with sculpture garden outside
- ✔️ Gift shop with souvenirs, t-shirts, magnets, and more
Important Notes
- ⚠️ Closed Tuesdays – Plan accordingly!
- ⚠️ Located in an industrial park—don’t be discouraged by the surroundings
- ⚠️ No food on premises—eat before or after
- ⚠️ Group tours (12+) available at discounted rate—call ahead
- ⚠️ Military ID required for military discount
Best Times to Visit
- 🌟 Weekday mornings for the quietest experience
- 🌟 Ask staff about any special events or cars being taken out
- 🌟 The museum occasionally hosts special events like Bastille Day celebrations
🏛️ Museum History
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum opened to the public on March 19, 2005. But the collection’s story begins decades earlier in France.
Alain Cerf was born in France and founded Polypack (a packaging machinery company) in 1959. When he couldn’t afford a new car in the 1950s, he bought a 1937 Peugeot Darl’Mat for just $150. When he got married, he traded up to a 1950 Salmson. When children came, a 1953 Talbot-Lago. But he never sold his old cars—and one day realized he’d become a collector.
Cerf’s engineering background led him to appreciate not just beautiful cars, but innovative ones. He became fascinated with Tatra automobiles from Czechoslovakia—vehicles he described as having “technology and styling that could almost have come from outer space.”
In the early 1970s, Cerf moved his family and business from Paris to Pinellas Park, Florida. He brought four cars with him initially. The collection grew steadily, and in 2005, he built a dedicated museum building adjacent to the Polypack facility to share his collection with the public.
Today, the museum houses over 70 vehicles and remains a true family operation. Alain’s son Olivier and daughter-in-law Susan are heavily involved, with Susan known for giving exceptional guided tours that bring the engineering history to life.
✅ Amenities
- ✔️ Free parking
- ✔️ Air-conditioned gallery
- ✔️ ADA accessible
- ✔️ Photography permitted
- ✔️ Gift shop
- ✔️ Knowledgeable staff
- ✔️ Detailed informational signage
- ✔️ Restoration workshop on premises
🗺️ Nearby Attractions
While you’re in the area, consider visiting:
- Tampa Bay Grand Prix – Indoor go-kart racing (same area)
- Freedom Lake Park – Peaceful park with playground and fishing
- Wagon Wheel Flea Market – One of Florida’s largest flea markets (weekends)
- Pinellas Trail – Multi-use trail for biking and walking nearby
- Sunken Gardens – Historic botanical garden in St. Petersburg (15 min)
🚗 Driving Directions from Our Vacation Rental
From 1731 Clearwater Harbor Dr, Largo, FL:
- Head south on Clearwater Harbor Dr toward Island Way
- Turn left onto Island Way
- Turn right onto Gulf-to-Bay Blvd (FL-60 E)
- Continue east on Gulf-to-Bay Blvd for approximately 3.5 miles
- Merge onto US-19 S (toward St. Petersburg)
- Continue on US-19 S for approximately 2 miles
- Take the exit toward Gandy Blvd/Park Blvd
- Merge onto Gateway Centre Blvd
- The museum will be on your left at 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd
Total Distance: Approximately 8 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 15-20 minutes (traffic dependent)
📍 Google Maps: Get Directions to Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
📞 Contact Information
| Address | 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33782 |
| Phone | (727) 579-8226 |
| info@tbauto.org | |
| Website | tbauto.org |
| Online Tickets | Purchase Tickets |
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is proof that the best attractions aren’t always in the most obvious places. Hidden in an industrial park, this labor of love offers something you won’t find anywhere else—a window into the minds of engineering visionaries whose creativity shaped how we travel today. Whether you’re a dedicated car enthusiast or simply curious about innovation, this hidden gem deserves a spot on your vacation itinerary.
