Ultra-rare cars in Detroit are preserved in climate-controlled bubbles so future generations can enjoy them

  • Detroit Historical Society’s backroom collection showcases priceless and rare cars from US history
  • The ultra-rare classic cars are preserved in protective and climate-controlled ‘car capsules’
  • They’re typically not on display to the public

Published on Jul 19, 2024 at 7:31 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Jul 22, 2024 at 4:34 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

Detroit Historical Society’s backroom collection showcases priceless and rare cars from the US city’s history.

It shows rare cars meticulously preserved in climate-controlled bubbles.

These ‘car capsules’ are designed to slow – and even halt – the aging process so that future generations can enjoy classic cars of the past.

READ MORE! You can now sleep in a Ferrari Museum Airbnb in Italy

How the rare cars are preserved

Footage shared by Hagerty has amassed over 5.6 million views since it was posted in March of this year.

The video reveals the warehouse of the Detroit Historical Society.

The warehouse contains 275,000 artifacts representing Detroit’s automotive history – and there are some ultra rare and collectable cars in that mix.

The weirdest part? The rare cars not on show to the public are preserved in protective capsules to keep them looking as if they’d just rolled off the production line.

The collection includes some of the rarest Cobras ever built, a Cadillac Station Wagon, a 1913 water-cooled V8 car, a 1925 Rickenbacher, a 1942 Packard convertible, and a 1916 Packard twin six touring car.

As well as beautiful models, there are also various historically significant cars, such as the first water-cooled V8, cars involved in World War II production, and early fiberglass vehicles, all carefully preserved and documented.

As well as the rare vehicles, there is signage, crew uniforms, and other memorabilia from significant local auto part stores.

With cars being such a huge part of Detroit’s rich culture and history, preserving these cars could be considered a public service.

Other important museum collections

Hagerty

Aside from this piece of American history, this abandoned museum is home to more than 200 classic car barn finds.

While it’s in an unspecified location, it appears to be located somewhere in the US with a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, classic Rolls-Royce, and muscle cars like old Cadillacs in residence.

Across the Atlantic, meanwhile, Richard Hammond recently restored a 1930s Rolls-Royce at his Smallest Cog car restoration before returning it to the Royal Logistic Corps Museum.

The Rolls Royce Wraith was, in fact, used by Field Marshal Montgomery in Normandy after D-Day.


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Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.