The Auto Collection

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There’s something about old cars that look as though they just rolled off the factory floor that stirs something inside me, and whenever I get in that ol’ “Gimme a Classic Car” mood, I search out collections and auto shows.

It had been a while – many, many years, in fact – since I’d seen the antique auto collection at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. So the last time I was there (early December), I made it a point to check it out again.

First of all, let it be known, in case you didn’t know, the Imperial Palace is now called “The Quad” and is undergoing extensive renovations. Just finding the valet service was like negotiating a maze. Once I found it, though, the valet attendant treated me like royalty. I guess being an old guy in the rain has its benefits, huh? People tend to give you more attention.

Anyway, the second part of the maze was negotiating the halls and elevators and inadequate signage, trying to find the darned place. Eventually, I did, though, and guess what? The woman selling the tickets had the same birthdate as me … Oct. 14, 1944, in case you’re taking notes and want to send me something next year. So instead of just the senior price of $8.00, she gave me an additional 20% discount. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone, she said, it’s a secret.

There are more than 300 cars on display, each with the pertinent information, including age and selling price. The most expensive one there is a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Lightweight, one of only two built, and selling for … get this … $10 million. I checked my wallet, but was a little short, so there went that dream bubble.

I spent at least an hour and a half wandering up and down the aisles, pausing occasionally to wipe the drool from my lips. I tell you, auto buffs would be in Heaven at this museum.

Check out just a few of the cars:

1929 Packard 640 Custom Eight Roadster, $175,000

1951 Mercury Barris Custom ... "The Rose," $185,000

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop, $65,000

1961 Volkswagen Micro Bus Double-Door Camper, $85,000 

1988 Chevolet Corvette Challenge Car, $35,000

Hopefully, the next time I check out the museum, all of the hotel’s renovation work will have been completed and the same ticket lady will be on duty that day. And maybe I'll have a fatter wallet.