My 356 Speedster MUSEUM

Alright, car fanatics, buckle up, 'cause we've been busy! Remember the old farm we bought in Fitchburg, outside of Madison a few months ago? Well, things are starting to take shape out here. We just wrapped up the demolition and site prep phase, and we’re looking good! So excited!
There were so many more steps involved just in this initial demo and site preparation piece of the project than I imagined... like site surveying and getting the city out for inspections, filing applications for hazardous materials removal, bringing in a backhoe loader and a bulldozer. Once we got the final drawings from the architect and we were ready to bring the wheel loader, crane and excavator machines in, we spoke to a few Madison demolition companies and found one that specializes in garage removal and shed removal work, so they were a perfect fit for the selective interior demo of our old barn. They brought in their own equipment including a skid steer loader which they told me was used most commonly for interior demolition and clearing junk in small, confined areas. Looking at the reviews of Madison Demolition Pro’s owner, John Kinsky, their crew was known for completing really good work on a tight schedule. I can say that’s what we experienced! What was amazing is the demo guys didn’t knock everything down, we definitely want to keep the Wisconsin charm! They kept the bones and structure of the barn so that we can preserve the character of the old barn for our museum. So, John and his guys were super careful - like surgeons with sledgehammers.

They did a ton of selective demo, tearing down walls that were falling apart, clearing out old animal stalls, and basically just getting rid of all the junk that had piled up over the years. It was amazing how much bigger the barn felt once they cleared out and hauled away all the junk that was there. After the debris was gone, you could really start to see the potential, the way the light streamed through the old windows, the exposed beams, all that good stuff.

The demolition team also cleared out a bunch of old stuff from the outbuildings, making them ready for future projects. We're thinking maybe a workshop space in one, and a cafe in another, but we'll get to that later. For now, let’s focus on the museum.

John and his team also helped us out with site prep. I didn’t even realize all the work it would take to get the grounds level and ready for our slot car track. They have now finished excavating that area, dug out the dirt, and you can see the track now according to our plans. The rest of the site was graded and leveled out. It’s ready for landscaping which we’ll get to in spring-time when the weather is better
We're starting to get a better sense of how the museum is going to flow. We're thinking about creating different zones, with each zone showcasing a different era of automotive history. We'll have a classic car zone, a muscle car zone, maybe even a hot rod zone. It's going to be epic! We’ll keep you posted when the next phase is complete and for now, we’re on track for our schedule to open this summer. In the meantime, make sure you join our mailing email list so you can stay on top of updates and get the official grand opening invite!

There are so many of you waiting with high anticipation for our museum to open. We’re pleased to announce that step 1, finding a site, is now complete and we are proud owners of the future land for our museum!

It was not easy, so let me give you the full lowdown! To find the perfect spot, we knew we needed a building with A LOT of space – I mean, where else are you going to keep 100+ cars, a hangar? We looked, but couldn’t find one! We wanted a building with character, and something that just felt...right.

We started working with a local realtor, Sarah, who I can’t recommend enough. Not only did she search available listings on the market, but she also researched the surrounding areas for properties that weren’t currently listed for sale. The property she identified for us was off-market. It was an old farm that wasn’t being used anymore. While it’s on the outskirts of the main metro area in Dane County, we thought it would be a perfect way for city dwellers to experience the open skies, road-trip feel on their way out to visit us… probably in their classic car with top down (in summer only of course!) We also needed enough space for parking and our on-site mini track.

The site we found most exciting had an old barn, some dilapidated outbuildings, and acres of land. Overgrown with weeds but nothing that can’t be fixed with the right contractor. We could picture it from the moment we drove up. Classic cars lined up, the barn converted into a main exhibit hall, with the track out back for the slot cars.

We were sold. But, you know, real estate, it's a wild ride. We put in an offer, and Sarah helped us win the bid!

I was so excited when Sarah gave us the good news, like a kid on Christmas morning. Now we’re gearing up for construction. We started working with an architect to draw up plans. We’re going to keep as much of the existing structure intact, like old exposed beams and the big windows to let in lots of natural light.

We’re going to add a mezzanine level for extra exhibit space and offices. We’ll also use the upper level for a workshop area and seating for any events we host. Of course, we’re keeping business within our community and are starting to vet out local contractors for each phase of the upcoming construction. Stay tuned!