WASHINGTON — Gaithersburg, Maryland-based National Historic Vehicle Register will put on public display on the National Mall its three newest inductees beginning Wednesday.
All three cars were center stage on the National Mall Wednesday morning to mark the opening ceremony of the third annual Cars at the Capital exhibition.
The exhibition is part of the Historic Vehicle Association’s partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Historic American Engineering Record and Library of Congress archives.
On display in the Historic Vehicle Association’s illuminated glass display case on the walkway between the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and National Gallery of Art from April 12 to April 19 is “Gypsy Rose,” a 1964 Chevrolet Impala “lowrider” that was featured in the opening credits of the television sitcom “Chico and the Man.”
From April 20 to April 26, “McGee Roadster,” a 1932 Ford V8 “hot rod,” will be on display. The car, featured on the cover of “Hot Rod” magazine in 1948, was built by a soldier named Bob McGee when he returned from the war.
And from April 27 to May 4, “Hirohata Merc,” a 1951 Mercury Coupe “radical custom” will be on display. The car was purchased in 1952 by collector Bob Hirohata and extensively customized, collecting more than 150 trophies at auto shows.
“The three vehicles featured at this year’s exhibition not only created a whole new category of uniquely ‘made in America’ cars but also influenced builders and designers around the globe,” said Richard O’Connor, chief of the National Park Service’s Heritage Documentation Programs.
“We support HVA’s efforts to make this rich history available to the public.”
Last year, the Historic Vehicle Association displayed and certified President William Howard Taft’s 1909 White Steam Car and President Ronald Reagan’s 1962 Willys Jeep CJ-6.
This year’s exhibition is underwritten by Shell, Hagerty, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers and TEN: The Enthusiast Network.
