Jeff Lane opened the Lane Motor Museum in October 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee using his private collection of approximately 80 cars to create a 501(c)3 non-profit museum that now houses 500+ cars. Passionate about cars from a young age, Jeff Lane restored his first car, a 1955 MG TF, as a teenager. The Lane Motor Museum is one of the few American museums specializing in European cars. The museum strives to keep all vehicles in working order, with some cars being fully restored, while others retain the patina of age.
The Lane Motor Museum is housed in a historic building in Nashville, the former Sunbeam bakery. With 133,000 ft², it was the largest bakery in the region at the time of its opening. Adapted for the needs of the museum, the building has retained many of its original features, high ceiling, natural light and a handcrafted brick and maple wood floor. The architectural style suits the age of the cars displayed. The ground floor has about 40,000 ft² of open space, ideal for exhibiting the collection.
Cars at Lane Motor Museum
The Lane Motor Museum has a very large collection (more than 500 cars!), and exhibits about 150 according to thematic exhibitions that change every year. For 2024, the museum offers numerous exhibit themes:
C’est la Vie en 2 CV (until March 10, 2025) – The Citroën 2 CV, or “deux chevaux” (meaning “two horses”), is one of the most important automobiles in French automotive history. The project was born following a survey revealing in 1934 the potential of rural French people who still didn’t own a car. The TPV (Toute Petite Voiture – Very Small Car) project, carried out in the greatest secrecy, was designed to carry four people, 50 kg (110 lb) of goods and run at 50 km/h (30 mph), if necessary on muddy, unpaved roads, while consuming no more than 3 L/100 km (95 mpg imp; 80 mpg US). Interrupted by the war, the prototypes went into hiding, and the 2 CV was finally unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on October 7, 1948. Produced until 1990, the 2 CV became one of the most popular cars in France, with many variants. This exhibition explores the significant history of the 2 CV, the dynamic life of its production and its impact on French society.
Redefining Remnants: The Art of Spare Parts (until February 10, 2025) – Whether out of necessity, creativity or passion, some people find a way to make something out of what others consider to be junk. Automobiles, for example, leave an abundance of damaged and discarded parts. This exhibition explores the life of these parts and pieces after they have been discarded. Whether in a new vehicle or a work of art, they continue with a new purpose in life.
First Person Fantasies: Video Game Cars (until January 27, 2025) – Video games feature imaginary cars, but also real-life models, and this theme allows visitors to discover some cars from the small Peel P-50 to the MG Metro R64 rally cars, associated with clips from these video games.
British Boffins (until December 2, 2024) – The United Kingdom has a rich history of iconic cars like Rolls-Royce, Bentley or Aston Martin, but it was in their attempts to circumvent taxes, navigate tight roads, and achieve fuel efficiency that brought about some of the UK’s most quirky cars. Lane Motor Museum is honored to spotlight these unique microcars that illustrate the innovative designs and technological feats that only the boffins of postwar Britain could dream up!
Station Wagon Style: Family Movers from Around the World (until March 17, 2025) – Station wagons have played a vital role in the automotive landscape. Originating in Europe and America during the early 20th century, they progressed from simple transportation to and from railway stations to one of the most iconic family cars in history. This exhibition explores the history of the station wagon and highlights diverse versions from the museum’s collection, both European and American.
Competition Classics: Racing Relics from Bygone Eras (until January 10, 2025) – It has been long rumored that the first race between humans occurred soon after the second wheel was chiseled from stone. This new exhibit at Lane Motor Museum explores various examples of competition vehicles from the past. From two wheels to four, open-wheel to closed, motorized to human-powered, join us in exploring a slice of racing history and enjoy some truly rare competition classics.
The enormous collection of the Lane Motor Museum covers a large part of European manufacturers, including companies that have disappeared or have very limited productions. This typically includes Alfa Romeo, Audi (and its ancestors like DKW or NSU), Austin/Mini, BMW, Citroën, Fiat, Jaguar, Mercedes, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen or Volvo, but also Lancia, MG, Panhard, Saab, Tatra, Trabant or Wartburg. The Lane Motor Museum also has many American and Japanese cars without forgetting an impressive collection of carts (also called microcars or midgets depending on the country of origin). On weekends, the Lane Motor Museum offers guided tours in its “Vault” at fixed times, the opportunity to discover in 45 minutes a real cave of Ali Baba automobiles.
Besides cars
The Lane Automobile Museum’s collections extend to other modes of transport: trucks, bicycles and motorcycles, boats, airplanes, several amphibious vehicles that combine car and boat, and some fire engines…
Practical information
Opening
| Monday and Thursday to Sunday | 10am – 5pm |
| Closed every year on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas | |
| Guided tours of the “Vault” on weekends at fixed times 11:30 am and 2:30 pm please check the museum website for a precise schedule |
Rates
| Adults | $ 15,00 |
| Séniors (over 65) | $ 10,00 |
| Youth (6 to 17 years) | $ 3,00 |
| Kids (under 6) | Gratuit |
| Guided tour of the Vault (in addition to museum ticket) | $ 10,00 |
| Groups (from 15 adults, per person): | $ 6,00 |
| Free on-site parking |
The photos on this page belong to the Lane Motor Museum, no use or reproduction is allowed without written permission from the owner.
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