Bigfork, Montana is a village located at the north end of Flathead Lake. Bigfork is the home to the Classic Auto Museum—The Flathead V8 Ford Collection which has about 80 Fords and other items on display. Shown below are photographs of some of the museum’s displays.
Shown above is a Flathead Ford V-8. This engine was made from 1932 until 1953. It originally had 65 horsepower and by the last year of production this had increased to 110 horsepower.
The car in the background, a 1934 Ford Flathead V8 coupe, is waiting to be restored. This is a very popular car for hot rod enthusiasts.
1942 Coupe Sedan:
According to the display:
“World War II shortened the production of American cars because Ford, like many other auto manufactors, had military production contracts. Ford’s main contribution was to B-24 bombers at Willow Run, Michigan. Ford also produced Jeeps, armored vehicles, such as the M-4 tank along with many other military vehicles for hauling cargo and troops.”
1932 Ford DeLux Sedan:
This “Bonnie and Clyde” display with the 1932 Ford features the first year of the Flathead V-8 engine—the Flathead V-8 represents the name of this museum. The museum display includes a letter from Clyde Barrows to Henry Ford:
“While I still have breath in my lungs I will tell you what a dandy car you make. I have drove Fords exclusively when I could get away with one. For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has got every other car skinned and even if my business hasen’t been strictly legal it don’t hurt any thing to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8.”
The Non-Fords:
Shown above is the only restored non-Ford in the museum: it is a 1931 Pontiac. Very little on this car is stock.
Shown above is a 1918 Dodge Touring Car. It does run!
Bicycles:
Old Farm Equipment:
Signs and other displays:
