- Attraction: Lane Motor Museum
- Location: 702 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210
- Industry: Museum
- Website: https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/
While most automotive collections parade the usual suspects—gleaming Ferraris, pristine Corvettes, and polished Porsches—Lane Motor Museum takes a wildly different approach.
Housed inside a converted 1950s bread factory, this sprawling 132,000-square-foot treasure trove celebrates the weird, the wonderful, and the downright bizarre from automotive history.
Founded by passionate collector Jeff Lane in 2002, this nonprofit museum started with his personal collection of around 70 to 80 vehicles and has since grown into something extraordinary.
With over 500 vehicles in the full collection and approximately 150 on display at any given time, you’ll encounter cars you never imagined existed.
This isn’t just another museum where you stare at roped-off classics—it’s a living, breathing celebration of automotive innovation where roughly 90 percent of the vehicles are fully functional and regularly taken out for test drives.
Related
More in Tennessee
This Downtown Knoxville Eatery Stuffs French Fries Inside Their Shawarma And It’s Absolutely Genius
Keep Exploring →Extraordinary Vehicles You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
The Tiniest Cars on Earth: Prepare to be amazed by the collection of microcars that look like they rolled straight out of a cartoon. The Peel P50 holds the Guinness World Record as the smallest street-legal car ever made, measuring just 53 inches long and 39 inches wide.
There’s also the Larmar, the world’s narrowest car at a mere two feet four inches wide, and a fleet of French ACOMA Comtesse microcars from the 1970s that were so small you could operate them without a permit in France.
The Massive LARC-LX: On the complete opposite end of the spectrum sits the museum’s showstopper—the 1959 LARC-LX amphibious military vehicle.
This behemoth is the U.S. military’s largest vehicle ever built, stretching 62 feet long, 26 feet wide, weighing 100 tons, and sporting nine-foot-tall tires.
Getting it to the museum actually required shutting down Nashville traffic. It’s the equivalent of three semi-trucks parked side by side, and standing next to it is an experience you won’t forget.
More in Tennessee
Built From Love, This Hendersonville Playground Honors A Young Girl’s Magical Legacy
Discover MoreEuropean Rarities Galore: The museum boasts the largest collection of European automobiles in the United States, with particular focus on vehicles you’ve probably never heard of.
You’ll discover incredibly rare Tatras from Czechoslovakia dating back to the 1920s, quirky Citroëns including the beloved 2CV, vintage Saabs, sleek MGs, and obscure French, German, and Czech manufacturers that vanished decades ago.
Three-Wheeled Wonders: One of the world’s largest collections of three-wheeled vehicles lives here. These fascinating machines represent decades of experimentation with alternative designs, from early 20th-century attempts at affordable transportation to modern engineering marvels.
The Propeller Car: Among the most unusual vehicles is the Helicron, constructed in France in 1932. This unique automobile features a wooden body and a four-foot propeller mounted on the front with a wooden guard—exactly what it sounds like, a car powered by a propeller.
Amphibious Adventures: The collection includes several vehicles designed to conquer both land and water, showcasing the ambitious attempts to create truly versatile transportation.
Related
More in Tennessee
Your Taste Buds Will Light Up When You Try This Pigeon Forge Cafe’s Authentic Cuban Coffee
Keep Exploring →The Historic Bakery Setting
Industrial Charm: The museum’s home in the former Sunbeam Bakery adds tremendous character to your visit. Built in 1951, this industrial building was once the largest and most modern bakery in the Nashville area.
The museum has preserved many original architectural details, creating an authentic industrial atmosphere that perfectly complements the vintage vehicles.
Spacious Gallery Layout: The main floor offers approximately 40,000 square feet of open exhibition space with high ceilings and natural light streaming through original windows.
The hand-crafted brick walls and maple wood flooring create a warm, inviting environment where you can easily navigate around the displays and get up close to examine the intricate details of each vehicle.
The Secret Basement Vault: True enthusiasts should definitely inquire about the basement vault tours when available.
More in Tennessee
This Tasty Turkey Creek Restaurant Changes Its Menu With Seasonal Flair
Discover MoreBelow the main floor, hundreds of additional vehicles are stored, including an entire room dedicated to Nissan vehicles and countless other rarities waiting for their turn in the spotlight. This behind-the-scenes glimpse offers an exclusive look at the sheer magnitude of the collection.
Special Experiences & Activities
Rotating Exhibits: The displays constantly change since only a fraction of the 500-plus vehicle collection can be shown at once.
Current exhibitions might explore themes like station wagons through history, video game cars, three-wheeled vehicles, or the evolution of the Citroën 2CV. This means repeat visitors always discover something new.
Rally for the Lane: Here’s where things get really exciting. The museum hosts an annual Rally for the Lane fundraising event where you can actually drive one of these rare museum pieces.
Participants spend a full day driving their chosen vehicle through the scenic rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, with breakfast, lunch, and exclusive vault access included. Prices range from around $700 to $1,200 depending on the vehicle, with slots selling out quickly.
Related
More in Tennessee
Step Inside A Master Potter’s Historic Home For Authentic Southern Comfort Food In Pigeon Forge
Keep Exploring →Interactive Children’s Area: Families will appreciate the dedicated play space where kids can enjoy automotive-themed toys, try out driving video games, ride pedal cars, and even create their own car-themed artwork to take home.
Daily Demonstrations: The museum regularly brings vehicles to life with demonstrations, and you might even spot one of the cars being taken for a spin around the parking lot. Imagine seeing a silver Monopoly car or a vintage microcar zipping by—it happens here.
Planning Your Visit
Great Value Pricing: Admission is very reasonable at $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and over, $3 for youth ages 6-17, and completely free for children under 5. Members always enter free. The museum suggests arriving by 4 PM for the best value, as you’ll have plenty of time to explore before closing.
Convenient Parking: You’ll find ample free parking on-site, which is a huge bonus in Nashville. No need to stress about finding a spot or feeding meters.
Family-Friendly Environment: This museum welcomes visitors of all ages and interests. Even teenagers who think they’re too cool for museums often find themselves genuinely impressed by the unusual collection.
The exhibits engage both die-hard car enthusiasts and casual visitors who simply appreciate innovative design.
Climate Considerations: Some visitors note that certain areas can feel warm during summer months, so dress comfortably and in layers. The building’s industrial nature means temperature can vary in different sections.
Operating Hours: The museum opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, so plan accordingly.
Hidden Gem Status: Despite being one of Nashville’s most unique attractions, Lane Motor Museum often flies under the radar compared to the city’s music venues. Many locals admit they drove past it for years before finally visiting—and universally wish they’d discovered it sooner.
Lane Motor Museum
📍 702 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210
