Buried on the Naples industrial park’s Horseshoe Drive is The Revs Institute—home to the Collier collection and a full-time staff of restorative technicians to care for it. Even non-auto enthusiasts can appreciate the history behind the Panhard et Lavassor Wagnonette, the oldest vehicle on-site; Clark Gable’s short-chassis 1935 Duesenberg SSJ; and the first Ferrari race car ever imported stateside.
Revs presents the Collier Collection of over one hundred significant automobiles built between 1896 and 1995. The automobiles on display at Revs are some of the rarest and most important cars ever built at anytime, anywhere. They are the ones that variously blazed technical pathways, redefined aesthetic standards, made history, and changed the world. From the days of converted carriages to Formula One, this collection showcases truly unique machines, most with fabulous histories and all in running order (they’re “exercised” regularly).
Our group of 45 Members and guests had 4 individual docents guiding the tour and sharing their profound wisdom and knowledge of every single automobile which added greatly to the experience and the appreciation for the history of the vehicles.
We then enjoyed our lunch in the Landmark Restaurant Spanky’s Speakeasy on the freshly opened terrace, which was damaged after hurricane Irma. Fitting that the restaurant offers a soup and salad bar in the back of a 1924 Ford Model T.
Everybody had a good time and was pleased to be able to participate at this event after the long pause due to the hurricane.
Article by Rony Huser
Photo courtesy of Raymond Pancherek.
