Here is the part of our AACA club in front of David's old gas station with one of our member's baby Bird.
Today we did some of our favorite things; get in an old car, drive, eat a great meal in an old “mom and pop” restaurant and tour a car related collection. We also got to tour a small town, visit antique shops, eat ice cream and visit a home made candy store. What could be a better day than that? Our local AACA group took one of its regular road trips to Ragtop Picture Cars outside of Lebanon, TN. Owner David Tinsley provides cars to the stars. Although most of his cars get used in the growing film industry in Nashville he also ships some of his rare cars all over the Country for use by studios. You will see some of his cars in the TV show Nashville as well as a lot of music videos, commercials and movies.
Here is David and his wife.
David opened his storage area up for us to look things over and it was a blast. On some of the more well known cars he actually included a sticker on the window as to what movies etc. we may have seen the vehicle in. This is not a collection of Condition #1 Concours cars these are cars you will see in the big screen. They look like they did in the day and the way we remember them on the street with their imperfections, dirt and other badges of everyday use.
Some of the movie cars are stored inside a large building,
There were some cars in terrific condition that would do well at most shows and those are treated with a little better care when on set. He did have a Honda that he just “rolled” while doing a commercial with Earnhardt Junior this past week.
Even some old Police Cars were spread around.
Everyone also had the opportunity to have themselves and their cars photographed in front of a vintage gas station on his property. Although it looks old and has been used for some photo shoots it was a recent build and does double duty as his office. There also walls of signed photos of the many music, TV and movie stars he has worked with over the years.
Here are a few of the photos from our visit.
This little Nash Metropolitan makes many of our Tours and keeps right up with the Muscle Cars of the day. It is really fun to see it on the road.
Any Club Member who wanted to get a picture in front of the gas station was invited to do so. What a great backdrop for an old car.
This has to be one of my favorite Club Member’s cars. This old woody Buick is always an attention getter.
Here is David and his wife.
Here is the part of our AACA club in front of David’s old gas station with one of our member’s baby Bird.
Katrina loved this old pickup and just kept coming back to it.
Even some old Police Cars were spread around.
This was just too cool. It was like a field of barn finds. Remember, nothing is for sale.
If you walked back into the woods there were more cars!
My wife loved this old T pickup sitting next to the gas station.
This would look great sitting in my garage. Wouldn’t it be cool at some car show with an old banged up 50s two door hardtop with a banged up fender on the hook ?
I don’t know why but this old wrecker in the brush really was calling my name. Luckily for me none of the cars are for sale.
You see this trailer going down the road it is likely headed to a film shoot of some sort.
If you can get past the Buick’s beautiful interior you will spat an AMC Gremlin in the background.
The Buick Convertible interior was outstanding.
Cars were everywhere.
This 1960 Buick Convertible is a show car and would get attention at any car show. It gets special use and car when on the set.
David moved a lot of his cars outside just for us and better viewing.
Some of the cars are regular family cars and some are not like the Mustang fastback.
Club Members liked getting their photos taken with vehicles they remember from movies or TV.
Who doesn’t remember the AMC Pacer. If you see an orange one in a movie it likely is this one. Sometimes the cars are even repainted to match the scrip’s requirements.
Some of the movie cars are stored inside a large building,
I grew up and lived in Iowa for a good portion of my life before moving to Southern California. After 20+ years we now live outside Nashville Tennessee. I have been into cars since I was old enough to remember. I don't have a brand loyalty although I do prefer American Muscle especially the 1969/1970 NASCAR Aero Cars. (Check out our other web site at www.TalladegaSpoilerRegistry.com site) As long as it has four wheels and an engine I get excited. Few men are lucky enough to be able to share their passion for cars with the woman they love. Fortunately, my wife, Katriana, is also a gear head and many of our activities revolve around the cars. We have a small collection that includes at least one car from each of the Big Three. It includes a Best of Show winner, a survivor, a driver with lots of patina and several others. Katrina prefers all original cars while I like to modify them so we have a few of each. When we aren't playing with cars we are out working with or showing our miniature donkeys. You can see more about that part of our lives at http://www.LegendaryFarms.com.