In 2007 Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum was born, having a wide variety of vehicles, housing around 70 vehicles. A lot of unrestored originals from Model T’s to Mack Trucks, a Shelby mustang, to the retired Forest City American Lanfranc Fire truck, and it is ever-changing including a new addition 1963 Ford Mayberry Sheriffs Car Signed by Don Knots (A.K.A Barney Fife) which is a must see! The museum is about preserving the automobile history for generations of the past, present, and future, here under one roof in Rutherford County.
It has been quite an asset to the community, bringing in people from all over the world! From hosting numerous car clubs and events to assisting with a historical documentary of the used car industry from the 1930s to the present time. So when Buddy & Joe Bennett heard that they had won the National Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum Award they were shocked, proud, and overjoyed. The Award was judged on community, presentation of the museum toward the antique car hobby, preservation of the automobile, and how well the museum is presented to educate people. It was given out at the annual AACA Meeting in Philadelphia, PA in February. They narrow it down to three museums, then they are presented to the board and a museum is chosen.
“It was an honor for Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum to bring this award to Rutherford County. It is very special for the museum. We never dreamed it would get this big. We are very appreciative and feel very blessed to have received such a prestigious award,” stated Buddy and Joe Bennett.