Rick Treworgy has been a car guy since his teens, buying and selling muscle cars while attending high school. This allowed Mr. Treworgy to keep money in his pocket, but the side-money maker turned habitual. Over the course of his life, Mr. Treworgy has collected hundreds of muscle cars, leading to the opening of his car museum, Muscle Car City, some fourteen years ago. Muscle Car City also houses a 1950s style diner and a gift shop that specializes in reproduction automobilia, car-related books and souvenirs. On January 22 and 23, Mecum Auctions will sell almost all of his collection at the museum’s Punta Gorda, Florida, location.
Mr. Treworgy’s collection of muscle cars is considered one of the finest gatherings of General Motors cars in the world. The vast majority of the collection is comprised of Chevrolet models. There will be fifty Corvettes from all eight generations on offer, as well as twenty Camaros, nine Bel Airs, ten Impalas, seventeen Chevelles, five Novas, seven El Caminos, and the list goes on. There are seven Oldsmobile 442s in the collection, as well. In all, 200 cars will be up for grabs. In addition to all the muscle cars, there will be a significant automobilia collection.
What is most impressive about the Muscle Car City collection is not the sheer number of cars, but the quality and significance of the offerings. There multiple Corvette Z06s, ZR1s, a fourth-gen Grand Sport convertible with just 640 miles, a 1971 Corvette LS6 (one of only 188 produced), a 1968 Corvette L89, a 1967 427/435, Big Blocks, Fuelies, and Solid Axles. There is a 1965 Chevelle Z-16 396/375 that is listed in the Z-16 Registry, a 1969 COPO Camaro 427/425, a 1970 Chevelle LS6 hardtop, and a 1961 Impala 348 with a four-speed. The rest of the cars are the same thing: rare, low miles, desirable options, excellent condition, gleaming. Mr. Treworgy is an astute collector.
Mr. Treworgy, who is 72, had planned to retire next year and sell his museum at that time. However, COVID-19 has killed museum attendance. He contacted long-time friend Dana Mecum. owner of Mecum Auctions, about selling this year rather than waiting.
Selling his museum full of muscle cars is bittersweet for Mr. Treworgy who said, “These cars are physical things you shouldn’t care about, but when you collect, you do.” When asked what he is planning to drive after the sale, Treworgy said he intends to keep about fifty of his most prized cars at home in a mini-museum. Of those, twenty are 1967 Corvettes. He also has a 6,000-square-foot building dedicated just to parts.
Muscle Car City will close its doors on January 17th and the auction will take place on-site on January 22nd and 23rd.
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Comments
He ought to have a nice nest egg from these great looking, original cars. Wow, what a collection.
This collection is astounding. It’s going to be sad to see it go. I live 45 minutes from there, and have visited it a number of times, along with him allowing us to have car club meets in the parking lot.
It really makes you think when you see all these terrific cars from the 60’s. You wonder what the product people at Chevrolet must think when they go see a collection like this. There once was a time when walking into a Chevrolet dealership was an exciting experience. Now its all boring cars and trucks. I go into my dealer occasionally to get an oil change on my Corvette and I like to walk around and look at the cars. 4 cylinder Cruze, Malibu’s Equinox, Yawn.The Corvette guys still get it, but thats about it.
Sorry to see this place close up, been there several times, always enjoyed it. Many, many rare and hard to find GM muscle cars of which my personal favorite is……1967 Impala SS427/4 speed. Madeira maroon/black. Mr. Treworgy always preferred to collect cars with the top engine option and manual trans.
Yes I agree! It’s a treat to see so many 4 speed cars, especially on cars like a 442 convert, 71 Monte SS or Pontiac 2+2. I know he had some Buicks but there are none listed for the auction.
Back, around 2005-06, you bought a 1935 Chevy Canopy Express. It was on a corvette chassis, Green and White. I believe you
found it in West Virginia. Myself and a friend built the Canopy in Danbury, Connecticut. It was nothing special, just different. I got to talk with many people who had never seen one before. In 2004 I moved to Lynchburg, Va. I traded it to a dealer in Miami Beach, along with a 1932 Chevy Roadster pickup. I heard what happened to the 32. I found out the Canopy had 3 or 4 owners in the midwest. Later on I saw a AD for the Canopy being for sale in West Virginia. I called and drove out to see it. I tried to buy it, but the asking price was out of site, for this old disabled Marine vet. I’m wondering if you still have it, if so will it be in the auction ? I would like to try and get it back. Does my old friend Ed “Mister Suburban” know about your auction ? I have not heard anything from Ed in over 10 years. That is quite a collection of nice cars, there are going to be some happy “new owners” . Thank you for your time and Good Luck