“A Vespa scooter?” you might wonder, “What does that have to do with a museum full of cars?” Well, here at the Miami Auto Museum, it all started with a Vespa. Michael Dezer, an Israeli-born real estate developer, got his first taste of automotive passion at the age of 16 when he acquired a Vespa scooter. Little did he know, that simple scooter would ignite a lifelong love for all things automotive, leading him to amass an incredible collection of cars and memorabilia. The Miami Auto Museum, housed in two massive warehouse buildings exceeding 250,000 square feet, was the culmination of that passion. It was a haven for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike, showcasing over 1,000 vehicles. The museum was divided into captivating themes. The Hollywood Collection boasted iconic vehicles like the 1948 Ford from “Grease,” a replica of the 1959 Cadillac ambulance from “Ghostbusters,” and even the original Pursuit Special driven by Max Rockatansky in “Mad Max.” The Classic Car Collection featured American and European automotive history, from vintage classics to micro-cars. Imagine seeing the DeLorean from “Back to the Future” in person, or an original Batmobile alongside a T-55 Soviet tank from “GoldenEye!” Sadly, the Miami Auto Museum closed its doors in North Miami and began its journey to a new home in Orlando. The collection, carefully curated over decades, is being prepped to be reborn as the Orlando Auto Museum within Dezerland Park Orlando. While we can’t explore its halls here today, the spirit of Michael Dezer’s passion for automobiles lives on, waiting to rev its engine in a new location.
Glenn Hubert Library
What secrets lie hidden within the walls of a university library? Right here in North Miami, the Glenn Hubert Library