RIVERSIDE INTERNATIONAL
AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation





The Riverside International Automotive Museum, located 5 miles from the original Riverside International Raceway, is a museum dedicated to the science, art, and human experience of California's motor sports history, and is constantly building an archive and repository of North America's rich racing history.

The museum's collection includes original race memorabilia, trophies, programmes, photographs, scale models, posters, film, video and audio recordings and much more! RIAM also has an extensive collection of rare Sports, Exotic and Race automobiles on display.

The archive and exhibition of the Riverside International Raceway's history is a very big part of the museum. Maserati and RIR were linked together from with many great drivers like Bill Krause, Carroll Shelby, Jim Jeffords, Ken Miles, Jim Hall, and on and on racing Maseratis at RIR. At the 1960 Time Grand Prix (won by Krause in a Tipo 61) there were 14 or so Maseratis that qualified and ran the main event, probably the largest group of Maseratis ever fielded in competition.

Because of this association, this museum has a special place in the hearts of Maserati enthusiasts stateside, for it houses one of the finest, if not THE finest, collection of road-going Maseratis in the U.S.

The RIAM exhibits 30 Maseratis, from the oldest, a A6G 2000 Farina Coupe, all the way up to the latest GranTurismo Tipo S. In fact, they have at least one example of every serial production Maserati built that came to the U.S., as well as some that didn't (a Kyalami).

Among the interesting Maseratis on display; the sensational MC12 Stradale, a fine example of a 1951 A6G 2000 Coupe by Pinin Farina, a 1971 Quattroporte Prototipo by Pietro Frua once owned by the King of Spain Juan Carlos, and a 1982 Quattroporte III in Rosso Rubino once owned by film actor David Carradine, star of the classic TV series from the 1970s, Kung Fu.

Also on display is a black 1962 3500GT once owned by Dan Blocker, better known for his role as Hoss Cartwright in the 60's TV series "Bonanza". Dan Blocker was also a great racing enthusiast and had a race team called "Vinagaroon" that fielded the ex-Bill Krause Elva-Maserati in the 1960s. His 3500GT is a transition carburated car that included most later injected model upgrades; cold air box, a 5-speed gearbox, 4 wheel disc brakes, and electric window lifts.

Whilst I'm obviously biased towards our beloved marque, this display is not just about Maseratis. The collection contains many interesting historic race cars, including; a 1970 Gurney Olsonite Eagle, a 1969 AAR Eagle #42 USAC-Indy, a 1979 Penske PC-7 Indy-CART and a 1969 Eagle Formula A-5000, along with a 2006 Ford GT and many other exotic road cars that include Ferraris, Jaguars and Porsches.

Also on display is a race-prepared bright red 1959 Chevrolet Corvette.

Now you might wonder why I singled out the Corvette. Well this is a car that broke my heart as a young lad. In the late Fifties I worked in London's West End, and often walked passed the Chevrolet showroom in St. Martin's Lane on my way to work. On display was their star attraction, a new 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, in bright red with cream coloured side panels. It was the most beautiful car I had ever seen, and I wanted it.

Every time I walked passed that showroom, I would stop and spend a little time 'wishing and hoping'. Until that dreaded Monday morning when I stopped for my usual look and the Corvette had disappeared! My dream had been shattered, I would never own that beautiful car. But now the singer Shirley Bassey did, for it was she who had purchased the car during that never to be forgotten week-end, and deprived me of my dream. Now ask me why I have never ever bought one of her records!

So if you're ever in the area, why not pop along and visit the museum. I know that if I ever get the chance to visit the U.S. again, it will be top of my "MUST DO" list!

Riverside International Automotive Museum
815 Marlborough, Suite 200
Riverside, CA 92507

Tel: 951 369-6966
Website: www.RiversideInternationalRaceway.com
E-mail: admin@riversideinternational.org


The museum is open from Wednesdays to Fridays from Noon to 4 pm, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm

Admission: US $5 suggested donation!

Closed to the general public on Sundays and Mondays

Open on Tuesdays by APPOINTMENT ONLY
 

 

AND HOW DO I GET THERE?

 
Images courtesy of RIAM

How to get there!!
 

 
Photo courtesy of RIAM

The magnificent dispay of cars at the ...
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

... Riverside International Automotive Museum
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

The Maserati MC12 on display
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

The museum workshop
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

The impressive display of Maseratis
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

 
 

 
Photo courtesy of RIAM

The ex-David Carradine 1982 Maserati Quattroporte III
Photo courtesy of RIAM

The ex-Dan Blocker 1962 Maserati 3500GT
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1968 Maserati Ghibli Coupe
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1975 Maserati Khamsin
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1951 Maserati A6G 2000 Coupe by Pinin Farina
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1967 Maserati Mistrale 4000 Coupe
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1965 Maserati Mistrale Spyder
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1965 Maserati Mistrale Spyder
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1980 Maserati Kyalami
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1980 Maserati Kyalami
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1982 Maserati Quattroporte III
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

2006 Maserati MC12 Stradale
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

2001 Ferrari 360 Modena Spyder
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

Chevrolet Corvette C1 race car - a car of dreams!
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

1970 Race Car Gurney Olsonite Eagle
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

The rear-mounted turbocharger
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

#42 1969 AAR USAC-Indy Eagle
#12 1978 Penske PC-7 Indy CART racecar
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

Trophies, photos and programmes
 
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

A "GRAND PRIX" Pinball Machine
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

Badges and decals
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

Riverside International Raceway memorabilia
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

 
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

Memorabilia for the Maserati enthusiast
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

 
 

 
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

Maserati models
Photo courtesy of Maserati Mario

The magnificent Maserati MC12 Stradale
 

 

My grateful thanks to Doug Magnon for his assistance, and Maserati Mario and the RIAM for allowing me to publish their photographs.

 

 
 
 
 

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