The Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Ind., is a spectacular collection of vintage automobiles in an historic building.

Ohio’s contributions to the automobile industry have been numerous, from Dayton native Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter, to Firestone and Goodyear in Akron, two companies that built fortunes on automobile tires. Packard is one notable automobile manufacturer with roots in Ohio that lasted past the Depression years; it folded in 1958 but left a legacy of two Ohio museums. One of the museums featured here is in Indiana but it’s truly a world-class collection right next door.

Ohio’s history in the motorcycle industry includes the Cleveland Motorcycle Company, founded in 1915, which provided motorcycles to U.S. Army in World War I. The company went out of business after the Crash of 1929.

America’s Packard Museum – America’s Packard Museum consists of automotive artifacts and 50 automobiles, plus several vehicles on loan from private collections or other museums. Educational programs and special events are also offered. 420 S. Ludlow St., Dayton (937) 226-1710.

American Motorcycle Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame – The American Motorcycle Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame features two floors of historic exhibits and historic motorcycles and displays honoring the lives and careers of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers and others who have shaped motorcycling in America. 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington (614) 856-2222.

Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum – The Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum is a world-class collection of exquisite automobiles, most of them manufactured by the Auburn Autombile Company until the company ended operations in 1937. The museum itself is an Art Deco architectural masterpiece, built in 1929 as dealership showroom and company offices. 1600 S. Wayne St., Auburn, Ind. (260) 265-1444.

Bears Vintage Metalworks / Motorcycle Memorabilia Museum – See 60 motorcycles on display covering more than 100 years of motorcycling, from Harley-Davidsons and Indians to exotic, television-star and custom bikes. 408 W. Main St., Ravenna (330) 297-7755.

Canton Classic Car Museum – The Canton Classic Car Museum displays about 40 automobiles, and also displays classic toys, steam engines, vintage posters and much more. 123 Sixth St. SW, Canton (330) 455-3603.

Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum – The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum holds about 40 antique automobiles and many exhibits related to transportation, from a 1900 Benz Duc Victoria to a 1937 Supercharged Cord A12 Phaeton Sedan and  other rare and unique automobiles. 10825 E. Blvd., Cleveland (216) 721-5722.

Lafayette Jackson Historical Society – If you’re looking for an old-fashioned gasoline station, the town of Lafayette in Allen County near Lima has restored a vintage 1920s-era Pure Oil service station that now serves as the historical society’s offices. 101 W. Main St., Lafayette. See their Facebook page for more information.

Millbury Classics – This privately-owned museum has 85 cars and trucks on display, including some cars used in movies and TV, such as a Batmobile, a DeLorean from “Back to the Future,” a “Bandit” Trans Am, a “Scooby Doo” van and more. 26929 Cummings Road, Millbury (419) 340-2355. Connect on Facebook.

National Packard Museum – The National Packard Museum, opened in 1999, is a 23,000-square-foot complex housing a rotating display of original and restored Packard automobiles as well as other artifacts that chronicle the history of the Packard family, the Packard Motor Car Company and the Packard Electric Company. 1899 Mahoning Ave., Warren (330) 394-1899.

The National Road and Zane Grey Museum tells the story of the National Road (U.S. 40) in Ohio.

National Road and Zane Grey Museum – The National Road and Zane Grey Museum has three exhibit areas — dedicated to the history of the National Road in Ohio, famed author Zane Grey and to the area’s art pottery, ceramics and tile legacy. 8850 E. Pike St., Norwich (740) 752-2602.

Snook’s Dream Cars – Snook’s Dream Cars displays the extensive collection of the late “long-time car guy” Bill Snook, housed in a 1940s Texaco gasoline station. The car collection features vehicles from the 1930s to the 1970s, with some cars for sale periodically. 13920 County Home Road, Bowling Green (419) 353-8338. Please call to confirm hours.

Sunset & Wilshire – Sunset & Wilshire is a full-service automobile repair and service station that’s also a working museum that seeks to preserve the history of service stations in Ohio. The location has been open since 1946, operating as a SOHIO station until 1992, then as BP until 2011. The station now displays SOHIO branding and memorabilia and is open free to the public. 2701 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville (740) 266-2605.

Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum – Extensive private collection of cars and automobile-related artifacts, tours by appointment only. 476 E. Kossuth St., German Village, Columbus (614) 271-0888.

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