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In 2002, Jeff and Susan Lane established Lane Motor
Museum.
Jeff has been an automotive enthusiast since an
early age. He began restoring his first car—a 1955 MG
TF—when he was a teen. His personal collection was the
donation that began the foundation. Lane Motor Museum
unveiled its collection to the public in October of 2003. As
director, Jeff Lane continues to search out cars for the collection
that are technically significant or uniquely different.
Susan Lane serves as curator. The goal of Lane Motor Museum
is to share in the mission of collection and preserving automotive
history for future generations.
The Museum is a
non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. |
Lane Motor Museum is one of the few museums in the
U.S. to specialize in European cars. It is a working museum
with the goal of maintaining all vehicles in running order.
Some cars are in showroom condition, while others represent
typical aging. Efforts are made to restore each vehicle
to near-original specifications.
The perfect location was found in the former Sunbeam
Bakery at 702 Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville. In 1889, the
American Bread Company opened in Nashville, and in
1951 the company moved to new facilities on Murfreesboro
Pike. At 142,000 square feet, it was the largest and most
modern bakery in the area. In 1953, the Sunbeam label was
adopted by the bakery. By 1988, the Nashville bakery facility
was fully automated and producing Sunbeam and Roman
Meal products. Production ceased in Nashville in 1994,
although distribution continued from the Murfreesboro Pike
location until the end of 2002.
The building, circa 1950, has high ceilings, natural
light, and hand-crafted brick and maple wood flooring.
The architectural style complements the age of the cars
represented. The main floor has approximately 40,000
square feet of open space, ideal for displaying 150 vehicles
from the collection.
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