Car enthusiast Mike Fowler was pleasantly surprised when he started volunteering at the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Museum in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Fowler, along with about 50 other volunteers, helps maintain and drive the fleet of antique and collectible vehicles in the museum’s collection, dating back to the late 1920s. The volunteers clean, maintain, and even drive the customized iconic cars that were designed to be chauffeur-driven, offering a unique and luxurious experience to those involved.
The museum, owned by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, is often overlooked due to its location in a rural area surrounded by farm fields and industrial buildings. Despite its relatively small number of annual visitors, the museum has garnered attention for its involvement in films such as “A Complete Unknown” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” where some of its vehicles were featured.
In addition to displaying the collection, the museum also preserves and digitizes ownership and service records for North America, providing valuable information for enthusiasts and collectors. The foundation’s records have debunked claims about celebrity ownership, such as a Rolls-Royce once believed to have belonged to Hank Williams Jr.
Volunteers at the museum not only help maintain the collection but also provide valuable insights into the history and maintenance of Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles. While these luxury cars can be surprisingly affordable to purchase, maintaining them, with their unique features and pricey parts, can be costly. As one volunteer noted, “The most expensive Rolls-Royce you will buy is a cheap one.” Despite the challenges, the volunteers at the museum are dedicated to preserving these iconic vehicles for future generations to enjoy.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
