1906 Rapid Bus

Drop the top, and cruise like a movie star! It sounds like fun. But movie stars live in sunny California -- most of us don't. Convertibles may draw people into showrooms, but sedans take them home. In 1956, only about 2.6 percent of Chevy customers drove home in ragtops. Despite that fact, the carefree appeal of 1950s convertibles has made them a symbol of that era.

Sometimes getting there isn't just half the fun -- it's all the fun! Horse-drawn surreys, railroad excursion cars, tour buses, and open-deck boats provided tourists with panoramic views of the passing scenery. Whether traveling through natural splendors, or touring through vibrant cities, these vehicles allowed their passengers to experience all the surrounding sights and sounds from the comfort and convenience of a moving seat.

The cover of this May 1915 Travel magazine tempted readers to imagine themselves at Yosemite National Park in California.

In 2018, our curators looked at The Henry Ford’s rich collections from a Jewish lens and unveiled fascinating stories of innovation, design, entrepreneurship, and cultural traditions.