Florida’s hidden Auto Museum just got a major national spotlight. The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida, has officially been ranked No. 3 in USA Today’s 2025 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Attraction for Car Lovers in the U.S. Known for housing some of the rarest and most important cars in automotive history, the museum is now gaining the attention it deserves from car enthusiasts across the country.
What Makes the Revs Institute So Special?
Unlike your average car museum, the Revs Institute is more than just a showroom. It is a research-based facility, an archive, and a preservation center that focuses on telling the story of the automobile’s impact on society, technology, and design.
Founded by Miles Collier in 2008, the institute houses more than 100 rare and historically significant cars—some of which you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Many of these vehicles are maintained in running condition, a rare feat that separates Revs from many other museums that display static collections.
Learn more about the institute here: https://revsinstitute.org/
A Global Collection With a Story Behind Every Car
The vehicles at the Revs Institute span a wide timeline, from the early 20th century to mid-century racing legends. One of the key attractions is the 1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 Grand Prix car, a true engineering marvel from Germany’s pre-WWII era. Another star is the 1948 Ferrari Tipo 166, one of the first Ferraris ever made.
Other notable cars include:
- A 1967 Porsche 910 used in the Nürburgring 1000km race
- A 1930 Bentley Speed Six “Old Number One”, a Le Mans winner
- A 1965 Ford GT40, the car that challenged Ferrari at Le Mans
Every car comes with its own historical context, sometimes accompanied by original documents, race logs, or personal stories from engineers and drivers.
A Living, Breathing Car Museum
What sets Revs apart is that it operates as a working restoration and preservation facility. A full team of trained engineers and technicians work behind the scenes to ensure that these cars are not only preserved visually but also mechanically. This approach reflects the philosophy of founder Miles Collier, who believes cars should be “experienced, not just observed.”
In fact, the museum sometimes takes these cars out on tracks for special demonstrations or anniversaries. Visitors are often amazed that vehicles nearly a century old can still roar to life with the same spirit they had in their racing days.
Educational Resources and Automotive Archives
The Revs Institute is also a significant resource for automotive historians and researchers. The library inside the institute is one of the largest archives of automotive literature in the world. It features more than 100,000 books, manuals, magazines, and engineering papers dedicated to the evolution of automobiles.
The institute offers online access to its digital archives and even hosts workshops, lectures, and educational programs aimed at promoting the understanding of automotive history and technology.
Explore their archives: https://revsinstitute.org/the-archives/
Part of a Growing Trend in Auto Tourism
The USA Today 10BEST award isn’t just a badge of honor—it places the Revs Institute in the spotlight alongside other world-renowned attractions like the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan and the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. With growing interest in automobile tourism, especially among younger generations and international visitors, this ranking can significantly boost Florida’s cultural and heritage tourism.
The Revs Institute’s position in the top 3 highlights how automobile museums are evolving from being passive exhibition halls to dynamic, interactive learning spaces.
Visitor Experience: What to Expect
The museum experience is carefully curated. Entry is by reservation only, allowing for limited crowds and a more intimate connection with the exhibits. Guests are given the option of self-guided tours or docent-led tours by knowledgeable automotive experts who provide context, backstories, and technical insights.
Key visitor highlights include:
- Climate-controlled display rooms
- Audio tour options through mobile apps
- Photo-friendly areas for car enthusiasts and content creators
- Merchandise shop with books, model cars, and exclusive collectibles
Plan your visit: https://revsinstitute.org/visit/
A Testament to the Legacy of Automobiles
As the automotive world races toward electric and AI-driven vehicles, the Revs Institute reminds us where it all began. Each car in the museum reflects a moment in time—a technological breakthrough, a design revolution, or a racing triumph.
With its new position in USA Today’s 10BEST, the Revs Institute isn’t just a top destination for car lovers; it’s now a national treasure.
For automotive aficionados, history buffs, and families alike, this Naples gem offers an unforgettable journey through the evolution of the car. Whether you’re interested in 1930s engineering or 1960s racing, there’s something remarkable waiting for you inside those walls.
In Summary
The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida, has been rightly recognized as one of the top three car museums in the United States. With a commitment to preservation, storytelling, and education, the museum offers far more than a static display—it delivers a living tribute to one of humanity’s greatest inventions.
For anyone even remotely interested in cars or history, a trip to the Revs Institute isn’t just recommended—it’s essential.
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