Detroit Auto Show

Tacoma – – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum has opened a new exhibit, Rare & Luxurious: 100 Years of Exceptional Automobiles, in its Showcase Gallery.

The exhibit traces luxury and performance from the 1920s to today

Visitors will see vehicles from Duesenberg, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Continental, Crane-Simplex and other marques. The museum describes the show as a look at how luxury and performance have evolved over a century.

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves into the museum in January 2026

Starting January 17, 2026, the free community meetup will run every third Saturday of the month from 9 AM to 11 AM throughout 2026. Coffee comes from @naomijoecoffee. The event is open to all years, makes and models, and the museum asks attendees to use good judgment when entering, parking and exiting.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum has a busy 2026 lined up: a refreshed Route 66 exhibition, a free monthly Cars & Coffee meetup starting January 17, and a newly approved Washington specialty license plate.

Cars & Coffee meets every third Saturday in 2026

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves to the museum on January 17, 2026. It runs every third Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. throughout the year, with coffee from Naomi Joe Coffee. The event is free and open to all years, makes and models. The museum asks attendees to use good judgement when entering, parking and exiting.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay - America's Car Museum drew more than 100 cars and over 200 spectators to its first summer cruise-in on June 12, 2025, and the next one is set for July 17.

Chrysler and Mopar anniversary fills the lot

The June theme honored 100 years of Chrysler and Mopar. Entries ranged from a Chrysler Sebring convertible and a classic Plymouth Cuda to a Maserati, JDM kei cars and numerous vintage Volkswagens.

The July 17 theme is "A world of cars," celebrating Asian and European makes and models. OpenBay Garage sponsors the 2025 cruise-in series.

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves to the museum in 2026

Starting January 17, 2026, Tacoma Cars & Coffee meets at the museum every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is free and open to all years, makes and models, with coffee from @naomijoecoffee.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum opens The Birth of the American Supercar on October 25, an exhibition guest curated by automotive innovator Steve Saleen, with a free monthly car meet and a refreshed Route 66 display also on the calendar.

Saleen curates a tour of American supercar history

The exhibition follows American supercars from early speed pioneers to modern machines. Vehicles come from Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Saleen himself, along with more obscure makers such as Vector, Cunningham and Hennessey. The museum says the show covers roaring V8s and carbon-fiber bodies, and how American automakers challenged European rivals.

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves to the museum on January 17, 2026

The meet runs every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. throughout 2026. Admission is free, and the event is open to all years, makes and models. Naomi Joe Coffee will serve the coffee.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- Washington drivers will be able to order a LeMay – America's Car Museum specialty license plate once the state confirms a release date. The design has been officially approved by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The museum had to start over after the state took its retro design

The museum's original black-and-white "throwback" concept was adopted by the state for its own retro plate series. Because the state now owns that design, it is not associated with the museum. The team had to build a fully new plate that met the state's specifications for color palette, layout, and mandatory design elements.

After working through the state's approval and compliance process, the museum says the final artwork reflects its identity, mission, and visual spirit.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA, has opened a refreshed Route 66 exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of America's most famous highway.

The exhibition, a longstanding favorite with museum visitors, got an aesthetic refresh. It adds centennial-themed elements and vehicles that pay homage to the highway's 100th birthday.

Drive Home films and artifacts will join the display throughout 2026

Throughout 2026, the exhibit will show films and artifacts from the upcoming Route 66 Drive Home.

The seventh Drive Home will cover all of Route 66

The Drive Home kicks off in just a few weeks. America's Automotive Trust and the Detroit Auto Show created the event to celebrate driving and keeping cars on the road. Each edition ends with a drive "home" to Detroit, Michigan.

Tacoma -- Starting January 17, 2026, Tacoma Cars & Coffee will meet at LeMay – America's Car Museum every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event runs throughout 2026.

Admission to the gathering is free, and it is open to cars of all years, makes and models. Coffee will come from @naomijoecoffee.

Organizers ask attendees to use good judgment on site

The museum describes the meetup as a community event. To keep it safe and fun for everyone, organizers ask visitors to use good judgment when entering, parking and exiting.