In Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, nestled amid expansive fields and unassuming industrial buildings, lies an often-overlooked treasure trove for car enthusiasts—the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Museum. Mike Fowler, who grew up in the Harrisburg suburbs, was only vaguely aware of its existence nearby but decided to volunteer, unaware of the value he would eventually find in the experience.
Upon joining, Fowler quickly found himself immersed in hands-on work, with oil-streaked hands just thirty minutes into his first day. Over a year later, he keeps detailed notes on his phone about each car in the collection to aid in starting them correctly and maintaining their batteries. He is part of a dedicated team of around 50 volunteers who regularly convene at the museum. These enthusiasts dedicate their time to cleaning, maintaining, and even driving the renowned luxury vehicles, which many people can only dream of encountering.
Fowler captures the magic of this volunteer experience, saying, “You take it out on the road and you are transported to a different time, a different mentality.” As a resident of Camp Hill, this 28-year-old participates in an introduction program for newcomers, which pairs them with seasoned volunteers and guides them through the museum’s driving school. They begin with modern cars with automatic transmissions, gradually building up to the older, more complex models.
Sarah Holibaugh, the museum’s head librarian and archivist, stresses the commitment to safeguarding the collection. “We’re very protective of the collection. We’re its caretakers, and we take it very seriously. So you can’t just come in off the street and start driving,” she explained.
The museum, run by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, houses 29 meticulously preserved antique and collectible cars, dating back to the late 1920s. Its inconspicuous location means that it’s easily missed by those passing through, surrounded by rural scenery. It features a showroom, a maintenance area, and a developing library and reading room.
“I often wonder if the homes around here know the foundation exists,” Fowler mused, “Or if they always just wonder, ‘Why do we see these vintage Rolls-Royce and Bentleys roaming around from time to time?’”
A rich history accompanies the museum. Originally, a Rolls-Royce owners’ club was established in the 1960s between major dealerships in New York and Washington. Following significant damage from Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the Mechanicsburg site was generously donated by a businessman for a new museum. Although the museum attracts about 1,000 visitors annually with its modest $5 admission, it operates with pre-scheduled visits primarily catering to car clubs, senior groups, and educational trips.
The museum also lends its stunning vehicles for cinematic features. A 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V appeared in a film centered on Bob Dylan, and the 1959 Silver Cloud I was a guest star in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Additionally, volunteers spend time preserving and digitizing ownership and service records for North America. These records date back to 1907 and continued until the early 2000s, shortly after Bentley and Rolls-Royce were respectively acquired by Volkswagen and BMW. Verification services from these records, available for a fee, contribute significantly to the foundation’s revenue, unraveling histories linked to celebrities like Alfred Hitchcock and Wayne Gretzky.
Now and then, the historical records deflate myths, such as debunking ownership claims about country star Hank Williams Jr., which Randy Churchill, a retired marketing professional and current volunteer, recounts vividly. “We were able to absolutely prove that it was not owned by him,” Churchill shared.
Cars in the museum’s collection vary significantly in value, from $30,000 to $120,000. A particularly valued whiskey delivery truck, appraised at $320,000, awaits its turn to join the display lineup.
Ron Deguffroy, a retired psychologist and museum volunteer, noted that buying used Rolls-Royces can be surprisingly affordable. However, maintaining these vehicles, given their custom features and costly parts, can become quite an investment. “The most expensive Rolls-Royce you will buy,” Deguffroy advised, “is a cheap one.”