Collectibles
Take a walk down memory lane.
No vintage automotive collection is complete without the swag that came with the era. In addition to vintage autos, Yesterday's Ride Classic Car Museum showcases a wide variety of vintage automotive signs, gas pumps, and memorabilia. These items help to tell the story of Yesterday’s Ride.
Vintage Signs
The museum's collection of vintage automotive signs includes examples from some of the most iconic brands in American history, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Shell, and Texaco. These signs help to evoke the nostalgia of a bygone era, when gas stations were more than just places to fill up your tank. They were also social hubs where people would gather to talk, listen to music, and even dance.
Gas Pumps
The museum also has a collection of vintage gas pumps, which provide a glimpse into the evolution of the automobile. From the early days of hand-pumped gas to the modern self-service pumps, these pumps offer a fascinating look at how the way we fuel our cars has changed over time.
The Tall Visible Gas Pumps are from the 1920s. They are original pumps with aftermarket components and enhancements. They represent 2 of the oldest items in the collection.
All the other gas pumps, (with the exception of 3 reproductions with plastic skins) are original with minor replacement parts. The 2 on the “Pump Island Display” are virtually all original.
The Tall Visible Gas Pumps are from the 1920s. They are original pumps with aftermarket components and enhancements. They represent 2 of the oldest items in the collection.
All the other gas pumps, (with the exception of 3 reproductions with plastic skins) are original with minor replacement parts. The 2 on the “Pump Island Display” are virtually all original.
Memorabilia
In addition to signs and gas pumps, the museum also has a collection of other automotive memorabilia, such as old license plates, hubcaps, and even a few classic toys. These items help to bring the past to life and give visitors a sense of what it was like to live in a time when cars were more than just transportation.
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Williamston Gin & Lumber Co. Safe
My Grandfather’s original safe and our family history:
In 1925, my grandfather, J. L. Simpson, officially began our family’s business as Williamston Gin & Lumber Co. His original, restored, safe is the centerpiece of the memorabilia I now have located in the new museum to document the almost 100 years of the evolution of our family’s business. As mentioned, it began as Williamston Gin & Lumber Co., then changed to Williamston Lumber Co. (after the cotton gin operation was discontinued).
After the end of World War II, my father, Mike Simpson (the second generation), returned to operate the family business once he completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson College. He operated the business from 1949-1966. He not only ran the family business but was the town’s Fire Chief for many years and a community leader throughout his life. Unfortunately, his untimely death in 1966 left the business in the capable hands of my mother, Helen Simpson. She was a graduate of Winthrop College and a trained schoolteacher who suddenly was thrust into the responsibility of being a single parent to me and running our family’s hardware and building materials business.
Some years later after I returned from Clemson University in 1972 with a degree in Building Construction, she and I changed the company name again to Williamston Home Center (to include the addition of the hardware component of our business). When I returned from Clemson, the national hardware chain affiliation with True Value was added. The name was officially changed to Williamston True Value Home Center. We continued to operate under that name for several years until we joined the national buying cooperative known as Ace Hardware. With the addition of a complete rental equipment operation to our business, the name evolved into Ace Hardware and Rental. The latest evolution of our family business continues to evolve into our new facility in Williamston, built in 2022. Many other product lines, including clothing, were added to our new facility’s product offering.
Although we officially continue to be Ace Hardware & Rental, we are now known to our community as Ace Hardware.
I was the third generation of our family to continue to operate the business, but I am now officially retired. My son Mike Simpson (fourth generation) is now the President of the company and handles the operations in Williamston as well as our location in Honea Path.
My granddaughter, Callie, just started working in the family business as well. It is an honor for me to welcome the 5th generation of the Simpson family into our business.
In 1925, my grandfather, J. L. Simpson, officially began our family’s business as Williamston Gin & Lumber Co. His original, restored, safe is the centerpiece of the memorabilia I now have located in the new museum to document the almost 100 years of the evolution of our family’s business. As mentioned, it began as Williamston Gin & Lumber Co., then changed to Williamston Lumber Co. (after the cotton gin operation was discontinued).
After the end of World War II, my father, Mike Simpson (the second generation), returned to operate the family business once he completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson College. He operated the business from 1949-1966. He not only ran the family business but was the town’s Fire Chief for many years and a community leader throughout his life. Unfortunately, his untimely death in 1966 left the business in the capable hands of my mother, Helen Simpson. She was a graduate of Winthrop College and a trained schoolteacher who suddenly was thrust into the responsibility of being a single parent to me and running our family’s hardware and building materials business.
Some years later after I returned from Clemson University in 1972 with a degree in Building Construction, she and I changed the company name again to Williamston Home Center (to include the addition of the hardware component of our business). When I returned from Clemson, the national hardware chain affiliation with True Value was added. The name was officially changed to Williamston True Value Home Center. We continued to operate under that name for several years until we joined the national buying cooperative known as Ace Hardware. With the addition of a complete rental equipment operation to our business, the name evolved into Ace Hardware and Rental. The latest evolution of our family business continues to evolve into our new facility in Williamston, built in 2022. Many other product lines, including clothing, were added to our new facility’s product offering.
Although we officially continue to be Ace Hardware & Rental, we are now known to our community as Ace Hardware.
I was the third generation of our family to continue to operate the business, but I am now officially retired. My son Mike Simpson (fourth generation) is now the President of the company and handles the operations in Williamston as well as our location in Honea Path.
My granddaughter, Callie, just started working in the family business as well. It is an honor for me to welcome the 5th generation of the Simpson family into our business.
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1964 Ford Mustang Analog Clock
This is a very rare and unique advertising piece I was able to acquire on one of my many trips to the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1964, when Ford Motor Company introduced the Mustang for sale, they sent only one of these clocks to every Ford dealership in the country. I’m not sure of the exact number of these produced, but it was a very limited production. I am honored to have this very rare piece in my collection.
Stained Glass Model-T Windshield
This is an original Model-T windshield that a local artist was able to acquire and transform into the piece of art you see here today.
Pinball Machine & Rock-Ola Jukebox
To the best of my knowledge, the pinball machine is original (year unknown) and the Jukebox is an original Rock-Ola from the 1990s made to operate with CDs. They both add great nostalgia to our entrance foyer that leads directly into the Soda Shop.
1950s Original Weight Scales
Original weight scales from the 1950s that were removed from our former location at 29 Pelzer Ave. These scales were used in our family’s business to weigh trucks hauling coal, sand, gravel, and many other commodities sold in bulk. The inside component of the scales was relocated to the new museum and brings back many memories to those of us that worked in the former building for many years.
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Traffic Lights
All traffic lights in the collection are mostly original. They all have some minor replacement parts as needed. The 4-way traffic light (behind the Pump Island Display) is original but modified to allow it to function constantly while on display.
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Stamp Machine
This is a Williamston, SC original that came from the Williamston Post Office when it was on Williams Street across from the old hospital.
Phone Booth
Both the phone booth itself and the Chrome Pay Phone are original to the 1950s and 1960s.
Hand-Painted Mural in Yesterday’s Ride Museum
This mural hung in the Carolina Rod Shop in Piedmont, SC just off I-85 for many years. It was created by the Art Class at Wren High School for a class project. The owner of the shop was Glen Dodd. I happened to be in the rod shop just at the right time when Glenn was downsizing his showroom to move to a smaller location. Glen didn’t have room for it in the new location, so I was in the right place at the right time. He agreed to sell me the mural, and as they say, the rest in history. The amazing part of this find is how perfectly the theme of the mural ties in with my 1949 Mercury. It is just like the car James Dean made famous in the movie Rebel Without a Cause. The mural depicts a Drive in Theater from back in the 1950s showing that James Dean movie.
Not only that, but the three cars displayed in the mural are like the same cars I now own (2) and have owned in the past (1).
Not only that, but the three cars displayed in the mural are like the same cars I now own (2) and have owned in the past (1).
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Wings of Texaco
This is the Complete Collection of the Wings of Texaco model airplane collection and includes all the special edition models released throughout the collection’s existence. Every plane is in its original unopened and unused box and in pristine condition. The collection is complete and contains all 21 editions in the Wings of Texaco Airplanes (including the 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 Special Collector’s Edition planes).
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Visit the Museum
.Whether you're a car enthusiast or just someone who enjoys learning about American history, Yesterday's Ride Classic Car Museum is a great place to visit. The museum is free to visit and open by appointment only.