Fiat Chrysler Automobiles closed its museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan a couple of years ago but it’s coming back to life as the former Conner Avenue Assembly Plant will be transformed into the home of the company’s extensive car collection.
The Detroit plant, which saw production of the Dodge Viper end last summer, will be renamed Conner Center and it will be given a “second life as an internal meeting and display space that will showcase the company’s concept and historic vehicle collection.” FCA says the former plant will have room to display 85 of the nearly 400 vehicles which will be housed at the facility.
The company will dedicate nearly 77,000 square feet of floor space to vehicle displays and the plant’s former offices, which cover nearly 22,000 square feet, will be transformed into meeting spaces that can accommodate a variety of gatherings. The company expects Conner Center to be available for internal use later this year and hinted the doors could be opened to the public sometime in the future.
Besides repurposing the plant, FCA has teamed up with the United Way of Southeastern Michigan to auction off of pieces of Viper and Plymouth Prowler memorabilia which were gathered during the decommissioning of Conner Avenue Assembly. More than 1,800 items will be up for grabs and they include posters, signed hoods and more than 500 pieces of artwork. The company will also auction an assortment of Viper merchandise including everything from key chains and coffee mugs to onesies for infants.
The auction is already underway and will run through April 13th. It is open to everyone and bids can be submitted here.
