The Revs Institute - The Premier Destination for Automotive Research

Jan/Feb 2019 edition
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Sharon Spurlin

In the main greeting area, is a beautiful mascot display which is always a part of the museum’s regular showings.  Pictured here are Nicole Diehm (Digital Projects Assistant Librarian), Lindsay Mancuso (Special Collections Coordinator), Will Cobb (Digital Project Assistant), Tom Roemer (Volunteer)and Mark Vargas (Chief Operating Officer). 

A recent visit to see The Revs Institute special presentation of automotive mascots, turned into a challenging, and exhilarating full day of, how can I possibly say everything there is to say about this wonderful institute in one short story?! The simple answer….  I can’t. 
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The sheer volume of quality automobilia merits numerous visits and stories, not just one.  Revs has the largest digitized collection of over 500,000 historic automotive photographs available to the public, with requests answered within 24 hours - yep, there’s a story. In addition to that, they have a climate controlled archival library with over 1000 posters, over 24,000 books, and amazingly original 1950s and ‘60s Porsche manuals.  Yep, there’s another story...or three!

Staying on task was difficult, but I was there to see, and write about a temporary exhibition, featuring over 200 automotive mascots from the Miles Collier Collection, with contributions from Jon Zoler, a local collector. There were 8 temporary displays set up around the Institute titled “Rolling Sculpture Automotive Mascots.”
Starting in the main greeting area, there is a beautiful permanent display of mascots. These pieces are presented in a semi-circle showcase, and staggered vertically.  All are numbered, so museum guests can press corresponding numbers on an iPad to read the story belonging to each one. I chose #25 first, as my husband is a HUUUUGEEE Alabama fan. The 1920s “Elephant” from the Viennese foundry of Frank Bergman is said to symbolize strength, power and longevity… somehow fitting for the Crimson Tide. 

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