Roush Automotive Collection Has Something for Everyone

If you’ve been a longtime Autoweek reader, then you know Jack Roush. He earned a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2019, including his 325 victories in NASCAR’s top three series, along with eight championships as a car owner. And he’s been a savvy businessman too, having built an aftermarket performance empire that can work wonders on your factory Mustang, among other muscle cars.

With more than 2000 employees, Roush has become a major employer in Livonia, a short drive northwest of downtown Detroit, where you’ll find Roush divisions for all things automotive: Roush Performance, Roush Industries, Roush Enterprises, Roush Competition Engines, Roush Manufacturing, and Roush CleanTech.

Also tucked along Market Street in a Livonia industrial park is the Roush Automotive Collection, which has assembled dozens of prized street cruisers and race cars owned, driven, or collected by Jack Roush and his family. There is no fee to visit the Roush Automotive Collection, which is open weekdays (and occasionally on weekends for special events and holidays) from 9:30 am to 4 pm.

One of the first cars you spot at the Roush Automotive Collection is this Ford GN34 mid-engine Roush prototype powered by a SHO V6.

Every generation of Mustang gets special treatment at the Roush Automotive Collection.

The Cunningham concept car debuted at the 2001 Detroit auto show, with backing from industry luminary Bob Lutz. This sleek concept was named for American racer Briggs Cunningham II, who challenged Europe's best, without factory support, in the 1950s.

Jack Roush purchased this 1969 Mustang Boss 429 in 1975, for about $1300. It was one of 859 cars produced, in five colors.

A 427 Cobra parked alongside a massive 18-wheeler, used to haul NHRA cars.

The Roush Automotive Collection has lots of Great Race entries used in roadtrip rallies.

Ford set a landspeed record with this Ford Fusion hydrogen 999 fuel-cell race car in 2007.

This 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E with a 7.0-liter V8 churned out 390 hp and sold new for $4244.

1934 Ford Phaeton at the Roush Automotive Collection.

This 1937 Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan had a new feature that year: an underhood battery. And the all-leather interior was unusual for its time.

This beauty drove in the 2005 Great Race from Washington DC to Tacoma, Washington.

Another 1930s gem at the Roush Automotive Collection.

Trucks and a few military vehicles are also on display at the Roush Automotive Collection.

Ford Victoria coupe at the Roush Automotive Collection.

This 1950 Ford F-1 pickup was owned by one of the Oak Ridge Boys.

This open-wheel car ran from Philadelphia to San Rafael, California, in the 2006 Great Race.

Dale McClenaghan's Big Thunder drag racer.

Jack Roush survived a 2002 plane crash thanks to a dramatic rescue, based on the Autoweek story from Larry Edsall displayed to the right of the door opening.

1979 Indianapolis 500 pace car.

Ford's 1996 Indigo dream car is powered by a 5.9-liter Duratec V12.

Jack Roush bought this 1966 Ford Mustang convertible in 1968 for restoration after an engine fire.

Stock car heaven.

Another view of the loooong truck used by the Jack Roush Drag Racing Team.

Every good car exhibit needs a Batmobile.

Every good car exhibit needs a Batmobile, especially with fancy bat-inspired protective roping.

One of many fastback Mustangs in the Roush Automotive Collection.

Mercury Cougar at the Roush Automotive Collection.

This is a recreation of the Ford Indy Car Roadster Bohnalite Special that hit oil on lap 11 of the 1934 Indy 500 and went over the wall. This car debuted in the Great Race vintage road rally in 2000.

Indiana Jones could have used that rifle on his side-by-side.

That's a SHO V6 in the Ford GN34 mid-engine Roush prototype.

Not one, but TWO Indian motorcycles, plus a Honda mini-bike.

This is one of the few non-Ford products on display: the Pontiac Roush Signature G6 with extensive upgrades inside and out.

Next to the Pontiac is the Dodge Magnum RT "Extreme" with a 340-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, Borla cat-back exhaust, Recaro seats, and a Roush body kit.

This 2005 Mustang was used for chassis testing and was headed to the boneyard. "But it got saved," Jack Roush says of the car.

This Ford Mustang GT Premium serves as tribute to Bud Anderson's "Old Crow" P-51D Mustang airplane. Anderson is one of the most successful military pilots in US history, having protected the skies over Normandy for six hours during D-Day.

The University of Michigan's "Electrum" solar racer placed third in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. It averaged 50 mph while driving across Australia.

Roush's prototype department created this full-size Ellison traffic light (intended to ensure safe arrival of emergency vehicles) in less than 11 days, and it was unveiled in 2009 at a Detroit Institute of Arts event.

Roush makes all sorts of cars, even for theme park rides, like this one for the Ratatouille adventure at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center.