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Rev Your Engines with Classic Cars, Atmosphere and Eats

at Charlotte Harbor’s New Muscle Car City Museum

Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Fla. (March 4, 2009) – Row upon row upon row of lovingly restored, colorful and gleaming classic cars so shiny you can see yourself in them. Automotive memorabilia, from vintage gas pumps to road signs and traffic signals. A Motor City diner serving up the tasty treats we used to order from the car hop at a drive-in. That’s Rick Treworgy's Muscle Car City, Charlotte Harbor’s latest attraction that has baby boomers and their kids and grandkids buzzing.

Opened March 3, 2009, and located near I-75 in Punta Gorda, Rick Treworgy's Muscle Car City features nearly 200 automobiles of every era dating back to the 1920s. As per its name, the museum’s major focus is on the “muscle cars” of the mid 60s to early 70s – the Pontiac GTOs, Chevy Corvettes, Oldsmobile Cutlass 442s, Chevelles, Camaros and high-horsepower Impalas that revved up the imaginations of teens and young adults all over America. The museum includes a cafe and gift shop for those who want to savor the memories, from T-shirts, posters and jewelry to neon signs and gas pumps. The diner will offer cheesesteak sandwiches, fresh salads, homemade ice cream, milkshakes and root beer floats, Key Lime pie and apple cobbler, along with hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries.

According to Becky Bovell, director of the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau,

“Muscle Car City Museum is a stunning showplace, a perfect indoor complement to the many outdoor activities in Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands for residents and visitors alike.”

Rick Treworgy fell in love with cars in the 1960s. Unlike most other guys, he has continued to trade and acquire them like some people collect fishing flies. Pontiac GTOs? He has 12 of them. Chevy Corvettes? He owns 64, one from every series from1964 to1975, plus some newer ones. For those who share his passion, a speed shop will be located next to the museum, offering parts and accessories for tricking out your own ride

This museum promises to be a fun exciting and educational experience for young and old,” says Rick. “Car shows and cruises will be a regular happening here, so bring out your toys.”

Muscle Car City Museum

3811 Tamiami Trl
Punta Gorda, FL 33950-7900

(941) 575-5959

www.musclecarcity.net

Admission: $10 onetime pass, $30 annual pass. Children under 12 free with adult.

Note to Media: Images available.

About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands

Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” The city of Punta Gorda was named in September as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was just named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.

For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; (941) 743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.

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Media Contacts:

Jennifer Huber

Tourism Public Relations Manager
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau
Tel: (941) 743-1900
jennifer.huber@charlottefl.com

Deborah Stone

SMITH

DStone@SmithAdv.com

(404) 368-1245

Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau

18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

941-743-1900, FAX: 941-743-2245

www.CharlotteHarborTravel