What Happened to the Vehicles at the Imperial Palace Auto Museum?

What happened to all the rare and unique vehicles that were at Imperial Palace auto museum? I remember the exhibit being on the fourth or fifth floor and well worth the admission price.

We're still getting this question, even though the Imperial Palace/Linq Auto Collection closed to the public nearly eight years ago (December 30, 2017). We take it as evidence of how popular that exhibit was.

The Auto Collection, essentially a museum with dozens of classic cars on display, was a 125,000-square-foot showroom on the fifth floor of the Linq’s five-story parking garage and vintage cars had been on display at that hotel since the early 1980s. Ralph Engelstad, owner of the Imperial Palace, as the Linq was previously known, displayed his private car collection there as a museum from 1981 to 1999. Engelstad then brought in operators to sell his vehicles, plus gasoline pumps, collectibles, and other display items. They took over the museum and turned it into a classic-car showroom, where almost all of the cars on display were for sale.

Over the next 17 years, the collection dwindled to approximately 65 cars, down from 200 or so in the Imperial Palace era. Meanwhile, other attractions opened nearby and foot traffic trailed off, while the Auto Collection dealers did more and more of their business online and via print ads.

As for the remaining cars in the Linq showroom, the vast majority were on consignment. Either they were sold, and most were, or they went back to their owners.

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Comments

Edso Aug-14-2025

Cool Place

I went there a few times with my family in the Early 2010's when my son was old enough to enjoy the variety of cars.  We could easily spend an hour or more strolling around the cars, reading about each one.  Fun times.

O2bnVegas Aug-14-2025

Memories

Hubby (RIP) and I enjoyed the Auto Collection many times.  He wasn't a gambler, came along to Vegas 'cause of me.  The collection was a highlight for him.  We did Barrett Jackson at Mandalay Bay (a huge show), and other classic car shows, but the one at IP was special, free with some sort of coupon that always fell in our laps (tho not pricey anyway, maybe $10), a peaceful slow pace afternoon of strolling through the cars.  There were even sofas here and there you could sit down for a spell!

Thanks so much for the history and "where are they now?".

Candy

VegasVic Aug-14-2025

It Was Cool

I won't get into Engelstad here but the collection was cool, I enjoyed it.

Hoppy Aug-14-2025

Here comes the Judge

Sammy Davis Jr.'s motorcycle. Cool.

Louis666 Aug-14-2025

Imperial Palace

No reason to ever enter it except for the great auto exhibit.  They had without doubt the absolute worst buffet in Vegas if not the worst anywhere.

Toni Armstrong Jr. Aug-14-2025

Theming in general

As themes have gradually given way to “the Manhattanization of The Strip,” we’ve lost more than just buildings with unusual shapes. Things like the car exhibit are becoming things of the past as well. I’m grateful to have experienced Vegas in its years of high quirk (1980 on).

John Dulley Aug-14-2025

Jean, NV

I never made it to the IP to see the cars but I’ve wondered what happened to the cars at the casino (can’t remember the name) in primm. Don Laughlin’s car collection is pretty cool also..

Raymond Aug-14-2025

I Kept Meaning...

...to see the exhibit and finally did in 2016 or so.  It was a leisurely, fun afternoon, full of unusual vehicles and history.  I know times change, tastes, change, and all that, but this was one of the few exhibits that was both entertaining and informative.

RIP the Auto Collection--fun while it lasted.

Tim Clark Aug-15-2025

must see place

It was on my list of things to do every trip. Most of the time they were handing out free admission tickets in front of the Imperial Palace.Also remember when they had tractor /trailers with a car,touring around as a promotion to the casino. They came to our home town fair up here in Saskatchewan for many years,with lots of little give aways,still have some of them.

Question of the Day - 14 August 2025

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