File:Alternator vs. Generator Display (31092675733).jpg

There were several clever, interactive displays at the museum. This one demonstrated the difference between an alternator and a generator. The 1960 Valiant was the first mass produced car to come standard with an alternator instead of a generator. The exhibit contained the bumper, grille and most importantly headlights of a 1960 Valiant. At the bottom were two wheels; the left one connected to a generator and the right one connected to an alternator. You could spin the wheels to power the low beam headlight above it. Spinning the generator as fast as I could make the left headlight glow slightly. The alternator wheel did not need to spin near as fast to obtain a nice glow from the right headlight.

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Back on November 4th, Hemming's Blog posted an article about the closing of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum . I had missed a couple other opportunities with the WPC Club and others to get into the museum, after it had closed to the public. I did not want to regret missing this last chance to see all of the vehicles before being spread out to other facilities. I trekked from Western Minnesota to Eastern Michigan during Winter Storm Decima. I missed the worst parts of the storm, but still had to endure the aftermath winds, sub zero temperatures and a lake effect snow storm.

The trip was difficult, but well worth it. I got to see several Chrysler Corporation concept and show cars that I had only seen pictures of before. There were several clever interactive displays demonstrating various innovations over the years.