Hobby turns into gallery
Family puts car collection on display

Staff photos / J.T. Whitehouse Fred Zwicker shows off the interior of his 1940 Cadillac Series 75 convertible that is one of 14 made for the Franklin D. Roosevelt White House. The car was used by the Secret Service in parades and was retired in 1963 after being driven in the John F. Kennedy funeral cortege.
CANFIELD — What started as a hobby has enabled the Zwicker family to start and run a successful business and to share their huge vehicle collection with the public.
Fred Zwicker, 92, said the family business began as Truman’s Cleaners on the West Side of Youngstown on Mahoning Avenue. A second location opened later.
During the cleaning business days, Fred Zwicker was heavily involved in restoring and preserving old classic vehicles. That saw him open a “hobby” business of selling polish, paint stripper and other automotive restoration products.
“It was only a hobby business,” Zwicker said. “But it got big on us.”
In 1982, the property was purchased in Canfield and the business moved there. Four years later, the cleaning business was sold and Zwicker focused on the automotive restoration equipment, tools and products. With the success of the business came the increase in personal car collections and a second generation entering the hobby.
“I got a 1965 Mustang convertible when I was 15,” said Bob Zwicker Sr. “I sold the car, but I enjoyed the time working in the hobby with my dad.”
Bob Sr. and Fred began acquiring more vehicles. It was a given to have a place to house the growing collection, many of which were restored with TP Tools and Equipment products.
The first building was opened in 2009 and features some rare vintage vehicles. One of the rare ones has strong presidential ties.
Zwicker was able to purchase a 1940 Cadillac Series 75 convertible that was made specifically for the Franklin D. Roosevelt White House. It was used by the Secret Service for parades and special events and was retired in 1963 after being driven in the John F. Kennedy funeral cortege. The vehicle is 19 feet long built on a Fleetwood body.
The oldest vehicle in the collection is a 1917 Buick purchased in 2010. The car had gone through an extensive restoration from 1969 to 1979. The restoration included the wood spoke, split rim wheels. The Buick’s 4-cylinder, 35 horsepower engine in the old 1917 runs like new.
In 2011, Zwicker said a second building was added and the collection continued to grow. Each restored vehicle has a story, which is displayed on a placard by the vehicle. One 1967 Pontiac GTO was purchased new by a young man who was drafted, went to Vietnam and never made it home. His family kept the car maintained and stored indoors for 45 years. At the museum, the car is displayed with a mannequin in a military uniform to honor the first owner.
The second museum building quickly filled and additions were made in 2014 and 2019.
“We work with Canfield Township, and they are very supportive and great to work with,” Zwicker said.
Besides the 50 vintage vehicles on display, the buildings feature scenes and some of them incorporate vintage pieces. One good example is the 1950s malt shop. The shop is set up to replicate the Strouss Hirshberg Malt Shop that was at the store in downtown Youngstown. The back bar complete with mirrors and the marble top were pieces from the actual shop.
“At that time, a malt was only 15 cents,” Zwicker said.
The museum also has a diner, gas station, an actual Pennsylvania Railroad ticket office, and several other vintage displays, each with its own story.
The collection today is comprised of Fred and Bob Sr.’s vehicles and a Corvette belonging to Fred’s wife, Nancy. Bob Zwicker Jr. is 25 and already is working on his own collection. He has a 1997 Porsche Boxster convertible he is restoring.
The TP Auto Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at 7075 state Route 446. Admission is free and donations are accepted.
The car collection can be seen online at www.tipcars.us