Reynolds Alberta Museum. Image via https://reynoldsmuseum.ca/
WETASKIWIN — Motor-heads and automobile fans are in for a treat as the Reynolds Museum rolls into the new year with two rare luxury vehicles joining its classic car collection.
The internationally recognized museum, located south of Edmonton, is preparing to add a 1930 Packard and a 1931 Cadillac to its showroom after the vehicles were donated to the provincial collection. Both are expected to go on public display in spring 2026.
The Packard is a 1930 Standard Eight Phaeton once owned by prominent Alberta artists Peter and Catharine Whyte. Museum officials say the vehicle reflects the craftsmanship and refinement associated with American luxury automobiles at the outset of the Great Depression. The car also carries personal significance, having served as Catharine Robb’s wedding vehicle.
The second addition is a 1931 Cadillac Model 370A, described as the only known Canadian-built V12 roadster still in existence. The vehicle was restored in the 1980s and highlights Canada’s short-lived role in producing high-end automobiles before the Second World War.
Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said the donation strengthens Alberta’s provincial collections and helps preserve stories tied to the province’s cultural and industrial development.
Reynolds Museum director Noel Ratch said the institution continues to rely on donations from private individuals and families to expand its holdings, adding each item accepted must carry historical significance to Alberta or Canada.
The Reynolds Museum collects artifacts in transportation, aviation, agriculture and industry, and has seen growing public interest in recent years. In July 2025, its Ultimate Car Show drew a record 5,400 visitors, making it the museum’s most attended event to date.
Museum officials say the newly acquired Packard and Cadillac are expected to be displayed in the Great Hall near the main entrance, offering visitors another opportunity to connect with the mechanical history that helped shape the province.
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