Georgia’s Savoy Automobile Museum has opened a temporary exhibit celebrating the famed Cannonball Run. The Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea race is named for Erwin Baker, who logged an estimated 5.5 million miles and set 55 different cross-country records in the early days of automobiles.
In 1933, Baker drove from New York to Los Angeles in 53.5 hours—a record that stood for 38 years. In 1971, to protest the new 55 mph speed limit, Brock Yates and others revived the Cannonball Run, with drivers Yates and Dan Gurney breaking Baker’s record with a time of 35 hours, 54 minutes.
Set to run through Feb. 1, 2026, the exhibit hosted a “Tireside Chat” on Nov. 8 that included stories from Bill Warner, Ed Bolian and participants Judy Stropus and Pam Yates, who have participated in either the Cannonball Run format of the 1970s or the more recent, individual One Lap of America.
SEE THE CARS
Notable Cannonball-related vehicles on display include:
- 1927 Studebaker Commander EW Sedan, on loan from the Studebaker National Museum, South Bend, IN
- 1933 Graham Model 57 Blue Streak 8 Sedan, on loan from Cameron Davis, founder of DC MotorWerks
- 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona Coupe, on loan from a private collection
- 1971 Porsche 911T (modified) Coupe, on loan from Bill & Jane Warner of Jacksonville, FL
- 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9L 4-door sedan, on loan from Cameron Davis, founder of DC MotorWerks
- 2000 BMW M5 Sedan, on loan from Alex Roy
- 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG 2-door, on loan from Ed Bolian of VINwiki, Alpharetta, GA
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Sedan, on loan from two-time Cannonball record holder Arne Toman
- 2016 Audi S6 Sedan, on loan from two-time Cannonball record holder Arne Toman
- Maurice G. Bower Bronze Bust Trophy, bronze, on loan from private collection