Over a period of
several years, Robert Knapp created
the most complete and remarkable
collection of American convertibles
made between 1946 and 1983. This collection
was housed at his Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum in Escondido,
California. Nearly every important
American convertible made between
1946 and 1983 was represented, and many made
before 1946 as well. Deer Park also
included collections of antique
radios, televisions, bicycles, and appliances.
Robert Knapp made his fortune in real estate management. The collection was on display
to the public beginning in 1979.
Since the death of its founder, Robert Knapp, the management of Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum has transitioned to his son Clark Knapp. Per a discussion with Clark in July 2009,
Deer Park will be open most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10-5. The office phone is
760-749-1666, which contains a tape of open days and hours. If attempting to visit, it is best to check
the tape for the most recent schedule. The collection remains intact. Clark is continuing with collection
development. Various displays are being improved and reorganized.
The winery is also reinstating major production under Clark's direction. The local
fields have been successfully replanted with red varieties. A full spectrum wine selection is being
planned.
The page you are reading is a tribute written by Jeffrey Sward for the web site Jeffrey Sward, Photographer. The page you are reading is not an official Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum page or site. The Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum's web site is now http://www.deerparkwine.com/.
Deer Park Winery and the automobile collection are owned by Clark Knapp. The best way to contact the owner of Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum, Clark Knapp, is through the office phone 760-749-1666 or through email at Mail@deerparkwine.com .
The only association Jeffrey Sward has with Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum is as a visitor and photographer. This is the extent of information available
about the current status of Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum. If anyone has additional information which might be useful for this article, please
e-mail js@jeffreysward.com.
The automobile collection was well documented in a book titled They Don't Make Them Like That Any More by Robert Knapp,
which is currently out of print. It may be possible to order copies of this book from Amazon or other
used book sellers.
Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum has won the coveted golden flamingo award for attractions of exceptional concept and scope.
The Deer Park Winery and Automobile Museum's web site is now http://www.deerparkwine.com/ .
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