The building looks like a simple shed from the outside and that is exactly the point. I walked in and my jaw started a slow descent toward the concrete floor immediately.
Rows of gleaming muscle cars stretched out in every direction like a dream garage someone forgot to lock. The smell of old leather and rubber and a little bit of gasoline hangs in the air nicely.
Minnesota hides its treasures in the most unassuming places and this one takes the prize honestly. A red Camaro sat next to a blue Mustang like they were old friends at a reunion.
The owner clearly loves these machines because every single one shines like it just left the showroom floor. I spent an hour just walking up and down the same aisles because I kept missing details.
Kids press their faces against the ropes while adults point at models they dreamed about owning once. This Minnesota place does not advertise and that somehow makes finding it feel like winning a small lottery.
The Story Behind The Shed and Bob Marvin’s Vision
Bob Marvin did not set out to build a museum. He started collecting cars the way most passionate people do, one at a time, each with its own story attached.
Over the years, the collection grew so large that a dedicated building became necessary. That building became The Shed, located at 1099 State Ave in Warroad, Minnesota.
What makes this place different from a traditional museum is the personal touch behind every single vehicle. Bob did not just buy cars.
He hunted down their histories, tracked their previous owners, and learned what made each one worth preserving.
The result is a collection that feels alive. You are not just looking at old cars behind velvet ropes.
You are standing inside someone’s life work.
Bob is also a partial owner of the Minnesota Wild hockey team, and the museum reflects his wide-ranging passions. There is even a section of Minnesota Wild memorabilia tucked inside.
The Shed is as much about community and pride as it is about horsepower.
Over 100 Cars Packed Into One Incredible Space
Walking inside The Shed feels like the floor just dropped out from under you. Cars are everywhere, packed in with just enough room to walk between them, and every single one demands your attention.
The collection has topped 100 vehicles. Cameros, Shelbys, Cudas, 57 Chevys, Judges, and a Boss are just the beginning of what you will find.
There are celebrity-owned cars, award-winning show cars, and speed trophies sitting beside the vehicles that earned them. Prototypes that never made it to full production sit quietly next to legends that defined entire eras of American driving culture.
The sheer density of rare vehicles in one space is hard to wrap your head around until you are standing in the middle of it. Most visitors spend at least an hour just walking the floor.
Tours regularly stretch to three hours because there is simply that much to see and learn. Every row brings a new surprise, and every car has a story worth slowing down for.
Rick and Glen, the Guides Who Bring Every Car to Life
A car sitting silently in a building is interesting. A car with a great story told by someone who genuinely loves it?
That is something else entirely.
Rick and Glen are the volunteer guides at The Shed, and they are a huge part of why visitors keep coming back. Rick is known for his humor and deep knowledge of each vehicle’s background.
Glen takes his time with every car. He shares stories, answers questions without rushing anyone, and makes you feel like the tour was planned just for you.
Visitors have described tours lasting well over three hours because neither guide pushes anyone toward the exit. The goal is understanding and appreciation, not just a quick look around.
Rick has also been known to start up a few of the cars so visitors can hear the engines rumble. Sitting behind the wheel of a 1970 Superbird while someone tells you its full history is the kind of memory that sticks with you for years.
These guides are the real heartbeat of The Shed.
The Most Famous Cars in the Collection
Some cars in The Shed are famous for speed. Others are famous for the people who once owned them.
A few are famous for both.
The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is one of the most talked-about cars on the floor. Its massive rear wing and long nose cone make it look like something from a different planet.
There is also a Yenko Corvair, a vehicle so rare that most car enthusiasts have only ever seen one in photographs. A Dodge GSX and a Grand National GNX sit nearby, each carrying their own legendary status in American muscle car history.
A pink Lincoln used in the television series Laverne and Shirley and Happy Days adds a pop culture layer that surprises a lot of visitors. It is not what you expect to find in a Minnesota warehouse.
Then there is the 1933 V12 Lincoln, a car reportedly connected to presidents and military leaders of a past era. Standing next to it, you feel the weight of history pressing gently against your chest.
Celebrity Connections and One-of-a-Kind Backstories
The Shed is not just about mechanical rarity. Several vehicles inside have direct connections to entertainers, television productions, and public figures from American history.
Rick has received gifts from various entertainers he has worked with over the years, and some of those gifts are on display alongside the vehicles. It adds a personal, almost backstage quality to the experience.
The pink Lincoln from Laverne and Shirley is probably the most visually striking celebrity car in the building. It is bright, bold, and completely unexpected next to a row of growling muscle cars.
Visitors who are not even car fans have reported being completely captivated by these stories. The connection between the vehicles and real people from history or entertainment gives the collection an emotional depth that pure horsepower alone cannot provide.
Bob Marvin tracked down these cars with intention. Each acquisition came with research, patience, and a genuine desire to preserve something meaningful.
That effort shows in every corner of the building, and it is impossible to miss once you start asking questions.
The Man Cave, Memorabilia, and Minnesota Wild Pride
Hidden inside The Shed is a space that visitors sometimes miss if they are too focused on the cars. The Man Cave is a comfortable lounge area filled with memorabilia and personality.
Big, comfortable chairs are set up in a room that feels like the ultimate sports fan’s hangout. Minnesota Wild hockey memorabilia lines the walls, a nod to Bob Marvin’s connection to the team as a partial owner.
The space can reportedly be rented out for private events, making it a surprisingly versatile venue for a car museum tucked into a small northern Minnesota town.
Sitting in that room for a few minutes after a long tour feels genuinely satisfying. Your feet get a rest, and you get to absorb everything you just saw before heading back out to the floor for one more pass.
The memorabilia in the Man Cave tells a different chapter of Bob’s life, one built around sports, community, and celebration. It rounds out the experience in a way that makes The Shed feel more like a personal legacy than a simple collection of old vehicles.
Admission by Donation and the Spirit of Generosity
Walking into a world-class collection of over 100 rare vehicles and paying nothing for the privilege is a feeling that takes a moment to fully register.
The Shed operates on a donation basis. There is no ticket booth, no set admission fee, and no pressure at the door.
What you give is entirely up to you.
All proceeds from donations go directly to local charities, which adds another layer of meaning to every dollar dropped in the box. You are not just supporting the museum.
You are supporting the Warroad community.
This generosity is part of what makes The Shed so beloved. Families with kids, solo travelers, and road-tripping car enthusiasts all get the same access regardless of budget.
Visitors consistently note that the experience is worth far more than a typical paid museum admission. Giving generously feels less like a transaction and more like a thank-you.
The volunteer staff, the free tours, and the open-door spirit of the place all come from the same source: a genuine love of sharing something extraordinary with anyone who walks through the door.
Planning Your Visit to Warroad, Minnesota
Warroad sits in the far northwest corner of Minnesota, right along the Canadian border. It is a small town with a big reputation among hockey fans and now, increasingly, among car enthusiasts.
The drive up is part of the experience. Wide open roads, tall skies, and the quiet of northern Minnesota set the mood long before you arrive at The Shed.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. Calling ahead to 218-386-2211 is strongly recommended.
The all-volunteer staff means hours can vary, and no one wants to drive two hours only to find a red light outside.
Warroad itself has a genuine small-town warmth. Grab a meal before or after your visit and take a moment to explore the town.
It is the kind of place that surprises you with how much character it holds.
Plan to spend at least two to three hours at The Shed itself. Most people end up staying longer than expected, pulled in by one more car, one more story, and one more detail they almost missed on the first pass through.
Why The Shed Deserves a Spot on Every Road Trip List
Some places earn their reputation slowly, through word of mouth and repeat visitors who just cannot stop talking about them. The Shed is exactly that kind of place.
The combination of rare vehicles, personal histories, knowledgeable guides, and a donation-based entry makes it a genuinely one-of-a-kind experience. There is nothing quite like it anywhere in the region.
Road trips are often defined by the unexpected stops, the places you stumbled into that ended up being the highlight of the whole journey. The Shed fits that description perfectly.
Bob Marvin built something that goes far beyond a personal hobby. He created a living archive of American automotive history in a small Minnesota town, and he opened it to everyone.
That kind of generosity and passion is rare. Spotting that green light and walking through those doors might just be the best decision of your next road trip.
Address: The Shed, 1099 State Ave, Warroad, MN 56763
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