When Allen Swift died in 2005 at the age of 102, he left behind one of his most prized possessions - his car. But instead of just leaving it in a garage, Swift made sure his classic ride went to a museum, and left funds to ensure its preservation.
According to AutoBlog, Swift originally received his 1928 Rolls-Royce Picadilly P1 Roadster as a graduation gift from his father in 1928. The Springfield, Massachusetts, native grew up near the Rolls-Royce plant in the city, which produced fewer than 3,000 vehicles in the 1920s. He was extremely passionate about his car, and drove it regularly for the next 78 years and completed some meticulous vehicle maintenance to keep it in top shape, including a full-body restoration and engine rebuild in the late 1980s.
Because he cared so much for the car, Swift decided to make sure it was preserved after his death. He left the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History in his hometown a $1 million donation, which was used to create an exhibit to display his Rolls-Royce and tell of the manufacturer's presence in the city.