Walter P. Chrysler Museum runs out of money, won't open to public except for special occasions

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum in suburban Detroit has run out of money and its classic car collection won't be open to the public except for special occasions.

The museum will merge with the Chrysler Foundation at year's end. After that, Chrysler Group LLC plans to purchase the 67 vehicles and displays housed in the museum, which is located next to Chrysler's headquarters in Auburn Hills.

Chrysler already owns the building.

Brian Glowiak, president of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation, says the automaker will continue to share its automobile heritage at the museum during special exhibitions.

"We are very thankful for the generosity of our many members, friends, volunteers and employees and very proud of the Museum’s legacy as an educational and cultural institution," he said.

The museum opened in 1999. About 35,000 people visited the museum last year. Chrysler says revenue wasn't enough to sustain operations.

Check out some slideshows of classic cars:

• IMAGES: Tigers' Classic Car Show
• IMAGES: Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village
• SLIDESHOW: Concours d'Elegance comes to Plymouth
• Viewers dust off some classic rides