CRIDERSVILLE, Ohio — Some came searching for a memory from their past. Some were scouting for bargains. And some just came to look.

        Part of America's past was on display and up for sale this week as collectors converged on this northwest Ohio village. The auction began Wednesday and ends today.

        The collection of antiques and memorabilia comes from Endless Endeavors, a museum being closed after just three years.

Chuck Taylor (left) of Circleville, Ohio, and John Armstrong from Lancaster, Ohio, look over a wall of antique signs up for auction at the closing Endless Endeavors museum in Cridersville, Ohio. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

        There's a 1917 American LaFrance Firetruck — the first motorized firetruck in nearby Wapakoneta. There are more than 60 classic cars — including a cherry-red 1935 Auburn Cabriolet, one of only 25 built.

        Perhaps most interesting was the 1950s-style diner complete with leather-covered booths, an ice cream freezer and a Coca-Cola clock.

        “It's our dream someday to have something like that,” said Mary Glimpse, of Grosse Ile, Mich. “We want it all.”

        She was too late for items in the diner — the booths, which each brought between $125 and $175, and everything else had been sold.

        Instead, she and her husband spent Friday morning trying to find vintage Mobil Oil advertising signs.

        “That was his first job as a kid, at Mobil Oil,” Ms. Glimpse said.

        Most of the items up for auction are auto-related memorabilia — everything from old oil cans to tin and porcelain signs advertising Goodyear tires, Sohio gasoline and Willys Overland cars.

        Museum owner Don Miller said he decided to sell everything because he wants to retire and was tired of working long hours.

        Bruce Robinson, a collector of advertising signs from Franklin, Pa., had his eye on a heart-shaped Universal Batteries sign. Bidding opened at $100, but once it reached $500, Mr. Robinson shook his head no.

        The tin sign sold for $550.

        “I should've gone higher,” he said as bidding started on the next item. “But there's still a lot of things I want.”

        What attracted so many dealers and collectors to the auction was the quality of the items. Most were flawless with no visible dents or scratches.

        “This stuff used to be readily available,” Mr. Robinson said. “Now the only time you can find this quality is at an auction like this.”

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