Editor's note: The new LeMay automotive museum has its gala opening Friday evening in Tacoma, Wash. MSN Autos' Perry Stern and a video crew got a sneak peek at the spectacular new attraction, which you can read about -- and watch -- below. Next week, Chuck Tannert will have an interview with museum curator, longtime automotive journalist (and occasional MSN Autos contributor) Ken Gross.

Most of the car museums in America appeal to hard-core car enthusiasts or are simply a way for some wealthy collector to show off his private car collection. But in Tacoma, Wash., a new car museum is having its gala opening on the evening of Friday, June 1st, and its purpose is to appeal to just about everyone. That's because LeMay -- America's Car Museum is intended to be more than just a stunning private collection; the museum also aims to tell the story and the history of the automobile in America.

We had the opportunity to take a sneak peek inside this beautiful building to see what makes this museum different. Scott Keller, chief marketing and communications officer for the museum, acted as tour guide.

As we walked through the main entrance, Keller pointed out that by some estimations, a mere 10 percent of Americans can be considered car enthusiasts. Rather than creating another destination for this small percentage, the organizers set out to create a museum for those interested in American history, with a focus on the large role the automobile has played in shaping the country.

“Everybody remembers their first car, family driving vacations, a sports car they fell in love with as a teenager,” museum CEO David Madeira says. “Personal experiences with cars are at the heart of the American experience, and we’re going to showcase more than a century of automotive lifestyle and history as well as the future of transportation.”

Keller explained that the museum would be “engaging people on an emotional basis and bringing the cars into stories about America,” building on America’s longstanding love affair with the automobile.

It should be noted that the building that houses these stories is simply stunning. There are no pillars on the main floor, so the view of the cars is open and unobstructed, and is book-ended with a massive window overlooking downtown Tacoma.

The main floor will house about 55 vehicles and will be dedicated to telling the story of the museum’s namesake, Harold LeMay. A local businessman, LeMay amassed what was once the largest private collection of vehicles in the world, at one time totaling more than 3,000 automobiles, according to Guinness World Records.

Keller pointed out that while many cars on display at the museum will be from the LeMay collection, several special vehicles will be on loan from other collections.

Two ramps descend from either side of the main floor, providing access to three lower levels. The entire route, sponsored by AAA, takes up about one-third of a mile and is referred to as the AAA Heritage road. Each ramp will feature a themed collection of vehicles and will provide information such as owner, price when new and current worth for each car on the adjacent walls. Web-based info will also be available, via smartphone, for those who want to drill deeper into a particular vehicle's history.

Plans call for collections representing custom coachwork, alternative propulsion, British invasion, Ferrari and vintage race cars.

Ultimately, 15 different galleries will be represented, rotated every 90 days or so. The idea is to constantly present something new, to encourage repeat visits.

Visitors shouldn’t expect to see just vintage cars, either. While Keller told us he expects a number of concept cars on loan, he also noted that some cars on display would never be considered collectible. These cars are picked for their emotional response factor.

Case in point: One of the cars that caught my eye on the tour was a 1982 Mercury Grand Marquis station wagon. Not a collector car by anyone’s definition, but if you grew up riding in the back of one of these classic wagons, seeing this car is bound to put a smile on your face.

Keller expects that annual attendance at the museum will be around 425,000, with basic memberships starting around $50 per year. Those donating more than $100,000 will have access to a special club in the museum, as well as other perks. Months before the museum was scheduled to open, there were already more than 50 members of this exclusive club.

Of course, it’s not just the cars that make this a destination. Some of the onsite attractions include a café, slot car track, theater in the round, driving simulators, two private clubs and a show field that can double as an outdoor concert venue.