In the beginning, back in June of 2013, Toby Shine, 71, was thinking he needed a little space, sort of a man cave where he could gather with some friends and talk about the glory days, and cars. Lots and lots of cars. Like a couple million dollars worth of classic beauties.

Shine’s collecting journey started at age 16 with the purchase of a 1947 Dodge business coupe. Shine and his wife, Sylvia, operate Okoboji Classic Cars, a museum and restoration shop southwest of West Okoboji Lake. A staff of nine mechanics and technicians are on hand to restore cars for customers and for the company.

Shine didn’t originally plan to open the collection space to the public. But as the project evolved and public interest intensified, he decided it was time.

“It’s still a man cave,” said the Spencer native. It’s just a 65,000-square-foot man cave.

The huge metal building looks unassuming...