Monthly Demonstration Driving Events
RARE RACE CARS COME ALIVE AT THE
SIMEONE FOUNDATION AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMPhiladelphia, Pa., – A series of monthly “demonstration driving days” have been scheduled for 2010 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, located here. The Demo Days, which began in 2009, feature extremely rare racing sports cars from the Simeone collection being driven on a three-acre lot
in back of the Museum. The Simeone Museum is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can see and hear famous race cars like these run. A brief lecture by Dr. Simeone on the importance of the cars and their place in history precedes each driving demonstration.
The Demonstration Days events are held on the 4th Saturday of each month at 12 Noon, weather permitting. Visitors are encouraged to check the Museum’s Web site (www.SimeoneMuseum.org) before coming for any last minute changes. Admission to the Demonstration Days is included as part of the regular admission price ($12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 for students). The Museum is located at 6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, Pa., 19153, directly in back of the Airport Automall and five minutes off Interstate 95. 2010 Simeone Museum “Demonstration Days” Schedule January 23
“The Beginnings of NASCAR.”
Two cars representing the first two decades of NASCAR racing will be driven: a 1953 Hudson Hornet and a 1970 Plymouth Superbird. The Hudson was perhaps the first “muscle car” and dominated NASCAR in the 1950s. Along with it's Dodge Charger Daytona twin, the Plymouth Superbird became the first car to exceed 200mph on a NASCAR superspeedway.
February 27
“One Man’s Vision”
Two cars that were born from one man’s vision: the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport from Zora Arkus-Duntov, and the 1964 Cobra Daytona Coupe from Pete Brock. Both cars have since become iconic examples of American racing sports cars and are among the rarest of all vintage race cars: only five Grand Sports were built, and only six Daytona Coupes.
March 27
“Tribute to Sebring”
Three cars - a Cunningham C4R, and C- and D-Type Jaguars - that competed at the famous Sebring 12-Hour race will be driven. The 1953 Jaguar C-Type finished 3rd driven by Sherwood Johnson, the same year a Cunningham C4R won. In 1956, another Jaguar - a D-Type - again finished 3rd driven by Indy 500-winner Bob Sweikert.
April 24
“Great Ferraris of the ‘50s”
A tribute to some of the greatest race cars from the most famous name in racing: Ferrari. A 1954 375 MM and a 1958 250 Testa Rossa - both models that won at Le Mans - will be demonstrated. The 375 MM was raced briefly and then owned by actor William Holden. The 250 Testa Rossa was the first customer car, and one of only 19 “pontoon-fender” models ever built.
May 22
“Great Cars, Great Drivers”
A tribute to legendary race drivers with a demonstration of some of the cars they drive. Included are an Aston-Martin DBR1 driven by Stirling Moss and Jim Clark (among others), a Ford Mk IV driven by Denny Hulme and Lloyd Ruby, and a Maserati 300S driven by Jean Behra.
June 26
“Alfa Romeo turns 100”
A tribute to one of the greatest marques in the world on its 100th birthday. In the 1930s, Alfa Romeo was dominant, winning the famed Le Mans race four times. On display and being demonstrated will be one of the largest collections of racing Alfas in the world, ranging in date from 1927 to 1975 and including five rare 8C models.
July 24
“Le Mans in the 1930s”
The Le Mans 24-hour race is one of the world’s great sporting events. This demonstration day will feature three cars that competed at Le Mans in the 1930s: a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that led the race before retiring, a 1934 MG K3 that finished fourth, and a 1936 Aston Martin Le Mans built specifically for that famous race.
August 28
“Bentley Boys”
Bentley dominated Le Mans in the late 1920s and their cadre of British drivers were nicknamed the “Bentley Boys.” This Demonstration Day will feature two Bentleys from that period: a 1927 Bentley 3-liter “Speed Model” Red Label that is the same as the car that won Le Mans that year. Also featured is a 4.5 liter “Blower” Bentley that won the Isle of Man Time Trials in 1930.
September 25
“Bugatti Day”
A tribute to one of the most revered names in motorsport. Ettore Bugatti spared no expense to make the finest race cars ever built, and two of his most successful will be demonstrated. The Type 35 Bugatti has won more races than any other race car model in history. The Type 57 “Tank” is the car that won Le Mans in 1937 and is the only one still in existence.
October 23
“Nurburgring”
Considered the most demanding purpose-built race course in the world, the Nurburgring in Germany was built in 1927 and had a lap length of 14 miles and over 130 turns. Two cars will be demonstrated: a 1927 Mercedes Benz Model “S” that won the first German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, and a 1937 BMW 328 that is completely original with 16,000 miles.
November 27
“Peoples Choice”
Subscribers to the Museum’s email newsletter will be able to cast their ballot to pick the two cars for this month’s Demonstration Day. The ballots go out via email on Election Day (November 2) and two weeks later the top two vote recipients will be announced. Last year this was one of our most popular events!
The Simeone Foundation Museum, which has been open to the public since June, 2008, differs from most other automotive collections in that the cars are used to tell a story: that competition and racing improves the breed. Like Philadelphia’s famed Barnes Foundation collection of paintings, the Simeone Foundation exhibition is a personal collection, driven by a singular vision and specific ideas about how the collection should be arranged and exhibited. The central theme of the Simeone Foundation collection is “the spirit of competition.”
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and encompasses many of the most significant racing sports cars ever built. For more information call 215-365- 7233, or visit the Web site at: www.simeonemuseum.org. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 for students. Children under 8 are admitted free.
A selection of photos of past Demonstration Days events are available in a variety of resolutions on our Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25974539@N02/ Click on the photo you would like to download, then select "All Sizes" in the center above the photo. On the download page, selecting "Original" will give you the biggest file size.
|
