Simeone Cars Featured At Jaguar Launch
The museum’s C- and D-Types were featured prominently at a party for the introduction of Jaguar’s new 2-seat sports car – the F-Type – in NYC on April 4th. The party, which took place at STKHouse, was attended by top executives from Jaguar, including Dr. Ralf Speth, President and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (global operations) and Ian Callum, Chief of Design.
The event was also marked by the appearance of several celebrities, including 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan and Michael Kenneth Williams of The Wire. Also present were many members of the international press who were given information on the Museum.
Simeone Museum Wins International “Museum of the Year”
The Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia – a collection of 65 rare and significant racing sports cars – has been selected as the International Historic Motoring Awards’ “Museum of the Year.” The judging panel included such noted figures as TV host Jay Leno, vintage car racer and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Pebble Beach Chief Judge Ed Gilbertson, five times Le Mans winner Derek Bell and Lady Susie Moss, wife of racing icon Sir Stirling Moss, among others. More info here.
“England vs. Italy” Demo Day May 26th
The theme of this month’s Driving Demonstration Day will be “England vs. Italy in the Battle for Le Mans.” We’ll discuss the success that Bentley had at the 24-hour race in the 1920s (five wins between 1924 and 1930) and how Alfa Romeo emerged as the dominant racing sports car of the 1930s (consecutive Le Mans wins from 1931 – 1934). We’ll be demonstrating two Bentleys from the collection: the 1927 Bentley Speed Model, and the 1930 Bentley 4.5-liter “Blower,” and the model that ended their reign, the Alfa Romeo 8C.
We hope you’ll join us for this unique chance to see these legendary cars run!
New Special Exhibits Announced
The Simeone Museum will add two new Exhibits to the 2012 schedule:
American Muscle
June 30th – July 15th
A special exhibition devoted to some great Muscle Cars from the 1960s and 1970s.
Best of Italy
July 28th – August 5th
Like our annual “Best of Britain, this show will feature a wide range of rare, unusual and show-quality sports cars from Italy.
If you have an Italian sports car that you feel would be an appropriate addition to the Best of Italy show, please email: harry@simeonemuseum.org with photos and details. The selection committee will review the entries and make the final selection.
2012 Driving Demonstration Days Schedule Announced
The 2012 schedule for Driving Demonstration Days at the Simeone Museum has been released. The Simeone Museum is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can see, hear, and smell famous race cars run. The Demo Days, which began in 2009, feature extremely rare racing sports cars from the Simeone collection being driven on the three-acre lot in back of the Museum. A brief lecture by Dr. Simeone on the importance of the cars and their place in history precedes each driving demonstration. The schedule of dates is here.
Craig Breedlove Receives Spirit of Competition Award
Craig Breedlove – the first person to exceed 400, 500, and 600 miles per hour on land – was the recipient of the fourth annual Simeone Automotive Museum “Spirit of Competition” Award at a dinner at the Museum on Wednesday, October 19th, 
2011. Breedlove joins drivers Mario Andretti, Janet Guthrie, and John Fitch as an Award recipient.
“Craig Breedlove represents what you can achieve if you have a clear vision and determination,” commented Fred Simeone, executive director of the Simeone Automotive Museum. “With only a handful of volunteers and a shoestring budget, he was able to accomplish what many others could not. His achievements captured the country’s imagination and made him a household name.”
The Spirit of Competition Award that Dr. Simeone presented to Breedlove featured a model of the Museum’s Cobra Daytona Coupe, the car Breedlove co-drove to 23 international records in 1965, shortly before breaking the 600 MPH barrier in his Sonic I jet-powered car . The award dinner was sponsored by Wilkie Lexus, Haverford, Pa.
Click here for more information on this exciting event.
Dr. Simeone Presented With Iacocca Award
In a presentation at the inaugural The Elegance at Hershey, Dr. Simeone was presented with the prestigious Lee Iacocca Award, which recognizes outstanding classic car enthusiasts.
In making the award, Mr. Iacocca noted, “The Award is presented to the person who has shown excellence in dedication to the preservation of an American automotive tradition. I would say your museum more than qualifies you in that area along with your efforts to serve unselfishly in so many nonprofit organizations.”
The prestigious Lee Iacocca Award is given for “Dedication To Excellence In Perpetuating An American Automotive Tradition.” This award celebrates auto enthusiasts on multiple levels, including character, community involvement, integrity and a level of excellent presentation of their vehicle.
Join us in congratulating Fred on this great honor.
Pennsylvania Motor Pass Gives Discounts To Four Great Museums
The Simeone Museum has joined forces with the AACA Museum in Hershey, America on Wheels in Allentown, and the Boyertown Museum in (guess where?) Boyertown to offer the Pennsylvania Motor Pass – a discount coupon good for $1 off up to six adult tickets to each venue. You can pick up your free Motor Pass discount coupon in the lobby the next time you’re here.