Best of Britain Show Opens Feb. 11th.
Our annual Best of Britain show will open on Saturday, February 11th and will run until Sunday, February 26th. This year, the theme is the “Battle of Britain” between Triumph and MG. This is the 50th anniversary (generally speaking) of the Midget, MGB, TR4 and Spitfire, and we will have examples of each. Plus, we’ll have MGC vs. TR250/6, MGB GT vs GT6 and more. We’ll also have a special section devoted to V-8 powered British sports cars, including a Cobra roadster and Sunbeam Tiger. For more information on the show and Push-Start Launch Party, please go here.
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.
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.