The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum was awarded the International Historic Motoring Awards “Museum of the Year” for 2011-2012 before an audience of racing legends, celebrities, collectors and industry heads.
Over 210 people attended the awards ceremony at the stunning St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London, for drinks reception, sit-down meal and awards presentation, hosted by ex-F1 driver and current F1 TV commentator Martin Brundle.
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.
“This is an enormous honor for the Simeone Automotive Museum, especially considering the quality of the other institutions that were considered,” said Executive Director Fred Simeone. “These are the very best automotive museums in the world and we were humbled just to be considered. To actually win was beyond our wildest dreams. This award is the greatest 
international recognition to which an automotive museum can aspire.”
The results were announced at a black-tie ceremony at London’s Renaissance Hotel at St. Pancras on November 16th.
The other museums that were considered were the National Motor Museum of England and the Jaguar Heritage Museum in the UK, the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles, and the Auto Museum Prototyp in Germany. Also receiving an award that night was Sir Stirling Moss for his lifetime achievement in motorsports.
Other notables on the judging committee included, Horst Bruning, president of the International Federation of Veteran Automobiles, Ian Callum, design director of Jaguar Cars, Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of Motor Racing Legends, Robert Coucher, international editor of Octane magazine, Peter Stevens, designer of McLaren F1, and Simon Kidston, international car consultant and commentator.