Simeone Foundation Museum

[kevin993]

Perhaps not a 911 Technical topic, but I'll presume an 917LH is sufficient to qualify for residence here until we have a 917 sub-forum. Also a bunch of people don't frequent the Off Topic forum so...

Had the good fortune a few weeks ago to visit the Simeone Foundation Museum near Philadelphia airport. I knew it had some impressive cars. I had no idea of the breadth and depth. If you have already been, you know. If you haven't been yet, it is a mandatory stop.

The collection comprises about 70 cars, most via Dr. Simeone but a few on loan from friends. Most are older race cars. Many have very significant racing history at LeMans, Mille Miglia and Nurburgring. Many come from production runs in the single digits. Almost all have incredible stories. A hallmark is that original patina is preserved where possible and all are runners.

A few photos here, but make sure you check out their website to read the descriptions of each car. Every car has a narrative about the car and model plus a separate narrative of how the car was acquired - all authored by Dr. Simeone.

I visited on a Friday and had the place to myself for the better part of 3 hours. Now having a better appreciation for what is there, a return visit is in order at some point to more fully digest.

My visit culminated in an article in an on-line magazine called The Southwest Star - please check it out here: https://view.publitas.com/fitzhugh-media/southwest-star-magazine-2016-4th-quarter/page/62-63

Have a read, check out their website (Home | Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum) and follow them on Twitter (@simeonemuseum). Then get planning for your own visit.

If you're inclined to Twitter, I'll be putting more pics up there soon so find me there as well (@rennphoto).

[seanratpel]

lotsa moola in that room!

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by seanratpel

lotsa moola in that room!

Yes, but most acquired before the cars were worth huge moolah. Lots of vision and passion in the collecting.

[berponte]

Been there, Is a "Must See Place", just like the "Petersen Automotive Museum".

[RichardNew]

Someone is the head guru of the preservation movement. He was reserving and conserving long before other people. That's what makes his collection so special.

Several decades ago he taught me that I should never use new upholstery. The correct way to repair a seat was to sew it up using the original holes.

Richard Newton
26 Years With a 911

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by RichardNew

Someone is the head guru of the preservation movement. He was reserving and conserving long before other people. That's what makes his collection so special.

Several decades ago he taught me that I should never use new upholstery. The correct way to repair a seat was to sew it up using the original holes.

Richard Newton

Absolutely true - along with Mr. Collier. That contribution to the benefit of automotive history alone is worth recognizing.

I did get a chuckle out of your upholstery comment. I took the photo below of the 1927 Mercedes Sportwagen seat which shows the patina of wear.



Another car of original condition was a 1937 BMW 328 that was hidden in Holland under hay during the war. It was rescued with only 15,000km and preserved. The photos don't do it justice.

[RichardNew]

Here's an article I worked on with Dr. Simeone. It's all about restoration, preservation and conservation.

Too many people rush into a restoration. You need to be very very careful doing a restoration since a resoration is not reversible.

Richard Newton

[Dave Colangelo]

Just another factoid about the collection: Most if not all the cars are currently in running condition (they are more than just show pieces). I know in the summers on the weekends they pull some of the cars out and start them up and drive them around.

Regards
Dave

[livetopedal]

I hold a membership and visit the museum frequently. As Dave is noting above, the best time to visit is during one of the demo Saturdays. It's a pretty amazing experience to see and hear 1 of the 6 Shelby Daytona Coupes driving around the back lot. Check out the story on CSX2287, it's fascinating.(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Daytona)
The best part is at the end of the demos when the audience is permitted to get up close and inspect the cars and chat with the museum staff and the good doctor himself.
Make this museum a must-see if you are ever in the Philadelphia area.

[Dave Colangelo]

Originally Posted by livetopedal

I hold a membership and visit the museum frequently. As Dave is noting above, the best time to visit is during one of the demo Saturdays. It's a pretty amazing experience to see and hear 1 of the 6 Shelby Daytona Coupes driving around the back lot. Check out the story on CSX2287, it's fascinating.(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Daytona)
The best part is at the end of the demos when the audience is permitted to get up close and inspect the cars and chat with the museum staff and the good doctor himself.
Make this museum a must-see if you are ever in the Philadelphia area.

We should pick a Saturday when the weather gets nice and get the Philly/South Jersey guys together and go.


Regards
Dave

[livetopedal]

[QUOTE=Dave Colangelo;9385584]We should pick a Saturday when the weather gets nice and get the Philly/South Jersey guys together and go.

Great idea!

[Dave Colangelo]

[QUOTE=livetopedal;9385877]

Originally Posted by Dave Colangelo

We should pick a Saturday when the weather gets nice and get the Philly/South Jersey guys together and go.

Great idea!

PM me and ill shoot over my number if you want to get together or ever need help with your car. My 911 is away for the winter so Im Sans P-Car will the salt washes away but Im happy to get together.

Regards
Dave

[mreid]

I was there about six years ago. They took the Daytona coupe and a 289fia cobra out to the parking lot and ran some laps. It was glorious! Even though the Daytona clearly needed a valve job. What a wonderful place!

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by RichardNew

Here's an article I worked on the Dr. Simeone. It's all about restoration, preservation and conservation.

Too many people rush into a restoration. You need to be very very careful doing a restoration since a resoration is not reversible.

Richard Newton

Nice article! You've got a lot of great stuff on your site/blog. Need to go back and do some more reading... Thanks for posting.

[kevin993]

Adding a few more shots of the Daytona Coupe since that seems to be a favorite...

[trader220]

I have been a member for many years and I drop in fairly often, sometimes just to oogle the 917. Over the years I have had the fortune of meeting some of the guys who keep everything running. I have also been there some lazy afternoons when they've started a number of different cars for various mechanical reasons, not announced runs.

IIRC twice a year they do "peoples choice" and the membership gets to vote on which cars will be started and run in the rear parking lot.

I've met Dr. Simeone on several occasions at other charity events.

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
If this is a GS Stingray, it may be one of 5 survivors
and the only convertible conversion built by Zora.

Although replicates are being manufactured.

Gerry

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

If this is a GS Stingray, it may be one of 5 survivors
and the only convertible conversion built by Zora.

It is indeed original - #002 to be specific. There is another convertible - #001.







They also have a replica body that was used to race without damaging the original body:

[86 911 Targa]

I think that GS #001 may have been converted from a damaged coupe.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Lightweight (GS) - Conceptcarz

Gerry

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

I think that GS #001 may have been converted from a damaged coupe.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Lightweight (GS) - Conceptcarz

Gerry

Good point. Apparently both 001 and 002 were converted from Coupes by Duntov and team at GM before they were sold to Penske and Wintersteen (respectively) in 1966. Looks like 003, 004 and 005 were sold and delivered before 001 and 002.

Corvette Grand Sport #001

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport | Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

The Day the Corvette Grand Sports Stomped the Cobras