Collection will feature a Bugatti Type 51, Type 57SC and 101C; Delage D6; Talbot T26 and 1905 Leon Bolee.
Oxnard, Calif. (August 3rd, 2017) — The Mullin Automotive Museum today announced it will display six French classics at various events during Monterey Car Week. Selected from the museum’s collection, the vehicles will be showcased at the Rolex Monte-rey Motorsports Reunion; The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering; and The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The Mullin’s mission is to show and exhibit its cars, sharing their stories and educating the public about the his-tory of these rolling sculptures. Monterey Car Week provides the ultimate stage for these French classics.
“The motorcars we will bring to Monterey were specifically selected based on their competition history, as well as elegant styling and compelling stories,” said Mullin Automotive Museum Founder, Peter Mullin. “Aligning with our objective, these meticulously maintained classics should be enjoyed on roads and race tracks.”
The events and the automobiles in attendance are as follows:
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – August 16th – 20th Laguna Seca Raceway will again host the world’s most historically significant competition cars, driven the way they were truly intended. In attendance will be four cars from The Mullin, available for viewing up close in the pits or roaring down the main straight.
Setting the pace will be a 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix competing with Derek Hill behind the wheel. Return-ing to Laguna Seca as reigning pre-1940 Sports Racing & 1927-1951 Racing Cars class champion, Hill looks to repeat that victory with the Type 51, the 12th of 40 such examples built. Chassis no. 51132 has been raced suc-cessfully throughout Europe, Africa and now looks to dominate at Laguna Seca.
A 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Competition Roadster, to be driven by Peter Mullin himself, will take to the Laguna Seca course as well. The pre-war roadster was engineered to perfection over decades of racing, with a body pen-ciled by the era’s preeminent designers. The result is an automobile that is as stunning at speed as it is standing still. This type 57SC has already won best-in-class at The Quail and now seeks to take the checkered flag at Laguna Seca.
The Mullin will also show a 1946 Delage D6 Grand Prix, which secured podium finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949, the 24 Hours of Spa in 1949, and the 12 Hours of Paris in 1948. The Delage was driven by Henri Louveau as a works entry in period at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At this year’s Reunion, Peter Mullin’s son Tim Mullin will take the wheel. With only five in existence, the Rolex Reunion will offer a rare opportunity to see one at speed.
The 1950 Talbot-Lago T26C Grand Prix will be driven by Dutch racer and 24 Hours of Le Mans veteran Hans Hugenholtz Jr. The Talbot-Lago campaigned throughout Europe in period and has been a familiar sight at historic races under the ownership of Peter Mullin over the last 20 years. Chassis no. 110052 has raced throughout Eu-rope, South America as well as North America.
The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering – August 18th Following its stint at the Rolex Reunion, the Bugatti Type 51 will be driven through the public streets of Monte-rey to the lawn at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. There, it will be shown amongst automotive royalty, competing for best-in-show honors.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – August 20th The world’s premier concours event hosted along the stunning California coast, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature two automobiles from The Mullin. Produced in Le Mans France, a 1905 Leon Bolle will grace the Pebble Beach golf course. The Leon was a popular entrant in early French automotive races, attaining then blistering speeds of 30 mph. In addition, a 1951 Bugatti 101C will be entered. The extremely rare post-war Bugatti is the only 101C fitted with a supercharger, and the second of just seven produced. During the post-war era, the 101C was a last-ditch effort to revive the brand. Though unsuccessful, the importance of this automobile cannot be understated today.
The Mullin Automotive Museum is located at 1421 Emerson Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033, in the building formerly occupied by the Otis Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife. The museum is typically open to the public on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 10 AM to 3 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.MullinAutomotiveMuseum.com. Semi-Private tours are offered on Tuesdays at 10 AM and Thursdays at 11 AM for $40 per person. Other weekdays may be available by appointment. Reservations are required. For information on semi-private tours or on Mullin 1000 Club membership benefits, please call 805.385.5400.
