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Greetings!
Welcome to the August edition of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum newsletter. Each month we look to share the news and information about the Museum, as well as the many automotive events and activities with which we are involved.
August is here and we will be kicking off the Blackhawk Automobile Museum's 25th Anniversary Year with our Gala event on Saturday, August 10. We are looking forward to a fabulous evening and would like to thank our supporting sponsors Chubb Insurance, Aston Martin The Americas, Meguiars, InterCity Lines and Octane. We are also very pleased to have television & film actor, car collector and the distinguished master of ceremonies for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Ed Herrmann as our MC for the evening.
The evening will feature a musical performance by Franc D'Ambrosio, best known for his role as the "Phantom" in the award winning musical "Phantom of the Opera". Franc has the distinction of being the longest running Phantom performer and, early in his career, was cast as the opera singing son of Al Pacino in the film "Godfather III".
Following the week of events on the Monterey Peninsula culminating in the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Museum will once again be hosting its annual 'Open House' on Monday, August 19th, (hours 10a.m. to 5p.m.) where we welcome visitors from around the world to stop by the Museum. Our team of knowledgeable docents will be on hand for tours and to share details about the cars currently being displayed. While visiting the Museum, please take time to view our expanding display of exquisite vintage gas pumps and jukebox gallery showcasing some of the rarest models anywhere. We look forward to welcoming all those who can attend.
The Museum is proud to announce that we will be participating in the Goodguys 27th West Coast Nationals Hot Rod Week on Thursday, August 22. Each year the Goodguys Association has their annual "Crown Jewel" event, August 23-25, in nearby Pleasanton attracting over 3,500 show cars. The week has been dubbed HOT ROD WEEK and each day over 120 cars tour local car collections and hot rod shops. They will be coming to the Museum for a lunch-time tour and special gathering in honor of Fred Zimmerman, a long time docent who worked at the Museum and was instrumental in the success of Hot Rod Week.
As we look back over our past 25 years we would like to share milestone moments at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum. The 2013 Bonneville Speed Week is coming up on August 10th to 16th this year. Twenty-three years ago, from July 31 through August 15, 1990, the Museum had a special exhibition of two of the greatest Bonneville Record Setters. The 1935 Duesenberg Special "Mormon Meteor" and the 1938 "Mormon Meteor III" were a feature display in the Blackhawk Automotive Museum's main gallery. In the early years, Bonneville had a 10-mile circular track, so racers could run 12, 24 or even 48 hours, stopping only for fuel. Built and raced by Ab Jenkins, these two cars set records at Bonneville with the Meteor I achieving an average speed of 153.58 mph for 24 hours, and in 1937 Meteor III broke all the 12 hours endurance records...some still standing. Later in its life, the 1935 Duesenberg Mormon Meteor would take Best of Show honors at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2007, and Best of Show De Sport at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
We hope that you will have the opportunity to visit the Blackhawk Automotive Museum during our Silver Anniversary year. Don't forget...this Sunday, August 4th, will be our Cars & Coffee event from 8a.m. to 10a.m. and we hope to see you and your car in our lower parking area.
With regards,
Timothy McGrane
Executive Director
25th Anniversary Year Partnership Opportunities Available
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Feature Museum Exhibit
1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II BARKER BOATTAIL
This particular Rolls-Royce Phantom II was created for the Maharaja of Rewa, a unique example of the flamboyant hunting cars, custom built and outfitted, for Indian potentates in the era.
Built between 1930 and 1935, the much improved chassis of the Phantom II made it the ideal choice for those who sought the very best in motoring, regardless of expense. The Phantom II chassis also has the distinction of being the last Rolls-Royce designed by Henry Royce.
The House of Barker, one of England's most distinguished coachbuilders, was established in 1710 by one of Queen Anne's Officers of the Guard and created many carriages and coaches for royalty throughout the years. Barker's association with Rolls-Royce began in 1905 and the firm continued to be the leading coachwork specialist on the Rolls-Royce chassis.
(photo courtesy of Steve Tremulis)
In August 1962, this car participated in the Rolls-Royce Owners Club Meet which was held at the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, MI. During the event the car's design caught the eye of famed automobile designer Alex Tremulis at Ford Advanced Styling and the car was photographed with formal Ford design photo ID. (see above)
The sculptured boat-tail design conceals a compartment that houses three hunting shotguns. The car underwent a full restoration, was shown at the 1991 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and has been on display at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum for the past two decades.
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Events - A Salute To Briggs Cunningham - July 5 thru Aug 4.
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Events ~ Blackhawk 'First Sunday's Cars & Coffee'
August 4th
Blackhawk Automotive Museum together with Blackhawk Plaza, the East Bay's premier shopping experience, hosts a monthly Cars & Coffee event for car enthusiasts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Held on the 'First Sunday' of each month, starting at 8 a.m. and going to 10 a.m., the Plaza and the Museum welcome all car owners and enthusiasts. On Cars & Coffee Sundays the Museum opens an hour earlier, at 9 a.m. and participants are welcome to spend all or part of the day enjoying the Museum and the Plaza. The Museum's catering partner, Scott's Catering, will be hosting coffee and pastries each month.
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Events ~"Danville d'Elegance Concours Dinner & Auction"
Saturday, September 21.
Over the past eight years the East Bay's premier Concours, held in historic Danville, has raised $1.5 million to benefit Parkinson's research and patient care.
Please make plans to join the Museum and many other car collectors and enthusiasts for this enjoyable weekend of events.
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Events ~ "Smithsonian magazine's Museum Day Live"
Saturday, September 28.
Blackhawk Automotive Museum will open its door free of charge on Saturday, September 28, as part of Smithsonian magazine's ninth annual Museum Day Live! A nationwide event, Museum Day Live! offers free admission to visitors presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket at a participating museum or cultural institution. The Museum Day Live! tickets will be available to download beginning August at Smithsonian.com/museumday
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About The Blackhawk Automotive Museum
The Blackhawk Automotive Museum, located in Blackhawk Plaza, Danville, California, opened in August 1988 with the mission of ensuring that significant automotive treasures blending art, technology, culture and history would be exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment. Founded by a partnership between benefactor Ken Behring and Board president Don Williams, the Museum houses a rotating collection of 90 one-of-a-kind custom coachwork classic cars, limited production and concept automobiles across two galleries in a spectacular 100,000 square-foot multi-level architectural masterpiece. The Blackhawk Automotive Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and is open year round, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and most major holidays.
To Imagine.... To Dream.... To Inspire....
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Blackhawk Automotive Museum - March 16, 1987
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