Autoblog

La Vision de Voisin at the Mullin Automotive Museum

Michael Harley — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:20:00 EST

Imagine that an automaker was displaying more than ten percent of its existing production under one roof - a manufacturer like Ford would have millions of cars on display. Yet Voisin automobiles, the iconic French luxury brand from the 1920s and 1930s, needs to display just 17.

Gabriel B. Voisin began producing cars in 1919. As an aviation pioneer (he is credited with developing Europe's first heavier-than-air engine-powered aircraft capable of sustaining controlled flight) who eventually focused his talent in the automotive sector, his designs were technically detailed, aerodynamically efficient and with an art deco aesthetic - it is easiest to simply consider them stunning.

While more than 10,000 automobiles were assembled in the suburban Paris factory, fewer than 150 are known to still exist. Amazingly, the famed Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, has more than a dozen of his masterpieces (plus original artifacts) on display through April of 2013. This unprecedented show is the first opportunity to see so many examples of Voisin's work in the United States.

Notable examples include the 1935 Type C25 Aerodyne that won the coveted Best of Show award at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as well as a reconstruction of the 1923 Type C6 Course "Laboratoire" race car that experimented with a double wedge-shape airfoil for improved aerodynamics.

The curators opened the doors to Autoblog the other day, so we sent Drew Phillips in with his camera for a closer look. The pictures are amazing, but the real beauty of a Voisin is in the small details. It should go without saying that this is the type of automotive exhibit that is truly worthy of a road trip to view.

La Vision de Voisin at the Mullin Automotive Museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe to make debut at Quail Motorsports Gathering

Drew Phillips — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Bugatti, Design/Style, Luxury

If you're one of the Autoblog faithful you might remember our story on the Bugatti Type 64 Coupe chassis on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum, one of just three built by the French carmaker before the death of Jean Bugatti. At the time, we told you the museum had plans to finalize the construction of the car with custom coachwork - only one example received bodywork from the factory - and now that time has finally come to unveil the finished product. Today it was announced that a "virtually completed" car will make its debut later this month at the Quail Motorsports Gathering in Monterey.

"We've dedicated much of our efforts at the Museum to honor the Bugatti family and the marque, but never have we done something of this scale," said Peter Mullin, Chairman of the Mullin Automotive Museum. "I cannot imagine a greater token of respect to the Bugatti family than to help finish Jean Bugatti's beloved final masterpiece."

We'll have live photos of the completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe as part of our extensive Monterey coverage next week. Want to see the car in person for yourself? The museum says it will have also have the car on display at their facility in Oxnard, CA later this year.

Scroll down below to read the official announcement from the Mullin Museum.

Continue reading Completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe to make debut at Quail Motorsports Gathering

Completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe to make debut at Quail Motorsports Gathering originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition visits the Mullin Museum

Drew Phillips — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Bugatti

The last time we visited the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, CA, it was to see the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which was the world's most expensive car at the time with an estimated purchase price of $30-$40 million. Nearly two years later we found ourselves back in the museum, this time to view the world's fastest car - the 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition.

Bugatti will build 300 of the Veyron 16.4 supercars by the time they are finished with production. Of those, 46 will be of the Super Sport variant boasting an incredible 1,200 horsepower, and of those just five will be World Record Editions that celebrate the car's record-breaking 268-mph top-speed run. The car you see here is one of those select few and is on loan to the museum for a short period of time. It features the same two-tone paint scheme featured on the car used to set the top speed at Volkswagen's Ehra-Lessian high-speed oval.

The Veyron 16.4 Super Sport WRE is one of many modern Bugattis currently on display in the museum, joining a Veyron 16.4 Super Sport prototype and show cars from the late 1990s including the 18.3 Chiron Concept, EB118 Concept and EB218 Concept. A rare Bugatti EB110 SS is also on display.

If you want to see the 268-mph Bugatti in person then head over to the Mullin Museum's web site for visiting hours and ticketing information. Not in the Southern California area? You can see the car in detail in the gallery above.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition visits the Mullin Museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Mullin's 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne named 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

Drew Phillips — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics

The judges at this year's 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance have been searching all day to find this year's 'Best in Show', and they have finally come up with a winner. Peter Mullin's 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne earned the title after being named the best car in the 1932-1937 European Classic category. Yes, the same Peter Mullin of the renowned Mullin Automotive Museum.

Haven't heard of Voisin? Founded by Gabriel Voisin, one of the leading European engineers and aerodynamicists at the turn of the 20th century, the company first manufactured airplanes before building automobiles after World War I. Their debut car, the C-2, was launched at the Paris motor show in 1920.

The C-25 was unveiled more than a decade later at the Paris Motor Show, featuring a 3.0-liter inline-6 producing just over 100 horsepower. Three design variants were made including the Cimier, Clariere and our featured example, the Aerodyne. Just 28 examples of the C-25 were ever produced, making it a very rare and desirable car.

You can view our photos of Peter Mullin's 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the high-res gallery above.

Peter Mullin's 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne named 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bring the Mullin Automotive Museum to your coffee table

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

We've been big fans of the Mullin Automotive Museum ever since it opened its doors over a year ago. The Oxnard, California shrine to French Art Deco automobiles should be on the must-visit list for any enthusiast.

Still, traveling to Oxnard isn't ideal for everyone, so Peter Mullin, chairman of the museum, has teamed up with French automobile experts Richard Adatto, Claude Figoni and Shana Hinds to create a book highlighting some of the most beautiful automobiles on the planet. Titled French Curves: Delahaye - Delage - Talbot-Lago, the book provides an up-close look at some of the all stars of the Mullin Automotive Museum collection.

The book will make its debut at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. A fitting entry for a tome that will certainly class up even the fanciest of coffee tables. You'll be able to purchase a copy for yourself later this year through the Mullin Automotive Museum website. Read all the details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Bring the Mullin Automotive Museum to your coffee table

Bring the Mullin Automotive Museum to your coffee table originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Birthday: Mullin Automotive Museum turns one

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 19 May 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Bugatti

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic In Detail - Click above for high-res image gallery

Peter Mullin's vision for an automotive museum showcasing his favorite era of motoring has passed the 12-month mark. The Mullin Automotive Museum is located in Oxnard, California, and it's home to a stunning collection of French Art Deco jaw droppers. Over the past year, the museum has expanded its collection by adding a few new residents.

-The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance award-winning 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante
-1924 Bucciali B6-C24 Grand Prix Reconstruction
-1910 Charron Type TC Convertible
-The 1951 Paris Auto Salon 1951 Talbot T26 Gran Sport Convertible
-1928 Lorraine Dietrich B3-6 Sports Roadster
-1923 Voisin C6 Laboratoire Replica
-1934 Voisin C27 Aerosport
-The Grand Prix de Tourisme Winning 1922 Voisin C3 S Grand Prix
-1919 Voisin C3 Berline

Not just home to cars, though that's certainly the primary focus, the Mullin Automotive Museum has also acquired a handful of art pieces that sit alongside the vehicles. Statues, bowls and over 15 crystal radiator mascots that were created by Rene Lalique. We're willing to bet that those Lalique radiator mascots are worth a bit more than the Nissan badge that was stolen off our 300ZX back in college. Feel free to check out the full press release after the break.

Happy first birthday, Mullin Automotive Museum!

Continue reading Happy Birthday: Mullin Automotive Museum turns one

Happy Birthday: Mullin Automotive Museum turns one originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mullin Automotive Museum steps closer to bringing classic Bugatti coupe to life

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Bugatti, Design/Style

1939 Bugatti Type 64 Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Peter Mullin is nuts for classic French cars. His Mullin Automotive Museum is a beautiful shrine to a very specific period of automotive history. One particular vehicle in his collection is Jean Bugatti's unfinished 1939 Type 64 Coupe. Jean was Ettore's oldest son, and he died while test driving the Le Mans-winning Type 57 C. His Type 64 Coupe chassis never got the body that Bugatti hoped to have built for it... but Mr. Mullin is going to change that.

Using Jean Bugatti's sketches as a guide, Mullin has partnered with Stewart Reed Design to develop a vision of what the car should look like. Now, that pair is joined by Mike Kleeves of Automobile Metal Shaping Company, which means that team officially have someone on their team capable of bringing this bit of conceptual art into the physical world.

For more on the Type 64, check out the up-close look at the car we experienced during a field trip to the Mullin Museum in 2010.

Gallery: 1939 Bugatti Type 64

Gallery: Mullin Museum: Bugatti Type 64 Coupe Chassis

Photos copyright (C)2011 by Drew Phillips/AOL

[Source: Mullin Automotive Museum]

Continue reading Mullin Automotive Museum steps closer to bringing classic Bugatti coupe to life

Mullin Automotive Museum steps closer to bringing classic Bugatti coupe to life originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog visits the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic at the Mullin Museum

Drew Phillips — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:51:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Bugatti

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic In Detail - Click above for high-res image gallery

My first time going to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was back in 2003. There were some incredible classic cars on the 18th fairway, with Ford celebrating its 100th anniversary and Bugatti as the featured marque. In the multitude of millions of dollars worth of cars, though, there was one car that stood out from all the others - Peter Williamson's 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. Despite my complete lack of knowledge of pre-war cars at the time, even I could recognize that the car had a presence about it that no other vehicle at the show could boast. My intuition was right, and the Bugatti eventually went on to win the coveted Best of Show award that year.

The Bugatti made the news again earlier this year when Gooding & Company announced it had sold the car to an unnamed buyer in the range of a record $30-$40 million. Soon after, it was announced that the car would be on display at the recently-opened Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, CA. Since I'm always looking for an excuse for the museum to let me look at their incredible collection of cars, I called them up and convinced them to let me have a look.

After an hour of inspecting and photographing every inch of the car, I'm declaring the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic worthy of its title as the world's most expensive car. Hit the jump for my top ten reasons why.

Gallery: 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic In Detail

Continue reading Autoblog visits the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic at the Mullin Museum

Autoblog visits the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic at the Mullin Museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's most expensive car now on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum

Drew Phillips — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Bugatti

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic at the Mullin Automotive Museum - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in May history was made when an unnamed buyer shelled out a record $30-$40 million for a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. Regarded as one of the most beautiful cars in the world, this particular 57SC Atlantic is just one of three built and one of only two still in existence. The sale, done through the Gooding & Company auction house, is the second time this exact car exchanged hands for a record sum. The previous owner, Dr. Peter Williamson, purchased the car in 1971 for the unheard of price of $59,000. The car competed in the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and was easily declared the Best of Show.

While the 57SC Atlantic rarely made public appearances outside prestigious concours events, the Mullin Automotive Museum has announced that they will have the car on display at its Oxnard, CA facility starting on August 10th. "I am honored to have the opportunity to display the Bugatti Atlantic at our Art Deco museum," said Peter Mullin. "In the historic pantheon of automobiles the Atlantic is without peer."

Those interested in seeing the car in person can head over to the museum's web site. Tickets must be purchased in advance for select viewing days. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic at the Mullin Automotive Museum

[Source: Mullin Automotive Museum]

Continue reading World's most expensive car now on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum

World's most expensive car now on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mullin Automotive Museum celebrates grand opening in style

Drew Phillips — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Bugatti

Mullin Automotive Museum Grand Opening - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mullin Automotive Museum celebrated its grand opening this last week with a black tie event for media and distinguished guests. Of course, museum founder Peter Mullin will tell you that his new museum isn't just about cars. The 50,000 square foot facility, located in Oxnard, CA, was built as a homage to the art deco period, and plenty of historic artwork and furniture can be found throughout the building.

The cars, however, are the main attraction. More than 100 French automobiles with names like Bugatti, Delahaye, Delage, Hispano-Suiza, Talbot-Lago and Voison can be found in the museum. Immaculate restorations are featured alongside original cars from the legendary Schlumpf Reserve Collection. A collection of race cars takes residence on the second floor in a display that mimics the Le Mans pre-WWII.

Specifically for the grand opening, Bugatti also loaned the museum a collection of prototypes that led to the development of the Veyron 16.4. including the 1998 EB118 Concept, the 1999 EB218 Concept and the 1999 18.3 Chiron Concept. A beautiful EB110 SS and a brand new Grand Sport were also outside to greet guests.

Perhaps our favorite car on display, though, was an incredible 1937 Delahaye Type 145 V12 Coupe. It seems like such a beautiful car would be confined to carrying around dignitaries and celebrities, but in reality the gorgeous coupe raced at Le Mans and the German Grand Prix. Since purchasing the car in 2002, Peter Mullin has taken the car to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Pebble Beach Concours, and it has won Best in Class at both events.

The Mullin Museum is currently open to the public on Saturdays with a reservation only, so if you're interested in going, call them up and get a spot as quickly as you can. Can't make it out to the museum? You can see all of our photos from the event in the gallery below or hit the jump to read the press release for the grand opening.

Gallery: Mullin Automotive Museum Grand Opening

Continue reading Mullin Automotive Museum celebrates grand opening in style

Mullin Automotive Museum celebrates grand opening in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Art Deco Mullin Automotive Museum set to open April 15

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Bugatti, Event Alert, Luxury

1939 Delahaye 165 V-12 with coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi

As if classic car fans in California weren't spoiled enough with the annual festivities in Monterey, world-class concours in Palm Springs, La Jolla, Dana Point, Palos Verdes, and Pasadena, and first-rate museums like The Petersen and Nethercutt Collection, another incredible collection is being opened to the public this spring. Set to open April 15 in Oxnard, California, the Mullin Automotive Museum is the anchored by the vehicles of Pebble Beach-winner and Monterey Historics racer Peter Mullin, and promises to be another must-see attraction.

According to the press release you'll find after the jump, "the Mullin Automotive Museum will pay homage to the art deco and machine age design eras (1918-1941) that produced exquisite art and magnificent automobiles." The centerpiece will be a huge collection of unrestored Bugattis, but expect to find other iconic brands like Delahaye, Delage, Talbot-Lago, Voisin and Hispano-Suiza, with an emphasis on French cars with coachwork by masters like Chapron, Figoni et Falaschi, Gangloff, Vanvooren, Labourdette, Letourneur et Marchand and Saoutchik among others.

The museum will also feature art and furniture from that era and an entire floor devoted to "Club Bugatti." Besides being home to 100 of the most gorgeous flowing designs of all time, the Mullin will also house some less beautiful but equally significant vehicles including 30 unrestored cars and a whole roster of Grand Prix and Le Mans cars. So if you're in the area, be sure to stop by. Until then, follow the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Mullin Automotive Museum | Photo: Michael Furman Photography]

Continue reading Art Deco Mullin Automotive Museum set to open April 15

Art Deco Mullin Automotive Museum set to open April 15 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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