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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Jay Leno's Garage welcomes 2011 Pebble Beach Best in Show winner

Zach Bowman — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Europe, Celebrities, Luxury

Jay Leno had a very special guest stop by his garage recently. Peter Mullin and his Pebble Beach-winning 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne took the time to visit the comedian and car enthusiast for a brief spell. It's no secret Leno is a fan of '30s French vehicles, and the Aerodyne holds a special place in his heart. The vehicle was a marvel of innovation when it debuted, featuring a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder sleeve-valve engine, a mechanized retractable hardtop sun roof and an interior that could have only been designed by a Frenchman.

Leno and Mullin spend plenty of time discussing the vehicle's origin as well as Voisin's colorful past. The engineer began his career designing aircraft, and claimed he was the first person in history to successfully engage in powered flight. He took off, flew and carefully landed his plane 18 months after the Wright brothers sailed along in Kitty Hawk, but received no recognition for his accomplishments. Interested in more? Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Jay Leno's Garage welcomes 2011 Pebble Beach Best in Show winner

Jay Leno's Garage welcomes 2011 Pebble Beach Best in Show winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:58:00 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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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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