The World Series is off to a rollicking start out west, and I’m filing what surely to my longtime readers and friends is an unexpected post about auto racing.
A few years back I discovered that there’s a terrific auto museum not far from Philadelphia International Airport, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. After my first visit in 2017, I was so impressed that I eventually signed up for a membership. Today, a friend and I drove to the museum for one of its “demo days,” in which there’s a program on a thematically grouped handful of cars from the collection, and after which the cars are run around the large lot behind the museum.
Today’s theme was Euro Performance Match-up, featuring two pairs of contemporary racers: a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante and a Delahaye 135 S (photo topping post), both from 1936, and a 1953 Jaguar XK120 FHC and a 1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing.
On my trips to the Simeone over the years, I’ve often felt like dropping to my knees to venerate the beauty of many of the more than 75 racing sports cars in the collection, housed in a cavernous building in an industrial area of South Philly.
The collection spans the history of motor sport, from the early 1900s onward. The big names — Ferrari, Alfa-Romeo, Aston-Martin, Bentley, Maserati — are all represented, as are some obscure-brand rarities like Oakland, Paige and duPont. Many of these cars ran at Lemans, Watkins Glen or many other famous circuits. That history, not to mention the history of automotive technology, is on full display.
Of the four featured models today, I nearly knelt before the fabulous French Delahaye, clad in jet black paint and showing off some wonderful streamlined fenders and a nice helping of chrome. The Bugatti was also stunning, with gorgeous lines and a dashboard of bespoke wood and dazzling instruments ahead of a large, classic steering wheel.
The Mercedes and the “FIxed Head Coupe” Jag are old favorites, yet they managed to impress me from every angle I ogled them.
My friend Jerry and I spent most of our time perusing the cars in the regular display areas, but we managed to catch the last 15 minutes or so of the lecture on the Demo Days cars. They were on display unencumbered by ropes or other barriers, so we were able to get up-close looks at (and photos of) them.
After the lecture, the cars were moved out to the back lot and began their demo runs. The Jag and the Mercedes went first, then the Bugatti and Delahaye, and finally all four made their loops while waltzes playing over loudspeakers underscored the European ambience.
After the cars were run, they were parked in the middle of the lot, the bonnets were raised to expose the engines, and visitors were encouraged to take a closer look on what was a beautifully sunny fall day.
Even without the fun of a demo day, the Simeone is well worth a stop for any car lover or anyone who appreciates excellent design. If you have the opportunity, stop by.
The Ball Caps Blog 
Oh, what vehicles. I’ve also loved cars and motorbikes since I was a child. And that you can see them driving on the back circuit is a real privilege. Thanks for sharing.