Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

02/25/2023

Pit stop.

02/25/2023

This is going to make a lot of noise!

We did make a lot of noise at today's . Photos and video soon!

02/25/2023

We're adding a surprise car to tomorrow's lineup.

Only seven long-wheelbase 250 GT Interim Berlinetta models were constructed between April and September of 1959. One of these, the one you can currently see when visiting the museum , achieved 6th overall (and 4th-in-class) at the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hour race.



*We will not be demonstrating this car.

02/25/2023

From the Simeone Museum Patterson Gallery.

A Hard Fought Race is an oil painting by Alfredo De La Maria that captures the intensity of the 1960 1000 km Nürburgring race. The painting features three drivers competing against each other. The three cars are in a tight formation as they speed down the track with a Maserati Tipo 61, presumably piloted by Stirling Moss leading the way. The brilliant colors of the sky and track, the intense detailing of the cars, and the sense of speed and competition make this painting a true masterpiece. The painting captures the thrill of the race, and reminds viewers that even the most intense races can be won with skill, courage, and determination.

Moss would later go on to win the race.

02/24/2023

1958 Aston Martin DBR1.

It was piloted by legendary drivers including Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, and Carroll Shelby and famously caught fire in the pits at the 1959 Tourist Trophy.

Dr. Simeone tells the story --> https://bit.ly/3PeCJXA

02/24/2023

With periodicals, photographs, and in particular factory-produced literature, our museum library offers a wide variety of research materials for the automotive historian, restorer, and constructor.
We welcome your questions at https://bit.ly/3ja3qym

02/24/2023

A closer look at the 1956 Jaguar D-Type

Our own Kevin Kelly answers questions from recent visitors and gives us a closer look at the Simeone Museum's 1956 Jaguar D-Type.

02/23/2023

When two great minds meet!

We were incredibly fortunate to be able to host and meet our 2022 Car Detectives of the Year this past Tuesday. We want to thank both Wolfgang Hugentobler from Bern, Switzerland and Buzz Flood from Churchville, Pennsylvania for stopping by the museum!

02/23/2023

to September 18, 2021 - 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 at

02/22/2023

1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

The striking bodywork makes this car one of the most desired post-war sports racing cars. In total, 22 models of the Testa Rossa entered 19 international championship races between 1958-1961, winning 10.

See this car take the road again this Saturday at our Le Mans 1959:The Underdog Champion!

https://bit.ly/3lVBJPk

02/21/2023

1996 MGF

Launched in the fall of 1995, the MGF was the first all new MG sports car since the MGB. The 16-valve, four-cylinder engine was mounted amidships and mated to a five-speed gearbox. Production ceased in 2001 after 77,269 units. It was never officially imported into the USA.

02/20/2023

1979 MGB

The MGB added weight and big rubber bumpers in 1975. It also gained ride height and lost one carburetor and horsepower to meet US laws. This 1979 model is a one owner car showing the 1977 revisions to the dashboard and only 15,000 miles on the odometer.

02/20/2023

1977 MG Midget

To meet US regulations, in 1975 the MG Midget received rubber bumpers, the stronger square wheel arch body, increased ride height, and the Triumph Spitfire 1500cc engine and Austin Marina four-speed transmission. Production ended in December 1979, by which time MG had built 73,899 Midget 1500s.

02/20/2023

1974 MGB GT

Inspired by tuner Ken Costello, MG debuted its own V8 model in mid-1973. The MGB GT V8 was distinguished by wheels, ride height, badging, and performance: 0-60 in 8.6 seconds and 124 mph top speed. Never officially exported, 2,591 were built between 1973 and 1976.

02/20/2023

1974 MG Midget

Every MG Midget owes its existence–and monocoque–to the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite. The Mk II Sprite arrived in 1961, as did the nearly identical Midget Mk I. As years passed, trim changed, roll-up windows arrived and engines grew, but this 1974 still shows its roots.

02/19/2023

1969 MGC GT

The MGC and MGC GT were new for 1968. Looking like an MGB with a bulkier hood and 15-inch wheels, it featured a 145bhp, three-liter straight-six, and torsion bar front suspension. MG built 4,457 GTs and 4,542 roadsters, both of which could hit 120 MPH.

02/19/2023

1966 MGB GT

In 1964, MG sent a 1963 MGB roadster to Pininfarina in Italy, where they designed the new MGB fastback coupe that was launched in October 1965. This 1966 model is finished in the GT-only color of Sandy Beige and is one of the earliest production MGB GTs.

02/19/2023

1966 MGB

This MG works entry for the 1966 Sebring race is the only factory Sebring MGB remaining in the USA. The car won its class, besting a Porsche 911! It represents a very complete example having retained almost
all of its special factory modifications.

02/19/2023

1964 MGB

An all-new unibody–and roll-up windows–resulted in a more modern MG. The 1798cc engine was derived from the MGA unit, as were the transmission, and suspension. Registering only 14,00 miles, this early B retains its original interior, and wears one older repaint.

02/18/2023

The Simeone Museum is proud to present "Le Mans 1959: The Underdog Champion!" – a Demo Day event celebrating the unlikely and impressive victory by a relatively small and underfunded Aston Martin team.

At the time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was dominated by larger, highly-financed organizations such as Ferrari and Jaguar, who had access to more advanced technology and greater resources. Despite this, Aston Martin managed to pull off a stunning upset victory at the 1959 race, with their DBR1 car piloted by drivers Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby.

During the Demo Day, visitors will have the chance to see three of our most popular cars in action, learn from our team of experts about their design and engineering, and discover more about the intense competition and challenges of Le Mans during the late 1950s.

Museum staff will also be available to answer questions and provide insights into the racing histories and legacies of these iconic vehicles.

Featured exhibition cars will include.

• 1956 Jaguar D-Type

• 1958 Aston Martin DBR1

• 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

Tickets / More Info --> https://bit.ly/3S7oXJH

02/18/2023

1962 MGA 1600 Mk II Deluxe

When Twin Cam production ended, MG still had several hundred chassis with Dunlop disc brakes and knock-off steel wheels. Fitted with 1588cc or, later, Mk II 1622 units, the Deluxe was born. This pristine car has never been restored and has covered just 16,000 miles.

02/18/2023

1962 MGA Mk II Deluxe Coupe

The MG Competition Department built three Deluxe Coupes for the 1962 12 hours of Sebring. With Mk II blocks displacing 1588cc (instead of 1622cc) to run in class GT9, Jack Sears and Andrew Hedges, drove car 52 to fourth in class. It has also had years of vintage racing.

02/18/2023

1960 MGA 1600 Coupe

The first MGA Coupes were built in late 1956. With a richer interior, roll-up windows, and a more slippery shape it was the first production MG to top 100 mph. This unrestored 1960 1600 model has covered just 47,000 miles and is one of 9,564 coupes built.

02/18/2023

1959 MGA Twin Cam Coupe

Built for Sebring 1959, this Twin Cam Coupe is the only survivor of four that marked the MG Factory’s return to racing. MG boss John Thornley witnessed this car finish second in class. Leon Mandel of Autoweek subsequently bought it and drove home to California.

02/17/2023

1957 MGA 1500

Delayed by BMC management, the first MGAs hit the showrooms for the 1956 model year. The sleek, modern sports car was powered by a 68bhp OHV 1500cc engine mated to a four-speed transmission. By the time this car was built, horsepower had been boosted to 72.

02/17/2023

1954 MG TF

With no funds to put the proposed MGA into production, the TD was restyled into the sleeker TF, which again carried over the XPAG engine and four-speed transmission. Largely unrestored, this TF is the 50th left-hand-drive model and has covered just 48,000 km since new.

02/17/2023

1953 MG TD

Introduced for 1950, the TD used the 1250cc XPAG engine from the TB and TC. The new chassis used independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering from the Y series. With 29,664 built (23,488 to the USA), it was the highest volume MG yet.

02/17/2023

1949 MG YT Tourer

The Morris 8-based Y Series used the 1250cc XPAG engine and a new chassis with IRS and rack and pinion steering. War delayed its debut from 1940 to 1948. Production consisted of 6158 YA and 1301 YB saloons and roughly 900 YT Tourers.

02/16/2023

1948 MG TC

In 1945, MG modified the TB with a larger body and similar mechanicals to yield the TC. The first MG officially exported to the US, it introduced many Americans to European sports cars, helped by celebrity owners like Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, Clark Gable, and the Prince of Edinburgh.

02/16/2023

1939 MG TB

Evolved from the TA, the TB introduced the new overhead valve 1250cc XPAG engine that would power all MG T and Y series cars through 1954 TF. War in Europe intervened after only 369 were built, making it the rarest of the
T-Series.

02/16/2023

1937 MG WA Drophead

For 1938, MG added its largest car yet, the straight-six, 2561cc WA. Like the SA and smaller VA, the chassis used ladder construction and longitudinal leaf springs front and rear. Offered as a saloon, Charlesworth tourer and as a Tickford drophead, just 369 were built.

02/16/2023

Check out owner Jay Urban (from our last post) taking on the Crane Estate for the Castle Hill Pre-War Car Hillclimb in his 1935 MG P-Type Lester Special. Very cool 360 video --> https://bit.ly/3YzDf8g

02/16/2023

1935 MG P-Type Lester Special

Following WWII, stock pre-war MGs—including this P-Type—weren’t competitive. Several top tuners, including Harry Lester, turned obsolete MGs into competitive racecars. This car, GUR963, was Lester’s first MG special. It won the 1947 Ulster Speed Trial among many speed trials and hillclimbs and is still racing today.

02/15/2023

1934 MG PA

In Early 1934, the PA replaced the J2 Midget. The bigger 847cc overhead cam four made 36 bhp and had been strengthened with a three main-bearing crank. Looking much like the swept-wing J2, the PA would reach 74 mph, and was enthusiastically raced and rallied.

02/15/2023

1934 MG K3 Magnette

By far the most successful of all MG sports racing cars, only a few of these were produced, and they were usually class winners. This MG K3 finished the highest of any MG in international competition when it came in fourth overall in the 1934 Le Mans, driven by owners Lindsay Eccles and C.E.C. Martin.

02/15/2023

1933 MG L2 Magna

Like all L2s, JB 2265 featured a 1087cc overhead cam six. A factory Alpine Trial team car, it won its class in 1933 and appeared in multiple races at Brooklands. Imported into the US by Barron Collier, it raced in ARCA events prior to WWII.

02/14/2023

The Simeone Museum Celebrates 100 Years of MG.

The Simeone Museum's Kevin Kelly takes us through some of the finer points of a few of the participants in our Best of Britain exhibition with MG enthusiast Bob White.

Our new 100 Years of MG exhibition is open now through February 19.

02/13/2023

On this date in 1971, Al Worden's custom LS-5 Corvette rolled off the line!
Come see her on display right now at the Simeone Foundation Museum, Philadelphia PA.
SimeoneMuseum.org
More info on Project AstroVette Endeavour here:
ProjectAstrovette.com

02/08/2023

2023 Best of Britain load-in day 2.

02/08/2023

Our 2023 Best of Britain exhibition opens this Saturday!
Joins us as we celebrate 100 Years of MG with over two dozen amazing MG cars on display!