I was in Philly on business & spent 2 hours soaking in the history. Here are some of their HAMB-ish cars:
Last ones. There are LOTS more, but they're mostly LeMans & European race cars. Here's the website: https://simeonemuseum.org/the-collection/
I've been once, about 5 or 6 years ago now. I went for one of their demo days, which was really cool. They bring 3-4 cars out into their large (empty) parking lot, talk about each one a bit, then fire them up and drive 'em around for 10-15 minutes or so. While they're not getting up to triple digit speeds, they're also not puttering along at parade speed! Highly recommended if you're ever in the area. Demo days are on Saturdays, but check their website for specific dates and what's getting driven. Here's what's coming up next: May 14, 2022 Road, Beach, and Board - Racing in the Brass Era 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Racer 1916 Stutz Bearcat 1911/13 Mercer Raceabout 35J 1912 National Model 40 https://simeonemuseum.org/demo-days/
I'm not braggin' (but i AM from Texas) and just wanted to say that I actually drove the twin of the roadster Corvette Grand Sport shown. Only 2 were built and Mecom racing in Houston had the second one. I was a close friend of the guy who bought it from Mecom and worked on it quite a bit. Have many, many stories about it but the biggest car moment in my life came when we took it to the old Texas World Speedway (2 mile oval) for tire tests for Goodyear. Couldn't get the 427 to run right (chevy kept the orig. 377 alum. motor) and finally my friend said to take it out myself. Long story short-i did 178 for 1 lap, it was like on rails. We retuned it and my bud (licensed driver) did 199 and Goodyear shut us down-tires were showing problems. Weight-under 2200 w/ 35 gal. fuel and driver. I only took 2 pix the whole time, duh!
There’s a really interesting story behind that Cobra. Seems it was raced at Bonneville by none other than Carroll Shelby himself. After setting both the class and world records the car was sold to a guy in California who kept it for about a year maybe two and then sold it to Phil Spector ( yes, THAT Phil Spector) who then sold it again to a man who then locked it in a storage unit for 30 years. And that’s how the Simeone museum found it.
Had the opportunity to hear Dr. Simeone speak; he is a wealth of knowledge, and that collection is incredible! Almost every vehicle in the collection has a strong racing pedigree and/or an important place in racing history. If I remember correctly, the Mercer is the only one left that was built without fenders (built for racing) from the Mercer factory.
Definitely look up the entire story on this car. Phil claimed he never sold it/gifted to anyone and wanted it back. There's also a very strange death involved here too. Bizarre story ....
It is an awesome museum, a few years back my son and I attended a fundraiser for Autism Speaks held there where the guest was Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars, we got to meet Wayne as well as got my picture taken in the classic Buick convertible from the Rainman movie
I think that's the place that also has an original Porsche 917. A bit off topic for here but nonetheless, one of the baddest ass race cars to ever turn a tire.
The MERCER lived here in Ridgefield one street over from me, we all wish we knew its early history, it belonged to a plumber who had it since the 1920's. Around 1962-63 it was auctioned off, winning bid was $15,100. A good friend had worked out a line of credit at the bank for $15,000, and lost. Looking back it was good for the car, he would have totally restored it and added fenders, it looks just fine as it is today. Dr. Simeone was one of the most prolific brain surgeons in the country, had some cars stored close to the hospital so he had some place to go and relax. I have to get there some day to see all the cars. Bob
Anyone into hot rods, should see this museum! Even if it does have "HAM- OT" cars in it. It truly is amazing. (And if you like great beer and food, visit Monk's Cafe in Central City, 16th and Spruce, only a few miles away!)
Went to camp there once. Met the Doc, he's a real nice fella. We got to see the gt and the Ferraris driving around and built these wooden CO2 cars it was nice. Here's some pics. Have some videos too but I can't post them
And it was painted with house paint so they had to remove it. They got Carrol Shelby there to authenticate it and the daughter of the guy who had it in the locker wouldn't let him see it for Christ sake
I will always love how menacing and raw the Cobra Daytona looks. It looks less refined than that of the Ferrari, yet so much cooler. Autism speaks isn't what it's set out to be, they treat autism like it needs cured and such, and not one autist is on the company board... not a good charity at all, in my opinion at least.
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