Studio423 houses Europe’s largest classic car collection
Studio434 claims to be the home of the largest car collection in Europe, the more than 460 vehicles owned by Studio434 founder Rodger Dudding. In fact, there are so many cars that the museum occupies more than one building in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, UK.
Seems Dudding is especially fond of cars designed by the late William Towns, and his collection includes 25 of the Aston Martin Lagonda “Wedge” cars. Towns started designing for Rootes in 1954, went to Rover in 1963, and three years later to Aston Martin.
It also seems that Studio434 has become available as an events space and photography location available for booking. Also available are “wedding cars” from the collection to be used to transport the bride and groom on their big day.
“The Studio434 collection does contain some very unusual, rare and collectable cars, including one of the first Ferrari Dino’s produced and one of only two Railton models, the Claremont, which is based on the Jaguar XJS running gear,” according to the recent news release.
“In addition, Rodger has the world’s largest collection of the largely unknown Clyno marque, a British-built range of cars, vans and motorcycles manufactured in the 1920/30s but now largely forgotten.
“The collection also features some one-off British cars, including the AC 378 GT Zagato Prototype and one of the limited-edition Jaguar XJ220 models.”
The London Concours, scheduled for June 28-30, will feature vehicles from Dudding’s collection and will honor him with its special “The Collector” recognition.
By the way, Dudding not only created the “take a ticket” method for keeping order for those standing in lines and waiting in queues, but built a string of 14,000 lock-ups (what we’d call self-storage garages). He started collecting cars 50 years ago.
From 1.7 million items to the select 50
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, UK, has challenged its curators to go through the museum’s collection of 1.7 million items as they prepare for a new exhibit, “The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects,” which is scheduled to open July 3.
To date, the museum reports its curators have compiled a short list of 150 items.
‘Museum on the Move’ launching
Ever wonder why you should become a museum member rather than simply pay an admission fee each time you visit? Well, for one thing you’re supporting the museum long term. For another, there often are discounts for members at the museum gift shop, so you likely will save some money over the course of a year.
And the British Motor Museum at Gaydon is launching another reason to become a member. It’s “Museum on the Move,” a new event April 29 that will give museum members rides in a selection of the museum’s vehicles.
Vehicles range from the very first Land Rover produced to the MG Metro 6R4 rally car prototype, as well as a range of cars from 1 904 Wolseley and 1907 Austin York to a 1930 Rover Meteor Corsica, 1966 Austin Healey 3000, and the last 1980 Triumph Dolomite Sprint produced.
The museum plans to host its “on the Move” events on a monthly basis.
“Access to ‘Museum on the Move’ is just one of the Membership benefits,” the museum reports. “Membership provides vital support to the Museum and its charity, helping it conserve, protect and share the fabulous collections of over 400 cars and millions of artifacts. Members also gain free entry to the Museum for 12 months (including show days), discounts in the Museum shop and café, exclusive opportunities to preview new exhibitions and much more.”
New exhibit opens at Indy
A new exhibit, “Roadsters 2 Records: The Twelve Years that Revolutionized the Indianapolis 500,” opens April 1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
“The exhibition recounts an era in racing, from 1960 to 1972, that saw innovation, the emergence of new stars, and the birth of our favorite Indianapolis 500 traditions,” the museum reports.
“ ‘Roadsters 2 Records’ features numerous cars, uniforms, and artifacts that tell the story of this evolution in racing.”
A.J. Foyt’s victory in 1964 would be the last for the front-engine roadsters. Rear-engine cars and their drivers arrived from Europe, and Indy racing was revolutionized.
“ ‘Roadsters 2 Records’ explores the most pivotal era in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history,” added Jason Vansickle, museum vice president of curation and education. “As technology advanced, legendary drivers battled on the 2.5-mile oval as speeds records fell. These 12 years still resonate with IMS fans today, the brawny ‘Roadsters’ transformed into high-speed rear-engine winged cars, beginning the modern era of IndyCar.”
Mullin museum cars going to Guggenheim
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1939 Delahaye -
1936 Bugatti
We recently reported on the “Motion: Autos, Art, Architecture” exhibit opening April 8 at the Guggenheim Bilbao. Since then, we’ve received word that the exhibit will include two cars from the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California. Those cars are the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic and the 1939 Delahaye Type 165 cabriolet.
Also included in the Spanish exhibit will be several art pieces from the Mullin collection.
Simeone offers ‘Tournament of Competition’
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia is doing a March Madness-style bracket challenge designed to decide which vehicles will be featured in the People’s Choice Demo Day in late November.
The opening round offers a choice between an 1975 Alfa Romeo Tipo 300 and a 1925 Alfa Romeo RLSS. Voting deadline for that round is 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on April 5.
Special events this weekend
The Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, offers Oshawa Automotive Walking tours on April 2, April 23 and May 7.
The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, has scheduled another of its most popular events for April 2. It’s “Cars & Characters: A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes,” with 22 actors portraying Disney princesses and comic-book heroes.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, hosts its wine & wheels spring getaway tour April 2-3 with an overnight stay at the 7 Cedars hotel and casino.
On April 3, author and art historian Rob Keil presents “The Wonderful World of Art Fitzpatrick & Van Kaufman: Masters of the Art of Automobile Advertising” as part of the 2022 lecture series at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.
Mark your calendar
From April 8 through September 25, Mauto (the Museo Nazionale dell’Automoible) in Turin, Italy, will feature an exhibit, “Motus: The Prehistory of the Automobile.”
“Foundations of Photography” classes featuring Andrew Taylor begin April 9 and run through October 22 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. On April 9, the museum also showcases “The Perils of Racing” with its Demo Day featuring a 1936 Bugatti 57G Tank, 1950 Allard J and 1967 Ford Mk IV.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum hosts its first Cars & Coffee event of the season April 9 with free beverages and donuts provided by Founders Grounds and Jack’s Donuts. Subsequent cruise-ins are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month. Entry into the Speedway grounds is through Gate 2.
“Mini Madness” is the theme at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon for the Easter season April 9-24. Events include a Mini Egg Rover Challenge April 15-18, as well as the Road Map Family Trail.
From April 9-24, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, England, stages its Easter holidays celebration with Living History daily parades and characters. Taking part in those parades will be the re-created Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.
On April 10, automotive historian Don LaCombe presents the “Miracle on Piquette Avenue,” the story of the Ford Model T assembly plant, as part of the 2022 lecture series at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.
The British Motor Museum resumes its “Gaydon Gathering” car shows on April 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to the car show, the museum opens its Gaydon Garage workshop for viewing. Subsequent gatherings are planned for May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13 and October 11.
National Mustang Day will be celebrated April 15-16 at the Mustang Owner’s Museum in Concord, North Carolina, with the opening of the museum’s newly expanded exhibit area and a driving cruise, car show, seminars and a Shelby panel presentation and more.
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, celebrates National Mustang Day on April 17 with a cruise-in car show co-hosted by CJ Pony Parts. Museum admission will be free for anyone arriving in a Mustang.
The North East Motor Sports Museum in Loudon, New Hampshire, opens its outdoor event season April 16 with the inaugural New England Racers Reunion. The event, taking place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, will include all eras of racing vehicles.
“Open Road: The Lure of Motorcycling in Ohio” opens April 16 at the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. The exhibit features motorcycles rarely displayed in public. The display will be supplemented by ride-ins, lectures and demonstrations.
The Third Thursday Zoom program on April 21 by the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, features “Lost Car Rescue: Behind the Scenes of a Canadian Car Show.”
It’s Cars & Coffee from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville on April 23.
Stahl’s Automotive Collection in Chesterfield, Michigan, celebrates its Tucker 48 (#1015) on April 23 with Preston Tucker’s grandsons Mike and Sean Tucker, with Tucker expert Mark Lieberman, and with a presentation of the movie Tucker: The Man and His Dream. There will be two sessions, one at noon and the second at 5 p.m.
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento hosts the Tuner Showdown car show from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 23.
The spring lecture series at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, England, continues April 23 with Alan Chandler discussing petroliana collecting.
The 2022 lecture series at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, concludes April 24 with historian Mark Tomlonson presenting “The History of a People’s Car.”
The British Motor Museum at Gaydon celebrates national Drive It Day on April 24 with a special car show.
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, hosts its annual Michelin NCM Bash from April 28-30. Events include an assembly plant update, focus on the C3 with the National Corvette Restorers Society, laps at NCM Motorsporets Park, a Michelin tire tech talk, a Z06 and ’63 split-window demonstration and a car show, among others.
A second wave of vehicles arrives September 22, 2022, and runs through May 14, 2023, in “The Allure of the Extreme” supercar showcase at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, opens three new exhibits on May 21 — Orphan Cars, ATVs and AMCs.
The book club at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, meets online again on May 24 to share Auto Biography: A Classic Car, An Outlaw Motorhead, and 57 Years of the American Dream by Earl Swift.
The California Automobile Museum at Sacramento hosts a Memorial Day car show featuring Vettes and Vets from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m on May 30.
A new summer event, the MCACN Muscle Car Meet Up, will be held at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, on June 25. The event will be the summer version of the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, which is staged indoors in Illinois during the winter.
The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, UK, opens a new exhibit, “The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects,” on July 3.
The summer art show is scheduled for July 9-10 at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento.
The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida, hosts a combined meeting of the World Forum for Motor Museums and the National Association of Automobile Museums from November 9-12.
Does your local car museum have special events or exhibitions planned? Let us know. Email [email protected]