Simeone Museum Wins Prestigious "International Automotive Museum of the Year" for Second Time

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia – a collection of 65 rare and significant racing sports cars – has been selected as 2017 "Museum of the Year" by the Octane Awards (formerly known as the International Historic Motoring Awards) for an unprecedented second time. The museum previously won the inaugural award in 2011, and also has been awarded the organization's "Car of the Year," and "Book of the Year."

The judging panel includes such noted figures as TV host Jay Leno, vintage car racer and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Collier Collection curator L. Scott George, five times Le Mans winner Derek Bell, and noted collector Corrado Lopresto, among others.

In making the award, the selection committee noted, "In 2017 the Simeone Museum is most impressive for its commitment to inspiring the car enthusiasts of tomorrow. Teachers are invited to make use of the museum's educational resources, and Demo Days, held twice a month, give visitors the opportunity to see the Museum's cars in action and learn more about them."

"Recognition by the esteemed judges of these awards is truly the highest honor to which an automotive museum can aspire. We are very proud and appreciative to be so recognized especially in the company of other illustrious institutions," said Fred Simeone, executive director of the Simeone Museum. "Public museums such as ours strive to be relevant to the community, and to provide an experience which blends the history and excitement of motoring. This award is a great boost in helping us achieve that goal."

The results were announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Underglobe on the Southbank of the River Thames in London on November 16th.

The Simeone Museum was previously awarded "Museum of the Year" in 2011, the first year the honor was bestowed. In 2013, the museum was awarded "Publication of the Year" for The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles. One of the most significant cars in the collection, a 1964 Cobra Daytona Coupe, was selected as "Car of the Year" in 2014.

The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, located near the Philadelphia international Airport, is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Since the museum opened in 2008, it has been internationally recognized for the quality of the collection's automobiles, and the instructive nature of the displays. All of the cars have important historic meaning in the development of sports car road racing, from its beginnings at the turn of the century, to the 1970s. Recognition of the significance of some of the cars has been acknowledged in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and a variety of automotive publications.

The Simeone Museum is noted for its bi-weekly "Demo Days," where cars from the collection are run on the large lot in back of the museum. This is one of the few places in the world where extremely rare racing sports cars can be seen in operation on a regular basis. Also, many of the cars in the collection are in original, as-raced condition. Dr. Simeone was an early proponent of "preservation over restoration," a philosophy that is now widely accepted.

More information on the Museum can be found on www.simeonemuseum.org,  or by calling 215-365-7233.

Contact:   
Harry Hurst 
Simeone Foundation Museum
(610) 725-9600
[email protected]

SOURCE Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum