Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum — Attraction in Philadelphia

There is something to interest everyone at the Simeone Automotive Museum. Visitors who may not consider themselves automotive enthusiasts may marvel at cars from over a century ago. Kerosene headlamps, horns that were actually brass tubes, trunks that are actually rectangular boxes--all automotive features that have disappeared from modern cars. Perhaps they will behold the radical shape and color of the Porsche 917LH. Perhaps they will consider the fearlessness of the racers who drove cars that had absolutely no element of safety. Anyone can appreciate the timeless beauty and art of cars such as the 1933 Auburn V12 Speedster or the two Mercedes Gullwings. Fans of motorsports will be happy to know that the theme of the museum is “The Spirit of Competition.” There are sports cars, Grand Prix cars, rally cars, Le Mans cars, speed record holders, NASCARs and everything in between. Among those are original race winners, such as the 1937 Bugatti 57G that came first overall in the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans. There are cars from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Besides the cars that are on regular museum display, feature exhibits occur regularly throughout the year, keeping things that much more interesting. There have been exhibits featuring the cars of Britain, Italy, Japan, Saab, Ford and even motorcycles.

To refer to the Simeone Automotive Museum as just a 'museum' would be a grand understatement. The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is living history. The cars are kept in immaculate condition. Running condition. This is no small undertaking. Nearly every single one of the approximately 70 cars at the museum is in running condition. From the 1909 American Underslung to the 1975 Alfa Romeo 33 TT, the cars run. Many of the cars look fast just sitting still in their museum exhibits. Some may think that that is insufficient proof of speed. This is not a problem, for twice a month, on average, the museum takes three or four cars out to the back lot for their Demonstration Days. These events allow museum patrons to experience the sight, sound, smell (and feel) of the cars driving around the lot. Further, the Demonstration Days are an opportunity for Dr. Simeone to discuss the cars in greater detail. Whether it is hearing the smooth purr of the Ferrari V12's, whether it is smelling the exhaust of the Bentley 4.5 Litre, whether it is watching the race-winning and now award-winning Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, or feeling the bone-rattling roar of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, every Demonstration Day is both a history lesson and a spectacle. The Grand Sport, featured at my first Demo Day visit, was the car that rekindled my passion for automobiles after years focused purely on aviation.

Dr. Simeone's passion for automobiles and attention to detail are evident during every visit to the museum. His philosophy of preserving cars rather than restoring them, if possible, is clearly visible. You can see the original wear in the leather seats, the nicks in the original paint of century-old cars, the original tires on the 1937 Cord, and so on. While many other automotive collectors strive to return everything to factory-fresh, Dr. Simeone lets the history show. Dr. Simeone is always approachable and amiable, happy to share his passion with museum visitors on Demonstration Days.

Whether it is your first visit or hundredth visit, you will learn something new or notice something you had never seen before. If you come on a Demonstration Day, you will have a chance at experiencing the living history that makes the museum so great.

Philadelphia is a very historic city. Everybody knows that it is home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. However, it is also home to nearly 70 historic automobiles in this incredible museum, located minutes from the airport. If you have even the slightest interest in automobiles, art, or history, there is something for you at the museum. A visit to Philadelphia is incomplete without a stop at the Simeone Foundation...

Wow! What an awesome place. I would recommend if you go to look up when their next demo day is. Nearly all of the cars in the museum are in running order as evidenced by their demo days. It is quite an amazing collection of historic cars. Not just historic in that it was a car that was made in low numbers. But the cars here have individual acclaim.

Upon walking in they were moving their Porsche 917 into place for the days events. Just hearing the engine and the smell of race fuel and oil were enough to get me excited. My son and I had some time to browse before the first event of the day. A Scrutineering session. They detailed the engineering feats of each of the cars on their demo day agenda in wonderful detail. Next was the equally interesting history talk. Then moved the cars to the demo area.

Was really cool to see historic Le Mans cars driving around albeit in a pretty small area. My only complaint is it was really hard for my son to see. Unfortunately old men with cameras don’t have any manners.

Overall it was a wonderful time and we will be making the trek from Baltimore again soon. Thank you for...

The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum houses a collection of some of the rarest cars in the world. They are predominantly Sports Racing Cars which essentially means they were, or closely resembled cars that could be legally driven on public roads, and with few or no modifications, could be driven in competition. Several of the non-racing automobiles on display were of the highest quality and had sporting natures by virtue of their designs or inovations.

I am of the opinion that automobiles are reflections of the world conditions at the time of their manufacture -- aesthetically, technologically, functionality, and costs. Many rivalries played out on racing circuits as well as on the showroom floor for manufacturers like Alfa-Romeo, Bentley, Bugatti, and Mercedes - Benz; Jaguar, Aston - Martin, and Ferrari; Ford and Porsche, and speaking of cost, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum offers one of the best entertainment and educational values available anywhere, especially on "Demonstration Days." Visit the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, where "The Spirit of...