The Simeone’s Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. Photos courtesy Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.
Most automobile museums rely on static displays to paint a picture of a particular car’s role in history. The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is no different, but it also uses “Driving Demonstration Days” to provide a bit of living history. On Saturday, April 12, the Simeone’s demo days will pay tribute to legendary Italian automaker Ferrari, and guests will have the opportunity to see and hear six racing Ferraris run on the museum’s back lot.
In addition to the museum’s 1954 Ferrari 375MM and 1958 250 Testa Rossa, attendees will also get to experience a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, on loan to the museum, along with owner-supplied examples of a Ferrari Monza, 250 LM, and 365 GTB/4 Competition. The program begins at noon with a presentation on Enzo Ferrari, his automobiles and the importance of racing to the brand; weather permitting, live demonstrations will follow.
The Ferrari Demo Day also kicks off the museum’s 2014 Best of Italy exhibit, which runs from April 12 through April 27 and honors the 100th anniversary of Maserati. Fans of Italian automobiles won’t be disappointed, as the exhibit is set to include an Alfa Romeo 8C; an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint; an Alfa Romeo 1900SS Zagato; a De Tomaso Pantera; a Dino 246GT; a Fiat Bianchina; a Fiat X 1/9; a Fiat 500; a Lancia Pininfarina Coupe; a Lamborghini 400GT; a Lamborghini Aventador; a Lamborghini Jarama GTS; a Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole; a Maserati Grand Prix; a Maserati 4200 Spider; and a Maserati Ghibli Spyder.
Other upcoming Demonstration Days events at the Simeone Museum include What was the Mille Miglia, scheduled for April 26; 80 Years of Jaguar, scheduled for May 24; Pantheons of Style, scheduled for June 14; Auto Racing: A Privileged Man’s Sport, scheduled for June 28; duPont: Delaware Valley’s Most Prestigious Maker of Luxury Cars, scheduled for July 12; World Champions, scheduled for July 26; Racing in Style, scheduled for August 9; Stingray: Why is it Our Favorite Corvette?, scheduled for August 23; The Driving Force, scheduled for September 27; When NASCAR was for Real Stock Cars, scheduled for October 11; How did Brooklands Save So Many Cars?, scheduled for October 25; Corvette Racing Legends with Doug Fehan, scheduled for November 1; and People’s Choice, scheduled for November 29.
For additional information on events at the Simone Foundation Automotive Museum, visit SimeoneMuseum.org.
