Welcome to the August edition of our Blackhawk Automotive Museum newsletter. Each month we look to share news and information about exhibits and events at the Museum, as well as the shows and activities in which we are involved.

August is here, and for our Museum and most in the classic and historic car world, that means the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the many classic car related activities that happen on the Monterey Peninsula are soon upon us. Each year we enjoy an ever increasing roster of events paying tribute to the classic and historic cars, together with those that either designed and built them, or those who drove them into the history books. In 1950 who would have thought that the one day event, that was the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races and Concours d'Elegance, would go on to become the internationally acclaimed week-plus long celebration of great automobiles. Monterey Week, as it generally referred to, is still anchored by the two main events, the Pebble Beach Concours and the historic races, which moved out of Pebble Beach after 1956, and are now named the Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Additionally, there are; the Quail Gathering, Concorso Italiano, Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours and Carmel Mission Classic; the Pebble Beach Tour, Quail Rally and Pacific Grove Rally; McCall Motorworks, the Automobilia Monterey, the Automotive Fine Arts Society, and RetroAuto with the new Pebble Beach Speaker Series; the Porsche Werks Reunion and Legends of the Autobahn. In addition there are seven auction companies conducting fourteen auctions over five days with an eye catching, almost overwhelming array of spectacular cars. In amongst this are the many invitation only receptions, private gatherings and car club events. Author Robert Louis Stevenson once called California's Monterey Peninsula the world's greatest meeting of land and sea. In August, it's quite possibly the most spectacular gathering of the world's greatest cars.

For the twenty-six years of the Museum existence, we've had the very good fortune to be closely associated with the Concours through the involvement of our Museum president and co-founder, Don Williams. What started as a suggestion from his good friend and then Concours co-chairman, the late Lorin Tryon, Don first participated in the Concours in 1973 with his 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider and has been entering cars every year since, sometimes multiple cars each year.

1973 Pebble Beach, Don Williams, with actor and longtime friend Tommy Farrell, receiving the

Gwenn Graham Trophy for his 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider

For the past 25 years the Museum has held an Open House on the Monday following Monterey Week for those car enthusiasts who are able to visit Blackhawk after the Pebble Beach Concours. If you're on your way home, or on your way to any of the San Francisco area airports, please come and visit us. Everyone's welcome and we have twenty-three former Pebble Beach Concours cars and award winners currently on display in the Museum gallery.

Over the years the Blackhawk Automotive Museum has been the venue for many fundraiser and recognition events for the East Bay school De La Salle High, and specifically for their football team. Coach Bob Ladouceur, has long been a local legend and led the Spartans to 399 wins, seven national championships, and a 161 game winning streak that remains the longest, at any level, in football history. While the classic car world is focused on Pebble Beach on Sunday, August 17, the Blackhawk Museum will be open and, together with the Century Blackhawk Plaza Theatre, will also host a benefit reception and special local premiere of the Sony Pictures movie "When the Game Stands Tall". The film, which stars Jim Caviezal, Michael Chiklis and Laura Dern, will tell the story about Coach Ladouceur and the dramatic events between 2002 and 2004 and the De La Salle football program. The Museum is proud to be able to help support many local and regional social, educational and charitable programs throughout the year.

The end of August continues to be a busy time of car events in the San Francisco Bay Area. The weekend of August 22-24 sees the IndyCar Series GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma return to the serpentine Sonoma circuit for a full weekend of race activities. For those Museum members that have maybe thought about taking to the race track for the first time, we are working on a special kart school opportunity at Sonoma in November. More details will be in our next newsletter and the Museum website when available.

For those car lovers that prefer to show and cruise, the August 22-24 weekend also sees the Goodguys 28th Annual West Coast Nationals come to nearby Pleasanton with over 3500 show cars. The week kicks off on Monday, August 18 with the Goodguys 2014 Fred Zimmerman Memorial Hot Rod Week. Now in its 17th consecutive year, this week of guided driving tours to shops and places of interest in the San Francisco Bay Area was founded by the late Fred Zimmerman, our long time Museum store manager and docent. The tours serve as a fun activity for locals as well as out of town visitors. Everybody is welcome to come along, no registration is required and there is no fee. Just show up at the Pleasanton Hilton at 8am each morning (Mon 8/18 through Thurs 8/21), get a tour map handed out prior to departure, and head off with the pack.

One important area of support that the Museum receives is our donation program. Recently we received a donation of one of the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix pace cars that were used on track during the Pepsi 400 NASCAR Race at the Daytona Speedway. This race was the first NASCAR event on a superspeedway held under the lights, and was part of the NASCAR 50th Anniversary year celebrations.

Additionally, we've had an extensive automotive book collection donation, as well as an automotive literature collection donated to our reference library.

We look forward to seeing you at the Museum during the summer months. Remember, the Blackhawk Rockin' The Plaza Summer Concert Series continues every Friday evening through Aug 29th and they're free.

With regards,

Timothy McGrane

Executive Director

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Feature Museum Exhibit ~ 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Figoni & Falaschi

1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Figoni & Falaschi Pillarless Berline

This Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental chassis, number 2 MS, was originally sold on 3 March 1932 and delivered to the coachbuilders Windovers Ltd. of London on 18^th April 1932. The first owner was His Highness, the Prince of Nepal who was then living in London. Windovers, a long established carriage & coach building company, made their first body for a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in 1920, the start of a long association with this marque. Windovers had had a showroom in Bombay, India, since Victorian times, but sales increased considerably when the maharajas developed a passion for imported luxury motor cars.

His Highness, the Prince of Nepal, after being deposed, had left Katmandu to take up residence in London. Relations between the two nations were cordial as Great Britain had affirmed Nepal's full sovereignty in 1923. He had arrived at his new home base with plenty of cash to indulge his various penchants and whims. Among the Prince's favorite pastimes was fast driving through the countryside. Rolls-Royce had the perfect car for His Highness, the short-chassis Phantom II Continental. This was 'grand touring' at a zenith - the status and dignity of the long-renowned marque from Derby combined with the capability for spirited motoring at high speeds over long distances. The Prince was one of the 281 purchases of a Phantom II Continental during its model life of 1930 to 1935. He bought his in 1932 and chose a Windovers saloon body on chassis number 2 MS.

By 1936 The Prince had become bored with his Rolls-Royce. He thought of replacing it with a Phantom III, but then he had another idea. A Francophile, the Prince was frequently in residence in Paris at the renowned Hotel George V and became aware of the artistry of coachbuilder Figoni & Falaschi. The chassis design of the Phantom II, with the radiator set back well over the front axle, gave far more scope for the application of long sweeping front fenders and rakish lines. So the Prince, who could have afforded a dozen of the Phantom III's, decided to re-body his Phantom II in the French line and Joseph Figoni would be the master.

By the mid-thirties the concours d'elegance had become a fixture on the European social calendar. From the Riviera where they had originated, these events now had spread to every glamor capital and cosmopolitan city on the Continent. Their popularity had a profound effect upon French coachbuilders. In order to enhance the chance for victory, with its obviously commercial benefit, makers of custom automobile bodies were motivated to produce evermore noticeable coachwork. The sweep of fenders became positively aggressive, roof lines fell precipitously, wind screens were steeply raked. Such automobiles looked as if they were in motion while standing still.

Nobody understood this design trend better than Joseph Figoni. He was responsible for what became known as "the French line" - a voluptuous rendering of the aerodynamic that went beyond architecture to pure sculpture. Figoni, together with his partner Ovidio Falaschi, made their presence felt at concours d'elegance, and was increasingly seen in and around Paris on such chassis as Bugatti, Ballot, Delahaye, Hispano-Suiza, Alfa Romeo and Talbot. It followed that the Prince of Nepal would notice.

The Prince of Nepal's acquaintanceship with Joseph Figoni would result in the order of the rebody of his Phantom II, and in August 1936 work on F&F body number 606 commenced. It produced a car that was both the largest automobile-bodied by Figoni & Falaschi, and the only Figoni & Falaschi body on a Phantom II Rolls-Royce chassis. The pillarless four-door sedan with its distinctive four individual seats and art noveau interior, had a large interior with the larger allocation of space preference given to the rear compartment. The evidence suggests the Prince was delighted with Figoni & Falaschi's transformation of his Rolls-Royce, one of the most definitive examples of the flamboyant coachbuilders art, and he entered the car at a concours in Deauville on Bastille day in 1939.

(The Prince's P-II being presented at the concours in Deauville, France on Bastille Day, July 1939)

From 1945 the Figoni & Falaschi Phantom II was owned successively by gentlemen named C. Arnold and J. Adams (of London Rolls-Royce dealers Adams and Oliver) and then by Captain Frederick Henry, a wealthy antiques dealer from Gloucestershire and a car loving bon vivant. He exchanged his Bugatti Royale for the flamboyant Rolls-Royce through Simmons of Park Lane, London. The Royale (the Binder-bodied coupe de ville) was a car he had been using as a regular driver throughout England and to France, being both UK and French registered, sometimes to his own embarrassment. Despite enjoying the Royale to its fullest, albeit in economically challenged England, the shortage of petrol for a car doing 5 miles to the gallon, and the costs to maintain a car that was increasingly difficult to get replacement parts for, such as tires, became tiresome.

This unique car was shipped to America and its successive owners were D.I. Buchanan, Robert P. Meyerhoff of Pasadena, and George Raninoff. In 1985, 2 MS was then purchased by a Englishman living in Bombay , the car underwent its most extensive restoration and at the Rolls-Royce Owners Club National Meet in Monterey, CA, in 1991 was a 'Chief Judges Choice' winner. At the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1992 it captured the Lucius Beebe Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Rolls-Royce considered most in the tradition of Lucius Beebe, who served as a judge in the early years.

(1992 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 1991 Rolls-Royce Owners Club National Meet, Monterey)

The Rolls-Royce has been on display at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum since the early 1990's.

(Thank you to the Classic Car Club of America for their assistance with archival information)

Events ~ Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion - August 14 - 17 - Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, Monterey

Described as a museum springing to life, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a cornerstone of the Monterey Peninsula's Classic Car Week. Approximately 550 vehicles are invited to compete in the world's premier motoring event, and are accepted based on the car's authenticity, race provenance and period correctness. This year, the 100th anniversary of the iconic Italian automaker - Maserati - will be the featured marque. www.mazdaraceway.com/rolex-monterey-motorsports-reunion

Events - Blackhawk Automotive Museum post Pebble Beach Week 'Open House' ~ Monday, August 18 - 10am to 5pm

Each year the Blackhawk Automotive Museum opens it doors on the Monday following the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for visitors and car enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy the cars on display.

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Events ~ GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma ~ Aug 22 - 24

The Verizon IndyCar� Series returns to the serpentine Sonoma circuit, Aug. 22-24, for the 10^th annual GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Last Year, Will Power claimed his third Wine Country Winner's Circle appearance in the last four years, establishing his dominance of the 2.38-mile road course. As the penultimate race of the season, all bets are off, pitting rival versus rival, teammate against teammate, as the battle for the points lead reaches its peak.

There is a full weekend of racing in store, including the return of the SCCA World Challenge Series. Fans will also enjoy an expansive vendor midway, charity auction and pre-event show on Sunday, highlighted by the Patriots Jet Team Air Show.

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Events ~ The GoodGuys 28th West Coast Nationals Aug 22 - 24

Each year the Goodguys Association has their annual "Crown Jewel" event, August 22-24, in nearby Pleasanton attracting over 3,500 show cars. The week has been dubbed HOT ROD WEEK and each day over 120 cars tour local car collections and hot rod shops.

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Events ~ Blackhawk 'First Sunday' Cars & Coffee SEPTEMBER 7

Blackhawk Automotive Museum hosts a monthly Cars & Coffee event year round for all car enthusiasts. Held on the 'First Sunday' of each month, starting at 8 a.m. and going to 10 a.m., the Museum welcomes all classic, collector and special interest car owners and enthusiasts.

On Cars & Coffee Sundays the Museum opens an hour earlier, at 9 a.m., and participating car owners will receive complimentary Museum admission tickets underwritten courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover Cole European, Meguiar's, Good Guys and Sonoma Raceway.

The Museum's catering partner, Scott's Restaurant, hosts coffee each month. Thank you to the 498 car owners who joined us for our August event.

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Events ~ Blackhawk Saturday Morning Speaker Series Larry Crane "The History of Car Design" ~ Saturday, September 20 ~ 10:30am

Our 2014 Fall Speaker Series line up is set. We're pleased to announce the schedule for our Saturday morning program starting September 20^th with noted automotive writer Larry Crane who will be speaking on the subject of The History of Car Design. Larry has published countless articles, designed and edited a number of award-winning automobile magazines, co-authored books on the subject as well as lecturing at Art Center College of Design.

Following, on October 11th, we will hear from renowned vintage race car driver and custodian of historic race and sports cars, Peter Giddings, speaking about the history of his historic and magnificent 1926 Delage 15-S-8 Grand Prix car (photo below). Please see the Museum's website for additional lecture details and dates. The Speaker Series events are free to members and included as part of general admission for visitors.

The Speaker Series events are free to members and included as part of general admission for visitors.

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Events ~ Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live ! - September 27

As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum we will be participating in the 2014 Museum Day Live!

In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket... for free.

Help support the Blackhawk Automotive Museum by becoming a member today and your membership will also include a Smithsonian Membership and a subscription to the Smithsonian magazine.

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Visit the Blackhawk Automotive Museum and the Tri-Valley

During the summer, if your travels have you in the San Francisco Bay Area please make plans to come and visit us and also explore the East Bay region. Just 33 miles east of San Francisco, and 27 miles north of San Jose, the Tri Valley area, also considered San Francisco's other wine country, features a diverse range of activities and sights to enjoy. Experience all that the Tri-Valley has to offer from the historic wine region and award-winning golf courses, to museums, historic homes and downtown dining!

For information, click on; Visit Tri-Valley and Livermore Valley Wine Country

About The Blackhawk Automotive Museum

The Blackhawk Automotive Museum, located in Blackhawk Plaza, Danville, California, opened in August 1988 with the mission of ensuring that significant automotive treasures blending art, technology, culture and history would be exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment for all ages.

The Museum showcases a rotating collection of over fifty one-of-a-kind custom coachwork classic cars, limited production and concept automobiles in a spectacular architectural masterpiece. The Blackhawk Automotive Museum, a private operating 501(c)3 Foundation, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and is open year round, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and most major holidays.

PLEASE NOTE our upper gallery will be closed through mid-October for exhibit changes.

To Imagine.... To Dream.... To Inspire....

Buy your Museum general admission tickets on line and get a discount