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Welcome to the August 2016 edition of our Blackhawk Museums newsletter. Each month we look to share news and information about the Museum exhibitions and events, as well as activities with which we are involved and events of interest.
On Monday, August 21 and Tuesday August 22, the Blackhawk Museums will be open. Each year since we opened in August 1988, the Blackhawk Museums have held an Open House on the Monday following the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Last year, we started opening on the Tuesday for our 'Monterey Week Ticket Day', which offers free admission to any visitor that has a ticket, credential or pass for any of the automotive events that occur on the Monterey Peninsula.
If you are attending the Pebble Beach Concours event on Sunday, August 21, please stop by and say hello to our volunteer team at the Blackhawk Museums tent adjacent to the spectator entrance to the Show Field on Sunday. We'll be there all day from Dawn Patrol to Best of Show sharing information about the Blackhawk Museums.
There are many museums throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to experience and enjoy, but for those visitors who are flying through San Francisco International Airport, there's a small but wonderful SFO Museum located on the Departures Level of the International Terminal prior to the security gates. The San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, to give it its full name, is an architectural adaptation of the Airport's 1930's passenger lobby.
An extensive aviation research library in the upper level overlooks rotating exhibitions and suspended aviation models. The current exhibits include; 'China Clipper - The challenges and triumphs of pioneering ocean air transport by Pan American Airways' flying clipper ships, and 'Fashion Takes Flight' A history of Airline Uniform Design.
The Trio of 1950's Alfa Romeo Berlinetta Aerodinamica Technica styling cars from the Blackhawk Collection, normally on display at the Blackhawk Museums, are currently on exhibition at the FRIST Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville TN. The exhibition; 'Bellissima!, The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945-1975', is well worth a visit to the FRIST, which occupies one of Nashville's great historic landmarks-the former main post office.
Constructed from 1933 to 1934 Nashville's post office displays both of the most distinctive architectural styles of the period: classicism and Art Deco.
An upcoming CBS Sunday Morning Show is scheduled to air a segment on the cars and the exhibition at The FRIST. If you do visit, take the time to also visit the Lane Car Museum. They have one of the largest collections of unique European automobiles in the United States, including 22 Tatra automobiles.
While the Alfa Romeo BAT cars are away from the Blackhawk Museums we have been rotating through the gallery a series of cars for our visitors to enjoy. From Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, September 11, we will have on display the largest automobile to be exhibited at the Blackhawk Museums - the Ab Jenkins 1937 Mormon Meteor III land speed record car. The car is on gracious loan from the Price Museum of Speed in Salt Lake City, UT and will be part of our Speaker Series presentation by David Fetherston on Saturday, Sept 10 - ' Bonneville - Then & Now, the History of Speed Records' We hope that you are able to join us for the Speaker Series presentation, and to visit the museum to see the historic Mormon Meteor III.
The family legacy of Ab Jenkins and his son Marv and the history of the Mormon Meteor III has been captured in the film, 'Boys of Bonneville - Racing on a Ribbon of Salt' narrated by Patrick Dempsey. When the restoration of Mormon Meteor III was completed and the car was taken to the Bonneville Salt Flats for its trial runs, RAF Wing Commander Andy Green, OBE, current World Land Speed Record Holder (763 mph) and the first person to break the sound barrier on land, drove the car and called the car one of the "most special land speed record cars". Jay Leno said that Mormon Meteor III is "one of the most legendary race cars of all times". (see Feature Museum Exhibit below)
Our Fall Speaker Series events continue with; legendary endurance race car driver Vic Elford on Saturday, October 8; Indy 500 Winner and Three Time Indy series Champion Bobby Rahal on Saturday, November 12; Historian, author and Barn Find hunter, Tom Cotter on Saturday November 5, and designer Raffi Manassian on Saturday, December 3. Events start at 10:30 am and
The Speaker Series events are free to Blackhawk Museums members so if you're not a member and are planning on attending the events, please consider one of our membership programs. You'll have free Museum admission all year round, and you can include a benefit that extends admission to over 800+ other museums with our NARM program. (click here for membership details.)
On August 25, 2016, the National Park Service turns 100. In the Greater San Francisco Bay Area we are fortunate to have 11 locations that are designated either national parks, national monuments, or national historical sites, including the Eugene O'Neill house here in Danville, home of America's only Nobel Prize winning playwright.
Plans for our October 2 fund raiser event Night at the Museum are moving forward. Please consider joining us for this western themed evening that will include; a reception and historical re-enactments in the Spirit of the Old West gallery, followed by a sit down dinner, live auction and dancing to a live band in the main gallery.
The event supports our School Bus fund that reimburses schools for bus expenses to send students to the Blackhawk Museums at no expense to the school.
Live auction items currently include;
- Jay Leno's famous car collection at his Big Dog Garage in Burbank - Private Tour for SIX guests
- 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - Club d'Elegance VIP credential package for FOUR guests including Friday evening Patron Reception at Casa Palmero, a docent guided tour of the show filed and VIP parking with shuttle.
- Tri-Valley Experience VIP Wine Package - basket of wine, tasting for FOUR guests at Steven Kent Winery, Bridges Restaurant gift card and a two room-two night stay at the Pleasanton Doubletree Hotel.
- Simraceway Performance Driving Experience at Sonoma Raceway for TWO drivers with their cars. This one-day program calls on a specially-developed combination of classroom instruction and in-car exercises to help participants understand the full capabilities of their vehicles.
- Monterey Peninsula Weekend package with use of a new Jaguar.
- Blackhawk Museums 'Night at the Museum' overnight stay for a group of ten school students in the Spirit of the Old West Gallery.
- Personalized guided tour and behind the scenes special access of one of the significant Washington D.C. Museums. Includes airfare for Two guests and 4 day-3 night D.C. hotel stay.
- Ezulwini (Zulu for Paradise) Game Lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa - Five Night 'Big Five' Photo Safari Package for Two Guests. Two amazing game drives per day, fabulous authentic South African meals and beautiful lodging.
- Private Dinner for SIX Guests in the wine cellar at the Blackhawk Estate of Mr. & Mrs. Ken & Pat Behring prepared by chef Travis O'Connell.
- Personalized Reserved Parking Space at the Blackhawk Museums Cars & Coffee event for 12 months.
.... more auction items being added.
Please make plans to join us for this exciting event that supports our important school bus program. Western attire is encouraged so come as your favorite western character. Prizes for the best costumes. To purchase your tickets, or a VIP table, please (click here) or tel: 925.736.2280 ext 234, or email NATM@BlackhawkMuseums.org.
Our Museums could not function without the involvement of our volunteer team of docents and gallery guides. Whether it is giving gallery tours, representing the Museums at outreach events, or sharing exhibition information with students on school tours, our docents and gallery guides make the museum experience come alive for our visitors.
The Museum's new docent training program for the automotive docent program, and the Gallery Guide training program for our Spirit of the Old West Gallery will be starting in late Fall. We are looking for people interested in joining the next training program. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Museums' docent and gallery guide program, please contact Nora Wager at 925.736.2280 ext 238 or email docent@BlackhawkMuseum.org for information.
We look forward to seeing you at the Blackhawk Museums during the coming months. If you are visiting Danville and the Tri-Valley area and are looking for information about hotels and attractions, you can
click here
to download the 2016 Tri-Valley Inspiration Guide for visitor information.
With regards,
Timothy McGrane
Executive Director
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Feature Museum Exhibit ~ Ab Jenkins' 1937 Mormon Meteor III
Ab (David Abbott) Jenkins, born in Salt Lake City in 1883, was a devout Mormon who did not drink or smoke. He was interested in pushing endurance records beyond what his Mormon Meteor II racer could achieve. The Duesenberg J chassis of the Mormon Meteor II simply could not handle its heavy, 750 hp (559 kW) Curtiss Conqueror V-12 aircraft engine. In 1937, Jenkins commissioned Augie Duesenberg to design a new car able to accommodate the 1,570 cu in (25.7 L) Curtiss Conqueror or an Allison V-1710 engine. The new endurance racer was known as the Mormon Meteor III.
The newly completed Mormon Meteor III at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1938
The Mormon Meteor III was built in Augie Duesenberg's shop in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jenkins wanted the car to be able to accommodate both of his Curtiss Conqueror engines, one powering each axle. However, the initial build would be with just one engine powering the rear axle. The Mormon Meteor III was a large vehicle and designed specifically for endurance record runs. The chassis was offset 6 in (152 mm) to the left on the running gear to aid in the constant turn encountered on the 10 and 12 mi (16 and 19 km) circular record courses.
The Mormon Meteor III was an evolution of the Mormon Meteor II. The car was nearly 21 ft (6.4 m) long and had a streamlined, narrow body with an enclosed cockpit. A tall fin was incorporated behind the cockpit, and two fuel tanks were positioned above the rear axle. Power was delivered from the Conqueror engine to the rear wheels via a three-speed transmission. At speed, the 112 gal (424 L) of fuel the Mormon Meteor III carried would be nearly exhausted in around two hours after traveling 400 miles (644 km). Four headlights to provide ample illumination of the track during the night hours were faired into the sloped radiators. The Mormon Meteor III had independent front suspension and specially made Firestone tires mounted on 22 in (.56 m) wheels. The car weighed 4,800 lb (2,177 kg). Marvin Jenkins, Ab's son, assisted with the build.
Ab and Marv Jenkins and the hard-run Mormon Meteor III at Bonneville circa 1939
The Mormon Meteor III was finished in 1938 and tested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The car was painted orange and blue: the colors of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, its primary sponsor. The racer made its debut at the Bonneville Salt Flats in July 1939. The conditions at Bonneville were not the best, but Jenkins and the Mormon Meteor III set a 1,000 km (638 mi) record, averaging 171.30 mph (275.68 km/h). Jenkins intended to run the car longer but a fire changed his plans. The fire started when fuel leaked out of an overfilled tank and came in contact with an overheating universal joint. Marvin had to pry the canopy open in order to free Ab. Jenkins had suffered minor burns and was taken to the hospital. A few weeks later Jenkins was back and, with relief driver Rex Mays, set a 12 hour record covering some 2,040 mi (3,283 km) at 169.99 mph (273.57 km/h). Racing was halted due to a cracked exhaust manifold that allowed fumes to enter the cockpit.
The Mormon Meteor III was back on the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 1940. Marvin Jenkins was too young to race the car, but he was able to extensively test the Mormon Meteor III to make sure all was in order. Marvin drove the car for over 2,000 mi (3,200 km) in the course of his testing.
At 57 years old, Jenkins climbed back in the Mormon Meteor III to again challenge endurance records. With relief driver Cliff Bergere, Jenkins and the Mormon Meteor III set some 21 speed records for just about everything up to 24 hours and 10,000 km (6,214 mi). For the first hour, Jenkins averaged 190.680 mph (306.87 km/h). At six hours, 1,034 mi (1,664 km) had been covered at 172.380 mph (277.419 km/h). After twelve hours, the Mormon Meteor III had covered 2,042 mi (3,286 km) at 170.210 mph (273.927 km/h). After 24 hours, 3,868 miles (6,225 km) had been traveled at 161.180 mph (259.394 km/h). At 5,000 mi (8,047 km), the Mormon Meteor III had averaged 149.420 mph (240.468 km/h). By the 10,000 km (6,214 mi) mark, the speed had dropped to 148.970 mph (239.744 km/h).
The Mormon Meteor III did not race in 1941. Jenkins had been elected mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah and was preoccupied with his duties there. World War II then began and put an end to all racing activities. In 1943, Jenkins sold the Mormon Meteor III to the State of Utah for $1.00 on the conditions that he could borrow it for future record runs and that it would be properly cared for. The Mormon Meteor III was put on display in the Capitol building in Salt Lake City.
In 1946, after the war, Marvin bought a war-surplus Lockheed P-38 Lightning for $1,250. The intention was to use the two 1,300 hp (969 kW) Allison V-1710 engines from the P-38 in the Mormon Meteor III and make an attempt at the absolute land speed record. However, Briton John Cobb set a new speed record in 1947. In his twin Napier Lion-powered Railton Mobil Special, Cobb raised the record to 394.196 mph (634.397 km/h). Ab Jenkins felt the Mormon Meteor III would not be able to best that mark even with the two Allisons.
In 1949, Jenkins thoughts returned to racing the Mormon Meteor III. It was taken out of the Capitol and prepped for another run at Bonneville. However, the weather that year did not permit suitable conditions to race, and the Mormon Meteor III was returned to the Capitol. In 1950, the car was again taken out and readied for the Bonneville Salt Flats.
In September 1950, Jenkins set off in the Mormon Meteor III. The 67-year-old Jenkins climbed out of the Mormon Meteor III after setting 30 records during the run. His top recorded speed was 199.190 mph (320.565 km/h), and he covered 195.95 mi (315.35 km) in an hour. Jenkins was at it again in 1951, breaking 22 records. For these runs, the Mormon Meteor III was painted light beige and red for its main sponsor, D-X Oil. Jenkins was trying to set a new one hour record averaging over 200 mph (322 km/h) when the clutch locked up. The Mormon Meteor III went out of control and hit a course marker that punctured the car's radiator, putting an end to the 1951 Bonneville attempt.
The Mormon Meteor III was returned to the Utah Capitol, where it sat on display for all to see. Jenkins continued to race, and his last records were in 1956 for a 24 hour run in a Pontiac sedan. Pontiac would later name the new car Bonneville in honor of the Salt Flats and all that they inspire. Later in 1956, Ab Jenkins passed away. Over his lifetime, Jenkins had set more records than anyone else and had traveled two million miles (3.2 million km) without getting into an accident or even getting a ticket.
The Mormon Meteor III stood proud in the Utah Capitol, but as the years passed, the memory of the car, its records, and the incredible men who made it all possible began to fade. In 1971, the Mormon Meteor III was taken from the Capitol to be used in a parade. Once the parade was over, no one claimed the car and it was left out in the elements. Marvin Jenkins was living in Texas at the time. He received a call from a friend who found the car in a deteriorating state. Marvin immediately flew to Utah.
The Mormon Meteor III had been vandalized, and its magnesium components were corroding from exposure to the elements. The car was moved back to the Capitol, and the next 25 years passed with the Jenkins family working with the state government to restore the car. However, some in the Capitol just did not care. In 1996, with the State of Utah having broken the terms of the agreement, Marvin Jenkins took possession of the Mormon Meteor III.
Photo courtesy of Peter Harholt
Restoration of the Mormon Meteor III continued for several years and the car was returned to working order, but it would not return to the Capitol. The restored Mormon Meteor III, repainted orange and blue, was run on the Bonneville Salt Flats for the filming of Boys of Bonneville, a documentary about Ab and Marvin Jenkins. Marvin Jenkins passed away in 2008, a few weeks before the car returned to the salt. The Mormon Meteor III is being displayed at Blackhawk Museums courtesy of the Price Museum of Speed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ab Jenkins and the Mormon Meteor III still hold about a dozen speed records.
Mormon Meteor III will be on display at the Blackhawk Museums
Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, September 11.
The Speaker Series event by David Fetherston -
'Bonneville, Then & Now will be
Saturday, September 10 at 10:30am.
The Blackhawk Museums is grateful for the generous loan of Mormon Meteor III by Ambassador John Price and the Price Museum of Speed.
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Blackhawk Museums'
'F1rst Sundays'
Cars & Coffee -
Sept 4 ~ 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Blackhawk Museums hosts a monthly Cars & Coffee event year round, rain or shine, for all car enthusiasts. Held on the 'F1rst Sunday' of each month, with coffee service starting at 7:30 a.m. and going to 10 a.m., the Museum welcomes all classic, collector and special interest car owners and enthusiasts.
Thank You to the 741 participating special interest car owners who joined us for our August 7, Blackhawk Museums 'Cars & Coffee' event.
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The Blackhawk Museums is hosting the Second Annual
Pre-War Classics 'Picnic on the Plaza' event on Saturday, October 9th. This intimate event is intended to showcase Classic Era cars for everyone to enjoy. This event will be open to Pre-1941 cars and we're encouraging participants to picnic on the Plaza with their best period tail-gate party. To register your car for this event please
click here
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On October 15, the Annual All British Car Meet will return to the Blackhawk Museums & Plaza for the second year. Presented by the Mini Owners of America San Francisco chapter in association with the Blackhawk Museums, this year marks the 26th anniversary of this celebration of all cars made in the British Isles...and British motorcycles will also be an addition to the line-up. To register your car or motorcycle (
CLICK HERE)
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SPIRIT OF THE OLD WEST
GALLERY EXHIBITION
To schedule a tour in either of the Museums galleries, or for more information on accessing the
bus program for school children, please contact Maria Chafin at 925.736.2280 ext 239 or Programs@BlackhawkMuseum.org
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Upcoming Events & Activities at The Blackhawk Museums
Aug 17 ~ thru Sept 11 the Ab Jenkins Mormon Meteor III on display
Aug 21 ~ Blackhawk Museums Day Trip to Pebble Beach Concours
Aug 22 ~ Post-Pebble Beach 'Open House' at Blackhawk Museums
Aug 23 ~ Post-Monterey Classic Week 'Ticket Day' at the Blackhawk Museums
Sept 4 ~ Blackhawk Museums F1rst Sunday Cars & Coffee
Sept 10 ~ Speaker Series -
David Fetherston '
Bonneville - Then & Now
'
Sept 11 ~ National Grandparents Day - Free Admission for Grandparents
Sept 24 ~ Smithsonian Magazine 12th Annual Museum Day Live
Oct 2 ~ Blackhawk Museums F1rst Sunday Cars & Coffee
Oct 2 ~ Friends of the Blackhawk Museums 'Night at the Museum' fundraiser dinner & auction
Oct 8 ~ Speaker Series - Vic Elford - Racing at Targa Florio, Nurburgring & Le Mans
Oct 9 ~ 2nd Annual Pre-War Classics Picnic on the Plaza
Oct 15 ~ 26th Annual
All British Motor Show
Nov 3 ~ East Bay Leadership Council Philanthropy Awards
Nov 3 ~ The One Hundred Club of Contra Costa County Annual Dinner
Nov 5 ~ Speaker Series - Tom Cotter ' Route 66 Barns Finds' and 'Cuba's Car Culture'
Nov 6 ~ Blackhawk Museums F1rst Sunday Cars & Coffee
Nov 12 ~ Speaker Series - Bobby Rahal, Three time CART Champion & Indy 500 winning driver.
Dec 3 ~ Speaker Series - Raffi Manassian, Designer
Dec 4 ~ Blackhawk Museums F1rst Sunday Cars & Coffee
Feb 11 ~ Speaker Series - Jay Ward, PIXAR CARS Creative Director
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About The Blackhawk Museums 
The Blackhawk Museums, located in
Blackhawk Plaza, Danville, California, opened in August 1988 with a mission to stimulate interest and understanding of art, culture and history through exhibitions and programming that engage, educate and inspire children, adults and families.
The Blackhawk Museums was established in 1988 with the opening of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum. The '
International Automotive Treasures' gallery
showcases a rotating collection of fifty-five one-of-a-kind custom coachwork classic cars from the 1920's & 1930's, styling and design cars from the 1950's, and historic sports & race cars from the 1950's and 1960's.
In February 2015 the 'Spirit of the Old West' Gallery opened and is dedicated to presenting a balanced narrative of the history of the American Westward Expansion from the mid 1700's through the early 1900's. It represents both the Native American Plains Indian tribes and American pioneers and settlers.
The Blackhawk Museums, a private operating 501(c)3 Foundation and an affiliate of the
Smithsonian Institution
,
is open year round, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and most major holidays.
To Imagine.... To Dream.... To Inspire....
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Buy your Museum general admission tickets on-line and get a discount.
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