One of the world’s greatest collections of French Art Deco automobiles has found a permanent home, with the Petersen Automotive Museum announcing that it has become the custodian of the celebrated Mullin Collection. The landmark gift from the Mullin Family Foundation fulfils the long-held ambition of late collector and philanthropist Peter Mullin.
The collection, assembled over nearly three decades by Peter and Merle Mullin, is widely regarded as one of the finest gatherings of pre-war French automobiles ever created. It encompasses some of the most legendary models from Bugatti, Delahaye, Delage, Talbot-Lago, Voisin and Hispano-Suiza, reflecting the extraordinary creativity and craftsmanship of the Art Deco era that Mullin famously described as ‘sculpture in motion’.
Visitors will get their first glimpse of the collection’s new chapter on 18 July, when the Petersen unveils the Mullin Family Gallery within the ‘Vault’. The exhibition will showcase a selection of the collection’s most celebrated cars ahead of a much larger display planned for 2028, when nearly 30 vehicles will occupy the museum’s existing Mullin Family Gallery.
Among the highlights due to go on display are the legendary 1937 Delahaye Type 145 ‘Million Franc Delahaye’, the remarkable 1935 Voisin C25 Aérodyne, the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS ‘Teardrop’ Coupé and an extraordinary 1939 Delahaye T-165 V12 ‘World’s Fair’ model. The exhibition will also feature a number of Bugattis, including a Type 50S by Million-Guiet and a Type 57SC Atalante, alongside several Hispano-Suizas and Peugeot coachbuilt masterpieces.
‘Peter believed these automobiles belonged to history, not to us,’ said Merle Mullin. ‘Together, we built this collection with the dream of preserving the extraordinary artistry, innovation and craftsmanship of French Art Deco automobiles.’
For more info, see petersen.org
