Renowned automotive collector and museum executive Peter Mullin died at the age of 82 on 18 September 2023.
Born on 14 January 1941, Peter was a car enthusiast from his early years as well as a self-made businessman, and he developed a particular taste for pre-war French Art Deco cars, of which he collated the world’s greatest collection.
Peter, along with wife Merle, took the collection’s cars across the world to events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, as well as most major concours, and won a host of awards, including at Pebble Beach.
Indeed, in March this year at The Amelia, the Mullins’ rare 1935 Voisin C25 Aérodyne was crowned Best in Show, Concours d’Elegance.
And, in 2021, the couple’s beautiful 1934 Voisin C27 Aérosport, complete with striking geometric monochrome interior, claimed Best in Show at Concours of Elegance, held at Hampton Court Palace.
In addition, in 2017 the Mullin collection won the ultimate concours accolade, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best, with its 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, being shortlisted for that honour having taken the top prize at that year’s Chantilly Arts & Elegance.
When not being displayed around the world, Peter’s Bugattis, Delahayes, Voisins and Delages have been on show in the museum he founded, the Mullin Automotive Museum, in Oxnard, California, in 2010.
A second museum in Enstone, Oxfordshire, has been in planning since 2018, and finally received approval on 20 September from West Oxfordshire District Council.
Peter was also twice a board member of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, first as a founder member, then later as chair as the museum went through its award-winning renovation in the mid-2010s.
“He was a towering figure in the classic car world, in every sense,” recalled leading classic car specialist Simon Kidston to Classic & Sports Car.
“Always impeccably dressed and mannered, he was old-school with a razor-sharp wit, but a brilliant listener, too.
“I couldn’t believe what he put together in Oxnard, some of the most amazing cars and artefacts.
“Whenever you thought you’d seen everything, Peter would show you something new.”
Images: Max Edleston/Classic & Sports Car/Peninsula Classics/Petersen Automotive Museum
READ MORE
Exclusive: driving the unique Voisin C27 Aérosport