A Legacy of Passion and Preservation in the Automotive World.
The automotive world and the community of enthusiasts and collectors are mourning the loss of Peter Mullin, a distinguished philanthropist, avid collector, and founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California. Mullin, celebrated for his expansive and exquisite collection of French cars and Art Deco style furniture, passed away on September 20 in Big Sur, California.
Born and raised in Southern California, Mullin initiated his journey from relatively modest beginnings to create a financial conglomerate, allowing him to indulge his artistic and automotive passions, especially his fondness for French cars from the 1930s. His interest in art was evident from his college days at UC Santa Barbara, where he majored in art before a crucial realization led him to shift his major to economics.
At the young age of 28, Mullin established Mullin Consulting in Los Angeles, and a decade later, co-founded the M Financial Group. The prosperity of his ventures enabled him to revert to his prime passion—collecting French cars, leading to the assembly of a world-renowned collection of Bugattis, Delahayes, and Delages, many of which are showcased at the Mullin Automotive Museum.
Peter Mullin’s fascination with automotive elegance and his dedication to preserving automotive history won him numerous awards, including the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2011 for his remarkable 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne.
In more recent times, his wife, Merle Mullin, became the ambassador of their collection, actively participating in rallies and events, driving the cars herself, and graciously receiving numerous awards on behalf of their collection.
For those eager to witness the legacy left behind by Peter Mullin, the Mullin Automotive Museum continues to be a sanctuary showcasing some of the world’s most beautifully designed and engineered automobiles. The museum welcomes visitors on Fridays and Saturdays, though it is recommended to book tickets well in advance to witness this unparalleled collection.
Peter Mullin's departure is not just the loss of a revered collector and enthusiast but also marks the end of an era of passion-driven collection and preservation of automotive artistry and engineering. His enduring love for automobiles and his unparalleled contribution to the car collecting world have immortalized his name in the annals of automotive history. The world will remember him as a man of extraordinary taste and a fervent patron of automotive elegance and heritage.
