On July 18, the Petersen Automotive Museum will unveil the Mullin Family Gallery in the museum’s renowned Vault, showcasing automobiles from the legendary Mullin Collection. The exhibition celebrates the Mullin Family Foundation’s landmark gift and fulfills collector, philanthropist and longtime museum champion Peter Mullin’s vision of preserving and sharing one of the world’s finest collections of pre-war French automobiles with the broadest possible audience.
Over nearly three decades, Peter and Merle Mullin assembled an exceptional collection of Bugattis, Delahayes, Delages, Talbot-Lagos, Voisins, Hispano-Suizas and other French Art Deco masterpieces. They also founded the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, dedicated to preserving what Peter often described as ‘sculpture in motion.’
Peter believed automobiles were among the purest forms of industrial art and envisioned the Petersen Automotive Museum as the long-term steward of the collection. Today, that vision is being realized through the leadership of Merle Mullin and the Mullin Family Foundation, ensuring the collection remains accessible to the public for generations.
“If you can dream it, you can make it happen.” — Peter W. Mullin
“Peter believed these automobiles belonged to history, not to us,” said Merle Mullin, co-founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum, trustee of the Mullin Family Foundation, Petersen Automotive Museum Board Member and internationally respected automotive collector. “Together, we built this collection with the dream of preserving the extraordinary artistry, innovation and craftsmanship of French Art Deco automobiles. It was equally important to us that these masterpieces would one day be shared with the broadest possible audience. Peter always believed the Petersen Automotive Museum was the right steward for that responsibility, and it is deeply meaningful to see that vision fulfilled. We are proud to know this collection will continue inspiring generations of enthusiasts, historians and future collectors.”
The gift marks one of the most significant moments in the Petersen Automotive Museum’s history, securing public access to one of the world’s premier collections of French automotive art. Peter Mullin also played a key role in transforming the Petersen into one of the world’s leading automotive museums.
“It would be difficult to overstate Peter Mullin’s impact on the automotive world and on the Petersen Automotive Museum itself,” said Terry L. Karges, Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “Peter helped build the museum we know today, and it is an incredible honor to fulfill his vision by becoming the steward of this extraordinary collection. There is no better place to preserve these remarkable automobiles and share their beauty, history and artistry with visitors from around the world.”
The inaugural exhibition, opening in the Petersen Vault this July, celebrates the Mullin Family Foundation’s gift and offers an exclusive preview of many of the collection’s most celebrated automobiles ahead of a larger exhibition planned for 2028.
In 2028, the Petersen’s existing Mullin Family Gallery will feature nearly 30 vehicles from the collection, creating one of the most significant exhibitions of French Art Deco automobiles ever assembled. Together, the two exhibitions fulfill Peter Mullin’s vision of making these automotive masterpieces accessible to enthusiasts, scholars and the public.
Among the vehicles debuting this summer are the legendary 1937 Delahaye Type 145 ‘Million Franc Delahaye,’ the award-winning 1934 Voisin C27 Aerosport Coupe, and an exceptional selection of Bugatti, Talbot-Lago, Delage, Peugeot and Hispano-Suiza masterpieces.
The vehicles which will go on display in 2026 include:
- 1922 Hispano-Suiza Type H6B “Skiff Torpedo”
- 1926 Bugatti Type 37A
- 1931 Bugatti Type 50S by Million-Guiet
- 1934 Voisin Type C27 Aérosport Coupé Reconstruction
- 1934 Voisin Type C27 Grand Sport Roadster
- 1935 Voisin Type C25 Aérodyne
- 1936 Delahaye Type 135CS
- 1937 Hispano Suiza K6 Break de Chasse
- 1937 Peugeot 402L Eclipse by Pourtout
- 1937 Peugeot 302DS Darl’Mat Cabriolet by Pourtout
- 1937 Delahaye Type 135 M Cabriolet
- 1937 Delahaye Type 145
- 1937 Talbot Lago T-150-C-S “Teardrop” Coupe
- 1938 Delahaye Type 145 “V-12 Coupe” by Henri Chapron
- 1939 Delahaye T-165 V-12 “World’s Fair”
- 1939/49 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante
- 1950 Talbot-Lago T26C Grand Sport by Stabilimenti Farina
- 1951 Delahaye Type 235 Cabriolet by Saoutchik
- 1951 Bugatti Type 101C by Gangloff
- 1951 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport by Stabilimenti Farina
Tickets and additional information are available at Petersen.org/exhibits.
Above contents © 2026 Petersen Museum, reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee , @rexmcafee 🏁
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