[Mg-mmm] Simeone Museum

[Roger M. Burnett]

We are in Philadelphia for the holidays and, by a strange  
coincidence, received the flurry of emails about a local car  
collection just before a friend who had been Dr. Fred Simeone's  
patient suggested that we pay it a visit.

I can only echo the enthusiasm.  The Simeone Foundation has the most  
amazing collection of racing sports cars, including an MG K3 that  
came 4th in the 1934 Le Mans.  Dr. Simeone, who was a neurosurgeon  
here, has collected the cars since he inherited four from his  
father.  I had vaguely heard of his collection while we lived here  
(until recently, the cars were housed in a nearby downtown garage)  
but Dr. Simeone has now retired and established the museum.  We were  
very fortunate that he was there when we arrived and he generously  
took the time to show us some of its highlights.  The cars are housed  
in a former engine reconditioning factory and are arranged in simple  
but wonderfully evocative dioramas that he designed himself and put  
together from simple materials from local building supply stores.   
When he heard of my interest in MGs, he took us to the K3 and  
demonstrated how its steering wheel is removable so the driver can  
slide into the narrow seating space.  The story of how he came by the  
K3 is interesting.  He first purchased its bonnet and realized by the  
double strap guides that it must have come from a racing car.   
Further research led him to the dismantled car, which he was able to  
purchase after complicated negotiations.  I suggested that he write  
up the full story - perhaps for the Yearbook.

We were told that museum visitors form three categories:  streakers;   
strollers;  and students.  At the moment, good but brief descriptions  
of the cars cater to the first two groups.  Enthusiasts will be  
interested in the plans to install a cell phone-based system next  
year that will give more detailed information.  You could check  
whether this is in operation before planning a visit (although it is  
worthwhile right now).  The collection is truly impressive - take a  
look for yourself at http://www.simeonefoundation.org/

With my very best wishes to everyone for a Wonderful Holiday and for  
a Peaceful and Joyous New Year.

Roger