Murphy Auto Museum to Feature Dozens of Restored Studebakers, March 12

  OXNARD, CA - 03/02/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

The Murphy Auto Museum will host the 32nd Annual Winter Meet of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Studebaker Driver’s Club from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 12 in Oxnard, Ca.

Dozens of vintage Studebaker automobiles will convene at The Murphy alongside pristine Packard’s inside the 30,000 sq.-ft. museum that are on display through March 19. In addition, the Topa Topa Flywheelers will fire up “hit-and-miss” antique tractor engines throughout the day. 

Just a few models expected to make the drive from around Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada include the Avanti, Daytona, Wagonaire, Champion, Cruiser, Lark, Commander and a very rare 1932 Studebaker Indy 500 race car.

“Our mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the history and heritage of the American automobile,” said David Neel, owner of the Murphy Auto Museum. “This one-day show is our largest of the entire year and we are thrilled to welcome the Los Angeles Chapter of the Studebaker Driver’s Club once again. We encourage the community to mark their calendars as this is one event not to be missed!”

Studebaker pinned its hopes and dreams of saving its company with the Avanti. The forward-thinking car was conceived on a paper napkin as a doodle during a flight from Chicago by Sherwood Egbert just 37 days after becoming president of Studebaker in February 1961.  

Designed in a 40-day crash program, it used the existing Lark convertible chassis with a modified Hawk V8. Joined by famed industrial designer Raymond Lowey and his design team, the car was model-specific with a fiberglass body, integrated roll cage, and aircraft-style switches. In total, 4,647 Avanti’s were produced over a two-year period. The Murphy Museum is pleased and honored to have on loan two restored Avanti’s, including one that Indy racer and promoter Andy Granatelli signed on the glove box.

Admission is free for active military and children under 12, and $10 per adult. All entries include the Studebaker meet and car show, entrance to the 30,000-sq.-ft. museum to view more than 70 classic cars and collection of pure Americana, and permanent 1,800-sq.-ft. model H/O railroad. Food will be available for purchase on site. Parking is complimentary.

About the Murphy Auto Museum

The Murphy Auto Museum was founded in 2000. A nonprofit organization, it is owned and operated by Ventura County business owner and car enthusiast David Neel.

More than 90 cars on display that rotate on a continuous basis, keeping the collection fresh and interesting. The Mission of the Murphy Auto Museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the history and heritage of the American automobile. We celebrate the automobile and educate the community, students and enthusiasts regarding the role of the automobile in the Tri-County area.

The museum is at 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard. For more information, call 805-487-4333 or visit the website at www.murphyautomuseum.org.