The Brumos Collection is one of several sponsors for this year’s Ponte Vedra Auto Show, and it couldn’t be more appropriate, considering the brand that brought Brumos so many victories will be featured during its 75th anniversary.
The first Porsche made its debut in 1948. Since then, it has been a major part of racing history.
The Jacksonville-based Brumos team has won the 24 Hours of Daytona four times — all with Porsche getting it first across the finish line.
In 1973 and ‘75, Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood won that race with a Porsche Carrera RSR. In 1978, Gregg won with a Porsche 935/77. Most recently, David Donohue, Antonio García, Darren Law and Buddy Rice won the 2009 race in a Riley Mk XI with a Porsche engine.
The Brumos Collection, located at 5159 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville, exhibits about 40 automobiles at any given time. It rotates cars often, so expect to see new ones on display if you haven’t visited recently.
The 35,000-square-foot museum is divided into two sections:
Forerunners — This area celebrates the earliest days of motoring and advances that “set the stage for racing and automobile innovation as we know it today.” Automobile enthusiasts will encounter the foundational ideas of Bugatti, Duesenberg and Peugeot, some as early as 1894. Here, they will find the contributions of Leo Goossen, Harry Miller and Fred Offenhauser.
Frontrunners — This area provides a deep dive into the history of Brumos racing. Learn about the role Porsche played in the Brumos victories.
The Brumos Collection initially opened in January 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 forced it to close its doors two months later. But the museum was able to reopen in January 2021 and has been open full time ever since.
It’s open each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. The last ticket entry is 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at thebrumoscollection.com. They can also be purchased upon arrival in the lobby.
Visitors will discover that the museum has recently incorporated a lot more memorabilia than previously.
“We just finished redoing all of the trophy cases on the Frontrunner side,” said Toni Boudreaux, director of operations. “So, on the Brumos Collection side there’s a lot more content to see.”
On Saturday, Nov. 11, The Brumos Collection will hold its fourth Saturday Social.
“It’s a fun community event where guests come and feast their eyes and ears on cars from our collection,” said Boudreaux.
The Brumos team will run some of the cars so that attendees can hear their engines and see them run.
That event begins at 9 a.m. Vendors will be onsite, as will UNF’s Osprey Racing Team with their Formula SAE car. Formula SAE is a student design competition sponsored by SAE International.
Shop technicians will give a small presentation, with time for a Q&A.
Attendees are invited to bring their own vehicles for a chance to win the Staff Picks Award.
“We do two Saturday Socials a year,” said Boudreaux. “We usually do one in the springtime, and then we do one in the fall. It is a big event. People love seeing the different cars. We always have great food trucks. In addition to that, people also get to make their way into the museum. So, it’s a really fun day.”
General admission to the social is $19.99, and children age 10 and younger are admitted free. Because this will be Veterans Day weekend, the museum is offering a military admission for both active and retired military at $14.99.
When the museum first opened, people expressed a lot of interest in putting on special events there. As a result, the staff put together a corporate partnership program called The Brumos Collection Executive Circle. Essentially, organizations and businesses pay a membership fee and then may be able to use the facility’s space. Those interested in the Executive Circle can learn more by contacting Boudreaux at Tboudreaux@brumos.com or by calling 904-422-7275.
Visitors to the Ponte Vedra Auto Show will want to see what vehicles Brumos brings to display. There will also be retail opportunities for people to purchase Brumos merchandise.
