Generous genius

Recognized by many as one of the greatest neurosurgeons in recent years, Simeone also applied scientific rigour to his method of collecting cars. His great passion that accompanied him throughout his life, ever since he started collecting car brochures as a child, led him to create a truly extraordinary museum in Philadelphia.

On the platform of the area set aside to recreate the Targa Florio, the 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, chassis #221112, which came second in the 1933 Mille Miglia with Franco Cortese and Count Carlo Castelbarco at the helm, and the 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900A, chassis #412015, which took second place in the 1937 Mille Miglia (wearing a “botticella” body), driven by Nino Farina and Stefano Meazza

His cars are all racing models or have competition in their blood. Road and track racing cars from the sports and prototypes category (covered wheels, if you will). The value of his collection gives Simeone the highest spot in the ranking of the world’s top collectors conducted by The Key.

1937 Peugeot 402 Darl’mat, chassis #705512. This car is one of three examples of this model entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937. In the background, a 1936 Aston Martin Le Mans, chassis #LM22 [G6/701/UR], one of only a pair of two-liter versions built for that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans

And here is the paradox: in reality, Fred Simeone isn’t the world’s leading collector, but rather it’s the Foundation he created and to which he has donated his priceless heritage: the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. A magnificent and priceless gesture to ensure that his patient work and years of research in pursuit of rigorously authentic pieces, is never lost or no longer available for fans who want to admire it.

Thank you Fred, on behalf of everyone who loves the car and the cultural value it embodies.

In the “Hall of Fame” corner, we find the 1952 Cunningham C-4R Roadster, chassis #5217, which won its class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1954. The car on the platform is Fred Simeone’s beloved 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B, chassis #412031, which won the 1938 Mille Miglia driven by Clemente Biondetti and Aldo Stefani

One of the very few models to feature twice in the collection: the 1937 BMW 328. The car on the right (chassis #85158) is the historically more important one. Still completely original, including the paintwork, it has covered only 16,000 km from new. Delivered in Holland on 13th February 1938, it is considered the world’s most original 328 with the lowest mileage

The “Le Mans” area is given over entirely to models used in the marathon French race, and many of the cars are specimens that actually took part in it. In the foreground, the 1970 Porsche 917 LH, chassis #917-043, that came second in the 1970 race. This car also makes frequent appearances in the movie Le Mans starring Steve McQueen. In the background, a 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa, chassis #0710 TR: this car never raced at Le Mans, but in the USA. It is the first TR sold to a private customer