The Brumos Collection, curated by Brandon Starks, stands out as more than just a conventional museum. It breathes life into classic cars from as far back as the 1894 Peugeot Type 5, ensuring they remain vibrant and active pieces of automotive history.
Starks, the executive director, emphasizes that these cars were built for the road, particularly the race cars that dominate the collection. With around 65 vehicles, the collection reopens on January 21 after a temporary closure due to COVID-19. Starks envisions the collection not as a static display but as a living tribute to the heritage of speed and innovation in racing.
The 35,000-square-foot Brumos facility pays homage to a bygone Ford assembly plant in Jacksonville, offering an interactive experience rather than a traditional museum visit. Presenting roughly 40 cars at a time, ranging from a 1926 Ford Model T to a 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, visitors can immerse themselves in the evolution of automotive engineering over the decades.
The roots of the Brumos legacy trace back to 1953 with Hubert Brundage, who established Brundage Motors to fuel his passion for racing. The company transitioned from Volkswagen to Porsche under the abbreviated name “Brumos,” becoming a prominent Porsche dealer and a force in motorsports. Over the years, key figures like Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood elevated Brumos to victory, claiming prestigious titles like the 24 Hours of Daytona multiple times.
Even as the racing program concluded in the 2010s, the Brumos spirit endures. Starks underscores the collection’s role in preserving the narratives of pioneers in automotive racing, a tribute to the risks they took in pursuit of speed.
Beyond the iconic Brumos liveried Porsches, the collection extends to encompass a diverse array of vehicles that narrate the evolution of racing technology. From a 1914 Peugeot to race cars with engines by Miller and Offenhauser, the collection embodies the development of engineering prowess in motorsports history.
A standout addition is the 1925 Bugatti Type 35, meticulously refurbished by Brumos mechanics to revive its century-old glory. Starks emphasizes the importance of preserving each car’s unique history while ensuring they remain fully functional to honor the legacy they embody.
In its commitment to authenticity, Brumos showcases its cars in action through demo days and video content. Starks envisions inviting spectators to witness these mechanical marvels in motion, underscoring the essence of driving experiences that these vehicles were originally designed for.
