Peter Mullin is remembered. The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, as well as the community of enthusiasts and collectors are mourning the passing of Peter Mullin, a renowned benefactor and ardent collector. Mullin passed away on September 20 at Big Sur, California. He was known for his extensive and superb collection of French vehicles and Art Deco furnishings.
Born and raised in Southern California, Mullin initiated his journey from relatively modest beginnings to create a financial conglomerate, allowing him to indulge his artistic and automotive passions, especially his fondness for French cars from the 1930s. His interest in art was evident from his college days at UC Santa Barbara, where he majored in art before a crucial realization led him to shift his major to economics.
At the young age of 28, Mullin established Mullin Consulting in Los Angeles, and a decade later, co-founded the M Financial Group. The prosperity of his ventures enabled him to revert to his prime passion—collecting French cars, leading to the assembly of a world-renowned collection of Bugattis, Delahayes, and Delages, many of which are showcased at the Mullin Automotive Museum.
Peter Mullin’s fascination with automotive elegance and his dedication to preserving automotive history won him numerous awards, including the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2011 for his remarkable 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne.
In more recent times, his wife, Merle Mullin, became the ambassador of their collection, actively participating in rallies and events, driving the cars herself, and graciously receiving numerous awards on behalf of their collection.
For those eager to witness the legacy left behind by Peter Mullin, the Mullin Automotive Museum continues to be a sanctuary showcasing some of the world’s most beautifully designed and engineered automobiles. The museum welcomes visitors on Fridays and Saturdays, though it is recommended to book tickets well in advance to witness this unparalleled collection.
With Peter Mullin’s retirement, an era of passion-driven collection and preservation of automotive creativity and engineering comes to an end in addition to the loss of a renowned collector and enthusiast. His unwavering passion for cars and his immeasurable contribution to the world of auto collecting have cemented his reputation in the annals of automotive history. He will be remembered for having remarkable taste and being a devoted supporter of the elegance and history of the automobile.