[karlosdeville]

I'm currently in the US, my first visit, to see some great cars at Pebble Beach. Trying to squeeze in as much histroical motoring as possible, and a friend was nice enough to take me to the Blackhawk collection in Danville. Its an impressive selection of about 100 very high quality collectable automobiles, and also has on display the Rewa Daimler, and what is apparently another Rewa car, a Rolls.

The setting is a tad over the top, which includes black flooring, black walls, and black cielings - makes for a breathtaking visual display, but TERRIBLE for photography, especially the darker cars. I hardly got a single good shot, but being there was something else altogether.

I cannot emphasise just how special this place is - all under one roof are an eclectic collection of early Ferraris, all 3 BAT Alfas, a Pierce Silver Arrow, the Tulipwood Hispano, the Rewa Daimler, some well known Duesenbergs, a lightweight E-Type, multiple fantastic K series Mercedes, the Nepal F&F Rolls, a Bucciali, the Hartmann V16 Caddy, many Ghia bodied American concepts and much more.



The hallways are dotted with automobilia, including half a dozen antique gas dispensers, fuly restored, and a delight to see.

[karlosdeville]

As you enter there is a gorgeous blood red Pegaso and an equally attractive deep blue Aston to greet you. Pegaso was a French marque, that for a short while made terrific high performance sports cars, many bodied by Saoutchik. I believe the firm still exists, though building buses.





The museum is spread over 2 levels, we started with the upper level on their suggestion. The first cars we see are rather special - a matching pair of coachbuilt Nardi 'Blue Rays' - number 1 and 2. The pictures do not do justice at all, these cars are spectacular in design and construction, in amazing detail if you look up close. They were penned by Michelotti and built by the masters at Vignale.

[karlosdeville]

Art Deco at its best, the Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow. One of 2 OR 3 surviving, though I dont think too many more were even made.







A relatively obscure American car, this Ruxton must have created quite a stir when launched in America, in this period correct colour scheme! Front wheel drive, note absence of running boards.

[karlosdeville]

Amongst the couple of Alfas present was this pretty 8C with a Figoni body. The colour scheme made the car look rather understated. Also a later racer by Zagato.





An Aston Martin roadster, interestingly enough sporting a Bertone body.





Supercharged Auburn



One of my favourites, a 1930 Bucciali TAV 8 with radical styling by Saoutchik - front wheel drive, low slung, and menacing! Incredible detail runs everywhere.





A couple of Bugattis, including an unusual Van den Plas bodied car.

[karlosdeville]

Its tough to choose a favourite amongst the exhibits, but I would have to say it was the trio of BATs that did it for me. I was really thrilled to see them, I didn't know they were on display here. There is no substitute to seeing them in the flesh - the quality of metalwork is mindboggling - I cannot begin to image how they went about building these. The vents cut out in the fins Im told are to improve visibilty.

[karlosdeville]

The car I was most looking forward to see (initially, at least) was the polished Daimler from Rewa. The car appeared to be in a remarkable state of preservation, apparently the tyres too.

















Another car on display, also reportedly from Rewa was this strange Rolls. Completely over the top, I'm not so convinced of its lineage. For example, I'm not sure why the crest on the door shows two guns - another hunting car misunderstanding? Can the experts confirm?









Giving company was this Figoni & Falaschi Phantom 2, reportedly ex Nepal, and the only Rolls they ever did. Surprisingly understated, I found it quite elegant.

[karlosdeville]

This light pink Delage had large accents of contrasting polished metalwork, lending it an elegant look, and strangely I did not find it garish at all, complemented with a Lalique peacock head mascot.





The famous 'Tulipwood' Hispano Suiza is a sight to see - though now a tad dehydrated. The workmanship is something else, with hundereds of brass rivets and copper highlights.











This large dual cowl Hispano had tremendous presensce, but I couldn't photograph it well.



This Frazer BMW 328 (?) was the lone representative of the marque.



1906 Caddillac.



This V-16 built by Willy Hartman is completely crazy! I remember reading about it years back, when the car was 'Falaschified', even gaining an ID tag stating so. Fortunately it is now removed.





This Chrysler had a really large imposing body, though fitted with a rumble seat.



A gorgeous Duesenberg SJ, with coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz. I'm told both Bohman and Schwartz were previously working with J Murphy, another coachbuilder known for his work on Dueseys.



Packard Tourer.



Custom built Ford Thunderbird was a showcar.



Healey roadster

[karlosdeville]

The Mercedes lineup was spectactular, with an assortment of K Type cars, including a replica of the original Benz.



Its a pity this Special Roadster was tucked in a corner.







I particularly liked this car, bodied by a lesser known English coachbuilder Mayfair Carriage, for a Nazi official.









Isotta Fraschini



There was even a Minerva



Lagonda V12



Couple of Maserati saloons.

[karlosdeville]

There were a few American cars of the 1950s with gorgeous Ghia bodies, all showcars I guess. They included the black Caddy, and some Dodges.





Some lovely competition Jags included a C Type, two D Types, and even a competition lightweight ex-works E-Type.







This was a strage looking coachbuilt Morgan. Up close the proportions made it look more like a caricature!



Some great Packards included this regal looking Tourer, fitted with a much earlier French body from the 1920s. Also loved the yellow Darrin car.







This pair of racing Porsches were impressive.

[karlosdeville]

An impressive selection of Ferraris were on display, many with competition history, though I'm afraid I know nothing about them.





















The selection of Rolls Royces included a tradional early Ghost and this outrageous Phantom III.









Thats it from my side. Happy motoring.

[travancore]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Another car on display, also reportedly from Rewa was this strange Rolls. Completely over the top, I'm not so convinced of its lineage. For example, I'm not sure why the crest on the door shows two guns - another hunting car misunderstanding? Can the experts confirm?

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Unfortunately, this "Rewa" car is someone's fantasy (or marketing ploy) - though it has been described that way for quite a few years. And now complete with Elephants & Guns (on the crest).

It is RR PII Chassis 179-XJ and the only foreign lands it has visited, per what I know is as follows:

Original owner: Andre Mertzanoff of New York (Feb 1930)
Back to UK ca 1958
Returned to USA in 1960
Retromobile Paris in 1995

[kasli]

Originally Posted by travancore

Unfortunately, this "Rewa" car is someone's fantasy (or marketing ploy) - though it has been described that way for quite a few years. And now complete with Elephants & Guns (on the crest).

It is RR PII Chassis 179-XJ and the only foreign lands it has visited, per what I know is as follows:

Original owner: Andre Mertzanoff of New York (Feb 1930)
Back to UK ca 1958
Returned to USA in 1960
Retromobile Paris in 1995

One bunch of marketing guys. How cum this was not used for hunting

Cheers

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Art Deco at its best, the Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow. One of 2 OR 3 surviving, though I dont think too many more were even made.

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@karlosdeville, The cars look fabulous. esp the Pierce Arrow. In fact, I'd seen the Pierce Arrow in Atlanta at an event called 'Allure of the Automobile' and fell in love with the styling.

I have a thread about this event too.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/beyond...-car-show.html

However, If you don't mind me posting, here are my pix of the same beautiful car.