Now It’s Approved, Meet The Oxford Mullin Automotive Park
If you are reading this on The Classic Motor Hub blog, it’s a safe bet that you have a keen interest in classic cars and motoring in general. There is also a good chance that you are already aware of the recent good news regarding the Mullin Automotive Park proposed for Enstone Airfield in Oxfordshire.
Last week West Oxfordshire District Council gave outline planning permission for the brand-new automotive facility. The Mullin Automotive Park has been designed by Sir Norman Foster and the architect’s drawings look absolutely fantastic. Peter Mullin, an American businessman and philanthropist already has a museum in Oxnard, California which houses the majority of his 400-strong car collection. Fascinated by French coachwork of the 1920s and 1930s, Mr Mullin’s collection focuses on the “L’Epoque des carrossiers” believing this time period to be the pinnacle of 20th century automotive design and craftsmanship.
The planning application has been ongoing for more than a year now. Six months ago The Classic Motor Hub hosted a wine tasting for Mullin Estate wines on conjunction with the Bentley Drivers’ Club to help garner support for the application which at that time had gone to the public consultation phase and attracted the predictable short-sighted “NIMBY” responses. Thankfully the planners have seen through the petty squabbles of the locals and approved the project which will bring much needed refurbishment to the brownfield sight and will boost the local economy through increased tourism.
The site itself will be home to a museum with a curated display of some 200 of the worlds finest Bugattis, Delages, Citroens and will also shine a spotlight on more diverse and wonderful creations such as the Avions Voisin C6 Laboratoire which we have enjoyed looking after for the last 10 months along with Mr Mullin’s stunning Delage D8-120 and Bugatti Type 54.
On a recent visit to The Classic Motor Hub to inspect his Henri Chapron Citroen DS, Peter expressed his delight over the news, visibly excited at the prospect of having an automotive Mecca in the Cotswolds where he has spent lots of time throughout his life. As well as the museum there will also be 28 holiday homes with room for people to store cars on the condition that they will also exhibit some vehicles in the museum as well. The site will also have an exercise track and is expected to be an ideal venue for concours events and shows. Mr Mullin has said in the past that his goal is to assist with the education and innovation, and to illuminate the past for the benefit of the future. The impact of the impact of the automobile on our modern way of life deserves to be recorded in the most imaginative, educational and absorbing way possible.’
In short, the Mullin Automotive Park will be a fantastic destination for classic car enthusiasts right on The Hub’s doorstep. We have been thrilled to play a very small part in the project so far and look forward to announcing more exiting plans in conjunction with the Museum in the future.