Western Region members of the LCOC kicked off 2018 on February 10 in exciting fashion with a morning of tire kicking and a tour at the fabulous Mullin Museum in Oxnard, followed by lunch at the nearby La Dolce Vita Restaurant. More than 20 LCOC members with cars ranging from Jack Jones’ beautiful 1941 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe to Bob Blevins’ 2017 MKX braved the Southern California freeways for early arrival at the Mullin. As usual, Blevins got the unofficial prize for the longest commute, chugging into town all the way from Yuma, Arizona the night before the tour.
Other notable older vehicles belonged to Jim and Carol Higgs, who came in their 1989 Mark VII, John Burge and Mike Steiner who arrived in their 1996 Town Car, Stacy and Kerry Roscoe who bundled up against the spring chill and drove their 1958 Continental Convertible with the top down. Jeff Frank brought his Mark IV, and just for a change of pace Marv Wendt and Jan McNiel came in their 1963 Thunderbird.Stacy and Kerry Roscoe’s 1958 Lincoln Continenal Mark III Convertible.
The Mullin staff reserved parking for our cars, and LCOC members Hal and Reniger furnished coffee and doughnuts. Kerry Roscoe and the Renigers did a great job planning the event, as did Jan McNiel who ably tracked registration. A star of the show was the vintage 1941 Lincoln-Zephyr with its black exterior and flawless interior. Jack Jones drove the Zephyr from Los Angeles and all of us appreciated the effort to bring it out for our enjoyment.
It is a beautiful facility that once housed a car collection formerly owned by one time publisher of the Los Angeles Times Otis Chandler. On his death, his widow vowed to keep the building from becoming just another small factory. Her goal was to maintain its collector car heritage and Peter Mullin stepped up to make that wish a reality.
He maintained and enhanced the Art Deco features of the building to match many of the autos and artifacts displayed there. A particular admirer of French auto styling and technology, Mullin owns some 35 Bugattis from the former Schlum Collection, and the museum is currently featuring a large Citroen display, spectacular Lalique glass hood ornaments, and Art Deco car models and paintings. Mullin has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Pebble Beach Concours and is the chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum.
A docent-led tour dazzled LCOC members with the many varieties of Citroen vehicles in the museum ranging from the first car built by the company in 1919 to a 1973 French style food wagon, rare and custom cars valued at several million dollars and much simpler models intended for the less well heeled. After touring, members motored to the nearby restaurant for a great lunch.
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