Abell
Los Angeles, Calif. – Abell Auction Co. to present The Mullin Automotive Collection: Bugatti and the Art of the Automobile on March 4, featuring rare French automobiles, paintings, décor and artifacts from the legendary Mullin Automotive Museum. Curated by the prominent American businessman and philanthropist Peter Mullin (1941-2023), the collection reflects his lifelong passion for automotive excellence, French artistry and Art Deco design. Live bidding for the online sale, featuring nearly 350 lots, starts at 10 a.m. PST.
Founded in 2010 in Oxnard, California, the Mullin Automotive Museum was dedicated to celebrating the beauty and innovation of French automobiles from the Art Deco era. Inspired by Mullin’s deep admiration for car marques such as Bugatti and Delahaye, the museum housed one of the world’s finest collections of pre-war French automobiles, along with an array of paintings, fixtures, sculptures and decorative objects that captured the elegance of the 1920s and 1930s.
Personal effects of the legendary Bugatti family, automotive pioneers known for their artistry and engineering brilliance, will punctuate the March 4 sale. Among the standout items is an original bench handcrafted by Carlo Bugatti, known as one of the most significant sculptors of the early 20th century.
Abell
Collectors and connoisseurs also will have the opportunity to acquire a lovingly curated collection of Art Deco bronze figures, glass vases and furniture. Plus, an array of esteemed car show awards, automobile scale models, rare car parts and notable appointments that once adorned displays at the Mullin Automotive Museum. Auction highlights include:
- 1931 Citroën C4G Type A, Production No. 1
- 1949 Simca 8 Berline
- Original Italian walnut, pewter and copper bench by Carlo Bugatti
- 1930 Ettore Bugatti shop press
- Full-scale bronze depicting the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix winning Bugatti Type 35B
- Signed Lidia Bugatti watercolor and ink on paper: Leaping Panther Hood Mascot
- Signed Francois Vanaret oil on canvas: Renault Phaeton Landaulet Type JV 1922
- Array of Bugatti signage and workshop fixtures
- Historically significant automobile and racing awards, including first-place 2005 USA Bugatti Grand Prix trophy and 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion trophy by Posson
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“The Mullin Automotive Museum was a testament to Peter Mullin’s deep appreciation for hand-crafted details, luxurious design and innovative engineering,” said Abell Auction. Co. Director of Appraisals and Trust Services Max Zellman. “We are delighted to offer this rare opportunity to acquire an extraordinary piece of automotive history and honor his rich legacy.”
Interested buyers are invited to register in advance and preview auction items at www.abell.com. All items will be stored at the former Mullin Automotive Museum facility located at 1421 Emerson Ave. in Oxnard, California, 93033. An auction preview will be held at that location on February 26-29 and March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Buyers may place absentee bids with Abell directly, bid via telephone or bid online at www.abell.com, LiveAuctioneers.com or Invaluable.com. For more information or to speak with an auctioneer, please call 310.858.3073.
About Abell Auction Co. – In 1916, company founder A.N. Abell established Abell Auction Co. as Los Angeles’ first permanent auction house that would serve generations of loyal clients to come. Abell has been entrusted with fine estates and collections for over a century, handling the treasured belongings of many high-profile clients and legendary figures in Hollywood. Now in its fourth generation of continuous family operation, Abell’s weekly and quarterly sales attract an international audience of buyers. Visit www.abell.com or call 310.858.3073.
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