Florida’s newest auto museum opens in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s newest auto museum is a hidden jewel located right here in Jacksonville. The Brumos Collection recently opened to the public and features dozens of collector race cars including the most expensive Porsche ever sold.

The Brumos Collection is nestled off a private drive not far from San Pablo Road off JTB. Inside the 35,000 square foot museum, you’ll find valuable race cars from past and present. The brightest star is a Porsche 917k that was purchased at an auction two years ago for more than $14 million. “Yes, that’s a very special part of our collection," says the Director of Operations, Toni Boudreaux-Godwin.

The Porsche 917k was purchased by the former chairman of Winn-Dixie, Dan Davis, who was the majority owner of Brumos Motors before selling to the Fields Auto Group. Davis collected the cars and racing legend Hurley Haywood raced them.

Photos: ‘The Brumos Collection,’ Florida’s newest auto museum opens in Jacksonville

The car collection spans almost three centuries. Huge pictures on the wall tell the story and so do digital kiosks near each car. “You can take a self-tour and find out information about the cars by touching these monitors. You can scroll and there’s amazing stories, there’s a full gallery of images and each car has design specifications,” said Boudreaux-Godwin.

The museum is built with a more than a million bricks and is designed in the style of the Ford factory built in Jacksonville in 1924 with its huge windows and skylights. A Model A greets visitors at the front door and it was produced in a Jacksonville factory. Most importantly, the museum is open to the public for everyone to see.

“People can come in and share their legacies, share their stories and create memories all under one roof,” said Boudreau-Godwin. You can check out everything from a 1886 horseless carriage, a Duesenberg and one of only two Peugeot Grand Prix racers that still exist today.

The Mercedes transporter named “Buster” is also on display. It transported the cars to their respective races.

Currently, the museum is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of each month. However, you have to book an appointment on the Brumos Collection website at www.thebrumoscollection.com. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children. In the future, the museum will also host movies, conferences and private parties.

1 of 20