The Brumos Collection

Discovering the Legacy of an Automotive Icon

Photography Courtesy of The Brumos Collection

Having been a fan of most anything automobilia for over four decades, I discovered well before I was even old enough to hold a license that there are car fans, there are racing fans, then there are Porsche fans. Indeed, the last group typically falls into a category of exuberant passion; often crossing over into obsession for many aficionados of the brand.

If you’re the type that sees a vintage 80’s 911 Carrera or 70’s 914 in a parking lot and then find yourself walking around the car several times - admiring the perfect curves and day-dreaming of slinging the rear end around on a rural two lane, while double-clutching through the 5 speed, keeping all the shifts above 3,000 rpms, then a visit to Florida’s holy grail of Porsche history is the place to indulge in all those automotive fantasies— without getting funny looks in your local Target parking lot. A visit to The Brumos Collection is as close as you’ll get to Stuttgart without a plane ticket, and the remarkable cars -Porsches and other collectibles- will make any true car lover feel as if they can hear the engines and smell the oil.

The Brumos Collection stands as a testament to automotive innovation, motorsports heritage, and the enduring legacy of one of America’s most iconic racing identities. Opened to the public in early 2020 after years of passionate planning and curation, this 35,000-square-foot museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience automotive history from the dawn of the automobile to the cutting edge racing performance of today.

Unlike many collections that focus exclusively on road cars, The Brumos Collection immerses guests in the story of motorsport evolution. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with design elements evocative of classic racetracks and historic automotive factories, including guardrails and brickwork that pays homage to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and early 20th-century manufacturing plants. Inside, interactive kiosks and multimedia stations enhance the exhibits, allowing enthusiasts and casual visitors alike to dive deep into each car’s engineering, racing achievements, and historical context.

As motorsports legend, and winning Porsche driver, Hurley Haywood says, “There is really no other facility that allows you to get so close to the cars that you can almost smell their heritage.”

Haywood has a four-decade partnership with Brumos, with the collection displaying some of his most famous cars, including the iconic Porsche 917/10 Can-Am, 1971 IMSA GT championship-winning 1971 Porsche 914-6 GT, driven with teammate Peter Gregg, 1970 Porsche 911S, his 1978 Porsche 911 RSR, that won at Daytona, 1979 Porsche 935, his 1991 Porsche 964 Turbo, and the 1986 Porsche 962 Hurley drove with A.J. Foyt.

Although the museum encompasses automobiles from a wide range of makes and eras -including early board-track racers and European classics- Porsche’s motorsport legacy and the Brumos racing story are center stage. Brumos Porsche traces its origins back to 1953 when Hubert Brundage founded Brundage Motors, later nicknamed “Brumos,” as a Volkswagen and Porsche dealership that helped fuel local racing passion in Jacksonville. Through the decades, Brumos evolved into one of the country’s most respected Porsche dealers and a formidable racing presence. Brumos fielded Porsche race cars under the celebrated red, white, and blue color palette synonymous with American endurance racing.

Fans of Porsche, and racing history, will find several legendary machines on display. Among the collection’s most compelling vehicles in general is the 1970 Porsche 917K -made famous by Steve McQueen’s film Le Mans and widely regarded as one of the most influential prototypes in racing history. The museum also showcases a 1968 Porsche 908, a car that established Porsche’s dominance in endurance racing, and the iconic 1979 Porsche 935, Peter Gregg’s last race car and one of the few believed to survive in unmodified form. Additionally, you’ll see many of Haywood’s winning cars, mentioned here, and as expected by any Porsche fanatic, the classic 911 is prevalent in multiple variations, illustrating the icon’s competitive breadth and engineering evolution from the 1960’s to the modern-day iteration of the car that makes Porsche the recognized symbol it is. The museum also celebrates the achievements of the drivers and teams who brought these machines to life.

Whether you are a dedicated gearhead, a hardcore Porsche buff, or just an admirer of automotive art, The Brumos Collection offers a uniquely engaging journey through innovation, competition, and passion.

The Brumos Collection is located at 5859 San Pablo Rd. S., Jacksonville, Florida

Open Thursday-Saturday. For more information visit TheBrumosCollection.com