Past Exhibitions

European Train Enthusiasts: All Aboard 2013

Friday, November 23, 2012 - Sunday, January 6, 2013

The ETE has been coming to Blackhawk with their unique, modular display and model trains for more than a decade. One of their most recent layouts won third place at the Nation Model Railroad Association National Convention.

Past Programs/Lectures

Classic Car Detailing with Diamond Car Care Systems

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Diamond Car Care Systems has over twenty years of detailing experience and are always looking for a new challenge. Keith Thompson and Cullen Wetmore have detailed some of the world’s more precious cars in preparation for many of the most important occasions. They have always maintained that their 'Detail System' is available to the discriminating owner and evaluated by the demands of the vehicle, where budget and expenses are a primary focus.

This program gave everyone the chance to witness their technique and learn about the 'System' that keeps some of the world's rarest automobiles in top form. Anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to get the most out of the appearance of their car should attend this demonstration.

Barney Oldfield Lecture
with Great, Great, Great Nephew Wayne Petersen

Saturday, October 6, 2012

In the early days of American racing Barney Oldfield was a legend in his own time. He began his career as a bicycle racer and later became an automotive racer. He was the first man to be clocked at 60 miles per hour on an oval track, helping put himself and then little known automaker, Henry Ford, on the map.

Oldfield raced in many races and exhibitions, some sanctioned and some not. For a large part of his career he was suspended by the AAA from competitive racing, but that just added to his outlaw image. A bona fide cultural icon, Barney starred in a Broadway show, made a movie about driving his car to save a damsel in distress, and all the while he could seemingly beat opponents at will in his "Blitzen Benz".

This lecture was presented by the Wayne Petersen who in addition to being a collector and enthusiast of Barney Oldfield's, is also the great-great-nephew of Bess Gooby—who was married to Barney twice.

West Coast Auto Racing
Lou Brero Jr.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Both Lou Brero Jr. and his father were known for their driving skills and highly competitive spirits. It wasn't just a sport for the pair, it was a lifestyle. It didn’t matter what machinery they drove, from the price of the racing machine to the size of the engine, because they easily made up for their lack there of 'whatever', in every smooth turn and move on the track.

Lou Jr. has always said that 'wealthy lumbermen do not drive $1200 dollar Kurtis cars with a 17 year old mechanic, wealthy lumbermen buy $37,000 dollar Ferraris with factory mechanics.' Nonetheless, both Breros were legends that managed 'Superior performances with hard to drive machinery.'

The Breros raced everything from their Kurtis-Cadillac to C-Type Jaguars, as well as the 1953 Ferrari 375 Spider–the same car that had been driven by Phil Hill, Ken Miles and Carrol Shelby.

Blackhawk Museum • 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville, CA 94506
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