Mullin Automotive Museum at 1421 Emerson Avenue in Oxnard, California, is an internationally recognized automotive and decorative arts landmark dedicated to French Art Deco coachbuilding and Machine Age design of the 1920s and 1930s. Founded in April 2010 by philanthropist and collector Peter W. Mullin alongside his wife Merle Mullin, the 47,000-square-foot facility occupies the building that formerly housed Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler’s Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife. Following Peter Mullin’s passing in September 2023, the museum concluded its public exhibitions in February 2024 and dispersed much of its collection to institutions including the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and international collectors, making its Oxnard campus an important touchstone in Ventura County’s automotive heritage.
What to Expect at Mullin Automotive Museum
Designed by architect Vincent Dyer and reimagined with period-authentic Parisian showrooms and Le Mans racing dioramas, the Mullin Automotive Museum earned global acclaim for assembling the largest private collection of pre-war French automobiles outside Europe. The main ground-floor exhibition hall was styled after the Grand Palais in Paris, complete with ornate wrought-iron signage and period lighting that framed sculpted aerodynamic bodywork by coachbuilders Figoni et Falaschi, Saoutchik, Chapron, and Pourtout. Alongside the vehicles, the mezzanine and upper galleries displayed furniture, sculpture, and fine art by three generations of the Bugatti family: Carlo Bugatti’s inlaid parchment furniture, Rembrandt Bugatti’s bronze wildlife sculptures, and Ettore and Jean Bugatti’s legendary racing and grand touring chassis.
Because the museum closed its public doors in February 2024 following the passing of founder Peter W. Mullin, travelers coming to 1421 Emerson Avenue in Oxnard can no longer tour the interior galleries. Automotive enthusiasts wishing to experience the core masterpieces of the Mullin legacy can view key donated and loaned vehicles at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, where Peter Mullin served as long-time board chairman, or explore active car culture right down the street at the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard. Those researching the Oxnard site and its historic exhibitions will recognize five defining highlights that shaped its fourteen-year run:
- 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic: One of only three surviving examples of Jean Bugatti’s riveted magnesium-alloy coupe, renowned for its dorsal seam and teardrop fenders and winner of Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
- 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia Roadster: Recovered after resting for 73 years at the bottom of Lake Maggiore on the Swiss-Italian border, displayed in a darkened gallery in its preserved, un-restored barn-find state.
- 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe: Coachbuilt by Figoni et Falaschi with sweeping pontoon fenders and two-tone lacquer, representing the pinnacle of French goutte d’eau (teardrop) aerodynamic design.
- Bugatti Family Decorative Arts Mezzanine: Over 100 pieces of Carlo Bugatti furniture, Rembrandt Bugatti animal bronzes, and Art Deco glass by René Lalique and Émile Gallé illustrating the wider Machine Age aesthetic.
- 1920s French Racing Paddock & Roof Garden: A recreated vintage endurance racing pit lane featuring Bugatti Type 35, Delahaye 135, Voisin C25 Aerodyne, and Hispano-Suiza H6B models, complemented by an upstairs theater and rooftop garden.
Mullin Automotive Museum at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1421 Emerson Ave, Oxnard, CA 93033, United States |
| Neighborhood / Area | South Oxnard Industrial & Cultural Corridor, Ventura County |
| Operating Hours | Permanently closed to the public as of February 10, 2024 (formerly open Fridays and Saturdays 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM) |
| Admission / Price Range | Closed to public admissions (historical general admission was $16 adults, $14 seniors, $10 children) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 15 minutes for exterior architecture viewing; 1.5 to 2 hours at nearby Oxnard museums |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Gold Coast Transit Route 4 along Rose Avenue; Oxnard Transit Center (Amtrak Pacific Surfliner & Metrolink) 2.5 miles northwest |
| Official Website & Phone | mullinautomotivemuseum.com | +1 805-385-5400 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Travelers planning an automotive heritage itinerary in Ventura County should verify current schedules before driving to 1421 Emerson Avenue, as the Mullin Automotive Museum building is no longer open for walk-in or timed-entry public tours. The property sits in a commercial park just east of South Oxnard Boulevard (California State Route 1) and west of South Rose Avenue, approximately ten minutes south of U.S. Route 101 via the Rose Avenue exit. Visitors arriving by train at the Oxnard Transit Center via the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink Ventura County Line can take a 7-minute rideshare or Gold Coast Transit bus south toward Emerson Avenue. The surrounding streetscape and parking lot are flat and paved with curb cuts, offering straightforward exterior viewing from the sidewalk.
To turn a stop in Oxnard into a full afternoon of classic cars and coastal history, pair the area with the Murphy Auto Museum (1930 Eastman Avenue, a five-minute drive north), which remains open on weekends with rotating displays of American muscle cars, vintage trailers, and a massive HO-scale model train layout. Five minutes northwest at 715 South A Street, Heritage Square Oxnard showcases eleven restored Victorian and Craftsman homes dating from 1876 to 1912, surrounded by brick walkways, a visitor center, and local coffee and wine tasting rooms. For coastal air and dining, head 15 minutes west to Channel Islands Harbor, where waterfront seafood spots and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum overlook the marina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard still open to the public?
No, the Mullin Automotive Museum permanently closed its public doors on February 10, 2024, following the death of founder Peter W. Mullin in September 2023. Updates on the foundation’s legacy and collection archives are posted on mullinautomotivemuseum.com.
Where can I see the cars from the Mullin Automotive Museum collection today?
Several centerpiece French Art Deco automobiles from Peter Mullin’s collection were donated or transferred to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, while other vintage Bugattis, Delahayes, and Voisins were acquired by museums and private collectors during the 2024 Gooding & Company auctions at the Oxnard facility.
What active car museums can I visit nearby in Oxnard?
Travelers in Oxnard can visit the Murphy Auto Museum at 1930 Eastman Avenue, located two miles north of the former Mullin site, which features classic American automobiles, vintage campers, and monthly Cars & Coffee gatherings. In nearby Santa Paula, the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula at 800 East Santa Maria Street displays vintage aircraft and classic cars in historic hangars.
What was the history of the building at 1421 Emerson Avenue?
The 47,000-square-foot building at 1421 Emerson Avenue was originally commissioned in 1987 by Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler to house the Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife. After Chandler passed away in 2006, Peter and Merle Mullin acquired the property and remodeled it into an Art Deco automotive showcase that operated from 2010 to 2024.
When planning your Oxnard travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Oxnard, pair this stop with standout local spots including Cajun Country Cafe, The Murphy Auto Museum, Channel Islands Harbor, and Best Western Oxnard Inn (1.3 km away).
