San Francisco is home to the most historically significant car collections ever assembled. Founded in 19981 by Ken Behring and Don Williams, The Blackhawk Museum was built to be a one-of-a-kind and educational experience for Classic Cars, The Spirit of the Old West, Art of Africa, China History, and The World of Nature.
But what stands out for car enthusiasts, is the awesome display of classic cars that are mostly one-of-a-kind. These antique, rare, vintage and classic cars are one of the most astounding car collections in the world.
This fabulous 1947 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi Narval Coachwork by Cabriolet Figoni et Falaschi is only one of seven produced. The car debuted at the 1947 Paris Auto Salon show and was originally owned by legendary French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet.
The Car Collection includes Vintage Ferraris, Aston Martins, 1950’s American cars, and coach-built Rolls-Royce classics. the collection also includes several important historic race cars such as a 500K Mercedes, a rare 1930’s Packard, and an original Ford GT10.
The car collection rotates on a regular basis but stays true to only displaying historically-significant classics, signature sports cars, and uniquely styled vehicles.
Some featured rare collectible cars of the past have been a 1936 Bugatti Type 57S Surbaisse, 1947 Delahaye135MS Figoni et Falaschi Narval Cabriolet, 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, and a 1938 Packard Twelve Torpedo-Cabriolet Coachwork by Kellner.
The Blackhawk Museum is a monolithic red-clay-looking building that features giant statues of Elephants and Giraffes at the entrants. The Museum is located just thirty-five miles east of San Francisco in Danville California.
The Blackhawk Museum is open to the public and features five themed exhibits.
The mission of The Blackhawk Museum is to stimulate children’s interest in and further understanding of art, technology, and culture. Additional education comes from a look at history through exhibitions and programming that engage, educate, and inspire humankind in its diverse world.
The museum’s newest gallery, World of Nature, is dedicated to the natural diversity that exists in the world and features more than 650 unique animals, birds, insects, and fish in life-like habitats and immersive audio called “Wild Scapes.”
Wild Scapes uses real animal sounds and environmental audio to recreate the sounds from habitats around the world, creating a one-of-a-kind experience from the Arctic, African Savannah, rain forest, the jungles of South America, and more.
Inside The Blackhawk Car Museum Is A One Of A Kind Uber Rare Car Collection Of All Dates And Marques
The Blackhawk Museum houses some of the most famous and historically significant automobiles in the world which include such car classics as a 1935 Duesenberg and a contemporary 2017 Lamborghini Centenario.
Blackhawk also hosts car clubs from all over the region. On any given weekend there maybe 15 to 50 or more unique automobiles and enthusiasts outside the museum sharing their motoring experiences. As a result, newcomers to the museum might be surprised to discover the range and beauty of its other galleries.
VIDEO: INSIDE THE BLACKHAWK MUSEUM
In the Black Hawk car collection, you will see a 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” Concept Car which is one of the most famous Thunderbirds in the world.
This Ford Thunderbird “Italien” Concept Car is a special 1963 Thunderbird that shows a new roofline with aerodynamic styling and a customized leather interior that was sculpted in a clay model and completed as a one-off by FORD design.
.At the museum is one of the most famous Thunderbirds in the world. It is a one-of-a-kind 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” Concept car designed by Ford Motors.
“The special 1963 Thunderbird features a new roofline/trunk with aerodynamic styling and a customized leather interior with bucket seats front and rear. The Thunderbird Italien was a styling study from Ford’s Thunderbird styling department which actually built the plywood buck over which they sculpted the clay model of the roof in their own studios. Construction was done at Ford outsourcing contractor DTS where many other concept cars were built. When completed this one-off design was taken by Ford to many of the Autoramas such as Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, and more. “ Source BlackHawk Museum
One of the Blackhawk Museum‘s most original cars is a 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C with a body paneled with tulipwood. In past years, the car collection has displayed such cars as the 1962 John F. Kennedy limousine and a Chinese Hongqi, the first Chinese-made automobile to be imported to the United States.
Other such cars on display in the car collection are a rare 2016 Ferrari F12, a 1932 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton, a 1933 Packard Super 8 – Model 1004, and a 1974 Hongqi ‘Red Flag’ CA 770.
“Blackhawk Museum is special because we offer incredible diversity in one museum,” says Joel Hodge, Program Director, and Curator. “Our galleries–The Auto Gallery, The Spirit of the Old West, Art of Africa, Into China, and World of Nature–offer opportunities to see and learn in an immersive educational environment like no other on the West Coast. We feature an ever-changing world-class collection of Classic and Exotic cars. We tell the story of the settlement of the West, good and bad. We highlight the unique relationship between man and nature in our Art of Africa and Into China galleries. We transport guests around the world and immerse them in unique environments that they would not see or visit otherwise in the World of Nature.”
Behring Global Educational Foundation
Behring Global Educational Foundation
The Blackhawk Museum is part of the Behring Global Educational Foundation and the International Museums Partnership.
Behring Global Educational Foundation is a worldwide organization seeking the betterment of communities and individuals, where the needs are the greatest, wherever they may be. Join us in our quest for a better world – for all.
The organization is also the sponsor of Global Natural History Day, an international natural history competition with student participants from China, Africa, the United States, and elsewhere who compete together to solve world problems involving nature and the natural world.
“Blackhawk Museum is a rich community resource,” Hodge notes. “We strive to offer a unique experience with our artifacts in a beautiful, clean environment that both educates and transports our patrons. We hope guests will leave with a little more knowledge about our shared past, our present, and future. We also host large community, civic and private events, year-round.”
The Classic Car Collection
View a spectacular example of historically significant and artistically-inspired classic cars from the earliest age of motoring to contemporary automobiles.
Credit To Hacienda Pulse and Hacienda Pulse Staff Writer
Some Of The World’s Finest Cars
The Blackhawk Museum Classic Car Collection displays historically significant automobiles from an 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagon to classics like a 1935 Duesenberg, to Ford GT40, to a contemporary 2017 Lamborghini Centenario.
Here is a 1967 Mirage Ford GT40 Coupe that was campaigned by legendary team manager John Wyer’s J.W. Automotive for Gulf Oil Racing Team. This is the very first GT40 to be painted in the famed powder blue and orange colors.
Visitors can see specialty collectible cars like the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 known as “Eleanor” and driven by Nicholas Cage in the movie “Gone in 60 Seconds”. View the rarest of automobiles in a rotating selection of more than 50 historically-significant automobiles. classics, sports, and styling cars, each visit is unique.
Schedule Your Tour
Docent Guided Tours – Join our docent-led tours.
The Blackhawk Museum offers guided tours for groups of 10 or more by appointment only. Two tours per group, per day, are available. Group admission pricing is extended if tickets are paid in advance or with one group ticket purchased at the Reception Desk at the time of the tour. Book a tour by clicking the link above or contact [email protected] for more information.
History and Founders
The Blackhawk Museum was founded in 1988 in Danville, CA by Ken Behring and Don Williams The museum is one-of-a-kind and best known for its significant collection of antique, classic, rare, and one-of-a-kind automobiles. The Museum encompasses five separate sub-museums including The Classic Car Collection, The Spirit of the Old West, Into China, Art of Africa, and World of Nature.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sentinels Of Freedom – Annual Sentinels Gala
Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Sentinels of Freedom is hosting their Annual Sentinels Gala here at the Blackhawk Museum. Sentinels of Freedom provides vital support and assistance to post-9/11 severely wounded and injured veterans as they seek to achieve post-service higher education leading to professional career placement. The event will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM. You can help support Sentinels of Freedom by purchasing your tickets through the link below. More on Sentinels of Freedom
NCCA 40th Annual All Corvette Show
May 22, 2022, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The NCCA 40th Annual All Corvette Show is being held here at the Blackhawk Museum. The show will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. You can register your Corvette for $40 using the link below. Corvettes will be out in the lower parking lot of the Plaza as well as in the courtyard in front of the museum. More on 40th Annual – A Legend on Display All-Corvette Show at the Blackhawk Museum.
Alfa Romeo Association of Northern California
June 4, 2022, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
The Alfa Romeo Association of Northern California will be stopping by the Blackhawk Museum on Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. They are bringing 100+ cars to showcase in the Blackhawk Plaza parking lot as well as the courtyard in front of the museum.
Z Owner’s of Northern California Car Club
June 5, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
ZONC will be showcasing 150 cars in the courtyard in front of the museum as well as in the lower plaza parking lot. The show will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Z Owners of Northern California is one of the oldest “Z” car clubs in Northern California dedicated to Datsun and Nissan enthusiasts. Z.O.N.C. was established in 1972 and incorporated in 1976. Come out and join us for a fun day here at the museum with some awesome cars! More on ZONC
Inaugural Jon Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Car Show
Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 8 AM to 2 PM
Our Inaugural Jon Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Car Show will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 8 AM to 2 PM. Bring a collectible, rod, classic, or muscle car. Dads may bring their favorite vehicle regardless of make since it’s Father’s Day. Live music will be provided by Juke Joint from 10 AM to 1 PM. Registration is now open! The first 175 cars to register will receive a goodie bag.
General Admission: Tickets prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children. seniors and veterans, Children, and active military are admitted for FREE. Visitors are encouraged to purchase admission in advance but may purchase admission at the door. For more information on ticket prices please visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org.
Hours:
Friday – 10AM – 5PM
Saturday – 10AM – 5PM
Sunday – 10AM – 5PM
*Guided Tours available on Saturday and Sunday
**The Museum is closed Monday through Thursday.
Guided Tours included with Admission Ticket
Guided tours are only available on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm.
*These Docent-Led Tours start in the lobby and are free with admission to the Museum.
**Docent Tours are subject to availability
Contact:
(925) 736-2280
[email protected]
The Blackhawk Museum on Facebook
Location: Blackhawk Plaza
Address: 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville, CA 94506
Blackhawk Museum is a subsidiary of Behring Global Educational Foundation – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Tax I.D. #94-3353881.
