Phil Hill, who became America’s first F1 World Champion 50 years ago, is the subject of a special exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Scheduled to run from early September through Thanksgiving weekend, the exhibit, Phil Hill: The Life of a Legend, includes photos, trophies and memorabilia from Hill’s career and features several of the vehicles he raced as well as some he restored.
Among the cars on hand will be the 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa that he and Olivier Gendebien drove to the first of Hill’s three Le Mans triumphs and the Chaparral 2E with which he won his final race, the Laguna Seca Can-Am of 1966, as well as the 1931 Pierce-Arrow in which he learned to drive and the 1927 Packard he restored that claimed Best of Show at Pebble Beach.
Highlight of the exhibition will be the museum’s Annual Tribute Night on Thursday, November 10, where in addition to a buffet dinner, attendees will enjoy a film program highlighting Phil’s Formula One career and his adventures at Le Mans in the ’50s and ’60s. The night will be capped by remembrances from Hill’s many friends in the sport, a group likely to include Jesse Alexander, Bob Bondurant, John Fitch, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Jim Hall, Denise McCluggage, Stirling Moss, Augie Pabst, Sam Posey and Carroll Shelby.
Tickets are available on the web at www.petersen.org or by calling (323) 964-6359 or (323) 964-6325.
