Dr. Fred Simeone June 8, 1936 – June 12, 2022
Dr. Frederick Anthony Simeone, who lived in Philadelphia and is 86 years old, died peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Pennsylvania Hospital, a second home to him. You can read Dr. Simeone’s obituary on the Simeone Museum’s website.
Fred Simeone, retired chief of neurosurgery at Pennsylvania Hospital for 25 years. He retired in 2008 and founded the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum where he shares his collection of cars and his knowledge.
Dr. Fred Simeone acquired # 12 1963 Corvette Grand Sport chassis 002 in late 2009, and Corvette fans are truly indebted to this wonderful man of passion and foresight.
Our great country was reeling from a near-fatal overdose of borrowing that almost toppled its banks. The five original Grand Sports had outclimbed their value, and Rob Myers of RM Auctions, a blindsided victim, soon realized the car had to go. Word has it he sought out Fred to buy this lone un-restored example for a guesstimated $ 5mm.
Fred had already reached the top level for collectors of rare performance automobiles. Think about the REVS in Naples, FL, the Petersen in LA, and the INDY museum.
The time had come to find a real home for the “priceless” collection of relics he had stashed away in garages in his native Philadelphia.
He located a 78,000-sq.ft building on the outskirts of the Philly airport that came with a 2-acre lot. He hired skilled mechanics to maintain and exercise his collection of thoroughbreds vs. letting them out to pasture. The cars in the collection are mostly racing cars.
Click on the photo to watch this demo day for Grand Sport chassis 002.
Fred hosted car celebrities like Jay Leno and racing luminaries, including original owner & driver George Wintersteen; George’s close friend Roger Penske; Doug Fehan, Program Manager for the Corvette Racing Team and Tommy Milner, a popular young driver under his wing.
Fred’s museum became a mecca for car aficionados with plenty of space for social events.
A public memorial for Dr. Simeone was held on Thursday, June 16 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825 Norwich Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19153 from 3 pm to 7 pm.
Our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and thanks go out to Fred’s daughter & family, his devoted staff, and many friends and admirers.
The fifth annual Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance is on June 25th, 2022, and will be held at the museum. This year’s Concours named “The Celebration of the Snakes” will highlight an invitation-only assembly of Ford Shelby Cobras, Dodge Vipers, and other American and European classic and historic automobiles! All the proceeds go to Cool Cars for Kids (CCfK) which provides help and hope to children born with rare genetic diagnoses and supports research that will identify the best possible treatments.
You might enjoy looking at some photos and reading about the 4th Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance.
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