Museum News and Press Releases

« See All News

AN EXHIBIT OF EXTRAORDINARY SPORTS CARS FUELS ÏA DRIVING PASSIONÓ AT THE SARATOGA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

April 1, 2006

For Immediate Release
Saratoga Springs, NY

AN EXHIBIT OF EXTRAORDINARY SPORTS CARS FUELS ÏA DRIVING PASSIONÓ AT THE SARATOGA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

ÏDriving Passion÷ The Jim Taylor CollectionÓ opens April 1, 2006 in the Saratoga Spa State Park. This outstanding display of contemporary sports cars, Jaguars, Allards, Aston Martins, Maseratis, and a Shelby Cobra, began as many good stories do Ò with a childhood gift. When he was just a young boy, Jim TaylorÌs father gave him some Dinky toys. Jim fell in love with the miniature cars and began collecting them. When he was six, his dad began taking him to see the new car models each year. Jim was hooked. ÏWhen I was a college sophomore, I lusted after muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO.Ó JimÌs automotive conquests over the next few years included both older and newer cars -- an MGA coupe, an Ïunreliable Ì64 ChevyÓ when he was in the Army, a Chevelle SS convertible (which was wrecked), a Ì57 T-Bird, and then a loaded Olds 4-4-2.

His driving passion had begun.

As the years passed, and he took over the family business, Jim fueled his passion. ÏI didnÌt have much money,Ó he admits, Ïso I bought Corvairs, eleven of them in all, including a Monza. Then I bought a used Austin Healey 100-6,Ó he recalls. ÏAfter I got it, I realized there was so much rust, that the repaired front fenders were practically made of plastic.Ó That didnÌt deter him. ÏIn the late 1980s, I had several more Healeys and an MGA.Ó

When, at last, he was able to afford the cars heÌd dreamed of as a child, Jim Taylor discovered the RM Auction company. He made fast friends with one of its principals, Donnie Gould. ÏI saw a Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder,Ó one of just 19 made, at an RM sale. ÏI had to have it,Ó Taylor recalls. Other cars soon followed, Although he admits that he had no real ÏvisionÓ for collecting at the time, he confesses to having developed eclectic tastes, ÏI like my rare Diamond T pickup truck as much as my XK150S Jaguar roadster.Ó

Over the last five years, Jim has purchased some of the most noteworthy examples of modern classic sports cars, like a Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, an Aston Martin DB4, two Jaguar E-Types (a coupe and a roadster), both open and closed Maserati Ghiblis, and heÌs having a rare C-3 Cunningham coupe restored. He just bought a Jaguar C-type factory racer. And heÌs far from finished÷


DRIVING EXTRAORDINARY CARS IN EXTRAORDINARY PLACES

Jim Taylor doesnÌt just collect these cars Ò he drives them to the extreme in extraordinary places around the world. ÏI like cars and I love adventure,Ó Taylor says. Jim joined BritainÌs Historic Endurance Rallying Organization, better known by the acronym ÏHERO,Ó and participated in some great trips. Some of these expeditions include a 2001 trip where he spent 55 days in South America, driving 15,000 miles in a Chevy Avalanche following the Inca Trail. In 2004, Jim took a Mercedes-Benz G500 4X4 to China. His 6-week, on-road voyage included a stop at Mt. Everest, a trek across Ïthe roof of the world,Ó and a tour of Tibet. In 2005, Jim and his wife Leejun have clocked some serious miles on the odometer. They traveled to South Africa for a 7,000 mile trip, and ambled through a grand tour of the Italian and Swiss Alps, with a stop at the Alfa Romeo Museum. In 2007, JimÌs next expedition will be in a re-creation of the 100th Anniversary of the first-ever transcontinental motor marathon, the Ì07 Paris-to-Peking Race. HeÌll be driving a 1941 Buick Super 8 Convertible.

If you ask Jim Taylor his tried-and-true car buying precepts, heÌll say:

ÏBuy old cars like art; buy what you like; donÌt figure on making a profit. That way, whether values go up or down, youÌll always have a car you like.Ó

Asked if he has a favorite in his collection, Jim just smiles and says, ÏItÌs the next car IÌm going to buy.Ó

View a selection of some of Jim TaylorÌs finest cars in the new exhibit, ÏDriving Passion÷ The Jim Taylor CollectionÓ at the Saratoga Automobile Museum.



Jim TaylorÌs website, www.seamus.cc details all of his trips.
For more information on some of Jim TaylorÌs other driving passions, visit
www.hero.org.uk
www.doublehranch.org
www.taylormadegroup.com
www.saratogaautomuseum.com

Some of the cars in the exhibit include:
1952 Allard J2 Roadster
1953 Allard K3 Drophead
1955 Jaguar D-Type Racer
1959 Jaguar XK 150S Roadster
1960 Jaguar XK 150 Fixed Head Coupe
1962 Jaguar Mk II Sedan
1960 Jaguar Mk II Sedan Modified by Beacham Jaguars Ltd, New Zealand
1966 Jaguar E-Type XKE Fixed Head Coupe
1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Fixed Head Coupe
1976 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe
1972 Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder
1972 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupe
1967 Ford Shelby AC-Cobra 427
1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 Coupe

The mission of the Saratoga Automobile Museum is to display significant cars, trucks, and vehicles that not only represent the automotive heritage of New York State but the entire world of motorized transportation. The Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education and in addition to organizing permanent and temporary exhibits, the Museum hosts a variety of workshops, interactive displays, lectures, and outdoor shows.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park at 110 Avenue of the Pines. For more information, guests can also visit the MuseumÌs website at www.saratogaautomuseum.org or call (518) 587-1935.