Oxnard, California, a city once celebrated for its vibrant automotive museum scene, is facing a significant downturn. Following the recent closure of the esteemed Mullin Automotive Museum, car enthusiasts are now grappling with the news that the Murphy Auto Museum, another local gem, is also set to close its doors permanently in July. This marks the second automotive museum in Oxnard to cease operations within a single year, leaving a noticeable void for vintage car aficionados and history buffs alike.
For those with a passion for classic vehicles, the Murphy Auto Museum, located in Oxnard, has been a cherished destination. Stepping inside was akin to entering a time capsule, where visitors were greeted by an enchanting display of die-cast cars and an elaborate model train set, setting the stage for the main attraction: a meticulously curated collection of around 40 antique and vintage automobiles. These vehicles, maintained in pristine condition by both private collectors and the museum itself, represented a significant slice of automotive history.
David Neel, the Executive Director of the Murphy Classic Car Collection and the driving force behind the museum’s operations since 2014, has announced his retirement, citing it as a primary factor in the closure. Despite efforts to find a successor or secure more affordable premises, no viable solution emerged, leading to the difficult decision to close.
Oxnard Mayor John Zaragoza expressed his regret at the impending closure, recalling the museum as a key attraction for car lovers and lamenting the loss of another cultural institution in the city. The Mullin Automotive Museum, renowned for its exquisite collection of French automobiles, had already closed in February following the passing of its co-founder, Peter Mullin. This double closure underscores a challenging period for Oxnard’s automotive heritage.
Neel explained the challenges in sustaining the museum, stating that declining revenues in recent years played a crucial role. Publicly available tax filings reveal a drop in total revenue from approximately $281,000 in 2020 to around $188,000 by 2022. Operating solely on weekends with a $10 ticket price, the museum heavily relied on storage fees from private collectors who housed their vehicles in the 14,000-square-foot facility.
The Murphy Auto Museum’s collection boasted a diverse range of vehicles that captivated around 10,000 visitors annually. Highlights included a charming 1962 Volkswagen Beetle, lovingly restored to resemble Herbie from the popular movie franchise, and a striking 1981 Excalibur, reminiscent of a 1920s roadster, evoking images of Cruella de Vil. Perhaps most notably, the collection featured a magnificent 1931 Rolls Royce Phantom I Boattail Roadster, complete with elegant wooden paneling and whitewall tires, once owned by the legendary automotive designer Carroll Shelby. Adding to the eclectic mix was a cheerful 1969 Morris Minor Traveller Woodie, affectionately dubbed a “cartoon car” by some visitors. Among the vintage travel trailers, a standout piece was a unique 1927 Holt prototype, believed to be the “oldest unused travel trailer in the world,” still furnished with its original fittings.
The concept for the Murphy Auto Museum originated 22 years ago in Ventura, the brainchild of Daniel Murphy. Recognizing the scarcity of automotive museums in Ventura County and possessing a growing collection of Packard luxury cars, Murphy envisioned a space where enthusiasts could showcase their antique and vintage vehicles. Starting in Ventura in 2002 with a 13,000-square-foot facility, the museum later relocated to Oxnard, expanding to 45,000 square feet before downsizing in the late 2000s. Murphy entrusted the museum’s operation to Neel in 2014.
According to Murphy, the museum became a valued community hub, attracting individuals involved in vehicle restoration, often working on family heirlooms. He described it as “everyone’s kind of museum,” emphasizing its broad appeal.
The Murphy Auto Museum will remain open to the public on weekends, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until its final closure on July 7. The monthly car show, held on the third Sunday of each month, will continue as scheduled until then. Located at 1930 Eastman Ave. in Oxnard, near the intersection of Rose Avenue and Fifth Street, the museum offers a limited-time opportunity to experience its collection before it becomes a memory. As Oxnard bids farewell to another automotive institution, the legacy of the Murphy and Mullin museums serves as a reminder of the rich car culture that once thrived in the region.
