Petersen museum celebrates the 50th anniversary of Phil Hill's world championship

It's been three years since the racing world lost one of its greatest heroes and nicest guys. Now, on the 50th anniversary of his world championship, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is celebrating the life and accomplishments of Phil Hill--the first American to hold that title--with a new exhibit of his cars and a gala celebration of his greatest races.

First is the exhibit, assembled in collaboration with Phil's son Derek, himself a racer. In addition to photos, trophies and memorabilia from Hill's storied career, there will be an impressive collection of the cars Hill raced over a varied career. Those include the Ferrari 250TR that he drove to victory at Le Mans in 1958--where Hill had earlier become the first American to win that title, too--and the Chaparral 2-E in which he won his last race, in 1967.

But they're not all race cars. Hill also was a meticulous automotive restorer. His 1927 Packard that won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will be on display, along with the 1931 Pierce-Arrow in which he learned to drive.

The gala is expected to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. On Nov. 10, after dinner and a short film of Hill's Grand Prix and Le Mans races, contemporaries of Hill will assemble and tell tales of the champion. Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Stirling Moss and John Fitch are among those invited. Even Autoweek's Denise McCluggage and alum Matt DeLorenzo will speak.

Be sure to check out the exhibit before it closes in November. But as an Autoweek reader, you are required by law to attend the gala on Nov. 10.

Tickets to the museum are just $10, which includes a lot more than the Hill cars. The gala is more expensive, $150, but it's for Phil Hill, man, so pony up! Visit www.petersen.org or call (323) 964-6359.

By Mark Vaughn