Submitted by Laura Simonds on 11-18-2011
Location: Sausalito - California
Contact: Eva Gordon
650.834.2614
Event Report
THE MALLYA COLLECTION ENTHRALLED SFBA MEMBERS
Vijay Mallya is a dedicated enthusiast for automobiles, race cars, sports cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and memorabilia. Although he owns about 275 vehicles in ten countries, his collection of 34 vehicles in Sausalito specializes in sports cars and race cars.
Event organizer Eva Gordon had to set a limit of 40 participants with another 12 on the wait list. This attendance was on a Thursday evening, too. The 40 who made their reservations early were treated to vehicles ranging in age from a 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost to a 2003 Hummer Bicycle. Apparently Hummer also made bicycles, but then, so did Mercedes-Benz. One of the few Mercedes-Benz High-Performance bicycles that MBUSA sold from 1996 to about 1998 was also on display: 24 speeds, dual disc brakes, light alloy frame, full front and rear suspension, for around $3,200 in 1996. After test-riding one at an MBCA national event in 1997, I wanted that bike. However, “common sense” overcame “desire,” and I kept my Schwinn 10-speed. Sigh!
In addition to the M-B bicycle, we did see a 1947 Schwinn “Black Phantom” Cruiser with a “Whizzer” engine, as well as a 1917 Harley-Davidson—bicycle! The Mallya Collection included a 300SL Coupe (Gullwing) and Roadster, several Porsches, some Ferraris, and a 1925 Sunbeam Tiger that set a land speed record. Recently it was driven on a dirt track, and some small pebbles were sucked into the carburetors, necessitating an engine rebuild. If you think that repairs are expensive on an M-B, try rebuilding the engine in a 1925 Sunbeam Tiger. The tab was $173,000.
As participants arrived, Malcolm Page (Manager/Curator of the collection) and his team provided free beer to those who wanted to sample the brew from one of Mr. Mallya’s several businesses. Interestingly, the Mallya Collection not only supplied free beer and a great tour of the facility, but they told us that they were donating the entire proceeds from our event registration to “The Make-A-Wish Foundation.” If you are as curious as I became and would like to learn more about the Mallya Collection and the Corporate Family, go to www.mallyacollection.com.
Written by Richard Simonds
