Andy Granatelli was quite the showman, and a fantastic promoter. While appointed as CEO at STP, the pit crew often wore clothing emblazoned with the recognizable STP oval. Here the crew is photographed with driver Parnelli Jones in 1967 in his STP Oil Treatment Special Paxton Turbine race car.  STP Courtesy photo.

One of the most personal collections of memorabilia on display celebrating the life and times of flamboyant race car driver, team owner, engineer, businessman, promoter, and “Mister 500.” Andy Granatelli’s legacy lives on with a permanent exhibit at the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard, California.

Granatelli, who died of congestive heart failure at 90 years old in December of 2013, is honored in the museum’s Motorsports Hall of Fame. Artifacts including collectibles, trophies, never-before-seen STP textiles, racing posters, and original photographs were discovered in his Arizona garage after death, and donated to the Murphy Auto Museum by son, Vince, and wife, Dolly. Both were present to open the exhibit to the public for the first time in March 2015, and continue to support the museum’s endeavors.

Andy’s son, Vince and wife, Dolly Granatelli, with David Neel (center), owner of the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard, California on opening day of the museum’s Motorsports Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of Christine Harris)

“Our mission is to not only collect, preserve, and exhibit American history and Americana, but to also interpret the history and heritage of the American automobile through time,” said David Neel, owner of the Murphy Auto Museum. “Our long-term plan is to expand and include other motorsports figures in the exhibit.”

Over his lifelong career, Granatelli became an icon for reinfusing Formula racing by introducing the Novi engine, and brought an entirely new sound to the speedways. He was inducted into 19 motorsports and engineering halls of fame, CEO of STP motor oil, and an active member of racing, serving as the vice chairman of NASCAR and head of the Hurricane Racing Association.

According to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama, which inducted him in 1992, Granatelli set 400 speed records as chief driver and engineer for Studebaker Racing. As a sponsor, two of his cars won the Indianapolis 500 with a stable of drivers that included Richard Petty, Gordon Johncock, Parnelli Jones, and Al and Bobby Unser.

Andy Granatelli and Colin Chapman in 1968 at the Indianapolis 500 with two of STP’s Turbine race cars. STP Courtesy photo.

The Murphy Auto Museum was founded in 2000 and is a nonprofit 501(c) celebrating more than 100 years of the automobile. Inside, there are nearly 75 historical and classic vehicles from 1903 to present day on display.

Andy Granatelli’s Indianapolis 500 Legacy:

In addition, it is home to one of the largest H/O scale trains in the nation. Operated by the Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club, it has 22 scale miles of track encompassing more than 1,800-square feet. The museum also features a wide variety of Americana, including textiles, vintage toys, clothing, autorama, antiques, collectibles, and more.

The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Exhibits rotate quarterly, and special events are hosted onsite throughout the year. Reservations are available for groups, car clubs, corporate events, weddings, receptions, parties, schools, and more. For more information, visit their website here.