The history and potential future of the automobile is a subject of study that fits easily within various sub-disciplines of engineering, science, humanities, social sciences, and general historiography. The materials of The Revs Institute support each of these fields. In practice, most contemporary work on the subject of automotive history liberally cuts across these traditional disciplinary divides. The organization and structure of The Revs Institute and its files is particularly inclined to foster dialogue across the spectrum of inquiry.
“Racing is a great mania to which one must sacrifice everything, without reticence, without hesitation.” Enzo Ferrari
Exploring The Collier Collection
The Revs Institute is honored to house the prestigious Collier Collection. This revered archive of original papers, registers and corporate records correspond with many of the automobiles featured in the museum. Included are a venerable trove of original letters, diaries, scrapbooks, photo albums, engineering drawings and corporate documents amassed from individuals and organizations that have left their track marks in automotive history and the pageant of motor sport.
Racing aficionados and scholars alike will appreciate the collection’s unique window into the world of motor racing spanning from the 1930’s to the 1950’s. Documents and photographs procured at Le Mans, Grand Prix Racing at Watkins Glen and other courses provide an uncommon historical record of the evolution of motor sports.
This collection of rare documents and memorabilia was generously provided by The Collier Family Collection on behalf of Collier brothers C. Miles, Sam and Barron in partnership with Briggs Cunningham.
Inside The Peter Blair-Richley Collection
The Peter Blair-Richley Collection documents more than a century of automotive history and innovation through an impressive archive of photos documenting vanguard design and technology adaptations including historical conveyances that preceded the advent of the automobile. The archive also houses an impressive collection of rare memorabilia comprised of tickets, postcards and other one-of-a-kind ephemera revealing the confluence of progress in automotive engineering and popular culture.
