Peter Collins, F1 Hero Exhibition: Mustow Green to Nurburgring
23 September 2023
Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DT
Exhibition Open until 20 January 2024 (closed Sundays)
Monday to Saturday: 10.30am – 4.30pm Sundays and Bank Holidays: closed
Peter Collins F1 Hero
Mustow Green to Nürburgring
Until Saturday 20th January 2024
Open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
Free entry
A new exhibition celebrating the life of Worcestershire’s Formula One hero Peter Collins has been curated by the team at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum.
Peter Collins was born in 1931 in Mustow Green near Kidderminster. Alongside Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn, he was one of the three British golden boys of 1950s motor racing.
Peter could have been Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion in 1956 but, in the days when drivers could change cars during a race, Peter stopped in the last race of the season, the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and gave his car to Fangio, when the Argentinian's car suffered mechanical problems. This gesture prevented Collins from winning the world title and allowed Fangio to claim his fourth title. Peter said of his actions; "I am only 25 years old and have plenty of time to win the championship on my own."
Sadly, Peter died less than two years later, at the age of just 26, following a fatal crash during the 1958 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. When his funeral was held, Kidderminster railway station was blanketed with flowers from around the world.
This exhibition tells the story of Peter Collins’ short but incredible life and features touching personal items including his racing helmet and gloves, plus original photographs and letters.
For more information on the museum and gallery, including the above exhibitions, see www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk