(914) 234-2579 

16 Bedford-Banksville Road, Bedford, NY 10506

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About

Inspiring visitors towards success

Car museum and achievement center

Schedule
Classic Porsche in front of Pray Porsche sign and framed vintage photos

Photo by Jay Hirsch

Photos of students in classroom learning and around classic car
The Malcolm Pray Achievement Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Bedford, NY. It inspires through a world-class automobile collection and the entrepreneurial story of Malcolm Pray.

The center is held solely through the Pray Family Foundation Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Malcolm Pray Achievement Center offers programs to local schools, youth groups, families, senior citizens, car enthusiasts, veterans, and community centers.

I attended the Malcolm Pray Center today with a class of students and other faculty. Our host was amazing and welcomed us warmly to the center. We were greeted with a handshake upon arrival just as Malcolm would have done. The car collection is quite special and the stories and the motivation to help others was really impactful. Well done!

Michael K.

I learned that there will be times when you fail, but a day will come when you don’t. I really liked the phrase above the TV: “Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.” Preparation will come in handy when an opportunity is open for you. I hope that all of us will be prepared when opportunities come our way.

Cindy L.

The Pray Family Foundation

Continuing the work of Malcolm Pray

The Pray Family Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, continues the work of Malcolm Pray through the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center. Malcolm Pray’s passion for automobiles and his journey as an entrepreneur continues to inspire young people, families, and youth groups through innovative programs.

The mission of the Pray Family Foundation Inc. and board of directors is education using Malcolm Pray’s life story.

Photo of front of Malcolm Pray Achievement Center

Christina (Chris) Hughes​

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Headshot of Harry Peden

Harry Peden

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Headshot of Lilly Pray

Melanie “Lilly” Pray

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Headshot of Philip Richter

Philip Richter

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Headshot of Courtney Fischer

Courtney Fischer

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Headshot of Andy Shapiro

Andy Shapiro

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About Malcolm Pray

In 1955, following his passion for cars, Malcolm Pray joined Morlee Motors, a small foreign car dealership, on the Post Road in Greenwich, Connecticut. Within a year he became the manager and within three, he would put his own name over the door.
His success came by hard work, vision and passion. Malcolm Pray grew Pray Auto Corp to six dealerships and over two hundred employees. His revolutionary management style placed employee satisfaction first resulting in both employee and customer loyalty. The average employee worked at Pray Auto Corp for 25 years. He would often sell to three generations of customers’ families. This personal method of working with his team gained him a national reputation for excellence.
Malcolm Pray with a classic car parked in the Achievement Center

In 1999, he sold his business and created the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center. In the first thirteen years of running the center, he personally greeted thousands of school aged visitors, shared his car collection, gave some good life advice and encouraged them to identify and channel their passion and talents into a rewarding career.

Mr. Pray received many youth organization, civic and charitable awards for his efforts with local charities throughout his lifetime from the Greenwich Boys Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich, Greenwich Red Cross, USO of Metropolitan New York, Rotary Club of Greenwich, and the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce.

Malcolm Pray passed away in 2013 at the age of 84. The Pray Family Foundation Inc. supports the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center which continues his mission: namely, to welcome thousands of visitors yearly who learn about Malcolm Pray’s entrepreneurial life, tour his amazing personal automobile collection and review his “12 Steps of Success.”

Malcolm Pray shaking hands with ROTC students
Old photo of Pray Automobile dealership
Portrait of Malcolm Pray

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FAQs

Is there an entry fee or cost to visit the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center?

All visits to the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center are free and by appointment only. If you’d like to donate, you can do so here.

Car clubs are most welcome to visit with their membership.

Yes. Weekend and evening hours are available. All visits are free and by appointment only.

The collection of vehicles is not available for private rental.

Andy Shapiro

Andy Shapiro is an auto dealer and currently owns Hudson Auto Group, which represents the Hyundai and Subaru brands. Andy previously worked for Roger Penske as an operating executive for his business, United Auto Group. Andy became good friends with Malcolm Pray during the last 10 years of his life. Even retirement would not dampen Mr. Pray’s enthusiasm for the car business nor his desire to remain up to date on all aspects of it. Mr. Pray kept his knowledge current and Andy received great wisdom and advice. It was a terrific friendship. Andy is currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Coalition of Auto Retailers (NJCAR) and vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Wholesale Auto Supply Company (WASCO), a buying cooperative owned by New Jersey / New York / Connecticut auto dealers. Andy also serves on the Board of Directors of Answer the Call, a New York based non profit organization dedicated to helping family members of New York City fallen first responders. Despite owning a 1985 Aston Martin Lagonda that always faithfully started on the seventh attempt, Andy remains a classic car enthusiast and is committed to Mr. Pray’s mission.

Courtney Fischer

Courtney Fischer is Malcolm Pray’s first grandchild and inherited his entrepreneurial genes. Courtney owns and operates the Pray Body Shop in Stamford, Connecticut. Pray Body Shop is a collision repair shop certified by Audi, Volkswagen and Tesla. Courtney grew up spending many hours by her grandfather’s side and was inspired by his love of cars. She wanted to continue his legendary local automobile business and studied at Babson College before getting into the auto body business. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS is Business Administration and concentrated in entrepreneurship and leadership. Courtney played for the tennis team at Babson and continues the hobby today. Along with the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center, she volunteers with the Junior League of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Philip Richter

Philip is the President and Partner of Hollow Brook Wealth Management where he oversees firm-wide client relations, marketing and business development, and sits on the investment committee. Philip is involved with asset allocation, manager selection, and equity research. Philip sits on the board of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the United States Equestrian Federation, the Revs Institute, and the Pray Family Foundation. Philip is the Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show, and the Treasurer of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Philip received a BA from Boston College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Philip is a vintage car enthusiast who maintains a collection of modern classics and pre-war motorcycles. He participates in international car shows, hosts the Turtle Invitational (a biennial car show in Bedford, NY), and is a regular contributor to many equine and collector car publications. Philip also competes in equestrian show jumping in the high amateur-owner division.

Melanie “Lilly” Pray

Lilly has been a classic car judge for over 20 years at various concours events around the country. She found her love and passion for cars at an early age with her father Malcolm, a noted collector from Greenwich, Connecticut. Her daughter, Portia, is following in her footsteps also as a Judge at several concours events. Lilly is a Registered Nurse, specializing in Emergency, Neurology and Orthopedics after many years driving a firetruck as a Firefighter/Paramedic. She lives in Boulder, Colorado and regularly drives vintage cars.

Harry Peden

Harry is a senior partner of Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLC and head of the firm’s Business Law Department since1975. In particular, he has advised entrepreneurs with regard to the structuring and development of new businesses, including some that have become highly successful private and public entities. He served as Mr Pray’s lawyer for 48 years and continues as a member of the Pray Family Foundation. Harry is a graduate of Brown University and St. John’s University School of Law.

Christina (Chris) Hughes​

Chris began working for Pray Automobile Corporation in 1976 after graduating from Pace University with degrees in marketing and management. Within weeks, she became Mr. Pray’s personal assistant, a position she would hold for over 35 years. Chris was on the front line between two-dozen managers and an owner who settled for no less than excellence. Along with a very successful business, Mr. Pray was involved in all things social, charitable, and Republican, both in Greenwich and nationally. In 1999, Chris assisted in creating the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center. She splits her time between the Pray Family Foundation and Pray Body Shop in Stamford, where she still works.