Latest news with #PetersenAutomotiveMuseum
Car and Driver
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Retro Ford F-150, Lambos Star in New Radwood-Era Petersen Museum Exhibit
A new exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is showcasing icons of the 1980s and 1990s. Ultra-rare cars on show include the very first Buick GNX, the original DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future, and a one-of-one Nissan Skyline GT-R. It's the biggest Petersen exhibit so far this year, and there are even more '80s and '90s heroes to see throughout the museum. Remember the 1990s? Of course you do, it was just 10 years ago. Oh, wait, no it wasn't. No wonder our knees hurt. Well, should you remember the era of the Sony Discman and New Kids on the Block with fondness, the Petersen Automotive Museum has a great new exhibit for you. Along with a '92 Ford F-150 Flareside, pictured above with eye-popping paint and a cab spoiler, there are other Radwood-era eye candy, including iconic Lamborghinis such as an '85 Countach 5000S and '89 LM002. Read Our Review Petersen Automotive Museum A Radwood-Era Exhibit It's called 'Totally Awesome! Cars and Culture of the '80s and '90s,' and it's crammed with iconic vehicles that defined the era. This is a mainstage blowout experience, a Guns N' Roses touring with Aerosmith type of thing. The new exhibit features more than 13 classics that represent blockbuster movies, a world-beating performance, or the bedroom poster you had up next to the handbill from License to Drive. Petersen Automotive Museum On the Hollywood side of things, there's the original DeLorean DMC-12 time machine from Back to the Future, as well as the 1998 Beetle used in the Austin Powers franchise (also a time machine). Rally-car royalty is represented by a 1985 Audi Sport Quattro Group B car, and there's also the very first Buick GNX on display. Read Our Review Petersen Automotive Museum Perhaps most exciting are the supercars, which range from rare beasts like the Vector M12 and the sixteen-cylinder Cizeta Moroder V16T to the apex predator of them all, the McLaren F1. JDM culture will also be present with something of a mic drop moment: the NISMO Skyline GT-R LM homologation special built to allow Nissan to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There's only one in the world. Petersen Automotive Museum Read Our Review Petersen Automotive Museum Whether you're into Countachs or Corvettes, there's something for everyone here. Grab your denim jacket, hairspray the heck out of your hair, then get on down to the Petersen Museum. The exhibit opens Friday, June 6. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.
Auto Blog
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Petersen Automotive Museum Gets Totally Rad With New 80s and 90s Exhibit
Arguably the coolest auto museum in Los Angeles just got even cooler Los Angeles is one of the greatest places on Earth to be if you're a car enthusiast. Sure, there's the weather, wealth, and winding canyons, but there's also places like the Petersen Automotive Museum. Throughout its thirty-year history, it has been no stranger to hosting themed events and exhibits. But this one is special, particularly if you happen to be between the ages of, say, 35 and 45 or a connoisseur of the decades that practically invented the term 'retro.' In just a few short weeks, the Petersen will play host to a curated collection of super rad 1980s and 1990s supercars, SUVs, and more. Totally Awesome promo poster — Source: Kahn Media/Petersen Automotive Museum Totally Awesome! brings some of the most poster-worthy cars ever to a museum setting It's undeniable that the 1980s and 1990s brought some real heartbreakers to the street. Swoopy spoilers, sharp, angular designs, 'futuristic' digital dashboards, and rudimentary head-up displays were all the rage. Pop-up headlights were positively in vogue, and in-car CD players were the next big thing. The Petersen Automotive Museum's latest exhibit is making a toast to the era, and it isn't just limited to cars. The organization says there will be everything from motorcycles to video games — something for everyone, really. Of course, since you're reading Autoblog, there's a less than zero chance that you're interested in what cars, exactly, will be hanging around. Brace yourselves, because the guest list reads like a Radwood attendee's fever dream. The McLaren F1, Lamborghini Countach (and, even quirkier, an LM 002), and, naturally, the DeLorean DMC-12 are all scheduled to be on display. The latter, in fact, is the DeLorean DMC-12; yes, the one from Back to the Future. Even more notable guests include a genuine Audi Sport Quattro Group B rally car, a Corvette Indy concept, and the first Buick GNX built. In the parlance of our (bygone) times: tubular. Opening day is June 7th, 2025, and the exhibit is scheduled to run until April of 2026. McLaren F1 Lamborghini LM 002 and Countach Cars from the '80s and '90s are bigger than ever — just check your local auction listings As vintage American muscle started getting tremendous auction attention in the early 2000s, cars from the 1980s and 1990s have begun to similarly rise to popularity and downright collectability. A quick peek at any of the popular online auction sites will reveal an entire economy of ostensibly overpriced sheet metal. Who knew a 1991 GMC Syclone would one day be worth $130,000? Even less niche cars command exorbitant prices; how does an $81,000 1998 Suburban sound? Turns out, there's a lot of love for this extremely unique era in automotive history, and, funny enough, it turns out that nostalgia never gets old. Arguably, one of the best ways to enjoy it is the exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts The Petersen Automotive Museum is a fantastic visit no matter what exhibits are featured, but we're certain this one will have many enthusiasts taking that trip to Los Angeles that they've been putting off. As a two-time visitor, I can personally attest to the level of thoughtfulness and detail that the Petersen Automotive Museum puts into every aspect of its experiences. It's going to be worth the visit, especially if you're already in Southern California or adjacent regions. Tickets start at $21, and I submit that there's little else you could do in LA that's a better bang for your buck.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Petersen Automotive Museum Gets Totally Rad With New 80s and 90s Exhibit
Los Angeles is one of the greatest places on Earth to be if you're a car enthusiast. Sure, there's the weather, wealth, and winding canyons, but there's also places like the Petersen Automotive Museum. Throughout its thirty-year history, it has been no stranger to hosting themed events and exhibits. But this one is special, particularly if you happen to be between the ages of, say, 35 and 45 or a connoisseur of the decades that practically invented the term "retro." In just a few short weeks, the Petersen will play host to a curated collection of super rad 1980s and 1990s supercars, SUVs, and more. It's undeniable that the 1980s and 1990s brought some real heartbreakers to the street. Swoopy spoilers, sharp, angular designs, "futuristic" digital dashboards, and rudimentary head-up displays were all the rage. Pop-up headlights were positively in vogue, and in-car CD players were the next big thing. The Petersen Automotive Museum's latest exhibit is making a toast to the era, and it isn't just limited to cars. The organization says there will be everything from motorcycles to video games - something for everyone, really. Of course, since you're reading Autoblog, there's a less than zero chance that you're interested in what cars, exactly, will be hanging around. Brace yourselves, because the guest list reads like a Radwood attendee's fever dream. The McLaren F1, Lamborghini Countach (and, even quirkier, an LM 002), and, naturally, the DeLorean DMC-12 are all scheduled to be on display. The latter, in fact, is the DeLorean DMC-12; yes, the one from Back to the Future. Even more notable guests include a genuine Audi Sport Quattro Group B rally car, a Corvette Indy concept, and the first Buick GNX built. In the parlance of our (bygone) times: tubular. Opening day is June 7th, 2025, and the exhibit is scheduled to run until April of 2026. As vintage American muscle started getting tremendous auction attention in the early 2000s, cars from the 1980s and 1990s have begun to similarly rise to popularity and downright collectability. A quick peek at any of the popular online auction sites will reveal an entire economy of ostensibly overpriced sheet metal. Who knew a 1991 GMC Syclone would one day be worth $130,000? Even less niche cars command exorbitant prices; how does an $81,000 1998 Suburban sound? Turns out, there's a lot of love for this extremely unique era in automotive history, and, funny enough, it turns out that nostalgia never gets old. Arguably, one of the best ways to enjoy it is the exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The Petersen Automotive Museum is a fantastic visit no matter what exhibits are featured, but we're certain this one will have many enthusiasts taking that trip to Los Angeles that they've been putting off. As a two-time visitor, I can personally attest to the level of thoughtfulness and detail that the Petersen Automotive Museum puts into every aspect of its experiences. It's going to be worth the visit, especially if you're already in Southern California or adjacent regions. Tickets start at $21, and I submit that there's little else you could do in LA that's a better bang for your buck. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petersen Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Long Beach Grand Prix with Historic Race Car Exhibit
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Petersen Automotive Museum has unveiled a free-to-see exhibit featuring five legendary open-wheel race cars that have defined the Southern California street race through its many competitive eras. Running from March 20 to April 8 in the museum's lobby, the temporary display brings together a trio of motorsports milestones—Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar—with each era represented by a historically significant machine that once tore through the coastal streets of Long Beach. Among the standout entries is the 1974 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755, the very first race car to ever compete on the Long Beach circuit. Piloted by Vern Schuppan to pole position in the inaugural 1975 Formula 5000 race, the car is now owned by Southern California collector Tom Malloy. Formula 1's golden years at Long Beach are represented by two machines: the 1976 March 761, once driven by Italy's Vittorio Brambilla and now owned by Richard Griot, and the 1980 McLaren M30 driven by a young Alain Prost, currently in the hands of Sean Allen. The IndyCar era comes alive through the 1981 AAR Eagle 8100, owned and driven in-period by Dennis Firestone, and a 1999 Reynard raced by Bryan Herta, now part of Erich Joiner's collection. What makes the exhibit even more unique is that all five cars are set to return to the track during the Long Beach race weekend's Historic Formula Exhibition. It will mark the first time machines from all three major racing eras will compete together on the storied circuit. 'This is a rare opportunity for fans to see and hear the very cars that made Long Beach a staple of American motorsport,' said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Located along Los Angeles' Miracle Mile, the Petersen Automotive Museum continues to be a driving force in automotive preservation and education, offering car enthusiasts an immersive look at the vehicles and stories that shaped history.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These 5 Cars from Long Beach Grand Prix History Coming to the Petersen
This year marks the 5oth running of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, and the Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating with five race cars from the event's storied history. The exhibit will be open to the public from March 20 through April 8 in the museum's lobby, giving visitors an up-close look at machines that once roared through the streets of Long Beach. And the best part? You can go into the lobby for free! As you may know, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach saw three distinct kinds of racing over its half a century. It started in 1975 with a Formula 5000 race, won by Brian Redman in a Carl Haas Lola Chevrolet. Then it was Formula 1 for eight glorious years. You could actually go to Long Beach—Long Beach!—and see the greatest drivers in the fastest cars in the world. Niki Lauda won it, Mario Andretti won it, it was darn near magical (for a kid from San Pedro who snuck in). The CART/Champ Car era started in 1984 and lasted until 1987, an era that saw Andrettis and Unsers trading wins seemingly the whole time. Then IndyCar took over in 2008 and has been running at Long Beach since. 'The exclusive display at the Petersen will feature five historic race cars spanning the three iconic racing eras—Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar—representing the evolution of open-wheel racing at North America's premier street race,' the Petersen said in a release. 'The cars will later take to the track during the Historic Formula Exhibition on race weekend, providing fans with a thrilling glimpse into motorsports history with the three types of cars racing together for the first time.' The five cars on display at the Petersen will include: The 1974 Formula 5000 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755, winner of the 1975 Long Beach pole position with Vern Schuppan at the wheel, which was also the first car ever to turn a wheel on the streets of Long Beach. The car is currently owned by local businessman and sprint car sponsor Tom Malloy. Representing Long Beach's Formula 1 era, 1976-83, will be the 1976 March 761 currently owned by Richard Griot and driven by Italy's Vittorio Brambilla in 1976 at Long Beach, along with the 1980 McLaren M30, most notably driven by Alain Prost during the 1980 F1 season and currently owned by Sean Allen. The Indy Car era will be represented by the 1981 All-American Racers Eagle 8100, owned by Dennis Firestone and driven by Firestone himself in-period. In addition, the 1999 Reynard driven that season by Bryan Herta and currently owned by Erich Joiner, will be on display. 'Racing in Long Beach has been an important part of American motorsports for five decades, and this exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum offers a rare opportunity to celebrate its legacy,' said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian. 'Fans will not only be able to witness these legendary machines up close but also experience them in action during race weekend.' The Petersen Automotive Museum is located in the mid-city area of Los Angeles at the intersection of Wilshire and Fairfax. If you go past the lobby exhibit of Long Beach Grand Prix cars, which you really should, entry is $21 for adults, $12 for kids 4-11. See The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is April 11-13. You can buy tickets for the race at
