Event Coverage Live in So Cal? Check out the new Petersen Museum!

I can't believe they got that exterior design through city planners, it's really out there. I'd like it better if the accent color wasn't red and the lines weren't so random. I too will miss that feeling of being transported back in time that the old dioramas gave me. I went several times and always stopped and absorbed the feeling of the era displayed, especially the old dealership store front and the garage scene. I guess I'll have to go to Sacto Vintage Ford if I want to see that kind of display again.
Still, I will go check it out in person when I get down to L.A. in the next few weeks.

 

The Petersen was in dire need of revamping. You could go once every five years and it was the same as five years before. It wasn't ever much different than it was in the what, 1990's (?) when it opened.
As for the building, this is LA, almost Hollywood! I like it, it's crazy.
It isn't the Traditional Hot Rods and Customs museum, it's an automotive museum.
I might be disappointed, but I'm hoping for the best!

 

Morning Guys, love this site because of all the info available & that everyone is willing to share it, sometimes complete with part #s! Sure beats going to the parts store(best to have # with you)! All I need now is a site that deals with knee replacement rehab, this shit is HARD. Tuned in, C

 

They don't call it LaLa land for nothing!
I love L.A. "Randy Newman".

 

Gary, you are absolutely right. They did change things every few years, but not that much. It was an everyman's museum and the dioramas walked you through the evolution of the automotive scene from the early years to the present. Certain "theme displays" changed once in a while.
Now it's like a 2020 version of the Blackhawk Museum in Norcal. The cars and the atmosphere appear to be that of millionaires, technology and cold hard cash (with a few exceptions). I guess that's progress.
And again you're right; it is L.A. and L.A. loves its wild architecture - for a while. Like the latest fab restaurant or hip night club, it's hip for a while then slips off the "hipster" radar and into decay - that's the L.A. I lived in for 59 years.
No matter, I'm a car guy and I'll support it by dropping in when I can.

 

I'm a docent at the Petersen, and have been there during three days of visitors to date. Everyone that I've been with so far has found lots of cool stuff to look at. Here's one group from an exhibit of exceptional coachbuilt cars on the first floor:

I'm there each Monday and Saturday through December, and will have a similar schedule after January 1. The vault has not re-opened yet, but vault tours will resume in January and I'll be leading some of those tours. If any HAMBers are coming to town, I'll be happy to see them and to show them around.

 

Looking over the renderings of the buildings past and now present exterior, I prefer the past hands down, Having driven past it in my 34 the day b4 Thanksgiving, I'll say that That's a helluva lot of money spent on stainless that could have gone on the inside of that museum.
Having had my 34 Woody on the "Surfs Up" exhibit in 99/00, was a thrill for me. Having worked the "Cars of the Stars"exhibit was an experience of a lifetime. I got to drive in the Munster Coach, Batmobile, James Dean Spyder replicar, Beverly Hillbillies Old Stake Truck and Steve McQueen's Jag with Ken Gross. At the Gala I ate with Dean & Rose Jefferies.

When something is "Spot On" Ya just don't change it!!!!!!!! That would be like taking the Niekamp and turning it into the "Infinity Flyer"....You put Bob & Margie Petersen's money to work in maintaining the theme created by their vision in building this from a vacant department store.
They went through a helluva time just separating this entity from the Natural History Museum.
Theirs and many others endowments made a great 'Streetscape" that I've never seen in any other museum.

If the money was to be spent, then why not embrace the history of the Blvds on which this real estate stands on. Southern California was a destination for people seeking a place to settle, If you live here then more than likely you know what I'm talking about. Car related "Drive In's" were everywhere throughout this great country. This was Car Heaven and Cal Worthington, Ralph Williams and The Coberly's all knew that as this is where they made their fortunes.

Hollywood has been a great promoter of the "Art of the Automobile" and it too is way changed by way of mini malls, and just plain nastiness. I loved cruising Sunset and Hollywood Bl's. We always sat in the center of the street in my 34 3W. and watched everyone cruise on by.

I'm not speaking for the late R.E. or Margie Petersen, but I personally know that he bought the "Miller Automotive Service" 32 Highboy-Chino CA. for his personal collection as well as the Neikamp. Something makes feel that he would't have been happy with the changes made to "The Pete".
Money could have been spent on interactive learning techniques=perhaps in neon sign art construction. Others on vehicles that are in the "vault" by having many talented builders lend a hand.
How about being able to see a Bill Hines type of builder slinging some lead or whacking a top.

A true HOT ROD & CUSTOM MUSEUM where many of the roads carried these participants could be driven. Now much of what I've written above was included in the "Past Pete" now "Present Pete" can be the book end the Oxnard location of "New Pete"

 

I missed out on seeing the Petersen when my wife and I visited the US from Aug to Oct. We saw lots and lots of other places and had a great time.
I was disappointed to miss it and appreciate there are some very important hot rods and customs in there, and many of the other cars are worth mucho $$$$$$$'s but there are plenty of other places to see millionaires' cars. We prefer hot rods and customs which we can aspire to build rather than priceless autos which we can't relate to.
Next time we're in town, we'll probably swing through.
As for the architecture - beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This one is a swing and a miss from my end of the periscope. Too many latte sippin' know-alls spending Bob & Maggie's money. They dont know how to make the money themselves, but they sure reckon they know how 'best' to spend someone else's.

 

You know, with all due respect, there is simply a given percentage of folks who will not or cannot embrace change. (e.g. Ryan's forum makeover a year or two ago.) I submit that the new building is an order of magnitude more inspiring, on the exterior, than the old. Check this out:


The Peterson board of directors are all self-made , so what. The important thing is that they are passionate car guys, automobile enthusiasts of the highest order. The list includes Bruce Meyer, by the way. And check this out from the Peterson website:
David Sydorick has build a reputation as one o f the world’s greatest enthusiasts for the works of Carrozzeria Zagato. His knowledge and love for the Milanese coachbuilder is well documented. What is less well documented is his longtime commitment to the Petersen Automotive Museum. David Sydorick is the only board member to serve continuously from the museum’s opening in 1994 to the present. During his time on the board, David has served in several positions, including Secretary and Vice Chairman. He was also one of the first ten members of the Checkered Flag 200 group, headed by fellow board member Bruce Meyer. These original Checkered Flag members were instrumental in launching the museum in 1994. One of David’s greatest contributions to the Petersen Automotive Museum has been his zeal for the grand redesign of the building at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. He reached out to several architects, from downtown Los Angeles to Europe, for proposals. Ideas ranged from razing the building to making it a multi-purpose museum/high-rise residential complex. David proposed the idea of doing a wrap on the original Welton Becket-designed structure. This would bring the museum into the 21st century more cost-effectively than knocking the building down and starting over from scratch. David suggested using colors and materials that would speak to automotive enthusiasts. This idea is now evident in the museum’s use of “hot rod” red and brushed steel, assembled with rivet-like fasteners. The overall effect evokes both the feel of early 20th century rivet-bodied coachbuilt cars and stripped-down hot rods and racecars from the 1950s or 1960s. David’s vision has been instrumental in the success of the Petersen’s new aesthetic, but he also has labored tirelessly to attract some of the most capable, influential, and enthusiastic figures in Los Angeles to the Petersen’s Board of Directors. Perhaps most notably, Bruce Meyer and David convinced renowned car-collector, museum visionary, and philanthropist Peter W. Mullin to return to the Petersen after a long hiatus to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

I mean, come on, you cannot question the Peterson teams' desire to pursue:
MISSION STATEMENT
To explore and present the history of the automobile and its impact on American life and culture using Los Angeles as a prime example.

You can question their desire to have a cutting-edge building, one that will create a major buzz. Our individual opinion is one of our inalienable rights. Do not like the new building exterior? Fine. But do not condemn the hardworking, dedicated folks who are trying to do the right thing by the museum, trying to keep it relevant for future generations.

 

Very happy for you Jay, I think using Cars and the interactive stuff for kids is awesome. Museums face a hard time getting visitors.............which is funny since there are more museums in the US that Starbucks and McDonolds combined, heard that on the Morning drive. As for the Outside, I love it, especially lit up. The building that is not me

 

The building will be there long after the "art critics" have passed on..........

"OLD PROSTITUTES AND BUILDINGS GAIN FAME WITH TIME"
JOHN HUSTON

 

What an eyesore, couldn't be much uglier. Glad I don't have to drive by that everyday. Good thing it's whats inside that counts. I have been to the Peterson and it is a fabulous collection.

 

I've been there two times, the last time in 2014 during LARS when they were in the process of revamping the place. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished when I'm out there for GNRS next month.

 

Well I have a few thoughts.

1: most car museums are pretty bland looking in some sort of industrial area and unless you know where it is you would never find or notice it. Hell I know where some are and I still drove around the block twice. With this crazy building people are sure to know where it is. People looking for it and more importantly in my thoughts are the people discovering it.

That thing is so nuts that it will have a lot of people that would have never come to the museum coming just to see it and it makes enough since that they'd hang around to see what was inside at least a percentage of the time. That's setting the hook for the hobby a lot better than another boring looking building.

2: gotta change it up! This is talking about the inside. I'm sure there's a certian amount of nostalgia about how it was but if if never really changed inside then what's the point of coming back? I know the speedway museum in Lincoln as expansive as it is ~ just added on if you can believe that!~ rotates some of the displays. I've been threw probably a dozen times in the last 8 or so years and I've seen new stuff every single time. If I knew it was the same stuff as always I really doubt I'd go back so often. What's the draw?

3: I got $5 that says that building was built/ designed by a Kansas City firm.

 

I don't understand what's up with all these "ugly" comments. I thought Hot Rodders were folks who could "think outside the box".

 

While that building design is "different" (about as tactful as I can put it), I agree with the comment that the money spent on the exterior would have been much better spent on the inside. The exterior does not need to be a drawing card, as I don't think anyone visits a museum (any museum) spur-of -the-moment when driving by, based on outward appearance. Museum visits, IMHO, are pre-planned excursions, just as many have done here on this thread. A neat and professional look with some good signage should be all that's needed. The contents should be (and are here) what bring in the visitors.

 

Went to the first Petersen Auto Museum on Sunset or Hollywood Blvd. grand opening in 1975. The current offering is great compared to the first one. By the way, Fredricks of Hollywood used to be down the street with a giant bra on the store front.

 

Tough crowd. Lots of negativity coming from lots of folks that haven't ever even seen it, or experienced it....
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles. It's located in a neighborhood that is well-known all over the world. Difficult at times to separate yourself from all the museums located nearby. The La Brea Tar Pits are located across the street, where they continue to excavate daily, and discover creatures that are tens of thousands of years old. People laughed at the nearby Capital Records building in Hollywood too, when it was built 60 years ago looking like a stack of records, and had a phonograph stylus on it's roof ...

 

It will be easy to spot thats for sure

 

When ever I get to LA, it's high on my "to do list"!

 

Boy that sux, that was the best part. Still have some cool pictures from 2010 or so.

 

I am glad it is back open again....and that some of the cars that were once in storage in the museum basement are now on display, especially the Rulon McGregor custom Merc. He died in an accident at the lakes, in a car built by Bill Burke (who just passed, by the way) and his parents kept the car for decades after his death, so it was in very good condition when the Peterson got it....great story on TRJ on it a few years ago...

 

I went about fifteen years ago. Loved the streetscapes. Very unique and set the cars in context. Could not make it three ago. Now I'm kicking e Nethercutt is very good as well as the Blackhawk one. But as I said the Petersen style was unique. Now it looks like a world class(?) art museum not a place where the real car culture is displayed not more of the boys with big money buying and or displaying big money cars. Average Joe is dismissed again. What a shame. From the pics it looks so sterile. Sure the interactive stuff might be good and if they wanted to modernize have some displays on alternative fuel source vehicles. Is there anywhere on the west coast with the old style streetscapes on display?

 

That building is AWSOME! I love it.

 

I love that place. I try to go every time I am in LA. I have never been disappointed.

 

I'm going to check it out, but I'm really going to miss the displays like the one in the photo I posted.

 

Oh well, maybe now somebody will finish that Merc! (Did the museum sell it off when the display was removed?)
Were the dioramas demolished, or dismantled and sold off? I know a few people who would have gladly bought them.

As for the exterior, I'm thinking the board of directors told the designer, "We're not sure what we want, but we think there should be more of Robert Petersen's thumbprint in the design." So that's what he did.

 

The dog restaurant was sold to a guy with a bar in the San Fernando Valley, and some other diorama components were sold to (I think) the Price Transfer collection. I believe the unsold parts were demolished.

 

I like the look of the new building.

I know that change is hard for some of you old farts.

 

My schedule has changed slightly. I'm now leading vault tours on Tuesdays at 11 and 1 (75-90 minutes on average), and I'm "upstairs" on the three new floors Saturdays from 11 to 2.

During the weeks around GNRS, I'll be in the vault Tuesdays 1/26 and 2/2, and upstairs on Saturdays 1/23, 1/30, and 2/6. If any of you choose to show up at 10 on a day that I'm scheduled, let me know ahead of time and I'll show you around at 10.