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

I'm coming to LA in late March with my wife and kids - can't wait to check the place out again!

 

So, rather than start another post on this subject I dug up this thread. I finally had a good opportunity to visit the Petersen Museum. For what is on display (Didn't have the time to see the vault), everything was nice to see. Quality of the cars in rotation is great. It is nice to see something worth more than my life's income not being 100% perfect. Just nice and clean on what is there. Rock chips, usage wear showing, real life reflected. Was really cool to see the Neikamp (did I spell that correctly?) roadster up close. McQueen's Jag!... Some really neat, significant stuff on display. However, I do wish I had taken the opportunity to see it before the remodel/update. I felt under dresses for 1/2 of it, like I needed an ascot and a gl*** of champagne. Sure seeing vintage Ferarri and Bugatti is nice, especially in an air conditioned environment, but it just doesn't seem "right". I am glad I went, and will again with a vault ticket. I won't say disappointed at all, I just don't know how to convey a proper reaction. I guess they are trying to cover everything that the Petersen Publishing automotive empire covered. I just wish it was a little more "Blue Collar".

 

I went back and the Peterson has an outstanding Dan Gurney race car exhibit through the end of the year (2017). Many race cars from the 1960's, plus the bottle of champagne from Le Mans, 1967. Absolutely outstanding.

 

I think your phrase "I just wish it was a little more "Blue Collar" sums up my reaction. I went through it about a month ago and my reaction was "those sure weren't the cars I grew up with". The "old" Peterson had a lot of cars and excellent displays that made me say "I remember that from when I was in high school" and "that is the car I wanted in high school". I guess I could relate better if I grew up in Europe. Were the cars nice and high $, yes. Would I recommend it to a HAMBER, probably not (unless he was visiting from Europe). This is just my reaction, I look forward to reading what other people think.

Charlie Stephens

 

I went years ag o and loved the displays, kind of like dioramas on roids. Now from the pictures I see it looks more like that museaum, can't recall th expelling, up in Blackhawk CA. Wonderful cars but a higher elevation than what I cruise at. Plus, that particular museum is a ****** to take any really good photos.

 

Le Mans 1967 was the FIRST bottle of champagne sprayed on the crowd by a race winner. Gurney did it on impulse.

 

I visited the museum in June, I have been there at least three times before the last trip about six years ago. While the older version of the Peterson was great and well worth the visit I found the new version a step above and very enjoyable. When I visit a museum I know that not everything there is in line with my interests or that I could ever afford to own a part of it but I enjoy them just the same. The new Peterson is great and well worth the time and money to see. I popped for the vault tour also, it was worth the money but they teased us with a guided tour of about one third of the cars down there. Most of the vehicles were in sight but the tour did not go into that area. I walked within 20' of some very well know hot rods from the past but could not look closer because the tour guide turned the group around and headed in another direction. I really do not understand why cameras were not allowed in the ba*****t, the cars there are just as rare and valuable as the cars on the top three floors.
If you have the chance you should see this facility.