I went to Wikipedia to read more. All I saw was a link to his amazing museum, but nothing about the man himself, except for a brief note that he had p***ed away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petersen_Automotive_Museum Someone who knows more should write an entry for him. The world needs to know more about his life and impact. I'd certainly like to read it.
I can't count the number of hours -- certainly thousands -- that I've spent reading Petersen publications since 1951. They shaped my view and tastes regarding cars, and led me into a career hung on that enthusiasm. Never met the man, but I owe him a great deal.
As I was reading this thread it came to me that Robert Peterson actually made, brought to the forefront and presented to the world almost all, if not all of our Hot Rod Hero's over the decades, without him and Hot Rod who would have heard of or remembered Carl & Veda Orr, Vic Edelbrock, Ed Iskenderian, **** Flint, Doane Spencer, Bob McGee, "Chilli", **** Scritchfield, Bill Niekemp, Joe Nitti, Norm Grabowski, Ed Roth, Sam & George Barris, Doyle Grammel, Pete Chapouris & Jim Jacobs, Frank Mack, Von Dutch, or even Tom McMullen,...... the list is truly countless. Without the Glue to hold Hot Rodding together nationally and internationally in the dawning of Hot Rodding we wouldn't have such a well do***ented and rich background with a countless number of notable people that literally made History. Thank You Mr. Peterson for the vision and p***ion you made available to so many. Well Done !
**** he was a good egg. Aside from a car dude he was also a people dude, never got into the whole hot rod snobery thing. We lost a good friend there.
This one started it all for me, Hot Rod August 53. The Soap Box Derby Speed Secrets cought my attention on the Drug Store new stand, but the coverage of Hot Rods got me hooked and I've bought every one since. Rest in peace Robert E. Peterson.
Sorry to see him p*** away. Really a pioneer. I still have the first Peterson mags I ever bought, Car Craft November 1976 and Hot Rod January 1978. Car Craft and Hot Rod were the best under Peterson Publishling. Never took themselves too seriously, i.e. road test on the Goodyear blimp. I can't explain it. You would have to have read them in the day to understand. Today the mags from Primedia are nothing more than glorified manufactures catalogs. Basically a Summit Racing catalog with several more car features and an editorial page. (Sorry Dave F. It's the truth) R.I.P. Mr Peterson. Probably already cruising with Gray and talking about the old days.
Wake up this morning,cook my breakfast and turn on the 'puter to see whats happening in the rodding world and read that R.E.Peterson has p***ed on to the great hot rod roundup in the sky.This gentleman introduced more young(and old)people to the world of the modified car than just about anyone else I can think of.Looking back over my collection there was hot rods,street rods,prostreet,mini trucks,big trucks,Bonneville,drags,sprintcars,hillclimbs,go-karts,mini-bikes,big bikes,engine builds,ch***is mods and so much more.Then there was all the writers,editors and photographers who became household names to all of us and led us down the path to where we are now.Trying to get back to the beginning.Condolences to the Peterson family from all the rodding fraternity here in Australia.Keep on roddin'.
I can't imagine what my life would have been like without Petersen's magazines, Hot Rod in particular. As a 10 year old with a largely absent dad, I never got into field sports, but gawddamn, thanks to the magazines, I could talk at length about drag racing, NASCAR, Bonneville, hot rods, pony cars, you name it. I actually read them so much, over and over, I could quote complete p***ages, and no doubt helped my writing in school. I still have my first copy of Hot Rod (Jan. '64) and it's why I've got a front engine dragster in my garage. I never knew all the political drama that took place behind the scenes putting out the magazines back then; I just wanted to grow up and work with the likes of Petersen's team. People like Bob Greene, E. Rick Mann, the best damn photog on the planet, Eric Dahlquist, and of course, Tom Medley. Pete knew how to pick talent! I never did work for a mag, but I did end up spending 25 years in a related field, thanks to Petersen's words and photos. Thanks for great magazines, and a great legacy in creating the Petersen Museum, Mr. Petersen.
Truley a sad day for all car enthusiasts. Mr Peterson brought us the world of hot rodding. He will always be remembered.
When I Checked My Mail I Saw The Yahoo News. That Bob Petersen Had P***ed Away. Thinking It Happened Today, And Not Seenig A Post On Top With The Sticky's. I Posted It. His P***ing Came As A Shock. Seeing Him On Tv Show's I Would Of Never Guessed He Was 80. The Hobby Keep's Us All Young. Freiburger Got It Rollin And A Nice Piece It Was. WE WILL MISS A LEGEND IN ROBERT PETERSEN.
Just heard - at a loss for words... Mr. Petersen was a cornerstone of the great hotrod world we live in today - without Hot Rod and other Petersen automotive publications we all would be less capable, less entertained and less informed. Knowledge truly is power and the knowledge communicated every month through these fine magazines has given all of us the power to overcome our motorized obstacles. Godspeed Mr. P. Steve
My respect and adoration is sent to MR. Petersen & wish his family the best. Thanx you for your p***ion!
We lost a great man, pioneer and icon. I actually got to meet him some years ago at an official AAA function at the museum, although it was just an introduction and a handshake, it seems to mean alot more at this point. Rest in peace Mr. Petersen.
I, along with my peers, were shocked and saddened to learn this news while touring a private collection with **** Messer, the Director of the Petersen Museum. To see the look on his face and those on my peers at the announcement was literally gut wrenching. Afterall, we were there celebrating Mr. Petersen's museum with a tight network of other automotive museums. He is just one of those people that you never want to die. He was old and not in the best health, but you are never prepared to let him go. I guess they are having some type of party at the Peteresen this Thursday in his honor. That is what he wanted, a big happy party. You local guys should check it out. RIP Mr. Petersen, THANKS
His coverage of the 'go-kart' craze fueled my desire for all things fast and loud. In 1958 my dad only had a push lawn mower but I found an old Clinton one-lunger on a junk mower and set out to mount that engine on my 'orange crate' push scooter. My dad intervened before I had the chance to get the driven sprocket mounted on the wooden frame but that early failure never stopped me. Using the old trick of TRYING to hide car mags and comics in my school books, my grade school nuns eventually had a bigger collection of Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines then I did. By the tender age of fourteen , while my friends were bagging grocerys or cutting gr*** for $$$, I got a job at a local gas station pumping Ethyl and greasing cars. It was the beginning of my life long love affair with the automobile. Every job I have ever had has had something to do with cars or trucks.. And that whole deal all started with reading Peterson's magazines. To say the he had an influence on my life would be an understatement. RIP
May God rest his soul. Another one p***ed from the "Greatest Generation" A huge legacy he will leave from a huge life he lived. Another life example of "When in doubt, just help another out" And remember - You will want to have subscribed to Hot Rod (or one of the others) if he's mann'n the gate the day you arrive.
To him, many of us owe a thank-you. For the Americana. For a lifestyle. For a hobby. For a industry. Gray B'ville refered to the man as 'Uncle Pete'. He's another guy you felt was a relative you never met, but knew alot about. It only hurt's when you care. RIP.
The American Hot Rod Foundation will be posting excerpts from our interview with him every Tuesday and Friday at 2pm (west coast time)
The Jalopy Journal
