Some, perhaps, but ... 1937 Talbot-Lago Type 150 CS - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube I have to admit I was more than a wee bit surprised to see that car show up in Jay Leno's Garage and then go out for a drive around wherever it is Jay drives those cars. But then the pre-selector gearbox malfunctions and ... Ooops.
Thanks for the positive comments and to Ryan for indulging me. I like sharing my passion for all things automotive. Yes, only the rich own these cars; we are able see them in museums because the (generous) rich want to share them and they fund the museums as well. The Mullen Museum and the Nethercutt Collection are two Southern California museums not to be missed if this is your thing. The admission to both is nothing or next to nothing; they are losing boatloads of money every day they open the doors. Jay also featured/drove the Hispano Dubonnet on:
We were at the Petersen the Sunday of the GNRS weekend. The line to get in ran from the desk all the way to the doors, a good 40 foot long line, that line never got shorter the three hours were there. The tour of the Vault is well worth the extra cost, our tour guide was great, a very knowledgeable car guy. The old Petersen was nice, but the renovated Petersen is now World Class. Bob
On a weekend, the trick is to be there when they open. If you pre-purchase your tickets online, you can go around the line for immediate entry at 10:00 opening. They encourage everyone to do the third floor first, but you can then enter the Mullen gallery on the first floor, right next to the ticket counter. There will be virtually no one else in the room for quite a while; the crowd is upstairs. And even on a Sunday, the place never felt crowded.
My $.02 About 50 years ago I made myself a promise, "I will drive every car I ever own" So far I've kept the promise. If I got a chance to own any of the cars in this thread, I woud be driving them. Art hangs on the wall, Cars get driven. And as far as keeping them good for the next guy... Fuggedaboutit! Keep driving!
I've never been able to afford that outlook, a Pebble Beach winning restoration isn't worth any more if I take it for a ride or take a photo of it. Bob
Let me clarify, If you could go back in history and ask the guys that designed and built these cars, "What do you hope will happen to your cars in the future?" I bet none of them would say, "I hope they wind up in a museum!" I do appreciate that these cars are saved, restored, and shown in museums. I have been to many of them. Just saying that to me personally, I would rather drive a car I have the good fortune of owning, instead of seeing my car in a museum. For me the biggest value by far is the drive. Not nocking any other viewpoint.
Good stuff, thanks Tom & Ryan. Nice to hear the upfit getting good reviews. On any true car enthusiast's bucket list.
I miss the old Pete and its focus on the history of SoCal car culture. California already has a couple of fine art car museums. I'll really miss those old dioramas.
Beautiful cars. That display broadens the audience to a art/design crowd, draws in new funding, allows the museum to keep going. Museums dont make their money at the door, wealthy contributors keep it afloat, this will draw the pebble beach crowd. If this museum can establish itself as a status symbol to have a car displayed there, these folks will make contributions to have their car included. Kinda twisted, but it's the way of the world. If the cars weren't on display there I doubt many of us would have the opportunity to see them up close. Ive never been there, but imagine I'd spend more time on the traditional hot rods that are still on display.
The (high minded) rich fund all museums. The Petersen was never private; it's always been a part of the LA County collection of public museums. Previously, it felt more private; now it seems more public. Bruce Meyer is an important collector of all types of cars, but who owns iconic hot rods such as the Spencer deuce and The GBP FED. He is also near the top of the list of Petersen donors and is on the board. He understands the importance of Rods and Customs but is also a real down-to-earth "rich guy".
What happened to the LA County car collection that was in the Petersen Vault? I know it had some screwy setup were nobody could see the cars up close, but they were gone when we were there for GNRS weekend. Bob
I just discovered this thread; missed it when it was first posted. I'm sorry to have missed Tom when he visited the Petersen; I would have been delighted to give him a VIP tour (I'm a docent there). Beautiful photography as always, Tom!
Thanks Tony, I will look forward to a VIP tour with you....would that include my taking a tripod into the vault and using it to support my camera while I snap? By the way, no tripods are allowed in the museum so these were all hand held.
That is my favorite photo in the bunch, worked on two of the cars back in the 1970's. Think it was 1972 when the Bugatti set the Worlds Record for a car sold at auction at $65,000 with the old restoration. Bob
Rod1, I was unable to go to the GNRS this year due to a shoulder surgery. I'm on the mend now but the physical therapy has curtailed the traveling. I will be in Austin, however, to shoot the Roundup in a coupla weeks.
Wow some wicked cars and killer pics ,bitch is I have to put this joint on my bucket list to visit... So cool
Tom, I'm not sure I can help. Management has been adamant about no photography in the vault, unless it's for some museum-promotional purpose. I'll be glad to try, but I wouldn't be optimistic.
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