Exterior of the Petersen Automotive Museum
Photos Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum
After going through a grueling 14-month complete transformation, the Petersen Museum at the gateway of Los Angeles' famed Museum Row has reopened on time, on budget, and packed with hundreds of new experiences for visitors. On display are some of history's most important and breathtaking collector cars, championship winning race cars, incredible art cars, famous Hollywood vehicles, seminal motorcycles, and more.
"I am proud to announce that the new Petersen Automotive Museum is open on schedule, on budget, and with interior and exterior designs that are even more stunning than the concept renderings - and that is a rare feat in both the architecture and museum worlds," said Terry Karges, Executive Director. "Thanks to the efforts of Kohn Pedersen Fox, Matt Construction, A. Zahner Company, The Scenic Route, and our incredible Petersen team, we have transformed a building that was once an old department store into one ofthe most groundbreaking structures in Los Angeles. What's inside is just as stunning, including a three-story spiral staircase that transports visitors through 25 galleries representing the history, indsutry, and artistry of the automobile."
95,000 square feet of exhibit space houses three floors full of content at the newly redesigned Petersen Automotive Museum. The experience begins on the third floor, and through the new entrance on famed Wilshire Boulevard, guests can see several display vehicles, purchase tickets, and take the elevator to the start of their journey through the museum.
First floor of the Petersen Automotive Museum
The top floor immerses visitors into nostalgia as they explore the multi-faceted history of the automobile. "Concept Cars as Art" in the Audrey and Martin Gruss Foundation Gallery gives a glimpse into what the future was expected to look like in the 1950s and 60s, while the Hollywood Gallery features the Batmobile, the Magnum P.I. Ferrari, several vehicles from Spectre - the latest James Bond movie, the Pontiac Aztec from Breaking Bad, and many other iconic favorites. Also featured on this floor is the exhibit "Southern California: A Region in Motion" in the Southland Gallery, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. This exhibit uses interactive video content to show how Los Angeles grew out, instead of up, like most cities.
Second Floor of the Petersen Automotive Museum
After looking through the third floor, visitors can move down the staircase to the Industry Floor, or floor 2, where they can explore the diversity of automotive design and technology and see cars that have been modified for speed and efficiency. Viewers get the chance to learn what it's like to work in the car industry and watch automotive design students as they design what may be the next generation of transportation.
Perhaps the most visually stunning display in the museum is the Precious Metal exhibit in the Bruce Meyer Family Gallery presented by Rolex, a gathering of the world's rarest and most exotic cars - all finished in silver. The gallery includes a 1955 McLaren F1, the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette XP-87 Stingray designed, driven, and raced by GM President of Design Bill Mitchell, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond in the movie Goldfinger, a stunning 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia, a 1967 Ferrari 625/250 Testa Rossa by Scaglietti known as one of the most winning Ferraris of its time, and a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner driven by Juan-Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss.
The second floor also features galleries such as The Pixar Cars Mechanical Institute, the Art Center College of Design Studio, the Industry Professionals exhibit, the Alternative Power exhibit, the Production Gallery, and so much more. It's a wonder visitors don't get lost or spend their whole days on just the second floor.
Third floor of the Petersen Automotive Museum
On the last trip down the grand staircase to the first floor, also called the Peter and Merle Mullin Artistry Floor, where the most artfully designed vehicles from history are displayed. There is also the Ken and Dayle Roath Gallery, which features a curated display of cover art from the 106-year history of Westways Magazine, the print publication of the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The last exhibit on the day-long journey is the BMW Art Cars in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery, presented by BMW of North America.
To see all of these exhibits and displays, the Petersen Automotive Museum is open seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm, and admission prices are: adults - $15, seniors and students - $12, children - $7, active duty military and educators - free, Children under 3 - free. Check out www.Petersen.org to learn more.