60th Anniversary Corvette Celebration at the Petersen Automotive Museum includes rare prototypes, seminars, a car show and a gala dinner featuring stars from the brand’s history capped by a presentation and Q&A session on the newly unveiled and highly polarizing C7.
World renowned collector and businessman will assume chairmanship of L.A.-based museum immediately, along with Vice Chairs Bruce Meyer and David Sydorick, ushering in new era as The Petersen Automotive Museum approaches its 20th Anniversary.
For the first time ever over the 2012 holiday season the Petersen opened the doors of its legendary Vault to the public. Previously an experience reserved strictly for staff, docents, curators and industry insiders, the response was unprecedented. Due to the overwhelming popularity, the museum will extend the Vault tours further, allowing automotive enthusiasts additional opportunities to view over 150 vehicles and other automotive treasures not on display in the museum itself – many of which belonged to world leaders, actors, rock stars, famous collectors and museum founder Robert E. Petersen.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is auctioning off three pedal cars at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona from January 18th through the 20th. As a part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Deuce Week celebration of the 80th anniversary of the ’32 Ford, nine of the hottest hot rod builders in the country were invited to create pedal car versions of their personal style of hot rod. Each builder started with a pedal car 1932 Ford Roadster and then used their vision, craftsmanship and passion to create the one-off customized collectibles.
Few names are as tightly interwoven with American car culture as Carroll Shelby. Father to the Shelby Cobras and Shelby Mustangs, Shelby was also a notable race driver with roots in the Grand Touring World Championships and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His passing this past May impacted the entire industry and the Petersen Automotive Museum is honored to host a tribute in correlation with Shelby’s January birthday.
The Petersen Automotive Museum recently received two outstanding vehicles to add to its world-class collection of over 400 vehicles. “Double Dozen”, a hand-built roadster whose design is based on a 1933 Ford, and an immaculate 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III are the latest in a long line of vehicle donations in the museum’s 18 –year history. As is the case with the majority of the museum’s vehicles, both cars come with great provenance.
Visiting the Petersen Automotive Museum’s underground vault has always been an opportunity reserved strictly for staff, docents, curators and industry insiders. Now, for the first time, the Vault will publically open its doors for the 2012 holiday season and the general public can view over 150 vehicles and other automotive treasures not on display in the museum itself – many of which belonged to world leaders, actors, rock stars, famous collectors and museum founder Robert E. Petersen.
As the Petersen Automotive Museum approaches its 20th anniversary in 2014, it is developing long term strategies to expand the museum’s outreach and create innovative experiences that are engaging for enthusiasts and non enthusiasts alike. To help accomplish this task, the museum has added industry veteran Debbie Lewis as its new Director of Business Development.
From its humble but stylish beginnings as a simple roadster based on family car mechanicals, to the technically advanced 205-mph wonder that is the modern ZR-1; Chevrolet’s Corvette has captured the hearts, minds, and wallets of the American car buying public. The Petersen Automotive Museum will celebrate the 60th anniversary of this symbol of American freedom, pride, ingenuity, and performance in March 2013, kicking off a year of celebrations throughout the automotive community.
The Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show (http://www.hotrodshow.com) and The Petersen Automotive Museum are excited to announce that Dave McClelland, the legendary "Voice of the NHRA," will receive the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday, March 15 at the Grand Opening Breakfast for the 2013 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show.