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.
If you are looking for that hard to find part, a unique Christmas gift for the car enthusiast in your life, or you need to clear out your garage of parts, books, literature, and automobilia, come to the Fourth Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Garage Sale and Swap Meet on Saturday, December 1, 2012. Filling the second and third floors of the Petersen Museum's parking structure, the event will feature a mix of items from the Museum, along with a car sale corral and vendor area for those looking to sell vehicles and automobile or motorcycle items.
For its fourteenth year of celebrating Legends of Motorsport, the Petersen Automotive Museum, along with the Checkered Flag 200 Group, will present a very special “Tribute to George Follmer” program to be held at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 8, beginning with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Certain to be a memorable dinner event for all who join the Petersen’s prominent guests, friends and colleagues, the evening’s festivities include a gallery display of George Follmer-centric race cars and memorabilia generously supported by eminent collectors.
The Petersen Automotive Museum will provide free admission to active military and their families as a way to thank those who protect our country. The museum participated in the Blue Star Program this summer, which provided free admission to active military at participating museums nationwide.
The Petersen Automotive Museum Chairman of the Board Steven E. Young announced today that Terry L. Karges has been appointed Executive Director of the Museum. Karges will succeed Buddy Pepp beginning August 15, who is retiring following a successful two-year run as Executive Director where he made significant contributions to the long-term stability and prosperity of the Museum.