The night was filled with stars—bright and shining Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the stars, celebrities and VIPs of Hollywood, that is. All gathered together at the non-profit 501(c)(3) Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to raise money for the Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation and its youth and education programs.

The evening also saw two other important events take place. The first was the celebration of the opening of the ROLLS-ROYCE: A CENTURY OF ELEGANCE exhibition. Many luxury-car aficionados consider the Rolls-Royce to be the best motorcar ever produced, and there are 25 of the greatest examples of this historic marque as part of this new display that runs through January 25, 2004. Examples of cars include a 1907 Silver Ghost Tourer, 1937 Phantom III Sports Limousine, 1957 Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupe, and even the new 2004 Phantom that will carry Rolls-Royce into the future.

The Gala festivities included a gourmet buffet dinner, along with live and silent auctions. The Gala grossed over a half-million dollars for the Petersen and its youth and education programs. Combined with other fundraising activities held by the Museum over the weekend, more than a million dollars was raised for the Foundation.

Just some of the many celebrities and stars on hand included Museum founders Margie and Robert E. Petersen, Buzz Aldrin and his wife Lois; Connie Stevens; Jack Carter; Lee Iacocca; Phyllis Diller; Ruth Buzzi and her husband Kent Perkins; Erik Estrada and his wife Nanette, Carroll and Cleo Shelby, Dan Gurney and Joanna Cassidy.

In addition to the Gala, there was a preview of the vehicles to be auctioned during the Third Annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum, June 21 and 22. Nearly 200 classic, collectible, vintage, sports and special interest cars crossed the auction block at the Barrett-Jackson Auction
The classic car auction brought in more than $4.2 million in sales revenues and attracted car enthusiasts looking to buy their first classic vehicle to serious collectors.

The most expensive car sold was a 1923 Mercedes 28/95 PS Targa Florio that went for $756,000. The imposing and historic Mercedes with a well-documented history had been part of a prominent Southern California collection for many years. Although not announced as sold when on the auction block, continuing negotiations by auction company personnel resulted in the successful sale being announced soon thereafter. The car was purchased by Museum founder Robert E. Petersen, and will join the Museum’s Treasures From The Vault Collection.

One of the anticipated highlights of the auction was the sale of a 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica. This very rare car, originally owned by one family for nearly 40 years and being offered for sale for the first time, received much pre-auction attention as a no reserve entry. The Ferrari was purchased for $432,000 after a lengthy bidding battle at the auction. Another auction highlight was the record price of $108,000 being paid by the successful buyer of a 1962 Porsche 356 B Super 90 Cabriolet.

Musclecars continued to be a sought-after segment of the collector-car market with record prices being achieved for a 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible at $47,520, a 1966 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Coupe for $62,700, and $79,920 for a 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS409. Other significant cars sold include a 1971 Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta for $145,800, a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet for $59,400, and a 1949 Chevrolet Canopy Express for $43,200. A 1938 Lincoln Zephyr Twelve Convertible, driven by Annette Bening in the motion picture ‘Bugsy’, sold for $74,520.

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation would like to thank the following benefactors and supporters for making the 2003 Gala a smashing success:

Wells Fargo Private Client Services

Advanced Equities

Margie and Robert E. Petersen

Smith Barney/Citigroup

BDO Seidman, LLP

Outdoor Life Network

Associated Television

Paula Kent Meehan

William H. and Nadine Tilley Family Foundation

Robert and Kelly Day

In addition, the Museum would like to thank the Gala suppliers:

Renaissance Catering

Regal Rents

West Coast Beverage

Pie & Burger

The Greenbriar

J. R. Navarro & Assoc.

AGF Media Services

Silent Partners

Z-Valet