I live a half-mile away from the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, meaning I get to enjoy a bit of irony by walking to a car museum. There are hundreds of classic cars in the Petersen collection, plus the usual visiting vehicles, but a scant few are shown at any given time due to space restrictions. This means you usually get to see something new/old every time you stop by. It's a great way to spend a few hours.
Here are some of the current highlights, and please forgive the picture quality. My camera's reduced to crap in museum lighting.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
Left: One of the only GM EV1's still in existence. This was featured in "Who Killed the Electric Car?" In order for the museum to keep it, GM removed electric drivetrain.
Middle: The original Mini (sort of). This is a 1929 Austin Seven "Chummy," and it's ridiculous how small it is. According to the plackard, the first BMWs were rebadged Austin Sevens. So in a way, the first BMW was a Mini.
Right: A McLaren SLR, DeLorean DMC12 and Bugatti EB110. Each awesome in its own way. The DeLorean only has 8 miles on its odometer (and its tach is stuck at 3,000 rpm)
Left: This was driven by the villain Zao in the worst Bond movie ever made: "Die Another Day." Still interesting to see even though it's ridiculous.
Center: This was the first time I visited the Petersen and there was no Batmobile. The ironically named Black Beauty from the TV show "The Green Hornet" was there instead.
Right: What Would Jack Drive? Well, Mr. Nicholson used to own this 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600. The Maybach of the 70s.
Left: Of the 1.3 million Chevrolets built for 1929, only 300 were of this high-end Imperial Landau design with a partially collapsible rear roof area.
Center: The original GMC Envoy XUV: the Studebaker Wagonaire.
Right: The prize-winning 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Custom is the crown jewel of the museum's Treasures of the Vault collection. This was actually found in a Jersey junkyard in 1950 before being restored and painted gold. Years later, the Petersen bought it in Japan and restored it to its present condition. Stunning.
Left: If you want to see a Bugatti Veyron, this could be your only opportunity.
Right: Karl Brauer corner, with a new Ford GT and the old GT40. Nikita Kruschev's state limousine, the 1962 Chaika, is in the background. It has nothing to do with Karl Brauer.
adantium says:
11:51 AM, 01/21/09
Wow, some nice cars and an eclectic collection.
desmolicious says:
01:27 PM, 01/21/09
The 1972 600 Benz is way waaaay cooler than any current Maybach.
stovt001 says:
02:24 PM, 01/21/09
I was just at the museum this past weekend. Funny how you mention the EV1 and not the Honda electric car right next to it. It had a sign stating that Honda destroyed all of them as well, just like GM did. Funny how all the Detroit haters conveniently ignore that fact.
stovt001 says:
02:30 PM, 01/21/09
Oh and the Bugatti EB110 was indeed a great looking car.
Die Another Day was not nearly as bad as The World is Not Enough. It isn't anywhere close to being the worst Bond, IMHO.
jriz says:
03:12 PM, 01/21/09
Well you're wrong about Bond.
But I mentioned the EV1 and not the Honda because the Honda had been there during my last two visits (along with the little Nissan electric, turbine car, steam car and Xterra fuel cell cutaway). That's the first time I've seen the EV1 at the museum, which is the lone reason I pointed it out.
funkymunky says:
12:45 PM, 01/22/09
I hope I don't get smote for saying this, but I actually *agree* with you, desmolicious. The 600 is WAY WAY WAY!!! cooler than any Maybach, even though the suspensions periodically leaked air and owners found the car on the ground. Totally cool. Nicholson drove a black one in "The Witches of Eastwick."
samjpatrick says:
12:56 PM, 01/22/09
I just visited the Petersen earlier this month as well. That DeLorean hiding behind the SLR was one of a handful to be gold-plated. I had only thought its hue was due to lighting until reading its sign.
desmolicious says:
02:32 PM, 01/22/09
Years ago when I was making ends meet working catering, I had a gig at Schwarzenegger's place. He comes rolling in driving his 600 Benz from the 1970s. Black on black. Parked it next to his Steyr Puch 4wd truck. Got out smokin a huge stogie. Too cool.
compliance says:
12:11 PM, 01/27/09
They had the Ford GT's sitting next to each other when I went about a year ago. It was striking how much better the original looked, but I think you can only tell when they are together.