Southern California has been a vacation destination for the rest of the world since its earliest days when missionaries first offered wines vinted from locally grown grapes to thirsty travelers in search of a refreshing beverage to wash away the adobe clay of the El Camino Real. In the 21st century, California's missions are still a tourist attraction, and for the folks who consider themselves hardcore gearheads, or even persons mildly interested in the history of the automobile there's an attraction that shouldn't be missed. It's called the Petersen Automotive Museum, and get ready to clear some space in your brain because the place will leave you with a thousand great memories you'll never forget.
Our tour was led by Chris Brown, the Petersen's Information and Marketing Manager who CCT readers will recall as the Art Center-trained designer who penned CCT's ongoing project Dodge: High School Custom. A good indication we were in for a classic truck lover's treat was the collection of interesting old trucks displayed in front of the Petersen's lobby, and it only got better from there.
At the front of the line sat...
At the front of the line sat a 1919 Mack Model AC. The snub-nosed appearance of the Mack AC earned the "bulldog" nickname which officially became the truck's corporate symbol in 1922.
Based on a '56 Ford Fairlane,...
Based on a '56 Ford Fairlane, the Survival Car by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Cornell University looks like it was designed by Homer Simpson and Timothy Leary.
So much for safety, getting...
So much for safety, getting a look inside reveals chrome-plated louvers able to grate human occupants like they were taco cheese at room temperature.
American artist and automobile...
American artist and automobile manufacturer James Scripps-Booth started on this 3,200-pound V-8 powered motorcycle in 1908 and finished it in 1912 just in time to be released as a 1913 model. It's the only one ever made.
Also out front was this 1934...
Also out front was this 1934 Ford 1 1/2-ton panel truck that once belonged to Steve McQueen. These days it's known as the Cruisin' Classroom and racks up miles as a public outreach vehicle bringing the gospel of gasoline to underprivileged school children.
The inspiration for this month's...
The inspiration for this month's editorial, this Twincoach Helm's bakery truck really brings back fond memories for L.A. residents who can remember back to 1969 and earlier.
Leave it to the French to...
Leave it to the French to build a leaf-blower on such a grand scale. Other benefits of the propeller-driven 1932 Helicron include industrial grade hair drying and dispersing stubborn flatulence instantly.
Included in an exhibit paying...
Included in an exhibit paying homage to the many contributions the Automobile Club of Southern California has made to motoring public is this 1929 Ford Model A roadster pickup bought by the club brand-new.
Bring back the good old days....
Bring back the good old days. The Highway Patrol was started by the Automobile Club of Southern California before it became a police agency recognized by the abbreviation CHP.
As an educational tool, the...
As an educational tool, the Petersen Museum is light years ahead of computers. This '48 Chevrolet flatbed features alternative fuel power derived from charcoal, or wood gasification.
What looks to be a Darryl...
What looks to be a Darryl Starbird creation is actually a 1957 Studebaker-Packard Astral designed to run on nuclear power. This atomic bomb never ran, but in the '50s it was the thought that counted, right?
Here's a bomb of another sort,...
Here's a bomb of another sort, it's the 1958 Toyopet the very first Toyota brought into the United States for sale ... did we mention it bombed?
The Deora II rolls on a section...
The Deora II rolls on a section of bigger than life Hot Wheels track presenting the gateway to the Hot Wheels Hall of Fame. For a lot more information on the Petersen Museum log onto www.petersen.org
No Duesenberg is complete...
No Duesenberg is complete without one. Perhaps one of the most prized hood ornaments of all time the Lalique eagle. The Petersen has several on display.
Here's Nikita Khrushchev's...
Here's Nikita Khrushchev's limo, one of many head of state limos on display at the Petersen. Others include Eisenhower's white '52 Chrysler re-bodied with '56 skin, and the very first presidential limo to be armored, a 1942 Lincoln.