Margie and Robert E. Petersen: Driven to Collect
During his lifetime, Robert E. Petersen, together with his wife Margie, acquired dozens of important automobiles on behalf of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Each one of these vehicles helps the Museum explore the history of the automobile and the thriving car culture he helped create. Today the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Collection contains one of the most diverse samplings of important vehicles ever assembled. From stylish hot rods to Presidential limousines, from elegant classics to vintage exotics, and from the dramatic to the unusual, the Margie and Robert E. Petersen: Driven to Collect exhibit features the highlights of their amazing collection.
1925/34 Rolls Royce, Also known as the "Round Door Rolls"
Photo Credit Scott Williamson1953 Ghia Cadillac, Recently appeared in Iron Man 2
Originally owned by actress Rita Hayworth
Photo Credit Petersen Automotive Museum
1952 Ferrari 212/225 Barchetta
Originally Owned by Henry Ford II
Photo Credit Dave Gooley
Vehicles on display include:
1925/34 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe "Round Door Rolls"
1927 Ford Hot Rod Magazine 50th Anniversary Track T Roadster
1929 Ruxton Model C Roadster
1932 Duesenberg Model J Roadster by Murphy
1932 Ford Hot Rod "Ray Brown Roadster"
1939 Bugatti 57C by Vanvooren originally owned be the Shah of Iran
1942/46 Lincoln Presidential Limousine used by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman
1948 Tucker 48 originally owned by Preston Tucker
1952/56 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton used by President Eisenhower
1952 Ferrari 212/225 Barchetta originally owned by Henry Ford II
1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe by Ghia originally owned by Rita Hayworth, and seen in Iron Man 2
1953 Cunningham C-3 Vingale Coupe
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" Coupe
1959 Scimitar retractable hard top designed by Brooks Stevens
1967 Toyota 2000GT
1969 Barber Shop Car by Joe Bailon
1970 Campbell V-8 Juice Roadster by George Barris
1971 DeTomaso Pantera formerly owned by Elvis Presley
1993 Harley Davidson Hot Rod Magazine 45th Anniversary Motorcycle
1952/56 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton
Used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Photo Credit Petersen Automotive Museum
Robert E. Petersen, founder of Petersen Publishing and creator of Hot Rod Magazine, Motor Trend, and countless other enthusiast magazines was the visionary and major benefactor after whom The Petersen Automotive Museum was named. Mrs. Petersen shared and continues to share in her late husband’s enthusiasm and support for The Museum. Realizing the need for an automotive museum in the heart of Los Angeles (a city built around the automobile), Mr. and Mrs. Petersen worked with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles to create the Petersen Automotive Museum in 1994. Thanks to their generous contributions, the Petersen Automotive Museum became self-sustaining in 2000 with the creation of the Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation, and continues to live on as a legacy not only to Mr. and Mrs. Petersen, but to the automotive community as a whole.
Due to maintenance schedules and event commitments, some vehicles shown may not be on display during your visit.
Contact: Chris Brown
Information and Marketing Manager (323) 964-6320 cbrown@petersen.org