Network
The Rebirth of Robert E. Petersen’s Shrine to Automotive Art
Words And Photos: Cam Benty
Back in 1991, I worked at the original Petersen Publishing as the Editorial Director for Motor Trend’s Specials division. Without notice, I had been tapped for a most unusual role as Editor of SPORT Magazine. As part of the vetting process, I needed to get the approval of with Mr. Petersen to make sure I was the right guy for the job. A key lunch meeting was part of the process and my boss asked me to take “Pete” to the Palm, a Restaurant in West Hollywood, one of Mr. Petersen’s favorites.
Robert E Petersen built an empire of automotive magazines that was never to be matched. His key titles included Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft, Rod & Custom, and many more. To expand his empire he added titles such as Photographic, Guns & Ammo, Hunting, Teen, and Motorcyclist. In 1996, he would sell the company he loved leaving the business for retirement.
At the time, word of Mr. Petersen’s donation to the city of Los Angeles for an automotive museum in his name had been announced but the building was still empty and just what they were going to do the inside was some years off. It would ultimately open in 1994.
Stressing to think of something interesting to say on my ride to the Palm with Pete, I mentioned that I had recently seen Otis Chandler’s car collection out in Oxnard, California. Otis was the heir to the Chandler fortune and ran the Los Angeles Times for many years – among other things. In a very simple, unmarked building in an industrial center, Otis had surrounded himself with hemi Mopars, L88 Corvettes, Duesenbergs, and high end race cars like 427 Cobra SC’s and Porsche 917-30’s. Otis and Petersen had an ongoing rivalry for who had the best, well, of everything from cars, to houses, to hunting trophies.
While stopped at the light on Santa Monica Blvd, not far from our destination, I finished my description of what I though was Otis’ amazing car collection while Mr. Petersen patiently listened. When I was through, Pete had a simple and quick response, “that’s great. Wait ‘til he sees my museum!”
The new Petersen Automotive Museum will open to the public on Monday, Dec. 7 and cover 100,000 square feet of space on four floors. Most notably, the exterior of the building is a collage of color and Kansas City stainless steel. Love it or leave it, the Petersen Automotive Museum makes a statement that cannot be overlooked.
With all new cars and interactive displays, the museum is very unique on the inside too. From classic racecars to never before seen concept cars, the museum is now current with displays developed by Pixar to educate the uneducated on the basics of vehicle operation. One special studio houses students from prestigious Art Center School of Design in Pasadena, California. who work on future vehicle designs both on drafting tables and on computer.
The new museum is truly amazing and a fresh read on automotive topics that are both interesting and current. If you find yourself in Los Angeles, a stop by the corner of Fairfax and Wilshire Blvds are well worth your time. www.petersenautomotivemuseum.com.
