Petersen Auto Museum Moves Into Reagan Library By Crane

Petersen Museum’s Batmobile is craned to the second story of the Reagan Library as part of the Hollywood Gallery Exhibit, set to display from October 28, 2014, to May 1, 2015. Photos courtesy of Kahn Media.

The Petersen Automotive Museum, one of the largest automotive museums in the world, has closed down for renovation. Unwilling to deny auto enthusiasts from visiting some of the famous vehicles owned by the non-profit organization, the Petersen Foundation entered a partnership with the Reagan Library to display these cars until the museum is reopened.

This Impala based Batmobile was featured in the original Batman movie (1989) and Batman Returns (1991).

The cars will be separated into three different themed galleries for Hollywood, History, and Heads of State. In the Hollywood Gallery, cars used in television and movies, as well as ones owned by celebrities, will be displayed October 28, 2014 through May 1, 2015, including:

  • 1956 XKSS owned by Steve McQueen (one of only sixteen built)
  • 1971 DeTomaso Pantera owned by Elvis Presley (which still has the three bullet holes from when he shot the car)
  • Batmobile driven by Michael Keaton in “Batman” (1989) and “Batman Returns” (1991)
  • 1946 custom “Grease Lightning” Ford used by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John in “Grease” (1978)
  • 1966 Ford Thunderbird driven by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in “Thelma and Louise” (1991)
  • 2001 custom Honda Roadster driven by Devon Aoki in “2 Fast, 2 Furious” (2003)

“Why…this car is automatic. It’s systematic. It’s hydromatic. Why… it’s greased lightning!”

In the Heads of State Gallery, cars built for Heads of State in multiple countries will be on display from November 17, 2014 through October 2015, including:

  • Pope John Paul II’s 1998 Cadillac Papal Parade Phaeton
  • 1942 Lincoln Limousine (ordered the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and used by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman)
  • 1938 Packard Super 8 Parade Phaeton used by Juan and Evita Peron, President and First Lady of Argentina.

Among the cars lifted into the library was Elvis Presley's 1971 DeTomaso Pantera, complete with bullet holes.

In the Historic Cars Gallery, rare, iconic, and historic cars will be displayed January 31, 2015 through May 1, 2015, including:

  • 1981 Gold-Plated DeLorean DMC-12
  • 1952 Ferrari 212/215 Inter Spyder
  • 1913 Mercer Raceabout
  • 1939 Bugatti 57C Atalante

This odd Ford Model T has connections to Elvis Presley as the lead vehicle in the Elvis movie “Easy Come, Easy Go,” but it also is connected with Batman for it’s use in the original “Batman” TV series as the “Jokermobile.”

Chevy Hardcore fans should be delighted to know that one of the cars on display at the Reagan Library during this Hollywood Gallery period will be the 1989 Batmobile, as it appeared in the 1989 “Batman” movie and the sequel “Batman Returns” in 1992.

Of all the cars that had to be craned into the Library’s second floor for the exhibit, the most challenging was the uniquely-shaped Batmobile. The over 20-feet long chassis, which is 8-feet wide and the heaviest car lifted,  posed a balance problem as the cars were lifted on a steel plate by crane. This version of the Batmobile was based on a 1967 Chevy Impala found in a London junkyard.

Chevy fans will want to know that it’s powered by a 327ci SBC V8, mounted low in the frame, in order to drop the hood line and enhance the car’s sleek profile. Rolls-Royce jet engine components were used to form the hood mounted intake with turbine blades in the nose piece that were scavenged from an actual Harrier jet.

The lovable “Love Bug” makes it way to the Penthouse.

If the ties to Batman were not close enough, another one of the vehicles craned into the library made appearances in the original Batman TV series. Called the Mongrel T, the car was originally developed as an Elvis Presley vehicle for the movie “Easy Come, Easy Go,” but the lengthened 1966 Model T custom was used as the Joker’s vehicle in the Batman TV series.

This 2001 Honda S2000 was driven in the opening sequence of 2 Fast 2 Furious in 2003. Painted a custom shade of pink, it is equipped with special ground effects and 18-inch rims. There is also a Paxton supercharger fitted that increased the horsepower from 240 to 340.

For more information about viewing times for these cars at the Reagan Library, visit them at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library.

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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