The Petersen Automotive Museum’s Hollywood Gallery.

The Petersen Automotive Museum is located on the fringe of Hollywood in museum row. Being next to Hollywood, there is a noticeable connection between Hollywood celebrity and the museum. Not only is the proximity a link between the two, automobiles bind them even tighter.

We took a tour through the museum recently with an eye on the TV and Movie cars presented in the Hollywood Gallery. Showcasing some of the most iconic and exciting cars of film and TV, the examples include Magnum P.I.’s 1982 Ferrari, James Bond’s 2016 Aston Martin, Breaking Bad’s 2004 Pontiac Aztek, and the 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible from Entourage.

Despite the rows of movie cars on display, and the hidden collection downstairs in the vault that are waiting their turn in rotation, we were tasked with finding the top three Hollywood cars in the Petersen gallery. Here are our favorites:

The museum’s Batmobile is so popular that when the museum closed for renovations, the car was loaned to the Reagan Library for display. It was hoisted to one of the upper levels of the library for the public to enjoy.

Number 1: 1989 Batmobile from Batman and Batman Returns.

Batman is the number one superhero of all time. Period. Part of what makes Batman the legend that he has become, is the great gadgets that he has. The Batmobile is the best of all the gadgets in his arsenal. Almost 20 feet in length, the Batmobile was based on the platform of a 1967 Chevrolet Impala found in London.

The Batmobile as is was displayed in the museum before the renovation.

It was powered by a 327-cubic-inch V-8 Chevrolet engine mounted low in the frame. Rolls-Royce jet engine components were used to form the hood-mounted intake, and turbine blades in the nosepiece were sourced from a British Harrier fighter jet. This example was one of five cars authorized by the studio for promotional purposes.

Number 2: Elvis Presley’s 1971 De Tomaso Pantera.

Elvis Presley, a legendary rock star and Hollywood actor who had a passion for both guns and cars, shot this Pantera with his personal firearm during a temperamental outburst when the car would not start. The two bullet holes on the steering wheel rim and one in the floor pan were never repaired and today serve to remind us that even “The King” was not immune to the frustrations of car trouble.

Elvis Presley’s troublesome Pantera.

Although the mid-engine configuration of the Italian-built Pantera qualified it for “exotic” status, the car cost less than a comparable Ferrari or Lamborghini because of its affordable yet powerful Ford engine. Legend has it that the car started just fine after Elvis shot it. It never failed to start again.

Number 3: Fatty Arbuckle’s 1914 Renault Type EF by Earl Automobile Works.

One of the first film stars to take a pie to the face for laughs, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle was a multitalented comedian, actor and director. He mentored Charlie Chaplin and discovered Bob Hope and Buster Keaton. He was one of Hollywood’s first wealthy celebrities, signing a then-unheard-of $1 million contract (about  $13 million in today’s money) with Paramount Pictures in 1918.

Arbuckle’s larger-than-life persona (and bank account) was reflected in his car collection, which included this rare Renault, bodied by Los Angeles-based Earl Automobile Works. Harley Earl, son of EAW founder J.W. Earl, went on to a successful career as head of design at General Motors after working in his father’s shop.