The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles launches the celebration of its 25th anniversary Saturday with the opening of its newest exhibit, “Auto-Didactic: The Juxtapoz School.”
The exhibit examines a mix of art and automobiles from the artists of Juxtapoz Magazine “who have helped redefine the role and imagery of automobiles in contemporary art,” the museum said.
The works of more than 50 artists are displayed, from VonDutch to skateboarder Shepard Fairey and Juxtapoz founder Robert Williams, as well as several vehicles, including Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Orbiton.
“Our new exhibit will be unlike any other exhibit we’ve ever curated,” said Terry Karges, the museum’s executive director. “While the focus is still on the automobile, the range of artwork on display will appeal to both car enthusiasts as well as the progressive art connoisseur.”
Petersen seeks help in funding Corwin restoration
The Petersen also has begun a crowdfunding campaign seeking $32,000 in contributions to restore the museum’s 1965 Corwin Getaway, “an important early effort to develop a nimble, mid-engine automobile that would help create jobs for the residents of underserved communities in and around Los Angeles,” the museum said in its announcement.
The Corwin was built in Los Angeles by Cliff Hall, an African-American, and was named for Louis Corwin, the primary financial benefactor of the effort. However, even with endorsements from the likes of Mohammed Ali, Sidney Poitier and Marvin Gaye, Hall was unable to produce more than the prototype example.
Hall’s goal was to create a vehicle that younger buyers would view as unique, inexpensive and more practical than a motorcycle. The car is 11 feet long, 43 inches tall and powered by a mid-mounted 4-cylinder Subaru engine.
“At the Petersen, we’ve restored many cars through the charitable support of donors from around the world,” said Terry Karges. “Crowdfunding opens up a whole new avenue to spread the word about special projects like this one. The success of this campaign means that the museum will be able to restore and display more cars in the future and do so at a faster rate.”
Donors to the Indiegogo fundraising effort will be eligible for special awards, including a ride around LA in the restored vehicle.
Liberty trucks featured at LeMay Collection’s annual show
Since 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the LeMay Collection at Marymount in Tacoma, Washington, featured its pair of 1918 Liberty trucks at its 41st annual car show recently.
“This year’s feature vehicles were a special tribute to all those who have protected, and do protect, our freedoms,” the museum said in its post-show newsletter.
The newsletter noted that the U.S. entered the war in the spring of 1917 and the Army Quartermaster Corps and a group of automotive engineers did a design for a new military truck which featured 7,500 standardized and interchangeable parts. Engines were produced in Wisconsin, wheels and axles in Detroit and carbo bodies in Philadelphia for the Liberty trucks. A variety of truck manufacturers did assembly with more than 9,000 built.
The museum has two of the Class B Series II trucks, both produced in late 1918. The trucks, with a 120-inch wheelbase, have 425cid 4-cylinder engines with magneto ignition.
The museum said fewer than 10 Liberty trucks are believed to still be running a century later. One of the museum’s trucks has recently been restored by the museum’s restoration team.
Big October at the Simeone museum
You can find details in the “Mark your calendar” section below, but October is a big month at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, what with a collector car auction (October 8), a celebration of Enzo Ferrari with Alfa Romeo and Ferrari cars exercised during Demo Day and a presentation by Ferrari biographer Luca Dal Monte (October 13), the debut of Maserati – A Hundred Years Against All Odds (October 18), an evening with Hurley Haywood (October 26) and the presentation of the Spirit of Competition award to Roger Penske (October 31).
Beaulieu celebrates Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s 50th anniversary
The 50th anniversary of the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the focus of a new exhibit at the National Motor Museum of England at Beaulieu. The exhibition tells the story of Chitty, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious in the “fantasmagorical” family adventure motion picture.
Coggins’ Garage has been re-created in the museum to house such vehicles as the Humbug Major Sweet Machine, Clockwork Lullabye, Little Dragon Carpet Sweeper and Hot Air Rocking Chair. Standing outdoors will be a full-scale replica of Grandpa Pott’s hut.
The exhibit also includes costumes from the movie as well as a timeline that traces the story from its beginnings as Ian Fleming’s book about the magical flying car to Cubby Broccoli’s movie interpretation, all inspired by the real-life exploits of racer Count Louis Zborowski.
Honda motorcycles showcased in Tacoma
Not only was Brown M. Maloney honored recently as Master Collector by LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, but 125 of his Honda motorcycles are on display in a special exhibit at the museum. The exhibit opened during the museum’s recent Wheels & Heels gala, where Maloney was honored for his collection, which includes not only motorcycles but many collector cars as well.
“Brown’s lifelong passion for vintage vehicles, especially Honda motorcycles, serves as a bright light in the collector community,” said museum president Paul Miller.
The museum noted that Maloney’s Hondas present an unrivaled assortment of motorbikes, including notable ones such as a 1952 Honda Cubby ‘Bicycle Motor’ with original bicycle, 1962 CB-92 125cc sport bike with race accessories, 1979 CBX Six Cylinder and 1983 CX-650 Turbo.
Special events this weekend
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento opens its special “road trips” exhibit on September 28.
America On Wheels in Allentown, Pennsylvania, opens a new exhibit, “Fabulous Fins of the ‘50s and ‘60s” on September 29.
Located just across the road from the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the GM Corvette Assembly Plant stages its annual “Vettes, Hot Rods & Families” car show on September 29.
Muscle Car City in Punta Gorda, Florida, hosts its monthly car corral Sunday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, is doing a road trip by coach on September 29 to the Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI at Laguna Seca.
The British Motor Museum, located on the grounds of the former RAF Gaydon base, hosts the third annual Gaydon Military Show on September 30.
Mark your calendar
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has joined with other local museums to provide a “Planes, Trains & Automobiles Camp” from October 1-5 during Fall Break at the local schools. Campers will visit the Corvette museum, Aviation Heritage Park and the Historic Railpark and Train Museum. For details, visit the camp website.
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia is hosting a book signing and discussion with Nick Skeens from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on October 3. Skeens is the author of The Perfect Car: The Biography of John Barnard, Motorsports Most Creative Designer.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will fete Wolfgang Porsche at its 24th annual gala, scheduled for October 5.
The British Motor Museum will use its social media feeds to present “Archive Live!” throughout the day on October 5. The interactive feeds not only will go behind the scenes at the museum’s own archives, but will help visitors understand how to preserve their own family documents and photographs.
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento stages CruiseFest on Fulton Avenue on October 6.
Autobooks-Aerobooks in Burbank, California, hosts a book signing October 6 featuring Matt Avery and Copo: Camaro, Chevelle & Nova.
The AACA Library & Research Center’s yard sale is scheduled for October 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia stages its annual “Collectors’ Motorcars and Automobilia” auction with Bonhams with bidding beginning at 11 a.m. on October 8.
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, stages its “Night at the Museum” event October 10 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring the 70th anniversary of the Tucker and the presentation of the Automotive Heritage Award to Gale Halderman, designer of the original Ford Mustang.
During Hershey Car Week activities, the AACA Museum also offers special access to the more than 50 vehicles housed in its “storage garage” on October 11-12 from 7:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.
The Beaulieu museum in England continues its annual Autumn Lecture Series on October 12 with Steve Waddingham, historian at Aston Martin Lagonda, talking about “Aston Martin: A History.”
The Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, celebrates its 30th anniversary with a Gala scheduled for October 14. In addition to dinner and silent and live auctions, the evening will feature music by Franc d’Ambrosio of Phantom of the Opera fame.
The Simeone Foundation Auto Museum in Philadelphia celebrates Enzo Ferrari on October 13, Italian Heritage Day, with a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, 1925 Alfa Romeo RL Super Sport, 1954 Ferrari 375 MM and 1958 Ferrari 250 TR taking part in Demo Day at 11 a.m. Then, at 2 p.m., the museum offers an in-depth conversation and book signing at 2 p.m. on October 13 with Luca Dal Monte, author of Enzo Ferrari: Power, Politics and the Making of an Automotive Empire.
The Simeone Foundation Auto Museum in Philadelphia offers the world premiere of Maserati: A Hundred Years Against All Odds, the first comprehensive film about the marque and its history, to be shown at 7 p.m. on October 23. The event includes a conversation and discussion featuring producer Philip Selkirk and director Luca Dal Monte, a former Maserati director of marketing and public relations.
The Simeone Foundation Auto Museum in Philadelphia plans “An Evening with Hurley Haywood” featuring the sports car racer on October 26.
From October 27 to November 4, the British Motor Museum invites children to serve as junior detectives to find the “Missing Plans” and to learn how to do secret car designs in invisible ink. The adventures begin daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m or 2 p.m.
The British Motor Museum hosts the “Large Model Aircraft Show” on October 28 with more than 100 large static radio-controlled aircraft on display.
On October 31, the Simeone Foundation Auto Museum in Philadelphia presents its 11th Spirit of Competition award to Roger Penske on an evening that will feature Amelia Island concours founder Bill Warner as master of ceremonies.
The LeMay Collections at Marymount in Tacoma, Washington, hosts a Sock Hop on November 3 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The 11th annual “Vets’n Vettes” event runs November 8-10 at the National Corvette Museum and its NCM Motorsports Park. The program includes laps around the track, road tours and participation in the Bowling Green (Kentucky) Veterans Day Parade. Registration closes October 23.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, stages its sock hop — Poodle Skirts, Rock-n-Roll & Classic Cars — from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. on November 3.
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, hosts a Corvette Racing Weekend on November 9-10 with driving events, a dinner featuring racers Doug Fehan and Tommy Milner and Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter, and other activities.
Does your local car museum have special events or exhibitions planned? Let us know. Email [email protected].
