In the last week I visited 5 Los Angeles area auto museums. Here is a little information about each and some pictures from the museums, in the order visited:
Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar
Founded by the Nethercutts and funded by Merle Norman Cosmetics, this is a free museum with world class cars on display. 6 Pebble Beach 'Best of Show' (the SuperBowl of car shows) winners are in these two collections. The museum is open for walk-ins, the Collection across the street is also free, but by appointment only. The Collection also includes crystal, mechanical music pieces, watches and more that were collected by the Nethercutts.
Entering the museum
Cutaway Lincoln Engine
Rolls Royce Row
First Floor of the Collection
Main Floor of the Collection
Typical Award Winning Car
The Petersen Museum in downtown LA
The Petersen's money came from magazine publishing, Hot Rod and other car magazine primarily. So the cars on display reflect that background. Many hot rods, customs, motorcycles and more. About $15 to enter and $25 to for a guided tour of the 'Vault' to see more vehicles. On sited parking is $12 for the day, but I found lot parking a block away for $6/day for early birds (before 9am). Has an on-site Johnny Rockets Cafe for lunch.
In the Parking Garage
Little Deuce Coupe
Bugatti EB110
1940's atriculation.
NHRA Museum in the Fairplex
Obviously, this museum is heavily slanted towards Drag Racing with some custom cars thrown in. Both the museum and 2 hour parking are free during the drag racing weekends. Other times...??
The Front Doors
Hot Rods and Race Cars
Joe Amato Top Fuel Dragster
Marconi Museum in Tustin
A free museum with a $5 suggested donation. Ferrari, other European sports cars, American Muscle, motorcycles, and race cars. Even a Formula 1 Ferrari driven by Micheal Schumacher! Mr Marconi used to race and has a Shelby GT350 that he and Carrol Shelby raced in. Very nice, small collection of cars.
Bimota motorcycle
Red Ferrari Row
American and European
American Muscle, IndyCar and F1
Auto Driving Museum in El Segundo
Another free museum with a $5 suggested donation. This museum is unique in that most of the cars are street driven, not high dollar restorations. Every Sunday 3 cars are selected and used to drive visitors around on city streets. There are several well restored Packards that are not used for anything other than display.
Hot Wheels full size cars
Row 2 of Cars
Last Row of Cars
Packard Row
1952 Packard Prototype
Awaiting Restoration
All of these museums are worth visiting. Only the Petersen has pay for parking. Check the museum websites for days and hours of operation.
Mike