LA Area Auto Museums

[Ford_6L_E350]

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.

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25654[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Entering the museum

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25653[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Cutaway Lincoln Engine

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25657[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Rolls Royce Row

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25655[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
First Floor of the Collection

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25656[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Main Floor of the Collection

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25658[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
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.

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25659[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
In the Parking Garage

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25660[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Little Deuce Coupe

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25661[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Bugatti EB110

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25662[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
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...??

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25663[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
The Front Doors

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25664[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Hot Rods and Race Cars

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25665[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
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.

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25666[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Bimota motorcycle

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25667[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Red Ferrari Row

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25668[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
American and European

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25669[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
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.

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25670[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Hot Wheels full size cars

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25671[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Row 2 of Cars

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25672[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Last Row of Cars

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25673[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
Packard Row

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25675[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
1952 Packard Prototype

[photo:kiu6v0ao]25674[/photo:kiu6v0ao]
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

 

[twogone]

NV :b5: