Dick Messer, director of the Peterson Auto Museum in Los Angeles, joined WebRidesTV’s Amber Goetz for an exclusive tour of the various exhibits around the legendary museum, including the “Cars and Guitars of Rock and Roll” exhibit. The Petersen Automotive Museum, recognized internationally for its innovative design, is dedicated to the interpretive study of the automobile and its influence on our culture and lives. Encompassing more than 300,000 square feet, its exhibits and lifelike dioramas feature more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Covering four floors, the facility features permanent exhibits on the first floor that trace the history of the automobile. The second floor is composed of five large changing exhibition galleries with state-of-the-art displays of race cars, classic cars, vintage motorcycles, concept cars, celebrity and movie cars, and automotive design and technology.
The May Family Children's Discovery Center is located on the third floor. Designed to spark interest in science by way of the automobile, the 6,500 square-foot, interactive "hands-on" learning center teaches children basic scientific principles by explaining the fundamental functions of a car. One of those rotating exhibits, the Car’s and Guitars exhibit, featured Rocker Richard Carpenter who loaned his HEMI powered 1971 Plymouth Road Runner.
A big fan of MOPAR, Carpenter’s bright orange and black striped muscle car is an all factory stock restoration. Next up in the exhibit was a gorgeous jet-black on black 1969 Dodge Charger. Powered by NOS and exhaling through a 3.5in sport exhaust, this daily driver was on loan to the museum. Pulling off the black-on-black look is tough, but this car was like a thundercloud, devoid of any chrome trim or other accessories.
In contrast, Jerry Cantrell loaned his extremely rare white 1963 Corvette Stingray, featuring the coveted rear split window. Powered by a stock 360HP big block engine with Rochester Fuel Injection, this rare combination wasn’t a popular option in the 60’s; though now considered a collectors model. All three are rare and unique cars, due to the owners that have kept them and made them their own, infusing the rock and roll culture and personality into their rides.
