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.
In this part, we get to see a real 1963 Shelby Cobra that belongs to musician Carol Connors. There is a great story on how Carol acquired this Cobra. Story has it that Carol loved this car so much when it came out that she wrote the song “Hey Little Cobra.” Mr. Shelby said that if the song reached number 1, he would personally give her a free Cobra. Soon after, Carol’s hit reached the top, and Shelby kept his word on the deal.
Reverend Horton Heats 1950 Ford 2 door sedan is most recognizable from his song Cruisin’ for a Bruisin.’ He has also loaned his famous 95 Gretsch guitar to add to the “Cars and Guitars of Rock and Roll’ exhibit. Whenever there is rockin music, there will be some rockin cars to back it up.
