Vehicle Spotlights - Petersen Automotive Museum

1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible - Custom Häagen-Dazs

Guest User — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:14:00 +0000

The custom ’63 Cadillac Convertible designed for Häagen-Dazs by the famed technicians team at West Coast Customs. Originally designed as a consumer activation around the brand’s big game debut, the car now stands as an example of boundary-pushing automotive artistry.

Created in collaboration with the world-renowned custom car builders at West Coast Customs, the Cadillac features a burgundy candy paint finish with cream trim, a freezer trunk, LED light show, event-quality sound system, and bespoke details from embroidered interiors to a custom cone-holder armrest. Originally designed as a moving celebration of indulgence and craft, the car was meticulously reimagined as the “ultimate ice cream vehicle,” blending automotive innovation with an iconic design.

The vehicle was kindly donated to The Petersen Automotive Museum from Häagen-Dazs

1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Gallery

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2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider

Guest User — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 01:06:50 +0000

Quick Specs

6.5-liter Cosworth V-12 + electric motor
217 mph (est.)
1,139 hp.
85

Released in 2021, Aston Martin's F1 car for the road-the Valkyrie-was developed with legendary Formula One designer Adrian Newey. Its dramatic bodywork references Aston Martin's signature design language while incorporating F1 aerodynamic void-like forms. It is constructed entirely of carbon fiber with multiple Venturi tunnels on either side of the cockpit floor. These draw air beneath the vehicle to feed the rear diffuser, keeping the upper surfaces free from drag-inducing aerodynamic elements, and generating 2,400 Ibs of downforce.

COLLECTION OF A & A PREMIER CLASSICS LLC

This Vehicle is on display in the Performance & Prestige: A History of Aston Martin exhibit.

2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Gallery

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1982 Pac-Man Rod

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:49:19 +0000

Quick Specs

4.1-liter Buick V-6

Video Game Icon

The Pac-Man Rod was designed by Larry Woods, head of design at Mattel’s Hot Wheels division, and built by Rod Powell in Salinas, California, in 1982. Originally constructed as the “Mork Machine,” inspired by the egg-shaped spacecraft from the TV comedy Mork & Mindy, it was later reimagined to capitalize on the massive popularity of the Pac-Man arcade game, garnering significant attention within the custom hot rod scene. The body is made from steel panels recycled from other vehicles, including VW Beetle roofs. Pac-Man, released in 1980, quickly became a global phenomenon, spawning sequels, merchandise, animated series, and the top-10 song “Pac-Man Fever.” The game is considered one of the most important of all time, not only for its innovations in game design but also for showcasing the commercial potential of video games, which drove investment and enabled the industry to flourish. The Pac-Man Rod is a striking example of the profound cultural influence of video games during this era

COLLECTION OF #TVSHOWCARS, JOHN SBRIGATO AND FAMILY

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1982 Pac-Man Rod Gallery

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1998 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9 “Sparky”

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:43:41 +0000

Quick Specs

6.0-liter V-8 + electric motor
650

The Introduction of Hybrid Racing

The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9, known as "Sparky," was the first purpose-built hybrid racing car, pioneering applications of electrification that would become widespread throughout top-level motorsports over the decades that followed. In 1998 Panoz partnered with electric motor builder Zytek to design a powertrain that combined the benefits of both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The electric motor's instant and powerful low-speed torque allowed the optimization of the combustion engine for high-speed performance—a strategy now known as "torque fill," which has become the most common application for hybrid technology in motorsport. "Sparky" ultimately proved uncompetitive due to its increased weight compared to its non-hybrid rivals, but Panoz's radical concept has since been validated, as advances in battery technology have made hybrid cars a dominant presence in top-level motorsport today. Since 2012 every 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1 Championship has been won by a driver in a hybrid race car.

COLLECTION OF THE PANOZ MUSEUM

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1998 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9 “Sparky” Gallery

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1989 Krauser Domani (#001)

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:25:07 +0000

Quick Specs

1.2-liter BMW K1200 inline-4
125 mph (est.)
130

Motorcycle? Car? Both?

Built by motorcycle-luggage manufacturer Krauser, the Domani is a three-wheeler based on sidecar racing technology, with the sidecar as an integrated feature of the vehicle rather than an add-on to an existing motorcycle. Wheel-hub steering, rear double-wishbone suspension, and wide, flat tires gave it car-like handling, and it could be driven with a regular, automobile-only driver’s license. Its styling was characteristic of ‘80s-era futuristic design, recalling wedge-shaped concept cars or vehicles from science fiction. This example is the first of the 135 built.

COLLECTION OF KLAUS HUENECKE, NJ

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1989 Krauser Domani (#001) Gallery

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1984 Kawasaki Ninja

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:03:20 +0000

Quick Specs

908-cc four-stroke inline-4
145 mph
115

Pioneering the Sportbike

Marketed as the GPz900R outside of North America, the original Ninja marked many firsts for Kawasaki and paved the way for future sportbikes. Upon its release, it was the fastest production motorcycle and the first one powered by a 16-valve liquid-cooled four-cylinder motor. The use of the Ninja in the action film Top Gun (1986), in which two 1984 models were given a new paint scheme for filming, helped popularize sportbikes in general and spawned many similar motorcycles from other manufacturers.

COLLECTION OF KAWASAKI MOTORS CORPORATION, U.S.A.

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1984 Kawasaki Ninja Gallery

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 300GD by AMG

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:21:15 +0000

Quick Specs

3.0-liter inline-5
79 mph
87

Military Turns Luxury

Mercedes-Benz first developed the G-Class, or Geländewagen, for the Iranian military, but when the order was cancelled due to political instability in that country, the model instead went into serial production. Tennis legend Ivan Lendl purchased this 300GD—a variant of the G-Class—which was customized by independent tuner AMG with a front fascia from the luxurious S-Class sedan. The two brands formed an official partnership in 1993, which saw AMG-tuned models, including upscale variants of the G-Class, sold directly by Mercedes-Benz. This 300GD marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the SUV beyond its utilitarian roots. Conceived for military use but repurposed for civilian life, the G-Class offered a foundation upon which luxury could be overlaid, delivering the prestige and comfort expected from the German marque alongside the durability and functionality of a purpose-built SUV. These traits would come to define the luxury SUV—now one of the most significant automotive market segments—in the decades that followed.

COLLECTION OF THE PATINA COLLECTIVE

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1983 Mercedes-Benz 300GD by AMG Gallery

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1990 BMW K1

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:23:12 +0000

Quick Specs

1.0-liter four-stroke inline-4
150 mph
100

German Counterpart of Japanese Bikes

Developed in response to the rising popularity of Japanese superbikes, the BMW K1 was built as a functional and sporty alternative to the raw performance offerings of its competitors. Limited to 100 horsepower by German regulation, the K1 prioritized convenience and safety features like anti-lock brakes over outright performance. Advanced aerodynamic bodywork enabled a competitive 150-mph top speed despite its limited power, and it was adorned with bold graphics that were characteristic of the era, with most examples painted in the red, black, and yellow of the German flag.

COLLECTION OF JANET AND RAPHAËL BERTOLUS

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1990 BMW K1 Gallery

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1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC by ABC Exclusive

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:13:47 +0000

Quick Specs

5.5-liter V-8
149 mph
279

Pure Luxury and Speed

The SEC was the coupe version of the Mercedes-Benz S-class, the company's flagship and most luxurious model. Offered from 1985 to 1991, the 560SEC was the most expensive car in the Mercedes lineup. It featured a unique design with no side pillars, giving it an uninterrupted profile with the windows down and creating an airy-feeling interior. This, combined with a powerful V-8 engine, made for a sporty driving experience in a top-of-the-line luxury car. This blend of looks and performance made S-Class cars, especially the coupes, popular among aftermarket tuning companies such as AMG, Koenig-Specials, and Carat by Duchatelet. Flaunting one's wealth by transforming an understated grand tourer into an outrageous expression of opulence epitomized the 1980s "greed is good" ethos. This 560SEC was modified by German tuning company ABC Exclusive with custom paint, emblems, aftermarket wheels, a hood scoop, rear spoiler, and an exaggerated widebody kit with strakes reminiscent of the Ferrari Testarossa.

COLLECTION OF THE PATINA COLLECTIVE

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC by ABC Exclusive Gallery

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1986 Citroën BX 4TC

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:03:14 +0000

Quick Specs

Turbocharged 2.1-liter inline-4
131 mph
200

A Collectible Failure

French manufacturer Citroën has always been known for its cutting-edge designs and bold engineering. In 1986 it entered the legendary Group B class of the World Rally Championship, which required manufacturers to produce road-legal versions of their race cars—a process called homologation. As the basis for their rally car, Citroën chose the BX, a popular family sedan that featured chic, angular styling by designer Marcello Gandini and Citroën's famous self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension. The resulting car was called the BX 4TC. The BX 4TC proved too heavy and slow to be competitive, and its best result was a sixth-place finish, forcing Citroën to withdraw the car before the end of the season. The company built 200 road versions, with only 86 finding buyers due to an exorbitant price tag and the poor reputation of the race car. Despite this, it has become highly collectible as one of the rarest and most unusual homologation rally cars ever built.

COLLECTION OF ADY GIL

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1986 Citroën BX 4TC Gallery

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1983 Ford Probe IV

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:38:10 +0000

Quick Specs

Turbocharged 1.6-liter Ford inline-4
122

Extreme Efficiency Embodied

The Ford Probe IV embodied some of the most extreme aerodynamic advancements of the 1980s. Designed for maximum fuel efficiency, it was the fourth in a collection of “Probe” concepts commissioned in the early 1970s to explore passenger car designs that could comply with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards enacted by President Gerald Ford’s administration. The Probe IV achieved its aerodynamic efficiency with features like wheel shrouds, covered headlights, concealed windshield wipers, and a streamlined nose with no cooling apertures. The radiator and air conditioning condenser are housed in the rear of the car, with air intake vents behind the rear wheel well openings. It also has a front air dam that automatically lowers while driving to control air flow under the vehicle. These and other elements combined to give the functional concept an incredibly low drag coefficient of 0.15, which Ford advertised was roughly the same as an F-16 fighter jet.

COLLECTION OF SCOTT GRUNDFOR AND KATHLEEN REDMOND

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1983 Ford Probe IV Gallery

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1983 Lotus Turbo Esprit “Special Edition”

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:28:41 +0000

Quick Specs

Turbocharged 2.1-liter inline-4
150 mph
210

Turbocharged Origami

The Lotus Esprit debuted in 1976 and quickly became one of the most iconic performance cars of the era. Its dramatic wedge-shaped silhouette was the work of famed stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro, who became known for his straight-lined, "folded paper" designs in the 1970s. The Esprit was produced until 2004, and its design was revised first in 1987 and again in 1993. The sharp edges were softened and the overall shape rounded to better reflect evolving trends. To help its performance and image keep up with the times, Lotus introduced a turbocharged variant in 1981, which upped horsepower from a meager 140 to 210. Lotus experienced serious financial difficulties in the late 1970s that resulted in the company abandoning the American market in 1981. In 1983 a new private import and distribution company called Lotus Performance Cars was formed with the help of 50 investors. Every investor received one of the first 50 Turbo Esprits manufactured for the American market. Each car was built to the owner's specifications and had a hand-painted "Special Edition" insignia on the driver's door.

COLLECTION OF ROBERT "HAM" CUNNINGHAM

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1983 Lotus Turbo Esprit “Special Edition” Gallery

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1988 Cizeta V16T

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:01:03 +0000

Quick Specs

6.0-liter V-16
214 mph (est.)
540

The Italian Melting Pot

Italian automotive engineer and exotic car importer Claudio Zampolli founded Cizeta Motors (“Cizeta” being the Italian pronunciation of his initials) with a singular goal: to create a supercar that rivaled the Lamborghinis and Ferraris of the time. With the financial backing of renowned composer Giorgio Moroder, Zampolli assembled a team to build the V16T. The car would combine cutting-edge technology, exotic styling, and incredible performance. Most notable is the car’s transverse-mounted V-16 engine, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, making it one of the few postwar 16-cylinder vehicles put into production. Its bodywork, characterized by a wide stance, sharp lines, and an aggressive front end, was penned by Marcello Gandini. This vehicle, chassis 001, is the prototype and is the only one of the 10 original cars to wear “Cizeta-Moroder” on its badge; Moroder left the partnership before production began. Though it wasn’t a commercial success, the V16T's boundary-pushing engineering makes it a symbol of the era’s automotive ambition.

COLLECTION OF BRENDAN GALLAHER

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1988 Cizeta V16T Gallery

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1984 Cadillac Seville by Gucci

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:44:12 +0000

Quick Specs

4.1-liter V-8
109 mph
135

Driveable Fashion Statement

Manufactured at the peak of the "Malaise Era," the second-generation Cadillac Seville, introduced in 1980, was a mix of novel technology and classical design. While its modestly styled predecessor was meant to appeal to a younger clientele, the distinctive new Seville targeted an older market nostalgic for the luxury cars of their youth. Its prominent “bustle-back” rear end was inspired by prewar Rolls-Royces. After experiencing reliability issues and mixed reviews for the outdated look, the Seville was redesigned for 1986. Continuing a 1970s trend of fashion designer–automaker collaborations, in 1978 General Motors, Gucci, and Miami dealer Braman Cadillac partnered to create a special limited edition of the Seville with modifications designed by Aldo Gucci. These included a Gucci-patterned vinyl roof, monogrammed upholstery, custom wheels, and red and blue striping. A second-generation Seville by Gucci was even more exclusive and flamboyant than the first. It is unknown how many were built, but the car on display is believed to be one of fewer than ten survivors.

COLLECTION OF JOHN D’ARPA

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1984 Cadillac Seville by Gucci Gallery

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1985 Modena Spyder California (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:19:09 +0000

Quick Specs

5.0-liter Ford V-8
195 (est.)

“It is His Love, it is His Passion”

When filmmaker John Hughes wrote the script for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in 1985, he envisioned a high-end sports car at the center of the teenage characters’ adventurous day away from high school. His ideal choice of vehicle was the exquisite 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, but with only 106 examples built, using an authentic version was out of the question. Hughes came across Modena Design & Development, a company producing fiberglass replicas of the car, and leased one for filming while commissioning two additional incomplete vehicles for stunt scenes. The “Ferrari” is one of the film’s most memorable elements, representing freedom and youthful defiance, and its climactic destruction cemented its place in cinematic history. In recognition of its cultural significance, this screen-used Modena Spyder California was added to the National Historic Vehicle Register in 2018. Modena made a limited number of additional examples that have become prized not only for their Ferrari looks but also for their connection to the movie.

COLLECTION OF BOB WINEGARD

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1985 Modena Spyder California Gallery

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1995 McLaren F1

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:15:38 +0000

Quick Specs

6.1-liter V-12
240 mph
620

The Ultimate Road Car

The fastest car of the 20th century, regarded by many as the greatest performance road car ever built, the McLaren F1 is a landmark in automotive history that set a new bar for performance cars and established McLaren beyond the racetrack. Technical Director Gordon Murray proposed the idea of developing the “ultimate road car,” capitalizing on the engineering mastery that McLaren had accumulated throughout decades of motorsports success. The McLaren F1 features various standout characteristics that have cemented its place as a superlative piece of automotive engineering, including its central driving position—a defining aspect of its namesake racing cars—with two passenger seats flanking the driver. It was the second production car to use a carbon fiber chassis, which was light and strong. Combined with its powerful V-12 engine and advanced aerodynamics, this enabled the F1 to achieve a top speed of 240.1 mph—a record it held until 2005 and still holds among naturally aspirated road cars.

PRIVATE COLLECTION

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1995 McLaren F1 Gallery

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1990 Toyota Sera

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:10:59 +0000

Quick Specs

1.5-liter Inline-4
118 mph
104

A Moment in Time

From 1986 to 1991, the Japanese economy experienced a “bubble” period, during which prices for real estate and stocks were inflated, and credit was easily available. Automakers used the influx of capital to experiment with new manufacturing techniques, technology, and radical designs on low-production models. The Sera, designed by American Stewart Reed but sold only in Japan, featured rounded, jellybean styling that was typical of small cars of the era. Highly atypical were its dramatic butterfly doors, designed to require less space to open than conventional doors and to give what was essentially an economy car something unique and futuristic. The Sera was built using a novel, comparatively simple technique for stamping body panels that was especially suited for short production runs. Manufacturers intended to utilize this process in building a new wave of small-volume vehicles, but when the economic bubble burst, Japanese auto companies were forced to scale back those plans, ending a brief but distinct era of unusual production cars.

COLLECTION OF MIKE PARENTE

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1990 Toyota Sera Gallery

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1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 17:59:49 +0000

Quick Specs

Turbocharged 2.1-liter Inline-5
146 mph
550 (est.)

Extreme Rally Monster

An icon of rally racing's spectacular and dangerous Group B, the Sport Quattro S1 E2 was the final evolution of Audi's pioneering Quattro, which introduced all-wheel drive to the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1981. The E2 (Evolution Two) is the product of Group B's loose regulations, which fostered a fierce development race between manufacturers, resulting in the introduction of extreme aerodynamics, anti-lag turbo systems, and dual-clutch transmissions that pushed the limits of performance and tested the limits of safety. In 1986 multiple Group B crashes resulted in the deaths of drivers and spectators, prompting a swift ban on Group B cars. The sport’s governing body, the FIA, introduced new regulations to improve safety, including better crowd control and more medical personnel, and replaced Group B cars with safer, production-based Group A cars. The vehicle on view is a test car that took victory in the 1985 Mänttä 200 Rally—a non-WRC event—driven by 1983 WRC champion Hannu Mikkola, before being retired for promotional use.

COURTESY OF THE DIRTFISH COLLECTION

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Gallery

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1989 Lamborghini LM002

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 17:54:36 +0000

Quick Specs

5.2-liter V-12
125 mph
455

The “Rambo Lambo”

Introduced in 1986, the LM002 was the first off-road Lamborghini and one of the most audacious status statements of the era. The ultra-luxury SUV was developed from the “Cheetah” prototype, which Lamborghini created for potential use by the US military in 1977. Dubbed the “Rambo Lambo” in Car and Driver’s October 1987 review, the LM002 was a symbol of excess that combined the rugged styling of a tactical vehicle with the performance expected of a Lamborghini. The LM002 was powered by the same engine as the high-performance Countach and had a fully upholstered leather interior and near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, much like the company’s supercars. Off-road features included a high-strength belly pan, all-wheel drive, and custom Pirelli Scorpion tires that could be deflated for use on sand. Notable LM002 owners included celebrities like singer Tina Turner, race car driver Keke Rosberg, actor Sylvester Stallone, and political figures like Muammar Gaddafi.

COURTESY OF COLLECTORDRIVEN AND ADALINE KOT

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1989 Lamborghini LM002 Gallery

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1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S

Guest User — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 17:43:29 +0000

Quick Specs

4.8-liter V-12
155 mph
370

The Ultimate Poster Car

In 1970 company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini enlisted designer Marcello Gandini at Bertone to create a follow-up to his Lamborghini Miura design of 1966. But rather than another grand tourer, this time the goal was to create something that looked like nothing else on the road. Gandini’s wedge-shaped design for the Countach was revolutionary, and it was the first production vehicle to feature scissor doors—a design element that would become associated with the Lamborghini brand for decades afterward. The Countach wowed automotive enthusiasts upon its 1974 debut and only became more outrageous over time, gaining more dramatic design elements, such as fender flares, a front spoiler, aerodynamic ducts, and a large rear wing. By the 1980s, its styling was truly outlandish, reflecting the era's excess and cementing the Countach’s place as the ultimate dream car for many automobile aficionados. The 5000 S was the third iteration of the car, built from 1982 to 1985.

COLLECTION OF RHONDA AND DR. ANTHONY NOBLES AND THE NOBLES FAMILY AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S Gallery

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Vehicle Spotlights - Petersen Automotive Museum

1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible - Custom Häagen-Dazs

1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Gallery

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2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider

Quick Specs

Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

Number Built

2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Gallery

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1982 Pac-Man Rod

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Engine

Video Game Icon

1982 Pac-Man Rod Gallery

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1998 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9 “Sparky”

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Engine

Horsepower

The Introduction of Hybrid Racing

1998 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9 “Sparky” Gallery

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1989 Krauser Domani (#001)

Quick Specs

Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

Motorcycle? Car? Both?

1989 Krauser Domani (#001) Gallery

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1984 Kawasaki Ninja

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Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

Pioneering the Sportbike

1984 Kawasaki Ninja Gallery

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 300GD by AMG

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Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

Military Turns Luxury

1983 Mercedes-Benz 300GD by AMG Gallery

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1990 BMW K1

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Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

German Counterpart of Japanese Bikes

1990 BMW K1 Gallery

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1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC by ABC Exclusive

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Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

Pure Luxury and Speed

1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC by ABC Exclusive Gallery

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1986 Citroën BX 4TC

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Engine

Top Speed

Horsepower

A Collectible Failure

1986 Citroën BX 4TC Gallery

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1983 Ford Probe IV

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Engine

Horsepower

Extreme Efficiency Embodied

1983 Ford Probe IV Gallery

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