Car lover visiting Los Angeles; is there an automotive mecca I should see while I'm here?
January 4, 2011 7:28 AM

I love cars, particularly European classics, but modern and US cars too (though not the Japanese tuning scene). I'm in Los Angeles until January 22nd; is there an event or place that is a 'must see' while I'm here?
posted by wildatheart to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
If you're willing to travel just a little further, you could consider heading to Phoenix for the Barrett-Jackson auto auction/show. It's about a seven hour drive or so, and a short and often inexpensive flight.

I went several years ago and saw some cars I never thought I'd see outside of movies or the occasional museum exhibit.
posted by padraigin at 7:35 AM on January 4, 2011


There is a fairly comprehensive list here. I can't find any "must see" classic car event from other sources for the dates you need. January isn't a great time anywhere for car events.

Sources: 1, 2, 3
posted by MuffinMan at 7:41 AM on January 4, 2011


Petersen Automotive Museum (I've never been there, but it's the first thing that pops into mind).
posted by puritycontrol at 7:57 AM on January 4, 2011


The Petersen Automotive Museum.
posted by Floydd at 7:59 AM on January 4, 2011


The Automobile Driving Museum. On Sundays, they offer rides in some of the cars.
posted by mogget at 8:50 AM on January 4, 2011


The quality of the Peterson is very much dependent on what their special exhibit is. Their permanent collection is sorta meh. The Nethercutt Collection is amazing.
posted by hwyengr at 9:16 AM on January 4, 2011


The Natural History Museum (which used to be affiliated with the Petersen) recently started to open up their car collection to the public on certain days - you can read about it here. Most of this collection was kept in storage, unseen, at the Petersen for many years. It's a pretty SoCal-centric collection (and when last I saw it, was in a sad state of neglect) but something you sill not likely see anywhere else.

Looks like tours are on the first Friday of each month - that would mean this Friday is your chance!
posted by chez shoes at 9:25 AM on January 4, 2011


If OC isn't too hard to get to: Cars and Coffee
posted by Cuspidx at 1:02 PM on January 4, 2011


Nethercutt!
posted by notyou at 1:56 PM on January 4, 2011


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