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 around Los Angeles, LA (9 answers total)

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 [2 favorites]

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 [1 favorite]

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 [2 favorites]

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