The Petersen Automotive Museum is renowned for its diverse and meticulously detailed exhibits that span the entire spectrum of automotive history. From gleaming classic cars that defined their eras to the cutting-edge prototype vehicles shaping our future, each exhibit is crafted with an extraordinary level of scrutiny and detail. The museum’s displays are not merely collections of vehicles but narratives that tell the stories of cultural shifts, technological advancements, and the eternal human passion for speed. With meticulously curated exhibits and a legendary underground vault, the Petersen Museum offers a glimpse into the extraordinary breadth and depth of automotive history.

Walking in the door, you aren’t immediately blown away. Its almost like the museum curators purposely only put out a few cars to tease what is to become. Lucky for me those “teaser” cars were Checo’s RB19 Formula 1 car and a gorgeous Porsche 911 in a life-sized Matchbox car box. As you make your way up into the museum floors, your initial assumptions are wiped away as you are treated to a large scale enterprise. This isn’t some minor museum to kill some time, this place is the real deal. There are 3 full floors of exhibits with extremely diverse displays. Prototypes, Cars from the Movies, the history of Pirelli, you name it. And what blew me away the most was that this display were the real cars, not replicas, the actual ones. Automotive history right in front of you and around every corner.

Most of the exhibits are permanent or at least relatively permanent, but there are a few exhibition galleries that rotate in and out. While I visited there were two exhibition, one on display and another that was being created and opened a few weeks after I visited. The one actual on display was my favorite at the museum, the We Are Porsche exhibit. Ironically I was in Los Angeles to attend Air/Water, the single make Porsche event, so Porsches were on the mind. What made this one different than the others was that it highlighted the people, not the cars. Each section was about a different Porsche enthusiast and their chosen car for the museum. From race drivers, to hot rod builders and cultural icons, each choosing a car to align to their namesake. Setting up a car exhibit with a focus on the human stories was refreshing to say the least. I always love hearing a good backstory and it humanizes the cars a bit getting to see a face and story behind the automobile.

After strolling through the rest of the exhibit, I made my way back downstairs. On the way, there was a few spots in which you could get a glimpse of the upcoming “Best in Low” exhibit, which will showcase Los Angeles’s iconic lowrider community. Although this exhibit was not yet open during my visit, the anticipation of exploring the unique artistry and cultural significance of lowriders added to the museum’s allure. This exhibit promises to highlight the creativity and craftsmanship of the lowrider scene, providing an insightful look into an integral part of LA’s infamous lowrider culture. I was sure to stop in awe of the few they had on display to further tease the upcoming showcase. The is just something intriguing about a 1960s era car with crystals in the brake rotors. It wasn’t really my cup of tea, but damn it was impressive.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the Petersen Automotive Museum is The Vault. Located underground in the old parking garage of the building, this exclusive area houses some of the world’s most exceptional vehicles. Rare Ferraris, unique prototype cars, and motorsport champions with storied pasts reside here, each with its own tale of glory and innovation. The Vault is much more than just an exhibit; it serves as a sanctuary that preserves some of the most significant achievements in automotive history. If you plan to visit the Petersen Museum, seeing The Vault is a must. Although it requires an additional cost, it was undoubtedly the highlight of the experience. The layout of The Vault feels distinct from the rest of the museum, almost like stepping into a separate space entirely. The cold concrete floors and static lighting may seem unusual at first, but soon it becomes clear—without any unnecessary distractions, the focus remains solely on the cars, exactly as intended. Some of my favorites were the prototype Tesla Roadster, Suki’s S2000 from 2 Fast 2 Furious, and the Lo Res Car. All told there was probably somewhere around 400-500 cars on display. There were 2 separate rotating exhibits a Ferrari showcase and a Motorsports one featuring some very famous formula 1 and WRC cars. If you end up visiting The Vault, I highly recommend doing a tour or at least asking some questions to the volunteers working there. With an abundance of knowledge, I learned so much more than shown on the placards place in front of each car. To me, the entire point of a museum is to learn something, and the volunteers were welcoming and extremely well-informed and insightful.

While the museum is impressive on its own, The Petersen Museum extends its influence far beyond its physical exhibits, acting as a vibrant hub for the community. It regularly hosts a variety of events and car shows that turn the museum grounds into a dynamic venue for sharing and celebration. From educational programs designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and designers to high-profile car shows that draw enthusiasts from around the globe, the museum fosters a community centered around a shared passion for cars. I wasn’t lucky enough to time it right, but occasionally they host a Ferrari-only Cars and Coffee event while airing whatever Formula 1 race happens to fall on that weekend. I had the pleasure of attending Austin Cars and Coffee which does a similar event but without the single make restriction. These kinds of events are perfect in preserving car culture because they offer so much to so many different people. The Ferrari owners get to show off their cars with others like them, F1 fans get to watch the race, and everyone in between gets to enjoy it all. Giving the community an avenue for access is the most important part of keeping the culture alive.

To me, the Petersen Automotive Museum is more than just a museum; it’s a celebration of automotive artistry and history. With its extensive exhibits, the mysterious allure of The Vault, and its role as a community hub, the museum offers something for everyone—from the casual observer to the die-hard enthusiast. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of classic cars, the thrill of race-winning champions, or the cultural relevance in the automotive landscape, the Petersen Museum promises an enriching experience that connects the past, present, and future of automotive culture.