Petersen Auto Museum Launches Exclusive Online Content
SoCal venue hosts online exhibits to keep enthusiasts entertained and informed with virtual Cars & Coffee, new online programs.
All things considered, it’s great to be able to share some good news, especially when it’s about one of our all-time favorite hot spots: Los Angeles’ world-famous Petersen Automotive Museum. With the Audi World headquarters being located in the heart of L.A., we’ve been faithfully checking out every awesome exhibit that this iconic venue has been hosting ever since it opened on Wilshire Boulevard in 1994.
And of course, being the Audi-files that we are, one of our favorite exhibits, which was another exclusive Petersen presentation, was the recent “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy” showcase that featured the badass “exploding” Audi R8 V10 from the Iron Man films. There it was stealing all attention in the lobby as you entered the Petersen Automotive Museum where it was on display through March 20, when the venue temporarily closed its physical doors before moving exclusively online.
The stunning R8 V10’s backside was displayed in an “exploded” manner, with its many pieces suspended by wire, all the better to examine the 5.2-liter FSI V10.
But that awesome Audi is only part of our top 10 favorites from the Petersen, which also includes a host of other enviable vehicles — from the original Landspeeder from 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope to the Van Halen‘s 1932 Ford Hi-Boy hot-rod from the classic MTV music video for “Hot for Teacher” to virtually every famous vehicle that has ever graced the silver screen or a famous race track.
And now, even if you are not a SoCal resident, you have equal access to the amazing exhibits that the museum features courtesy of the Petersen’s newly launched digital projects and its focus on keeping auto enthusiasts entertained and informed as we adapt to today’s necessary changes.
The museum is adhering to social distancing guidelines since the Petersen temporarily closed its physical doors on March 20. That setback only led to new and exciting projects that they moved online for everyone to enjoy.
‘We are happy to give back to the enthusiast community and our hardworking staff so that, together, we can continue inspiring the next generation of auto enthusiasts.’
Within days of the closure, the non-profit museum organized weekday online educational programming and began offering free, downloadable coloring and worksheets for students. Reportedly, over 9,o00 students have tuned in to watch the live streams, and 16,000 have downloaded the free study sheets.
Even better, the Petersen Automotive Museum also launched themed virtual Vault tours three times a week, providing exclusive access to never-before-seen vehicles stored in The Vault presented by Hagerty. The virtual tours have drawn over 20,000 views.
“While several museums have been forced to lay off or furlough staff, the museum is producing new content almost daily and continuing to pay its staff thanks to the leadership and support of its board of directors,” reports the Petersen in a press statement.
Future initiatives during the closure include spotlight videos with celebrities and automotive industry leaders like famed designers Henrik Fisker and Lance Stander.
And if you’re already longing for a Cars & Coffee, you can experience a virtual meet up on the last Sunday of each month when the Petersen continues its longstanding Cars & Coffee, only now it can all be enjoyed from the comfort of your living room.
“Although times are tough, we are happy to give back to the enthusiast community and our hardworking staff so that, together, we can continue inspiring the next generation of automotive enthusiasts,” says Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “It is the driving force behind everything we do at the museum, and we hope that we can lead the way for other museums and educational organizations to follow.”
Photos for Audi World by David Ciminelli; Petersen photo by David Zaitz/Khan Media