The Los Angeles Times is reporting that new leadership at the Petersen Automotive Museum has quietly begun a campaign to sell about one-third of their auto collection in order to finance major improvements at the Wilshire/Fairfax location. The vision for the future includes a shift towards motorcycles and French Art Deco vehicles – which according to the LA Times are in line with the passions of new Executive Director Terry Karges and new Board Chairman Peter Mullin.
It’s understandable that the Board would want to renovate the building, given the fact that everything around it will be upgraded over the next few years. It remains to be seen whether a shift away from the museum’s original mandate – to reflect the history of the automobile with a foundation in Southern California car culture – will open the museum up to a broader base of potential new fans without alienating local supporters.
According to the LA Times, About 107 cars from the Petersen Museum collection will be on the auction block at the Auctions America event in Burbank starting August 1st.
Read more:
LA Times – Petersen Automotive Museum Takes a Major Detour
Website – Auctions America
Not an encouraging sign.