Now is your chance to join the ranks of serious auto buffs who have gone deep in the bowels of the Petersen Automotive Museum for a semi-private tour to see the wealth of collectible autos interned there, rarely seeing the light of day or the public’s eye.
The Peterson Automotive Museum opened its special Vault Tour for the 2012 holiday season, but due to its popularity as seen by lines of museum visitors stretching out the door, it is extending the vault tour for an indefinite period. For an additional $25 on top of regular $12 ticket price, visitors join a tour of 20 people or less to view over 150 vehicles and other automotive treasures not on display in the museum itself – many of which belonged to world leaders, actors, rock stars, famous collectors and museum founder Robert E. Petersen. The Museum’s website shares the following:
“In a way the Vault has become a legend,” says Terry Karges, the museum’s Executive Director. “People have always asked for access to the Vault and when we finally were able to offer the opportunity, they couldn’t get enough. We had no choice but to extend it further, we feel our guests deserve the chance to see the Vault, and frankly, we were overwhelmed with all of the requests during that short period of time.”Examples of vehicles currently located in the Vault include the spectacular one-of-one 1925/34 “Round Door” Rolls-Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe, a Ferrari given to Henry Ford II by Enzo Ferrari, a rare Jaguar XKSS formerly owned by actor Steve McQueen, the Volkswagen Beetle driven by Lindsay Lohan in “Herbie Fully Loaded” and a 1939 Bugatti given to the Shah of Iran as a wedding present. A wide variety of hot rods, muscle cars, Hollywood vehicles, exotics, vehicles used by heads of state, motorcycles, and even a Popemobile are housed in the Vault. Tours will last over an hour and photography is not permitted.
If going underground doesn’t fit your schedule, Autoblog writer and professional photographer Michael Harley took a camera below and got some great pics. Even better, he describes what he’s showing: down to the date, make and model of some of the world’s best know motorcars, rarely seen. After seeing his gallery of photos you may just have to get down to the Vault yourself, and picture yourself behind the wheel of one of those gems.
Tours:Weekdays: 11 am and 3pm Weekends: 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm on weekends and holidays. Call 323.964.6331 for a reservation or visit the admissions desk on first-come-first served basis. Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Open Tues-Sun 10am – 6pm
