The shiny black multistoried building in the Miracle Mile district was named for its major donor, Robert Petersen, former publisher of several automotive and pop-culture magazines. The permanent collection of more than 150 cars offers a historical overview of the automobile -- from the Model T Ford to what's in store for the future. There's even an electric vehicle charging station for all those 21st century movers and shakers.
Also on display are the popular Dream Cars: the Viper, a thunderbird convertible, Batman's Batmobile and anything James Bond might be racing through the south of France. Fast cars using gas and even faster cars using nitro are also on display.
There's a Discovery Center for teaching children how a car works and a driver's-education simulator to start those Speed Racers early. The Museum bookstore is packed with all things car: books, posters, trinkets and mementos.
-- Elizabeth Garo