A year ago, the Petersen Automotive Museum on the Miracle Mile released makeover plans showing a zippy new exterior wrapped in stainless steel ribbons; now they're finally getting around to showing us how the insides will look after the big renovation, which is set to begin in October. The 20-year-old museum, housed in a 1962 Seibu department store building, will be getting 22 new galleries across its three floors that concentrate on "interactive technology ... rare and historically significant vehicles, a focus on the art of the automobile," and "Southern California cultural milestones," according to a press release.
Visitors to the renewed Petersen will start on the third floor with exhibits on the history of the car generally and in SoCal (this section "includes a look at Hollywood's love affair with cars"). Next, the second floor will be "dedicated to the industry of the automobile" with exhibits on racing, customization, manufacturing, and "alternate-fuel technologies," as well as a satellite design studio for the Art Center College of Design ("the world's leading transportation design school"!). Last, the first floor will be all about "the art of the automobile" and feature "the world's most beautiful automobiles," plus a gallery displaying car-related works.
The Petersen says it's raised more than $70 million toward its $125 million goal for the makeover; that means several of the galleries have already been named for big-deal donors. Work is scheduled to start after the museum's annual gala on October 18.
· Here's the Fast and Furious New Look For the Petersen Museum [Curbed LA]
· Inside and Outside the Petersen Museum's Speedy New Look [Curbed LA]
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