Petersen Automotive Museum Rites Of Spring So. Cal. Motor Culture Experience - Pininfarina

"The Aesthetic of Motoring: 90 Years of Pininfarina" - the exhibit is capped by the all electric "Batista" (image left) - The Battista ushers in a new dimension in hypercar design and performance, inspired by a legendary past. It combines true innovation in its technical prowess and emotive form. Simply stated, the 1,900-horsepower hypercar can hit 180 mph faster than an F-16 jet with a slippery eye-catching design that calls one in. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)

Petersen Automotive Museum Rites Of Spring So. Cal. Motor Culture Experience - Pininfarina

Opening March 25, 2021, after being closed due to the recognition of our nationwide response to the pandemic virus invasion termed COVID-19, The Petersen Automotive Museum launches a special new exhibition titled "The Aesthetic of Motoring: 90 Years of Pininfarina" - featuring the significance and evolution of the Italian car design firm and coachbuilder.

This exhibit, that is located just to one's right, as they enter the museum, is an esthetic tour de force that shows off  a curated display of four key automobiles representing its storied 90-year history.

Born in Italy, applied to many chassis solutions throughout the world. Image Credit: Ted Seven via #petersenmuseum (2021)

Vehicles on display will include a 1931 Cadillac Model452A Boattail Roadster, the first Pininfarina body mounted on a non-Italian chassis; a 1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe, widely considered one of the most attractive vehicles ever built; a 1966 Dino Berlinetta 206 GT Prototype, the first mid-engine Ferrari; and a 2019 Automobili Pininfarina “Battista,” which is an early design model of the luxury hypercar rather than a functioning automobile. 

Fly Yellow 1966 Dino Berlinetta 206 GT Prototype looking at the display design star of the show, the 2019 Automobili Pininfarina “Battista” ... but this shot goes away next month. Image Credit: Ted Seven via #petersenmuseum (2021)

A 1967 Ferrari 365P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti,” the last vehicle bodied by Pininfarina for a private client, will replace the 1966 Dino Berlinetta 206 GT Prototype in April 2021 - so come early because this Fly Yellow Dino is a "Not Miss" experience.

Cadillac wasn't the only American automobile manufacture to enjoy the design fruits of this Turin imagination powerhouse, Nash Kelvinator introduced in 1952 the Nash Ambassador Custom 2 door, "Pinin Farina" as its most luxurious car and built 1,178 according to Mecum Auctions. Image Credit: Ted Seven via #petersenmuseum (2021)

Last year, Los Angeles had to do without its long-standing motor culture "rites-of-spring" experience when the Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach was cancelled due to this health event originating from Wuhan, China. In 2021, the event isn't cancelled, but moved off to become the season finale of the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season SEPT. 24-26, 2021. This still leaves quite a void for motor culture enthusiasts needing to feel the year kick off in a proper way since the Long Beach Grand Prix, which was always traditionally run in the March/April timeframe for the better part of 45 years.

Recommendation? Get a fanny, or a group of fannies, over to the Petersen Automotive Museum where one can spend an easy three hours slowly walking, photographing, and reading about Human transportation devices that add to the expansion of one's living and life experiences.

Beautifully sculpted rear end areo elements of the 2019 Automobili Pininfarina “Battista" with the 1966 Dino Berlinetta 206 GT Prototype as a backdrop. Rarified air, indeed. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)

Eight special exhibit collections will be there to greet you - “Supercars: A Century of Spectacle and Speed,” which showcases the evolution of the supercar; “Extreme Conditions,” which highlights 11 custom competition, recreational, and utilitarian off-roading vehicles; “Redefining Performance,” which features Porsche’s most innovative road and race vehicles; “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy,” with repositioned presentations; “Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection,” a Petersen Museum donated exclusive; “Building an Electric Future” presented by Volkswagen; and, of course “The Aesthetic of Motoring: 90 Years of Pininfarina,” which will make for a very full and thought provoking visit. 

If this isn't enough to itch the racin' bug, there is one more exhibit "CHIP GANASSI: FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS" that shows off the career of Chip Ganassi and its incredible contribution to the American/World arena of motorsports - the only team to win the Indianapolis 500 (four times), the Brickyard 400, the Rolex 24-Hours of Daytona (seven times), the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans - such a winning tradition.

The Petersen Automotive Museum will reopen to the public on Thursday, March 25, 2021 on a new schedule of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets for all visitors must be purchased in advance on the Petersen website, and all guests will be required to wear masks during their visit. For more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum and its exhibits, visit Petersen.org/tickets.

To express its gratitude to all those on the front line during this challenging time, the museum will offer verified health care workers and first responders complimentary admission for themselves and up to three immediate family members for the rest of 2021.

Let the new tradition of Southern California's rites of spring begin with an annual visit (or two) to the Petersen Automotive Museum. Pretty cool.

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: Petersen Automotive Museum, Chip Ganassi, Pininfarina, Supercars, Extreme Conditions, Reclaimed Rust, Hollywood Dream Machines, Building an Electric Future, Redefining Performance, The EDJE