Historic PCH Displayed at Petersen Automotive Museum
14 October 2000
Historic Pacific Coast Highway Displayed by Auto Club and Petersen Automotive Museum
LOS ANGELES - The Automobile Club of Southern California and the Petersen Automotive Museum have joined together to present an exhibit of historic photographs and memorabilia depicting the construction, development and pop culture of the Pacific Coast Highway.Titled, "Coast Road, 1900-1950," the exhibit combines coastal images and memorabilia from the Auto Club's Corporate Archives, Petersen Automotive Museum and private collections. The exhibit opens Friday at the Petersen Automotive Museum and runs until Jan. 7, 2001.
Vintage photos of Pacific Coast Highway's construction, piers, roadside attractions, and beach activities along Malibu, Point Mugu, Santa Monica Canyon, Rincon Causeway, and other scenic locations are part of the exhibit displayed for the first time in Los Angeles County.
The exhibit also features historic, rarely-displayed Auto Club ink-on-vellum maps; original cover art by well-known California artists from the Auto Club's Westways magazine collection; an enlarged three-dimensional tower display of historic postcards; and unique promotional publications from beach-front motels. Also shown will be footage from the Auto Club archives of a tour down the coast highway in October 1930.
Along with the video, photographs and artifacts, seven vehicles representing the era will be displayed. The cars include a 1911 Regal Underslung, 1912 Franklin, 1929 Ford Roadster, 1947 Studebaker, 1948 Chrysler sedan, and, of course, a 1949 Chevrolet Woody Stationwagon. The Club will also show its late-1940s Harley-Davidson motorcycle used to deliver maps, assist Auto Club members and stranded motorists as part of the exhibit.
"The images and objects in this exhibit tell the story of PCH's early construction and its role in shaping the culture and lifestyle associated with the Southern California coast," said Matt Roth, Auto Club historian.
"The Auto Club is pleased to join with the Petersen Automotive Museum in sharing this unique collection of Southern California history with the community in a presentation that illustrates a rich history of the Coast Highway," he added.
Ken Gross, director of the Petersen, said: "For someone who lives in Southern California, it's difficult to imagine life without the Pacific Coast Highway. It has helped define much of the region's culture. The museum is pleased to present with the Auto Club this special story of one of the finest scenic routes in the world."
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with I.D., and $3 for children ages 5-12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $6 per car. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For general museum information, call 323/930-CARS.