Across Wilshire Boulevard and a block west of LACMA is the amazing Petersen Automotive Museum, founded by Robert Petersen, publisher of Hot Rod magazine. Designed by House and Robertson, the building’s architecture is controversial.
The L.A. Times reviewer really dislikes the building, but in my opinion, that blood red building wrapped in enormous, sinuous stainless steel sculptural ribbons deserves applause. It is as brash and over-the-top as American muscle cars that the ribbons represent. From the right angle the steel ribbons look like a car.
I have to confess that I am not a car person so I haven’t been inside, but the building is spectacular even from across the street. If you are a car person, you can see hot rods, race cars, historic BMWs and other automobiles at the museum. You can even use their race car driving simulators.
