When a movie franchise doesn’t just showcase cars but actively reshapes what the world thinks “car culture” looks like, it earns a museum moment. A Fast and Furious Legacy arrives at the Petersen Automotive Museum as a full-throttle tribute to 25 years of automotive icons, built in collaboration with Universal Pictures and timed to honor the franchise’s milestone anniversary. Opening March 14, the exhibition promises the most extensive collection of vehicles from the films ever assembled at the museum—famous hero cars, stunt cars, and production prototypes—many displayed together for the first time, and all carrying the visual language that turned late-night street racing fantasies into global design influence.

A Fast and Furious Legacy Brings the Garage to the Gallery

A Fast and Furious Legacy is staged across the Propulsion Gallery and the Ross and Beth Myers Galleries, tracing the evolution of the Fast Saga through the machines that defined each era of the series. The result isn’t just a lineup of beloved metal—it’s a timeline of how the franchise moved from tuner roots into a worldwide blockbuster, while keeping the heartbeat of LA car culture in the mix.

As Petersen executive director Terry L. Karges puts it, “This display has been years in the making and marks a defining moment for the museum,” adding, “For guests, this is an opportunity to step inside the world of ‘Fast & Furious’ and experience the cars that drove the franchise’s impact on automotive culture.”

That “step inside” promise matters because the Fast films didn’t simply popularize certain models—they helped push automotive customization into the mainstream, influencing builders, designers, and enthusiasts while expanding a fan community that still grows. A Fast and Furious Legacy leans into that cultural footprint, using the cars as proof of how styling, stance, and identity became as important as horsepower to a generation raised on cinema-level swagger.

A Fast and Furious Legacy Highlights the Cars That Defined an Era

If you grew up clocking quarter-mile daydreams and forum debates, the highlights list reads like a greatest-hits playlist. A Fast and Furious Legacy features the 1993 Toyota Supra “Stunt #3,” driven by Paul Walker as Brian O’Conner in the original The Fast and the Furious—a car that became shorthand for the franchise’s emotional center. It’s joined by the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Brian during the opening street race of that same first film, a moment credited with helping introduce tuner culture to mainstream audiences.

From there, the exhibit keeps shifting gears through the saga’s most recognizable rides: the 2001 Honda S2000 driven by Suki, played by Devon Aoki, in 2 Fast 2 Furious; the second-generation 1968 Dodge Charger R/T driven by Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto in Fast & Furious 6; the 1997 Nissan 240SX driven by Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty Ortiz in the franchise premiere; and Dom’s 1993 Mazda RX-7, prominently featured in the first film and emblematic of early-2000s street racing culture. Put those together in one space, and you’re not just seeing cars—you’re seeing how a franchise built a design vocabulary the world still speaks fluently.

A Fast and Furious Legacy Celebrates LA Roots and What Comes Next

Part of what makes A Fast and Furious Legacy feel right at the Petersen is geography and origin. Universal Entertainment Chief Brand Officer David O’Connor frames it plainly: “The Fast Saga was born out of the creativity and community of Los Angeles car culture. Even as the series grew into a global phenomenon, the heart of the franchise has always been rooted in the city.” He adds, “Celebrating this milestone in collaboration with the Petersen Automotive Museum is particularly meaningful because this exhibit truly honors the legacy of the films, the artistry behind these incredible machines, and the fans who have carried this story forward for 25 years.”

The exhibition opens March 14 with a special car show and stays on display through April 2027—plenty of time to make the trip if you want to see the biggest Fast & Furious vehicle collection the museum has ever assembled. And if you’re the kind of enthusiast who likes your nostalgia with a countdown timer, the saga’s final chapter is already on the horizon: Fast Forever is set for release on March 17, 2028. A Fast and Furious Legacy is the perfect pit stop between where the series started and where it plans to end—an ode to the machines, the makers, and the culture that made “family” a four-letter word with real horsepower behind it.

Aston Martin Exhibit Unveils 112 Years of Iconic Automotive Brilliance

For those who live and breathe performance, heritage, and British craftsmanship, the Aston Martin Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum is nothing short of a dream come to life. Titled “Performance and Prestige: A History of Aston Martin,” this exhibit opens on October 26, 2025, in the prestigious Meyers Gallery and will run through October 2026. It offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the full arc of Aston Martin’s 112-year legacy—up close, in metal, carbon fiber, and history.

The Aston Martin Exhibit was curated in collaboration with the legendary British marque itself and promises a visceral journey through the brand’s racing pedigree, design evolution, and engineering prowess. Whether you’re a die-hard track rat, a James Bond DB5 romantic, or an F1 diehard, this showcase offers something powerful for every automotive soul.

On display are over a dozen of Aston Martin’s most pivotal and rare vehicles, each one handpicked for its role in defining the brand’s ethos of speed, elegance, and innovation. The lineup includes the 1949 DB2 Prototype, a Le Mans veteran that laid the groundwork for Aston’s postwar sports car success. Then there’s the 1961 DB4GT Zagato, one of only 19 ultra-lightweight grand tourers born from the legendary collaboration with Zagato—a holy grail for collectors and design aficionados alike.

But the curation isn’t all nostalgia. The 1979 Bulldog returns to shock and awe—a wedge-shaped, gullwing-doored oddity with a twin-turbo V8 that looks like it leaped out of a sci-fi film reel. Fast forward to modern madness with the 2015 Vulcan, Aston Martin’s brutally beautiful track-only V12 hypercar, and the 2021 Valkyrie Spider, a Formula 1-inspired open-top monster churning out more than 1,000 horsepower from a naturally aspirated V12. These machines aren’t just high-performance vehicles—they’re rolling declarations of intent.

Aston Martin Exhibit Blends Cinematic Cool with Formula 1 Firepower

Beyond the one-offs and hypercars, the Aston Martin Exhibit celebrates the brand’s modern motorsport resurgence with the AMR23 Formula 1 car—the very machine that carried two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso to eight podiums in 2023, flanked by teammate Lance Stroll. It’s not just a nod to the past—it’s a clear sign that Aston Martin’s fire still burns hot at the cutting edge of competition.

Aston Martin, founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, has always straddled that rare line between performance machine and design icon. From the timeless DB5 immortalized on screen to the race-bred DBR1, and now to the futuristic lines of the Valkyrie, Aston Martin has remained synonymous with sophistication, danger, and distinction.

“This exhibit not only celebrates the iconic vehicles that have made Aston Martin a symbol of prestige,” said Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, “but also highlights our continued innovation in motorsport and cutting-edge road cars.”

Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum, added, “From its over a century-long history to today’s place on the Formula One grid, this exhibit captures Aston Martin’s relentless pursuit of performance.”

You will find the Aston Martin Exhibit to be a visceral immersion into one of the most respected and storied names in automotive history. And whether you’re drawn by the roar of V12s, the artistry of coachbuilt curves, or the adrenaline of motorsport, this experience is not to be missed.

Performance and Prestige: A History of Aston Martin runs from October 26, 2025, through October 2026 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. For details and tickets, visit Petersen.org/exhibits.

On Sunday, August 31, the Petersen Automotive Museum welcomes Southern California’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts for the highly anticipated All-Porsche Cruise, an annual celebration of German engineering, timeless design, and car culture camaraderie. Scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, the event will see over 300 Porsches on display, ranging from contemporary marvels to vintage treasures—including the legendary 1955 Porsche Continental, one of only 1,000 ever built.

The All-Porsche Cruise transforms the Petersen’s famed Miracle Mile into a playground of Stuttgart’s finest, offering a rare chance to admire air-cooled classics, modern supercars, and enthusiast builds—all in one place. The Petersen’s expert curation guarantees a diverse lineup that captures the breadth of Porsche’s iconic legacy, from the raw spirit of the 356 to the sophisticated dominance of the latest 911 Turbo S.

Complimentary coffee and bagels will be provided, setting the tone for a relaxed morning of car talk and design appreciation.

All-Porsche Cruise Offers Exclusive Access and Enthusiast Perks

Tickets for the All-Porsche Cruise are priced to accommodate every level of Porsche passion. Show Car entry is $35, which includes museum admission, exclusive poster artwork, and VIP show car parking. For attendees who prefer to spectate without showcasing a vehicle, General Admission tickets are $25 and include museum entry, the event poster, and complimentary breakfast bites. Spectator access is free, ensuring that the wider community of Porsche lovers can join the celebration.

Beyond the lineup of rare machinery, the All-Porsche Cruise experience extends into the Petersen Automotive Museum itself—a world-class facility that boasts one of the most extensive automotive collections in the world. Event-goers can pair their Porsche fix with a deeper dive into automotive history, innovation, and culture.

The All-Porsche Cruise is a full-tilt gathering of style, speed, and shared obsession. It’s a must-attend event for anyone who values craftsmanship on four wheels and the culture that surrounds it. For full details and ticket info, visit: petersen.org/museum-events

BMW of North America and the Petersen Automotive Museum have teamed up to celebrate a landmark milestone in automotive excellence with the unveiling of “The Ultimate Racing Machine: 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series in Motorsport” exhibit. Hosted in the Phil Hill Legends Room of the newly reimagined James H. Frank Family Vault, this exhibition is a deep dive into the half-century legacy of the BMW 3 Series as a motorsport icon.

BMW 3 Series Motorsport Legacy Comes to Life

The BMW 3 Series has long represented a perfect blend of performance engineering and motorsport pedigree, and the Petersen Museum’s new exhibit puts that reputation front and center. This curated display features race and street versions of the 3 Series across all seven generations, creating a vivid timeline of innovation and racing dominance. From the featherweight, fiberglass-bodied 1978 320i Group 5 to the high-tech 2023 M4 GT4, each car tells its chapter of BMW’s relentless pursuit of performance.

At the exhibit’s core are seven race cars—one from each generation—accompanied by three pristine road-going examples. These include the legendary 2001 BMW M3 GTR Straßenversion, one of just three homologation specials ever produced. The exhibit’s storytelling format bridges the gap between track technology and road relevance, making it a must-see for enthusiasts who live and breathe performance engineering.

BMW 3 Series Exhibit Highlights Historic Race Machines

Among the standout pieces in this tribute to the BMW 3 Series are:

• The 1990 BMW M3 Group A DTM driven by Steve Soper, delivering 374 bhp at 8500 RPM and showcasing BMW’s dominance in touring car championships.
• The 1996 M3 GT-2, nicknamed “Greta,” a race-winning machine that took home trophies at Sebring and Daytona in the IMSA GT-2 class.
• The 2011 M3 GT from BMW Team RLL, a carbon fiber-clad contender that swept the ALMS championships and turned heads with its blend of engineering prowess and aesthetic aggression.
• The rare and revered 2001 M3 GTR Straßenversion, which still fuels M Division lore with its V8 engine, dry sump system, and CFRP construction.

Each car is presented with historical context and technical details that enrich the visitor experience and celebrate the BMW 3 Series as more than just a sports sedan—it’s a cornerstone of competitive automotive culture.

BMW 3 Series Celebration Runs Through 2026

Visitors to the Petersen Automotive Museum can view “The Ultimate Racing Machine: 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series in Motorsport” through June 2026. Located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $21, with access to the Vault available for an additional $28. Tickets can be reserved at petersen.org/tickets.

Whether you’re a lifelong BMW enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the racing soul of the BMW 3 Series up close and in detail.

Opening March 15, 2025, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, the “American Motorcycle Exhibit: Pioneering Machines from the Bunch Family Collection” will showcase over 25 rare and historically significant motorcycles dating from the late 19th century through the 1930s. Assembled from one of the most extensive motorcycle collections in the world, the display chronicles America’s motorcycling heritage.

American Motorcycle Exhibit at the Petersen Museum

The American Motorcycle exhibit spotlights several extraordinary bikes, capturing the spirit of America’s earliest motorcycle builders. Among these pioneering machines is the 1898 Cleveland Tricycle, considered one of America’s oldest motorized bikes. This model featured the first-ever front spring fork suspension.

The 1904 Thomas Auto-Bi, crafted by the E.R. Thomas Company—the first American firm to design and manufacture motorcycles entirely in-house, is also an exhibit spotlight. Also displayed is the rare 1905 Nelk, one of the few surviving motorcycles produced by the Palo Alto-based manufacturer. Ahead of its time, the Nelk utilized advanced features such as a rubber-mounted engine, water cooling, and an overhead camshaft, decades before these became industry standards.

American Motorcycle Exhibit – Legends and Mavericks

Celebrating innovation, daring, and speed, the American Motorcycle Exhibit includes a 1911 Marvel, designed by Glenn Curtiss. Curtiss, a self-taught mechanical engineer, is celebrated for his revolutionary motorcycle engines as well as his contributions to aviation and planes. The Marvel motorcycle exemplifies his visionary approach to mechanical excellence.

Adding to the exhibition’s thrill factor is the 1908 Indian Single, a remarkable bike owned and ridden by famed stuntwoman CeDora. She mesmerized audiences with her performances in the death-defying “Globe of Death,” showcasing incredible motorcycle stunts that harnessed centripetal force.

Perhaps one of the most sought-after motorcycles in the exhibition is the 1936 Crocker Speedway Racer. Built by legendary Los Angeles manufacturer Crocker, these bikes regularly outpaced contemporary Harley-Davidson and Indian models, solidifying Crocker’s reputation for unmatched performance. Today, Crocker motorcycles rank among the rarest and most valuable American motorcycles ever made.

With the American Motorcycle Exhibit, the Petersen Automotive Museum provides a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the evolution of motorcycle engineering, design, and American innovation. This immersive journey showcases mechanical masterpieces and honors the maverick spirit that has always defined American motorcycling culture.