The Petersen Automotive Museum opened in 1994 on the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax. I visited shortly after it opened and went back for a second visit last month.
The museum originally opened with an exhibit focusing on how the automobile influenced the development of Southern California and how, in turn, the Southern California Car Culture influenced the automobile.
Recently the Museum's Board of Directors announced their focus was changing to the beauty of automobiles internationally. They are selling-off a significant portion of their collection in order to refinance a re-do of their building (opened as an Ohrbach's Department Store).
Their goal is to boast attendance and attract repeat visitors. Since I went nearly 20 years between visits I suppose I shouldn't criticize -- but why stop now?
It's a horrible idea! Locals and visitors alike are interested in the history of Southern California and the automobile. Modernize, yes! But don't throw out the baby with the bathwater and then run it over with some car from France.
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