WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? The Misfits of Motordom
Opens 2/28/09

http://www.petersen.org

Opening soon is What Were They Thinking?, the newest in a series of Petersen Automotive Museum special exhibitions, describes how innovators throughout automotive history have sought to overcome automobile design and engineering challenges with the application of “out of the box” thinking. Though a large number of poorly conceived or badly timed innovations werenecessarily abandoned at the design phase, a large number have been developed into full-size, operational vehicles. On view will be examples of such vehicles (both popular and obscure) from throughout automotive history whose designs embodied innovations, styling themes, and other characteristics that were ultimately revealed to be of questionable value or limited appeal.

Whether mass produced or prototype, the Misfits of Motordom serve to illustrate that while certain cars are important because of what they are, an equally large number are important because of what they are not. It will be an autotorium of automobile oddities from around the globe, and certainly the only assembly of vehicles where an Edsel is the "normal" car, these vehicles are sure to amaze and amuse.

Curator’s Tour: What Were They Thinking? The Misfits of Motordom
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 7:30pm
Grand Salon

Join Curator Leslie Kendall for an in-depth tour of the Museum’s latest exhibit, What Were They Thinking? The Misfits of Motordom which showcases how innovators throughout automotive history have sought to overcome automobile design and engineering challenges with the application of “out of the box” thinking. During his tour, Mr. Kendall will share the history of the vehicles on display whose designs embodied innovations, styling themes, and other characteristics that were ultimately revealed to be of questionable value or limited appeal. For more information, call 323-964-6347 or email cdrescher@petersen.org.

Panel Discussion: What Were They Thinking? Industry Perspectives
Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 7:30-9:00pm
Grand Salon

Expert insiders from different areas of the automotive industry (e.g. sales, design, journalism) will gather to share their experiences dealing with different vehicles and the positive and/or negative public perception surrounding them. Topics of discussion will include: what is the most important feature of a successful car?; what is the most common mistake manufacturers make when they introduce a new model?; what should have been a great car and why wasn’t it? Guest panelists will include author Dan Neil of the LA Times; Mike Sullivan, owner of the LA Car Guy dealerships; production and design consultant Eric Noble of The Car Lab; and Charlie Vogelheim, automotive analyst with experience at both Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power & Associates. For more information, call 323-964-6347 or email cdrescher@petersen.org.