Splendor & Speed—Treasures of the Petersen Collection

July 18, 2024
Images by Shawn Glad

I recently visited the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, which is displaying a notable exhibit of significant and rare automobiles from its permanent collection, spanning from the Brass Era to modern times. The exhibit, Splendor & Speed, is located in the Bruce Meyer Family Gallery and is scheduled to run through October 6th of this year.

The automobiles in this exhibit stand out for their historical significance, styling, rarity, and prominent previous owners. Highlights include a 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia, one of the most extravagantly streamlined vehicles of its time; a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet owned by the Shah of Iran; and one of only 16 1957 Jaguar XKSS models, famously owned by Steve McQueen. Among my favorites is a 1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe, arguably one of the most beautiful cars ever built. The XKSS is highly coveted due to its limited production run and direct lineage to the successful D-Type race car. Its connection to Steve McQueen, a legendary car enthusiast and collector, further enhances its value.

A sign at the entrance provides insight into the collection’s background:

“Founded in 1994 by Robert E. Petersen and Margie Petersen, the Petersen Automotive Museum houses one of the most diverse and world-renowned collections of important vehicles ever assembled. Aligning with the Museum’s mission to explore and present the history of the automobile and its impact on global life and culture using Los Angeles as the prime example, the vehicles in the Petersen collection highlight key technological developments, important driving innovations, and iconic cultural moments in automotive history. With vehicles drawn from domestic and international manufacturers, alike, as well as custom one-off coach-built creations, hot rods, celebrity vehicles, and automotive ephemera, the Petersen’s permanent holdings offer a uniquely comprehensive portrait of the automobile world. This exhibition brings together a sampling of the most noteworthy and rare vehicles in the Petersen’s permanent collection. Stretching from the Brass Era to the modern day, these finely preserved masterpieces each represent a remarkable moment in automotive history and culture. A combination of outstanding craftsmanship, excellent performance, boldly attractive styling, and extreme rarity has earned these archetypes of automotive excellence high esteem among automotive aficionados and casual enthusiasts alike. Presented here as a cohesive collection, these exclusive vehicles offer a unique glimpse into the many facets of our rich automotive heritage.”

Below are some of my favorite photographs from my visit, each accompanied by a brief summary. Additional photographs of them can be found in the gallery at the bottom.

Cheers!

1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia

The 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia, commissioned by inventor André Dubonnet, incorporated an independent coil-spring suspension system of his own design and engineering. Built on the Hispano-Suiza H6B chassis, the Xenia featured a body designed by Jean Andreau and was hand-built by Jacques Saoutchik. The Xenia also included a sophisticated door mechanism that allowed the doors to slide backward parallel to the body.

1925/34 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe

The 1925/34 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe, known as the “Round Door Rolls,” was first delivered in 1925 with standard cabriolet coachwork by Hooper & Co. In 1934, Belgian coachbuilder Henri Jonckheere transformed it with new coachwork, including round doors and a clever two-piece window that split down into the door. Stretching nearly 20 feet, it is powered by a 7.7-liter straight-6 engine producing 108 horsepower.

1957 Jaguar XKSS

The 1957 Jaguar XKSS, a road-going version of the acclaimed D-Type race car, was originally white with a red interior. Actor Steve McQueen acquired this rare model from its second owner, repainted it in his favorite shade of green, and re-trimmed the interior in black. The XKSS featured a 3.4-liter inline-6 engine producing 250 horsepower.

1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet

The 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet was a wedding gift to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Crown Prince and Shah of Iran, from the French government. Its body was designed by Vanvooren, one of France’s premier coachbuilders. Notable features include fully skirted fenders and a windshield that can be retracted into the cowl using a hand crank mounted under the dashboard. The car is powered by a supercharged 3.3-liter straight-8 engine, producing 160 horsepower.

1938/47 Delahaye 145 Coupe

The 1938/47 Delahaye 145 Coupe was originally built for the French government’s 1937 Prix du Million engineering challenge. Following its racing career, coachbuilder Henri Chapron acquired and transformed the aluminum race car into a two-seat road-going coupe. After undergoing various modifications over its lifetime, this 145 was restored to its original Chapron configuration (as shown here) by the Mullin Automotive Museum in 2003. It is powered by a 4.5-liter V-12 engine producing 184 horsepower.

1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe

The 1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe was produced by the small Italian firm Cisitalia. Designed by Pinin Farina, this grand touring fastback features a modified Fiat engine with a 1.1-liter inline-4 that produces 55 horsepower. Dubbed “a sculpture in motion,” it was featured in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 1951.

1913 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout

This 1913 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout, once owned by race car driver Phil Hill, is one of the most original examples in existence. Its 5.0-liter inline-4 engine produced 60 horsepower, enabling the Raceabout to reach a top speed of 100 mph.

1953 Cadillac Series 62

In the 1950s, Ali Khan, the world’s wealthiest man at the time, bought a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 chassis, designed by Harley Earl for General Motors, and sent it to Italian coachbuilder Ghia. Ghia built two cars on this chassis, and Khan sent one to his former wife, actress Rita Hayworth. After changing hands throughout its lifetime, the car was acquired and restored by the Petersen Automotive Museum. Initially restored with a black exterior and red-and-black interior, it was later repainted dark burgundy with silver metallic particles to highlight Ghia’s design, emphasizing its elegant lines. The Series 62 featured a 126-inch wheelbase, a 331 cubic-inch Cadillac V8, and a 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.

1954 Plymouth Explorer

The 1954 Plymouth Explorer is a unique one-off concept car that features bodywork by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, Italy. A distinctive feature of the Explorer is the twin exhaust pipes incorporated into the rear taillights, though only one is functional. Its 3.8-liter inline-6 engine produced 103 horsepower.

1992 Coddington Aluma Coupe

Making its debut at the 1992 New York Auto Show, the Coddington Aluma Coupe, designed and built by Boyd Coddington and designer Larry Erickson, had the look of a 1950s hot rod custom but with modern engineering. The all-aluminum body was scratch-built, including the chassis and suspension components. Coddington also installed a tuned Mitsubishi turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine in the rear, which produced 320 horsepower.