Curating Car Culture: Inside the Peterson Automotive Museum with Autumn

Join hosts Mickey, Ben, Dave, and Tim as they chat with Autumn, Associate Curator at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Discover what makes the Peterson one of the world’s most respected car museums, from its legendary lowrider exhibits to the hidden treasures in its vault. Autumn shares behind-the-scenes insights on how exhibits are chosen, the intersection of cars and culture, and why even non-car enthusiasts will find something to love. Plus, don’t miss the trivia showdown: Which car was briefly sold at Sears? Key Topics Discussed: The Peterson’s three-floor layout: history, industry, and artistry (including the famed lowrider exhibit). Behind the scenes: How exhibits are curated (spoiler: it’s not just about cars—it’s about storytelling). The Vault: A secret trove of 300+ cars, including presidential limos and race cars. Why cars are cultural artifacts: Autumn’s journey from anthropology to automotive curation. Funding the museum: Sponsorships, tire companies, and keeping corporate influence at bay. Trivia Time: Was it the Allstate, the Subaru 360, or the Nash Metropolitan sold at Sears? (Answer revealed in-episode!) Fun Moments: Dave’s obsession with driving gloves (and Ben’s hack for buying them cheap). The museum’s unexpected bestsellers: Peterson-branded socks (yes, really). Mickey’s dream of a Thing About Cars road trip to LA—with a Home Alone twist. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.