Petersen Museum Cars At The Ronald Reagan Library

Camp Pendleton Color Guard with Ronald Reagan Library in background. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Petersen Museum Cars On Display At The Reagan Library
By: Brandon O'Brien - Photography By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified 

The 6th of February marked the anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth. On that day the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library honored the memory of the former President with a special ceremony that included the Camp Pendleton Marine Division Band, a keynote address, and the laying of the presidential wreath at his final resting place. This year marked the 104th anniversary of his birth.

Tiger Squadron Flyover commemorating Ronald Reagan's 104th birthday. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Welcome by John Heubusch, Executive Director Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation with keynote speaker Vice Admiral Michael Miller (Ret.) looking on. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Laying of the Presidential Wreath by Brigadier General Edward Banta and Vice Admiral Michael Miller (Ret.)
Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

As part of the changing exhibits to be found at the Ronald Reagan Library, The Petersen has on display a number of automobiles from their elaborate collection. Located in three galleries the cars are grouped into the following categories; Hollywood, Heads of State, and Historic.

Hollywood, the movie studios, and the stars have always fascinated the public. Being in the ideal location, The Petersen has been able to acquire cars made famous by the movies or television shows they were used in or by their famous owners, including Elton John, Steve McQueen, and Fred Astaire. The automobiles on display cover Hollywood history from the early days up to the present.

In the main foyer is the 1956 Jaguar XKSS once owned by Steve McQueen. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1927 Rolls Royce Phantom Town Car once owned by Fred Astaire. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1952 Pinin Farina Nash-Healy used by William Holden and Audry Hepburn in the movie "Sabrina".
Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1949 Delahaye Type 178 Drophead Coupe once owned by Elton John. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi made famous by Tom Selleck in the "Magnum P.I." television series.
Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Appropriately located in the Air Force One building the Heads of State cars are displayed around the periphery of the exhibit hall.  One would think that the cars on display would primarily have been used by American dignitaries but that is not the case.  One of the "Popemobiles" is on display along with cars used by many famous and infamous world leaders.

1942/46 Lincoln Zephyr Limousine used by President Harry Truman. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1938 Packard Super 8 Parade Phaeton used by Argentine President Juan and Eva Peron. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Premier Nikita Krushchev's 1962 Chaika Parade Convertible. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The battered 1978 Mercedes-Benz 600 Laudaulet used by President Saddam Hussein. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The most recent exhibit to open has the Historic automobiles.  All of the cars mentioned are historic in some fashion. These automobiles are historic for what they attributed to the automotive industry including design, racing, and hot rods.

1913 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1929 DuPont Model G Speedster. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1992 Jaguar XJ220. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

One of three 24-karat gold plated 1981 DeLorean DMC12's produced for the American Express Catalog. This car has less than 10 miles on the odometer and is the only car in The Petersen collection whose value will fluctuate daily. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The only 1953 Bosley GT Mk I produced. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1929 Cord L-29 which was the first front-wheel drive car offered to the public, beating the Ruxton by several months. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Breathtaking 1939 Bugatti 57C Atlante. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

A very rare, completely original, 1952 Ferrari 212/225 Barchetta by Touring Superleggera once owned by Henry Ford II. It is thought that this car was used for some styling cues on the original Ford Thunderbird. Photo Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This is an interesting mix of automobiles that should have something for everyone.  They will continue to be on exhibit through May 1, 2015 so there is still some time to plan a trip to the Ronald Reagan Library which is located in Simi Valley.

TAGS: Ronald Reagan Library, 1952 Ferrari 212/225 Barchetta, 1939 Bugatti 57C Atlante, 1929 Cord L-29, Petersen Museum, Elton John, Steve McQueen, Fred Astaire, 1956 Jaguar XKSS, 1927 Rolls Royce Phantom Town Car, 1952 Pinin Farina Nash-Healy, 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi,