1932 Ford highboy roadster, with a 142.97 MPH Bonneville run to its credit. Image courtesy Auctions America.

Recent reports that one of the best automotive collections and arguably the best kept example of Southern California car trends and the emergence of hot rod culture, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, is in the process of selling off many of its prime vehicles has not been taken well by automotive enthusiasts, to say the least. The fact that the intended plan is to feature more classic French automobiles after removing many of the museum’s long-standing masterpieces only adds insult to injury in the eyes of many.

The word from sources such as Hemmings Daily is that these changes are supposed to “breathe some life into the museum,” according to Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry Karges. Really? And that the sales of vehicles such as the dozen vehicles from the museum already sold for a reported $8.5 million at a recent Amelia Island auction will raise money to refurbish the museum and purchase new cars.

Although a dozen or so cars from a museum that holds approximately 400 vehicles might seem to some as not newsworthy, the fact that more than 100 (a quarter of the collection) are set to go up for sale next month at Auctions America’s Burbank sets off alarm bells for others.

Future visitors can expect to see more French cars and more exhibits on loan from the Mullin Automotive Museum owned by businessman and car collector Peter Mullin. Mullin recently took control of the Petersen Automotive Museum.

1952 Cunningham C-3 Coupe. Image courtesy Auctions America.

In defense of the decision to sell such a large part of the Petersen’s car collection, Karges cited a lack of space and the quality of cars being auctioned. Many were described as needing restoration, or simply not of exhibition quality in their current state.

Karges stated, “As with any well-curated museum, our collection is constantly evolving and we are making room for new additions and vehicles that will make a major impact on future exhibitions while also culling some vehicles that can still be procured when necessary for display.”