LOS ANGELES (May 23, 2007) – The Petersen Automotive Museum raised over $600,000 for its youth and educational programs at the 8th Annual Gala event held on May 10, 2007. The event, chaired by muscle car legend Carroll Shelby welcomed 600 guests to an elegant evening in celebration of the life of the museum’s namesake benefactor Robert E. Petersen.
Silent and live auctions were held to raise money for the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization during the annual event. Notable sales included a 2007 Shelby GT Mustang, auctioned by Mr. Shelby himself, which sold at a gavel price of $140,000 following Shelby’s promise to increase the horsepower with each price milestone and ended up at 500-hp.
Petersen - founder of Petersen Publishing and magazine titles such as Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Teen and other niche publications – along with his wife, Margie, have donated millions of dollars since the opening of the museum in 1994, helping the institution achieve financial independence and permanent self sufficiency in its on-going mission to enlighten generations to come as to the history of the automobile. Mr. Petersen passed away on March 23, 2007 after a short battle with neuroendocrine cancer.
“Robert Petersen was a figure of incredible importance in the automotive world and we were honored to play host to this tribute,” said Dick Messer, Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “Thanks to Margie and Bob, we will be able to educate and entertain thousands of patrons for years to come. There’s no way we could ever fully thank the Petersen’s for their level of generosity, but this year’s gala was a fitting tribute to a great man and his legacy.”
The Gala featured an elegant seated dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck, live entertainment and access to some of the world’s most remarkable automobiles. Guests were even given a rare, in-person sneak peek at General Motors’ hottest concept car, the 2009 Chevy Camaro convertible, which was in California for testing and fit very nicely in the current ongoing convertibles exhibit, now on display at the Museum.
More About the Petersen Automotive Museum:
Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for senior and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $6.00 per car. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For general Museum information, call (323) 930-CARS or visit the Museum’s Web site address at
www.petersen.org .
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