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1981 DeLorean ‘Time Machine’ from the Back to the Future movies — the only DeLorean to appear on screen in all three. Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum

Back to the Future DeLorean, Ghostbusters cars on view at the Petersen

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley

 

Left to Right: 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, aka Ecto-1, from Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters: Afterlife; 1981 DeLorean ‘Time Machine’ from the Back to the Future movies; Batmobile from Batman and Batman Returns. Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum
Left to Right: 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, aka Ecto-1, from ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife;’ 1981 DeLorean that appeared on screen in all three ‘Back to the Future’ movies; Batmobile from ‘Batman’ and ‘Batman Returns.’ Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum

LOS ANGELES – Located just down the street from Hollywood’s most iconic production studios, the Petersen Automotive Museum’s brand-new collection of some of the most famous vehicles ever to appear in film and television is now open to the public. Located in the Omaze Hollywood Gallery on the Otis Booth History Floor, the exhibit will include a diverse selection of cars, motorcycles and custom creations that have starred in popular movies and television series throughout the decades. The Cars of Film and Television display is currently on view and will remain on view for at least a year.

A continuation of the popular Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy exhibit, which was the largest museum exhibition of sci-fi movie vehicles in the world, the new display branches out beyond the specific genre to incorporate a broader range of vehicles, movies and television series. Included are vehicles from the blockbuster Black Panther, the trilogies Men in Black and Back to the Future, and the Ghostbusters and Batman series of movies.

Detail of the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, aka Ecto-1, from Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, showing the iconic Ghostbusters logo. Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum
Detail of the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, aka Ecto-1, from ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife,’ showing the iconic Ghostbusters logo. Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum

Stars of the new exhibit include the wildly popular 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor dubbed Ecto-1, originally made famous as the rapid response vehicle for the cast of Ghostbusters. The converted ambulance made multiple appearances in the sequels to the original 1984 hit, including the more recent reboot Ghostbusters: Afterlife. While Ecto-1 received updates to its appearance in the years since the debut of the first movie, it will display in its original 1984 condition.

Another Hollywood vehicle making its return is the 1981 DeLorean Time Machine from the Back to the Future trilogy of movies. The producers originally chose the DMC-12 as the foundation for the famous time-traveling DeLorean due to its stainless-steel construction and gullwing doors. Multiple versions of the DeLorean Time Machine were made throughout the years for the two sequels, but this is the only example that appeared in all three films.

“Some vehicles used in television and movies have become just as popular as the stars themselves,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “We are excited to display what are genuinely some of the most iconic vehicles from Hollywood’s long and storied history of film and television series production. The unique collection is sure to appeal to fans of movies and television along with any automotive enthusiasts.”

1976 Ford Gran Torino from the Starsky and Hutch TV show. Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum
1976 Ford Gran Torino from the ‘Starsky and Hutch’ TV show. Courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum

Other notable machines on view in the exhibit include the Batmobile from Batman and Batman Returns, the intricate Moto-Terminator motorcycle that appeared in Terminator Salvation and the classic 1976 Ford Gran Torino from the Starsky and Hutch television series.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit www.Petersen.org.