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Established | 1988[1] |
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Location | San Diego, California, US |
Coordinates | 32°43′38.94″N117°09′12.98″W / 32.7274833°N 117.1536056°W |
CEO | Lenny Leszczynski [2] |
The San Diego Automotive Museum is a museum in Balboa Park in San Diego, California, containing a collection of cars and motorcycles illustrating the history of the American automotive culture. The San Diego Automotive Museum is a non-profit corporation under IRS section 501(c) [1] It is housed in the former California State Building, which was constructed for the 1935–36 California Pacific International Exposition. [3]
One of the signature cars in the collection is Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car, a 1947 Cadillac-with-trailer that was driven non-stop from Alaska to Mexico City and across the United States. Its owner extensively modified it to become largely self-contained, and its cross-country trips incorporated in-motion refueling from support vehicles. [4] [5]
Exhibits are rotated every four to six months to bring in cars of different types or eras.
The museum displays vintage cars and has an impressive collection of automobiles and their history. In 2024 the museum celebrated its 35th anniversary. Each anniversary it has special celebrations such as special exhibitions that focus on different aspects of automotive history, including classic cars and racing. [6]