San Diego Automotive Museum

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San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum - Entrance (May 2022).jpg
Location map Central San Diego.png
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Location within San Diego
Established1988;36 years ago (1988) [1]
Location San Diego, California, US
Coordinates 32°43′38.94″N117°09′12.98″W / 32.7274833°N 117.1536056°W / 32.7274833; -117.1536056
CEOLenny 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]

Contents

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]

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References

  1. 1 2 "About Us Page of Museum Website". Archived from the original on 21 December 2008.
  2. Concepcion, Mariel (7 December 2020). "San Diego Automotive Museum Names New CEO". San Diego Business Journal. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  3. "San Diego Automotive Museum". Balboa Park Facilities. San Diego Park and Recreation Department. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  4. "Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car". Atlas Obscura . 17 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  5. "Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car". San Diego Automotive Museum. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  6. Leszczynski, Lenny (2024-01-05). "The San Diego Automotive Museum is so much more than just a collection of vintage cars". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-29.