Petersen Automotive Museum will soon open its new exhibit showcasing some of the most unique and popular vehicles, motorcycles, and custom creations ever made for movies and television. Joining the new Hollywood exhibit, which is a continuation of the popular “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science 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. Included in the space will be vehicles from the blockbusterBlack Panther, the trilogiesMen in BlackandBack to the Future, and theGhostbustersandBatmanseries of movies.
Stars of the new exhibit include the wildly-popular 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor dubbed “Ecto-1,” originally made famous as the rapid response vehicle for the cast ofGhostbusters. The converted ambulance made multiple appearances in the sequels to the original 1984 hit, including the more recent rebootGhostbusters: Afterlife. While “Ecto-1” received updates to its appearance over the years, it will display in its original 1984 condition.
Another Hollywood vehicle making its return is the 1981 DeLorean “Time Machine” from theBack to the Futuretrilogy 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 appearing 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.”
Other notable unique additions to the new exhibit include the Batmobile fromBatmanandBatman Returns, the intricate Moto-Terminator motorcycle that appeared inTerminator Salvation, and the classic 1976 Ford Gran Torino from theStarsky and Hutchtelevision series.
Related:Ivan Reitman, Ghostbusters Director and Prolific Producer, Dies at 75
Ghostbusters: Afterlife Brought the Ecto-1 Back to the Mainstream
The new sequelGhostbusters: Afterlifepicked up from where the originalGhostbustersmovies left off, fast-forwarding the story a few decades with the Spengler family uncovering all of the old Ghostbusters equipment that Egon (Harold Ramis) had left behind. That includes the old Ecto-1, one of the first things revealed from the sequel. It is featured prominently in the new film.
Jason Reitman directedGhostbusters: Afterlifeusing a screenplay co-written with Gil Kenan. It stars Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Logan Kim, and Paul Rudd, with original legacy stars also returning, such as Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver.
The new vehicle exhibit will be opening to the public on July 26, 2025, in the Omaze Hollywood Gallery, located on The Otis Booth History Floor. You can find more information atPetersen.org.
