Opening December 16th, “Sidewalk Speedsters: The Grown-Up World of Children’s Cars” will feature kids’ competition cars. The exhibit will kick off with preview events for journalists, who are invited to bring their kids to preview the exhibit and test drive several go-karts on a child-friendly race track.
Los Angeles (December 5th, 2017) – The Petersen Automotive Museum today announced plans to open a special exhibit dedicated to children and their longstanding fascination with fast cars on Saturday, December 16. Showcased in the Charles Nearburg Family Gallery, “Sidewalk Speedsters: The Grown-Up World of Children’s Cars” will offer guests a look at kids’ competition cars.
Presented by Lucas Oil, the display will feature a diverse range of child-sized race cars—from old to new, electric- to gas-powered to sophisticated, and affordable to luxurious. A $430 million per year industry as of 2015, kids’ vehicles have become a phenomenon, populating the shelves, catalogs and online inventories of toy and game retailers worldwide. While many adults may wonder whether owner-driven automobiles will continue to be part of the everyday driving landscape, small, powered children’s cars are growing in popularity among youths.
In anticipation for the opening, a variety of programmatic events will be offered, including gallery talks, panel discussions, and interactive kids’ demonstrations, to inspire enthusiasm and provide education for those interested in attending. Exclusive previews are scheduled for December 15th and 16th for the media and their kids to participate in a morning of fun, featuring Actev Arrow “Smart-Karts” that kids can safely drive while parents control the ride through a mobile app.
“’Sidewalk Speedsters’ will mark a playful change of pace for the museum,” said Petersen Chief Historian Leslie Kendall. “I had so much fun choosing the vehicles on display, as I grew up racing similar cars. The whimsical selection will perfectly juxtapose the more serious presentations, adding an exciting element of surprise to the museum’s overall atmosphere.”
Key vehicles that will be featured include a 1927 Bugatti Type 52 “Baby,” a 1995 Meyness Bentley and a 1977 Porsche 936 Le Mans Jr. The exhibit will also showcase a 1968 Disneyland Autopia buggy, a 1931 Custer, a 1945 Plexiglas Lucas, a 1938 Maytag, a 1955 “Homemade,” a 1939 Motokar, a 1934 National Junior Racer, a, “The Lad’s Car,” “The Junior Automobile,” a Chevy Jr., a 1934 Cannonball Racer, a 1954 Vanguard Sidewalk Racer, and a 1955 Viking Craft.
To learn more about this exhibit and the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit www.petersen.org.
ABOUT THE PETERSEN
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, California, 90036. Admission prices are $16 for general admission adults, $13 for seniors and students with ID, $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Active military with ID, personal care attendants and children under three are admitted free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For general information, call 323-930-CARS or visit www.petersen.org.
