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The Show Outside the LA Auto Show

The hottest exhibit during LA Auto Show days may actually be taking place at the Petersen Automotive Museum.

By Roy Nakano

Sun, Nov 20, 2022 07:50 PM PST

Featured Image: An overhead view of the Tesla Cybertruck and Cyberquad in the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Mullin Family Grand Salon. The corner insert is an actual quote from Forbes magazine, circa 2011.

All images by author Roy Nakano

It’s the elephant at the LA Auto Show and it’s not even in the Convention Center. It’s happening across town in the Wilshire-Fairfax District, at the Petersen Automotive Museum. And it opened right smack in the middle of the LA Auto Show—on Sunday, November 20, 2022, and will continue on through October 22, 2023.

“Inside Tesla: Supercharging the Electric Revolution” is what the Petersen calls it, and it’s the largest exhibit of past, present and future Teslas ever put together in one location,” says Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges.

image of the Lotus, as displayed at the Tesla exhibit at the Petersen
A heavily modified Lotus Elise was the first functional prototype created by Tesla Motors. To it’s left, the AC Propulsion TZero, a handmade forerunner of the Tesla line of vehicles.
image of the floor of the Petersen, displaying a quote from Bloomberg in 2011 dismissing Tesla as a bad idea.
A quote from Bloomberg during Tesla’s more humble years.

Why It’s Such a Big Deal

The significance of a Tesla exhibit opening during the LA Auto Show may not be readily apparent, but there are several reasons why it’s a big thing. First and foremost, the automaker went from its humble beginnings in San Carlos, California, to become a multinational automotive and clean energy company with a net worth exceeding all other car companies.

It did this while not spending any money on conventional advertisements or commercials. In 2020, the company had the audacity to dissolve its public relations department, becoming the first known carmaker that doesn’t talk to the press in conventional ways. And, we might add, Tesla rarely does exhibits at auto shows - at least in the USA.

image of a Tesla suspended to look like it is in space
Teslas have even gone to outer space. Above: A replica of the Tesla roadster shot into outer space, courtesy of its sister company, SpaceX.
a suspended Tesla, displaying its aerodynamic features at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles
 A 2014 Model S P90D aerodynamic demonstration display at the Petersen.

Always In The News

Of course, Tesla gets plenty of press coverage. The automotive press keeps an eagle eye on its developments, both good and bad. And Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, manages to be in the news on an almost daily basis.

The current news surrounding Musk may be the most controversial to date. His purchase of the social media giant Twitter for $44 billion has caused quite a stir, to put it mildly. Tesla’s stock market value sank $125 billion the day after the acquisition, raising concern that the preoccupation with Twitter would have consequences on the car company.

lineup of Tesla cars on display at The Petersen during the LA Auto Show
“Inside Tesla: Supercharging the Electric Revolution” is the largest exhibit of past, present and future Teslas ever put together in one location.
A suspended Tesla Model Y, exploded to show all the parts that are assembled to make the car
Tesla’s Model Y on display in exploded, three-dimensional fashion.

The Mother of All Tesla Exhibits

It is with this backdrop that “Inside Tesla: Supercharging the Electric Revolution” opens at the Petersen Automotive Museum. “Gathering the most comprehensive collection of Tesla products to date, the exhibit features everything from early concept vehicles to rarely seen prototypes and world-record-breaking production vehicles,” says Karges.

“Beyond vehicles, attendees will enjoy a wealth of information and displays that tell the story of Tesla’s energy ecosystem, manufacturing automation, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving expertise, among others, plus one-off projects with SpaceX, The Boring Company and Hyperloop,” says Karges.

a steel hammer on display to help us remember the reveal of the Tesla Truck
On display: The sledgehammer used during the Cybertruck’s debut to demonstrate the strength of the doors. Also displayed: the steel ball thrown to show the strength of the side windows, but ended up cracking them.

Everything, Including the Sledgehammer and Steel Ball

Very little is spared at the exhibit. Even the infamous sledgehammer and steel ball used to demonstrate the strength of the upcoming Cybertruck doors (with mixed success) are on display.

“Tesla has revolutionized the automotive, EV, technology, and manufacturing spaces within a relatively short time span, begetting the question, ‘How did they do that?’” says Karges. “This exhibit strives to be a holistic walk-through of how the brand became a global phenomenon and further details what lies ahead.”

An array of Tesla electric drive units on display, starting with the unit that’s fitted in its quickest production vehicle to date, the Model S Plaid.
An array of Tesla electric drive units on display, starting with the unit that’s fitted in its quickest production vehicle to date, the Model S Plaid.
An image of the inside of a Tesla battery
Ever wonder what the battery packs look like inside a Tesla? Above: the new 4680 batteries fitted in the latest Teslas.

The exhibit is open to the public as of November 20, 2022 in the Mullin Family Grand Salon and Phillip Sarofim Porte Cochere on the museum’s first floor.

image of the front side of the all-electric, battery-powered Tesla Semi Class 8 big rig truck
An all-electric, battery-powered Tesla Semi Class 8 big rig truck greets you upon entering the Petersen Automotive Museum.

For more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum and to purchase tickets, go to petersen.org/tesla.

About The Author

Roy Nakano's profile picture

Roy Nakano

Roy Nakano gave birth to LACar in the late '90s, having previously delivered LA Audio File back in the '80s. Aside from the occasional review, Roy likes to stray off the beaten automotive path: "Six Degrees of Reparations" reflected on the regretful ethical paths taken by car companies throughout history. "Traveling Through the Past and Present of the Green Book" looked at businesses that took a stand against racism and the man that wrote the book on where to find them. "Best Cars to Drive in Rush Hour Traffic" was an LACar guide published in the pre-GPS era. "In Search of the First Datsun 510 Tuner" looked at one of the milestones in the origin of import tuners.

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