Driving the Future of Automotive Culture: Pennzoil and the Petersen Automotive Museum

For more than 30 years, the Petersen Automotive Museum has been at the forefront of preserving automotive history, much like Pennzoil has led the way in automotive performance innovation. Recently, Pennzoil sat down with Michael Bodell, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Petersen Automotive Museum, to explore how this dynamic partnership continues to ignite passion in car enthusiasts of all ages. Highlighting key exhibits, the museum offers a unique glimpse into the future of car culture while honoring its storied past. Together, Pennzoil and the Petersen Automotive Museum celebrate the spirit of driving and ensure the legacy of automotive culture thrives for generations to come.

PENNZOIL: Pennzoil has played a vital role in supporting events such as Petersen Digital Car Week, Ferrari Cruise-ins, and the Ultimate Supercar Showdown series on YouTube. How has Pennzoil’s involvement contributed to the success of these initiatives and the museum’s broader mission?

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM: The museum’s mission is to preserve and present the history of the automobile, and our collaborations with Pennzoil have allowed us to deliver on that mission. Initiatives such as the Ultimate Supercar Showdown and Digital Car Week extend our audience beyond the museum walls, showing cars in motion and telling the stories behind them. They also let us connect with new and established car enthusiasts, sharing their passion while keeping these vehicles alive for future generations.

PENNZOIL: How does Pennzoil’s Long May We Drive campaign align with the museum’s mission?

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM: Pennzoil’s Long May We Drive campaign resonates deeply with our mission. We see cars not only as objects but as expressions of freedom and personal stories. Our collaboration lets us emphasize the passion for driving, whether it's preserving classic cars or celebrating future classics. The campaign also allows us to share untold stories of vehicles from the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s—cars becoming the new wave of collector’s items.

PENNZOIL: This year marks the Petersen Automotive Museum’s 30^th anniversary, and you recently hosted a special gala to celebrate. How has the museum evolved, and what did attendees experience at the gala?

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM: When the museum first opened, it focused primarily on American automotive history, serving as more of a local attraction. Since our renovation in 2015, we’ve expanded our focus globally, curating a collection that represents car culture worldwide. Our exhibits now span many eras and themes, appealing to a much more diverse and international audience. We celebrated this evolution with our 30^th-anniversary gala, our largest fundraising event of the year.

We honored Bruce Meyer, our founding chairman and a key figure in the museum’s growth. The funds raised will support future exhibits and educational programs, helping us to continue expanding. This year’s gala sold out within a week of being announced, showing just how much enthusiasm there is for the museum's future. The support ensures we can continue preserving automotive history and inspiring future generations while showcasing the museum’s role in shaping the global automotive narrative.

PENNZOIL: The Petersen Automotive Museum has a rich history of showcasing Ferrari heritage. Can you speak to the significance of Ferrari in the museum’s collection and any Ferrari-related activations?

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM: One of the big exhibits we opened for our 30^th anniversary is a celebration of significant Ferraris from each decade, housed in our Legends Gallery. One of the highlights is the first Ferrari ever built, the 1947 Ferrari 125 S, chassis number 01C. This car is displayed alongside other iconic Ferraris, such as the 1952 Ferrari 212 Barchetta from the Ford family collection, a Ferrari Testarossa from the 80s, and the Ferrari Enzo. Ferrari excites people of all ages, including collectors drawn to the brand’s racing pedigree or new enthusiasts thrilled by its speed and design.

Ferrari's presence at the museum connects deeply with fans, thanks to its storied racing history and modern success, including the rise in popularity due to the “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series. We're also seeing a younger demographic engaging with Ferrari, and this passion is reflected in the renewed interest in motorsports and the brand’s exciting new innovations in hypercars and supercars. The brand embodies the racing spirit that Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari always championed. As we continue celebrating Ferrari's legacy, we’re also looking ahead, ensuring that seasoned collectors and new fans stay engaged with this iconic brand.

PENNZOIL: Can you tell us about the special exhibits currently on display for the 30^th anniversary celebration?

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM: We've brought out some of the “crown jewels” from our vault, giving visitors the rare opportunity to view pieces of our collection that are usually preserved behind closed doors.

For technology enthusiasts, we have an interactive Waymo exhibit that explores the history and development of autonomous vehicles. We’re also showcasing hypercars—vehicles valued at more than $1 million, more than 1,000 horsepower, and less than 1,000 made—plus an exhibit featuring concept cars from the 1990s and 2000s. Finally, we have a special BMW and Clarios exhibit that focuses on alternative propulsion, highlighting the future of automotive technology.

We’re also looking forward to our ongoing collaboration with Pennzoil, which will enable us to continue telling stories through various exhibits and events in the future.

Be sure to follow the Petersen Automotive Museum’s latest exhibits and stay connected for upcoming collaborations with Pennzoil by following along on Instagram and YouTube! Also, check out Pennzoil on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.