The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles is a great place to enjoy America's car history, and many times there are notable Corvettes on display.

Here's some of its events and exhibitions through July 31, 2011.

SUPERCARS: WHEN TOO MUCH IS ALMOST ENOUGH


Open through October 16, 2011
Grand Salon
Supercars have existed since the first decade of the twentieth century and while their mechanical and design specifications have evolved from era to era, they have always had in common immensely powerful engines, minimal passenger carrying capacity, adventurous mechanical specifications, and a commanding presence.  Like supermarkets, supermodels, and supercomputers, supercars represent an extreme.  More than mere transportation, they offer a bold and extroverted means to express oneself. 



CURATOR’S TOUR – SUPERCARS: WHEN TOO MUCH IS ALMOST ENOUGH
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
7:30 p.m. Grand Salon
Join Petersen Automotive Museum Curator Leslie Kendall as he guides you through Supercars: When Too Much is Almost Enough to explore the fastest-moving genre in the automotive world. Reservations recommended for all programs.  Call 323-964-6347, email cdrescher@petersen.org  for more information or to RSVP.

SAFETY BELT SAFE U.S.A ANNUAL CHECK-UP AT THE PETERSEN
Saturday, April 16, 2011
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Petersen Parking Structure
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., the national non-profit organization dedicated to child passenger safety, partners with the Petersen Automotive Museum to present the annual Safety Seat Checkup Day. Check your vehicle for proper use of child safety seats and get a current, comprehensive recall list in the family resource packets. Reservations required.  Call 323-964-6308 for more information or to reserve your time today.



ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

NHRA: SIXTY YEARS OF THUNDER
Through May 29, 2011
Gordon R. Howard Gallery
Explore the colorful and exciting history of one of America’s most popular motorsports. From the wild Gassers and Altereds, to nitro-burning top fuel dragsters and fabulous funny cars, the Petersen Automotive Museum will be filled with enough horsepower to change the Earth’s rotation!

IMAGINING THE FUTURE:
The Southern California Automotive Design Studio,
Presented in Cooperation with Art Center College of Design
Ongoing Exhibit
Visitors will see a comparison of a 1930's studio with a modern-day studio with various examples of the creative process in 2-D and 3-D form from different points in California's rich automotive history. Design demonstrations by Art Center students will occur in the exhibit on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from approximately 10am-3pm.
 
HOT WHEELS® HALL OF FAME
The Hot Wheels Hall of Fame at the Petersen Automotive Museum, features Hot Wheels® full-size and die-cast cars, original models, wooden patterns, injection molds and drawings of original vehicle designs.
 
ALTERNATIVE POWER: LESSONS FROM THE PAST, INSPIRATION FOR THE FUTURE
From the highly styled 1963 Chrysler Turbine to the General Motors EV1, automobiles equipped with innovative propulsion systems are presented to illustrate the growth of alternative vehicle technology.

MAY FAMILY DISCOVERY CENTER
Open Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm
The May Family Discovery Center is an interactive learning center that teaches basic scientific principles using the fundamental elements of the car.