Exhibit to show cars of important people

The Petersen Automotive Museum, a nonprofit organization, is presenting “Presidents, Popes and Potentates: Cars of Heads of State” as its feature exhibition of 2005.

The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 22, showcases automobiles associated with leaders from a wide variety of political persuasions from around the globe.

The exhibition features 20 stately and unusual cars like the Popemobile, a 1956 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton used by the White House, the open Packard used by Argentine strongman Juan Peron and his wife Evita, and the first Humvee built for civilian use, owned by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Petersen Automotive Museum is at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $6 per car. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Though modern security elements are highly classified, a special display describes the advanced protection requirements of modern leaders and how armoring companies have evolved to meet the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated weapons. The exhibit lets museum guests to look closely at the bullet-resistant glass, selfcontained air conditioning and purification systems and special communications installations.

“The Petersen is excited to showcase this landmark exhibit of the automotive choices of royalty, heads of state and important dignitaries from throughout the 20th Century,” said Dick Messer, Petersen Automotive Museum director. “The exhibit is a great cross-section of important vehicles that provide an in-depth look at some of the most high-profile cars of the era.”

Vehicles on display include:

The Shah of Iran’s 1939 Bugatti Type 57C.

A 1978 Hong-Qi limousine built in China for the Dalai Lama.

A 1956 Cadillac armored limousine given by the U.S. government to His Majesty the Late King Hussein of Jordan.

A 1936 Lanchester straighteight tourer ordered new by His Highness the Maharajah of Pratapgarh.

For more information, call (323) 930-CARS (930-2277) or visit www.petersen.org.