Exciting new Japanese exhibits at Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum has announced plans for its upcoming exhibits set to debut on 26 May, 2018. The first part of the exhibit, titled “The Roots of Monozukuri: Creative Spirit in Japanese Automaking”, will illuminate key elements of Japanese design philosophy in the years preceding its climb to market dominance in the 1970s. In contrast, “Fine Tuning: Japanese-American Customs” will examine the rise of Japanese car customisation in both the home market and the United States, and analyse how the two markets influenced each other to redefine car culture.

Located in the Bruce Meyer Family Gallery presented by Rolex, “The Roots of Monozukuri” exhibit will explore the theme of monozukuri, or “the art, science and craft of making things,” and how it has led to the long-term success of the Japanese automotive industry. Each car will exemplify this theme by highlighting the creativity, innovation, craftsmanship and collaboration central to Japanese manufacturing. Vehicles will include a 1936 Toyoda AA (replica), a 1966 Nissan Silvia, a 1967 Toyota 2000GT, a 1968 Honda N600, and a 1969 Mazda Cosmo. Many of the vehicles for the exhibit are being transported to the US from Japan thanks to the generous support of Nissan, with additional logistical support provided by Mitsubishi.

Running concurrently with “The Roots of Monozukuri” in the Customization Gallery, “Fine Tuning” elaborates on the aesthetic and stylistic conversation between Japanese and American tuners. Focusing on Los Angeles and Japanese car customisers, this exhibit will expose guests to cars that they cannot see elsewhere, from drift and drag cars to highly modified custom machines and more. Key vehicles will include a 1973 Nissan Skyline 2000 GTX “Kenmeri,” a 1991 Toyota Cresta “Kaido” Racer, a 1998 Honda Civic Hatchback Drag Racer and a 1974 Mazda RX-3.

“The Roots of Monozukuri” and “Fine Tuning” will run through April 14, 2019 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.