Blog: Venture Into the Automobile Driving Museum

I recently had the pleasure of touring the Automobile Driving Museum (ADM) in El Segundo.

Now, I’m not what you’d call a ‘car person.’

I’m not mechanically inclined and don’t know a thing about engines or how they work. I couldn’t tell a crankshaft from a muffler or a piston from a spark plug. My car has a turbo engine and I have no idea what that means, but I’m pretty sure ABS is a good thing, right?

No, I’m definitely not a car person—but I’ve always admired vintage vehicles.

Those of us fortunate enough to live in the South Bay have a front row seat to the spectacle that is automotive history.

The South Bay is home to numerous car shows and events—from the sophisticated Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance to local car club rallies and the weekly Cruise at the Beach at Ruby’s Diner. There is no better place on earth to behold the Southern California car culture.

Everyone can appreciate the classic lines, the retro color schemes, the attention to detail and the purr—or ROAR—of the engines. From the hood ornament to tail lights, they are an art form.

Located at 610 Lairport St. in El Segundo, the ADM exists to preserve automotive history with an impressive, rotating collection of 150 classic, antique and historic cars on display.

Every Sunday, the ADM offers guests the opportunity to take a drive in a piece of history, and it may very well be the only car museum in the world to do this.

So, my friend Missy and I made plans to meet at the museum and treat ourselves to a Sunday afternoon drive in a classic automobile.

The museum was celebrating its sixth anniversary on the day of our visit and had a full staff on hand to answer questions, tour the facility and take visitors out for a drive in cars from the collection.

After checking in at the desk and signing a waiver, we were given a choice of one of several pristine vehicles parked in front of the museum for our drive

Wanting to take advantage of the gorgeous weather, we chose a convertible.

We climbed into the cream colored, 1947 Studebaker Champion and enjoyed a 10-minute trip around the neighborhood while our driver, Andrew, answered our questions. I don’t often have the opportunity to drive in a car that attracts the gaze of every pedestrian and motorist in view! It was a rare treat.

Upon our return to the museum, we were taken on a guided tour of the facility and collection by none other than the Honorable Mayor of El Segundo, Carl Jacobson, who happens to be the Lead Docent for the ADM.

As we strolled through the aisles of gleaming cars, oohing and aahing, Carl graciously shared his knowledge and the history of this very impressive collection.

There was a car owned by Eleanor Roosevelt, another owned by Joseph Stalin and several others belonging to Hollywood movie stars and other celebrities, including Howard Hughes. One of my favorites was an incredibly stylish 1942 Packard Henney Ambulance. The core of the collection features some great examples of Packard spanning from 1916 through 1958. (The museum website has a comprehensive list of the collection with all pertinent information.)

Carl saved the best for last and showed us the spectacular cars housed in a climate controlled room. Enclosed by glass walls, the space features a 1937 Pierce Arrow Town Car, a 1930 Stutz, a 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible and others.

Visitors are not allowed to enter the room and with good reason—these extraordinary vehicles could trigger a tendency to revert to childish behavior—I had this thought with my nose pressed to the glass. These were some of the most remarkable automobiles I’ve ever seen—but don’t take my word for it.

Make a point to visit the Automobile Driving Museum. This world-class facility is conveniently located right here in the South Bay and offers a unique perspective of automotive history, culture and art.

Best of all, you get to ride in a really cool car.

The ADM is a non-profit organization and offers a variety of ways for you to lend your support. A donation of $5 per adult is suggested and children are admitted free.

The ADM is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the website at automobiledrivingmuseum.org or call 310-909-0950.

If you would like to read about some of my other adventures in the South Bay, visit my website.