Inside the Berg Family Library at the San Diego Automotive Museum
The San Diego Automotive Museum has a wide range of attractions that includes permanent and visiting exhibits, educational opportunities, and much more.
Themed exhibits rotate every three to four months and have included: Unpopular Mechanics, an exhibit showcasing vehicles that were unpopular in and often ahead of their time, but many that are now seen as industry standard or even cutting-edge; Steve McQueen, which takes a look at the world-famous racer and actor’s life on the road and behind the cameras; and Barn Find, which replicates the feeling of opening a barn door and finding a perfectly preserved classic car.
Current exhibits include:
1942 Willys MB Jeep at the San Diego Automotive Museum
Salute to San Diego’s Troops
To show appreciation for the 200,000 veterans and 140,000 active duty service members of San Diego, the San Diego Automotive Museum is inviting current and past United States service members to sign their names on two designated Willys Jeep hoods: the 1942 Willys MB “Jeep” and the 1964 Willys M38A1 “Jeep”.
San Diego Lowriders Front of the 1964 Chevy Impala Six42lo at the San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Lowriders
A unique form of artistic expression and a symbol of cultural pride, the Lowrider traces its roots back to the 1940s and 1950s, where Chicano youth modified their cars with hydraulic or air suspension systems that could raise and lower their vehicles.
Two Lowriders currently on exhibit include the 1948 Fleetline Lowrider and the 2000 Gilroy-Indian Chief “El Indio De Oro”.
Harley-Davidson Collection
William S. Harley drew his first motorcycle engine plans in 1901. Today, Harley-Davidson is one of the most known names in the motorcycle community and beyond. The museum's collection takes a look at the history of Harley-Davidson and some of its most popular work of the 1900s.
Some current Harley-Davidson motorcycles on exhibit include the 1916 Harley-Davidson V-Twin 16F, the 1926 Harley-Davidson Model A “Peashooter,” and the 1981 Harley-Davidson Heritage Edition FLH80.
1947 Indian Chief Motorcycle at the San Diego Automotive Museum
Indian Motorcycles
1901 wasn't just the year of Harley-Davidson's origin. Soon to become one of the most famous motorcycles in the world, Indian Motorcycles were also taking off in 1901.
A designer and engineer named Carl Oscar Hedstrom, along with his partner George M Hendee, provided the first production motorized bicycle, known then as a “motocycle.”
The museum exhibit takes a look at Indian Motorcycles' history, including its relaunch in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, in 2008.
Louie Mattars Fabulous Cadillac at the San Diego Automotive Museum
Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car
Did you know that you can drive from San Diego to New York and back without stopping? If you don't believe it, all you need to do is look up Louie Mattar.
The San Diego Automotive Museum's exhibit teaches you all about Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car. He built his dream Cadillac in 1952 and proceeded to make a 6,320-mile trip without stopping, fueling from a moving gas truck as needed. His car was even equipped with a stove, refrigerator, sink, and all the other necessities of home, all stored under the cushions!
The Plank Road at the San Diego Automotive Museum
Plank Road
Created in the early 1900s, Plank Road was a necessity for those who traveled through the hot desert and high sand dunes of Imperial County. The single-lane road was not without issues though, including traffic jams and needing to pull off to let other drivers pass in the opposite direction.
Despite its dangers, people who traveled the road always considered it an adventure, and some people even took picnics with them as they traveled the road purely for amusement. The museum's display teaches you more about the road's history and importance.