The Petersen Automotive Museum has just launched “Totally Awesome!”, a dazzling exhibit capturing the very essence of 1980s and ’90s vehicle culture. Opening June 7—and previewed at a vibrant reception on June 6—it reinvents nostalgia by blending iconic supercars, cinematic classics, arcade flair, and period fashion under one roof.
Era-Defining Icons: Featuring supercars like the Lamborghini Countach 5000S, Vector M12, and the crown jewel—1995 McLaren F1—plus rare gems like the Ford F‑150, Audi Sport Quattro Group B, the original Buick GNX, and the NISMO Skyline GT‑R LM for Le Mans fans.
Movie & TV Legends: See the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future and the Beetle from Austin Powers displaying how cars became cinematic stars.
Interactive Culture Vault: Nostalgic elements bring the era to life—vintage arcade cabinets, electronic dashboards, a wall of rotating music-video TVs, mannequins dressed in era fashion, and a curated soundtrack featuring Kenny Loggins, Tom Petty, Fiona Apple, even Dave Matthews.
Visitors are guided through a chronological narrative—not just admiring the machines, but understanding how evolving tech (like CAD, fuel injection, turbocharging) intersected with shifting aesthetic trends, racing regulations, and multimedia influence.
Opening Reception: June 6, 6–9 PM — food, drinks, arcade tokens, 4th-floor access, optional ’80s/’90s attire encouraged
Public Opening: June 7 — free with museum admission ($21 adults; additional $28 for Vault access)
Duration: Runs through April 2026, making it a limited-time nostalgia trip driven by delicate vintage displays
This is more than a car show—it’s a time capsule. By fusing high-performance engineering with arcade culture, fashion, music, and cinema, “Totally Awesome!” offers an immersive journey back to two of the most vivid decades in automotive and cultural history.
The Petersen’s “Totally Awesome!” transcends typical automotive exhibits—it’s a multi-sensory revival of an era when gear-head passion collided with cultural revolution. Whether you’re drawn by the roar of supercars or the glow of arcade cabinets, the museum is bringing ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia roaring back.
🕹️ Time to dust off your cassette playlists and hit the Miracle Mile.
