Past Exhibitions
Our themed exhibitions rotate every three to four months. With each exhibit rotation, we must say goodbye to vehicles loaned to the San Diego Automotive Museum from private collections and other prestigious automotive museums. We have been fortunate to house specially curated collections throughout the years.
Lewis DeSoto's Conquest
With his automotive-based sculpture Conquest (2004), artist Lewis deSoto examines the relationship between his Cahuilla background and his distant ancestor (conquistador Hernando de Soto) within the context of the automotive industry, which in its branding appropriates terms, imagery, and aesthetics related to the brutal conquest of the Americas. Conquest subtly interrogates the mythologies and identities of Southern California through the lens of midcentury capitalism. Per Mr. deSoto, "Conquest is a project to trace the ironic threads of DeSoto: automobile, conquistador, myself and our culture. It proposes that the metaphor of history is a set of divergent parallel universes in which to traverse and communicate with."
On Exhibit:
- Lewis DeSoto, Conquest (2004)
Salute to San Diego's Troops
Since the arrival of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo in 1542, San Diego's port has been an important geopolitical location in the Western World. In 1774 the Spanish constructed the Presidio, a fortress overlooking the bay, establishing the first military presence in the region. San Diego became part of the United Stated after the Mexican-American War. The US further developed its military infrastructure in California throughout the years, with an enormous increase after and leading up to World War II. San Diego hosts all major branches of the US military, and their impact on major industries, population and economic growth, and city infrastructure cannot be understated. We salute the 200,000 veterans and 140,000 active duty servicemembers of San Diego!
On Exhibit:
- 1942 Willys MB "Jeep"
- 1964 Willys M38A1 "Jeep"
San Diego Lowriders
Lowriders are an important aspect of Southern California's car culture, and San Diego lowriders are no exception.
Lowriding began in the 1940s and 50s and Chicano youth modified their cars with hydraulic or air suspension systems that could raise and lower their vehicles. The lowrider car style has since become a cultural phenomenon, representing a unique form of artistic expression and a symbol of cultural pride.
San Diego Lowriders are known for their elaborate paint jobs, intricate designs, and hydraulic or air suspension systems that can make the car bounce or dance. These cars are often seen at car shows, cruising the streets, or participating in events. They have become a form of identity and a representation of the Latine community in San Diego. San Diego Lowriders have also had a significant impact on American pop culture, inspiring music, fashion, and film. Through their creativity and passion, San Diego Lowriders have created a unique automotive art form that continues to inspire and captivate people from all walks of life.
Come on down and see what new Lowriders we have on display in our rotating San Diego Lowriders exhibit!
On Exhibit:
- Varies week to week
- 2000 Gilroy-Indian Chief "El Indio De Oro"
SD Lowriding featuring the Black Lowriders Association of San Diego
Lowriding in San Diego dates back to the 1950s and represents an intersection of cultures and communities with a wide reach in the postwar period. Black lowriders from Southeast San Diego cruised Imperial and Euclid, meeting at spots like Big Bear Market and Paul Lowe’s Liquor, in their cars that were sometimes driven straight to a hydraulics shop from the dealership. Although deeply rooted in the past, Black lowriders in San Diego are part of a thriving and dynamic community, with the Black Lowriders Association of San Diego committed to building bridges, fostering mentorship and positive influence, and uniting clubs across the western US.
Power of Porsche: From Stuttgart to SoCal
(June 15, 2024 to November 24, 2024) Though a relatively small automotive marque, Porsche has emerged as a defining influence on the automotive aspirations of the Western world in the postwar era. Over its 70-year history, Porsche has achieved an iconic status, instantly recognizable to even non-enthusiasts. Southern California plays a significant role in the Porsche legacy, with collectors and club members in this region contributing to the brand's vibrant worldwide community and exemplifying the enduring allure of Porsche. The Power of Porsche: From Stuttgart to SoCal will feature 6-8 of these locally owned machines from various eras, showcasing their singular design, engineering, and outsize cultural influence.
Power of Porsche: Evolution of a Supercar
(June 15, 2024 to August 4, 2024) From the lightweight and top-performing 1973 Carrera RS, born of homologation requirements in racing, to the ultra-high tech 2019 935, The Power of Porsche: Evolution of a Supercar chronicles the Porsche obsession with shattering its own records at the Nürburgring, fueling the evolution of the marque’s timeless and superlative vehicles and influencing the development of all supercars. The exhibit will feature a 1973 Carrera RS Touring, 1988 959 Komfort, 2004 Carrera GT, 2015 918 Spyder Weissach, and 2019 935- a truly remarkable collection of Porsche supercars from a single stable.
Unpopular Mechanics
01/12/2023 - 04/02/2023
While certain cars are cemented in public memory as classics due to their exceptional craftsmanship, mechanical reliability, or aesthetic beauty, others garner disdain at their very mention. The negative reputation of these vehicles typically stems from things like mechanical or design issues, radically new exteriors, or just bad publicity. Cars such as the Ford Edsel or the Pontiac Aztek are prime examples of cars that were disappointing to or poorly received by consumers.
Many of these automotive "failures" were the result of circumstance, media hype, or rushed production, with notorious mechanical issues quickly ironed out as production continued. Unfortunately, bad first impressions are hard to undo. Yet despite their poor reputations, these vehicles were typically genuine attempts at innovation that were often ahead of their time; some, like the Corvair, sold quite well considering the bad press.
Each such example of "unpopular mechanics" has a similar origin story. While these vehicles were misfires at the time of their release, modern vehicles incorporate similar design philosophies, some of which are now seen as industry standard or even cutting-edge. As so many of these ground-breaking but infamous cars are interesting innovations in retrospect, many are appreciated by contemporary car enthusiasts, garnering significant cult followings due to appearances in museums, films, television, and other media. With time, these vehicles were seen as critical steps in the automotive industry's road forward and certainly will not be the last cars of their kind.
Elusive Luxuries
10/08/2022 - 01/08/2023
Supercars combine technical sophistication, exotic looks, a high top speed, quick acceleration, and a commanding presence, offering drivers a unique and exhilarating experience. Rare, exclusive, and expensive, supercars feature far more power and performance improvements than are necessary for everyday motoring, yet this very impracticality only heightens their appeal.
Cars With Character
07/15/2022 - 09/25/2022
Cars With Character showcases the distinct looks and abilities of an amazing variety of cars that are used in films and TV. Cars and motorcycles on display play many roles in TV and film, acting as characters, settings, plot devices, or backgrounds. These iconic vehicles are featured in a wide variety of movie and show genres, reflecting characters and letting filmmakers tell stories in relatable ways.
Vision vs Reality
06/08/2019 - 10/12/2019
Vision. Engineering. Process. Experimentation. Reality.
Dreams are hard to bring to life. The original vision is almost always different from the final reality. Taking a delicate and dramatic design and fashioning that vision info a functional vehicle requires numerous adjustments, refinements, and compromises. Some for the better, some for the worse. It is fascinating to see the original vision side-by-side with its ultimate reality.
Come see the vision ... and the reality.
ICONS: Cars that Drove Our Imagination
02/02/2019 - 06/01/2019
Icon: A person or object that is revered. Iconic vehicles set new standards in technology, design, and popularity, inspiring deep feelings and esteem in their adherents.
In some cases, a vehicle becomes iconic for its accessibility, affordability, reliability and endearment to the masses. "Cars of the people" are iconic in that they have stood the test of time and hold special places in public's heart. Certain models are etched in the public psyche for what they brought to the industry.
The vehicles featured in ICONS: Cars that Drove Our Imagination pay homage to automotive excellence and reverence.
Three Decades in the Rearview
10/13/2018 - 01/26/2019
The San Diego Automotive Museum opened in December of 1988 with the exhibit Power and Glory, the Evolution of Racing. For the following 30 years it would go on to exhibit vehicles from all around the globe, cars and motorcycles of all makes, models, and styles. Most importantly, the museum celebrated the culture surrounding automobiles. Focusing not only on the technology, but also on the romance surrounding every vehicle whether they be race cars, hot rods, muscle cars, coaches, customs, lowriders, off-road, or even vehicles of the two or three-wheeled variety.
We of the San Diego Automotive Museum have encapsulated this rich 30-year history in our Three Decades in the Rearview exhibit. Trying to distill 30 years of automotive culture, excellence, and excitement in one building and in one exhibit is a challenging task, but we hope you enjoy the variety and uniqueness of the vehicles displayed here and we trust that each vehicle will inspire you to learn more about the genre of automotive culture it represents.
Steampunk!
06/08/2018 - 10/07/2018
Generally defined as a subgenre of speculative fiction, Steampunk is science fiction and fantasy where early industrial technology is steam-powered and based in Victorian and Edwardian eras as epitomized in the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Steampunk incorporates fashion, design, art, music, vehicle creations, literature, and more into its sensibilities: a stunning view of what could have been.
Glorious Rat Rods
02/01/2018 - 06/03/2018
A custom of rust. Instead of loathing rust and the degradations of time, as many do in the car scene, the Rat Rodder welcomes and embraces it. Time and life may have taken their toll, but Rats see beauty in what is often discarded and left to disintegrate. Resurrecting the old and making something new, with no rules or boundaries, is the Rat Rodder's goal. While the majority of Rat Rods seem to be born of vehicles from the ‘20s and ‘30s, vehicles of any make, model, or time are fair game. All Rats, No Mercy! Some Rat Rodders have even developed methods to bring about rust and stylized decay to add to their creation's appearance. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, indeed.
Japanese Steel
06/03/2017 - 09/17/2017
The history of Japanese car manufacturing is rich with practicality, innovation, and exuberance. Like all auto development, the initial goal was simple transportation. This then blossomed into innovation and performance.
To put a spotlight on the variety of Japanese automotive expertise, the San Diego Automotive Museum has gathered a unique collection of Japanese classic cars, many of which were not originally sold in the United States.