Historic Long Beach GP Race Cars on Display at Petersen Museum for 50th Anniversary
In celebration of the Long Beach Grand Prix's 50th anniversary, the Petersen Automotive Museum is featuring a special exhibit of five iconic race cars that shaped the event's history from March 20 through April 8.
Vintage race car in motion
The free exhibit, displayed in the museum's lobby, showcases vehicles from three distinct eras: Formula 5000, Formula 1, and IndyCar. These historic cars will later participate in the Historic Formula Exhibition during race weekend, marking the first time all three types will race together.
Featured vehicles include:
- 1974 Formula 5000 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755 (owned by Tom Malloy)
- 1976 March 761 F1 car (owned by Richard Griot)
- 1980 McLaren M30 F1 car (owned by Sean Allen)
- 1981 All-American Racers Eagle 8100 IndyCar (owned by Dennis Firestone)
- 1999 Reynard IndyCar (owned by Erich Joiner)
The Eagle 755, which won the 1975 Long Beach pole position with Vern Schuppan driving, holds particular significance as the first car to ever run on the Long Beach street circuit. The March 761 was piloted by Vittorio Brambilla in 1976, while the McLaren M30 was notably driven by Alain Prost during the 1980 F1 season.
"Racing in Long Beach has been an important part of American motorsports for five decades," said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian. "This exhibit offers a rare opportunity to celebrate its legacy, allowing fans to see these legendary machines up close and in action during race weekend."
The Petersen Automotive Museum, located on Los Angeles' Miracle Mile, continues its tradition of preserving automotive history through this comprehensive display of racing excellence.