The Petersen Automotive Museum, located at the heart of Los Angeles, is renowned for its groundbreaking exhibits celebrating automotive history and culture. Their latest exhibition, Best in Low, marks the museum’s largest and most prestigious lowrider showcase to date, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship, artistry, and cultural significance behind these iconic vehicles. This exhibit featured some of the most awarded and historically significant lowriders, including “Gypsy Rose,” a cultural icon, alongside others such as “Final Score,” “Double Trouble,” and “Dead Presidents.”
The Challenge
The museum wanted to create an unforgettable experience for visitors, showcasing the vehicles and the art and culture that make Lowriding unique. The exhibit had to honor the intricate design, engineering, and multi-generational craftsmanship involved in lowriders while utilizing the expansive space of the Mullin Family Grand Salon, the museum’s most significant exhibition space. This required a careful balance between maintaining the authenticity of lowrider culture and curating a modern, engaging experience for a diverse audience.
The Petersen Automotive Museum approached FGPG and its sister company, Show Ready, to help bring the vision for Best in Low to life. As a longtime partner of the museum, FGPG had already collaborated on seven previous exhibits, making them an ideal fit for handling the scale and complexity of this project.
The Solution
FGPG’s approach was grounded in creating an immersive, awe-inspiring experience that combined the artistry of lowriding with dynamic, high-impact exhibit design.
Awe-Inspiring Centerpiece:
The central focus was a 16-foot display of custom-painted car hoods sourced from artists nationwide. Installed beneath a dramatic staircase, this feature paid homage to the craftsmanship of lowrider artists and acted as the visual centerpiece of the exhibit. It showcased the artistry of the low-riding community while drawing visitors into the heart of the exhibition space.
Showcasing Every Detail:
FGPG designed each vehicle display to emphasize the craftsmanship behind every lowrider. Every skill was featured with precision, from painting and pinstriping to silver leafing and leatherwork. Special custom mirror trays were installed beneath vehicles, giving attendees a close-up view of the hydraulic systems and unique mechanical elements that define lowriders. One vehicle was displayed on three wheels, reflecting the culture’s signature lowrider style.
Utilizing Vertical Space:
Beyond the centerpiece, FGPG employed custom graphics and specialized lighting to fill every square inch of the exhibit space, drawing attention to the vehicles and the upper walls. Lighting elements were carefully placed to transition visitors’ focus from ground level to the incredible details above.
Sustainable, Repurposed Design:
In a nod to Lowriding’s ethos of customization and reuse, FGPG repurposed several exhibit components, including display cases, platforms, and dividing walls, to meet the exhibit’s unique needs. One notable example was the transformation of a platform previously used to display a Tesla Roadster, now supporting a classic lowrider “bomb” from the 1950s.
Collaboration and Execution
The exhibit was a testament to the seamless collaboration between FGPG, Show Ready, and the Petersen team. FGPG’s team worked closely with Bryan Stevens (Director of Exhibitions) and Michael Bodell (Chief Operating Officer) to ensure every detail aligned with the museum’s vision.
“Working with FGPG was an absolute joy,” said Stevens. “They understand our needs with such precision that we can communicate ideas almost telepathically.”
FGPG’s expertise in experiential design, combined with their shared passion for automotive culture, created an intuitive, fast-moving partnership
Results
Record Attendance: Best in Low attracted thousands of visitors within the first few weeks of its opening, with significant media attention spotlighting the exhibit’s cultural and historical importance.
Visitor Engagement: Every inch of the exhibit encouraged interaction, from the eye-catching displays to the mirrors highlighting the intricate details beneath each vehicle.
Positive Feedback: Attendees and museum staff praised the exhibit for its authentic representation of lowrider culture and breathtaking design. The exhibit set a new standard for large-scale automotive displays at the museum.
Conclusion
Best in Low is a prime example of FGPG’s ability to bring culturally significant, highly artistic exhibits to life through thoughtful, immersive design. FGPG’s deep understanding of the lowriding community and their expertise in fabrication and experiential marketing helped transform the Petersen Automotive Museum’s vision into a fully realized, unforgettable exhibit.
