A captivating new exhibit at the Petersen will have gearheads scratching their heads, and asking the question, what were they thinking?

If you clicked on this blog because of the photo of the 1908 Scripps-Booth Bi-Auto, then congratulations, you are truly an old-car geek. And now for a confession: so am I. According to the press release sent to us by the Petersen Automotive Museum, the 1908 Scripps-Booth Bi-Auto was “designed to be driven on two large, wood-spoke wheels like a motorcycle, although two pairs of small outrigger wheels could be deployed for balance at slow speeds.  The 3,200-pound car is powered by one of the first automotive V-8 engines manufactured in Detroit and features an aluminum body with concealed door hinges and a generous amount of copper tubing that served as the radiator.  It was intended for limited production, but remained unique.”

If the Scripps-Booth doesn’t do it for you, then how about the French-built 1932 Helicron, which resembles a grounded airplane. According to the Petersen press release, “It has rear-wheel steering, but no front suspension. Like the propeller driven Leyat and Traction Aerienne (built approximately one decade prior) the Helicron is extremely noisy and drafty when underway, and both driver and passenger would be advised to wear both goggles and headgear for comfort. Regularly driven by the owner, the Helicron has passed the French safety inspection and can be legally driven on French roads.”

If this kind of curiosity is your kind of fare, plan on dropping by the Petersen to see the Misfits Of Motordom between February 28 and September 20, 2009. The admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children under 12.

Source:
Petersen Automotive Museum
323-930-CARS
www.petersen.org