By Judy Shields
Photos: Jesse Shields/The Hollywood Times and Petersen Automotive Museum – As noted
Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 06/13/2022 – “The 1932 Fords are marquee vehicles synonymous with the origins of hot rodding and worthy of an extended celebration,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “The exhibit, gala and cruise-in will pay tribute to the Fords’ legacy and how they continue to captivate automotive and hot-rodding enthusiasts 90 years after debuting on the market.”
A brand-new exhibit with the most legendary 1932 Fords ever built, a special gala featuring a live performance by ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, and a massive cruise-in will celebrate the renowned hot rods
LOS ANGELES – The Petersen Automotive Museum honored the 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford with a new national holiday, Hot Rod Day on June 11, and celebrated the special day with its new “Ford Fever: The Deuce Turns 90” exhibit in the Ross and Beth Myers Gallery.
Opening to the public on June 11, the new exhibit includes a definitive collection of ground-breaking 1932 Fords such as Doane Spencer’s historic Highboy and the influential McGee Roadster. Luminaries from the hot-rod world, including ZZ Top frontman Billy F. Gibbons and Henry Ford III, will gather for the special Deuce Gala the evening of the opening with a live performance by Gibbons, an award ceremony and a once-in-a-lifetime live auction.
(Photo Petersen Automotive Museum)
The Hollywood Times was invited to cover the event and what an event it was. There were many 1932 Fords to admire, delicious food catered by Taquito Y Mas, an authentic Mexican Catering company and Southern food, pulled chicken sandwiches, baked bean, grilled mac and cheese, Cesar salad, and coleslaw. There was also an open bar for the guest to sip on. I enjoyed my club soda and lime!
They auctioned off two, autographed by Billy F. Gibbons, Epiphone Electric Guitars. Here are the winners:
Once announced that Billy F. Gibbons would be coming up to accept his award, the crowd roared with excitement and thunderous applause! It was a great honor to be there in person to see Billy in person. Here are some photos we captured of the award presentation:
After accepting his award, Billy was escorted away and the opening act, took the stage. The frontman talked about how he met Billy and that he has opened for him quite often. The band was really good and got the crowed ready for Billy himself.
The announcement was made that Billy was now coming onstage to play. The whistling, clapping and cheering was over the top and I had to stomp my feet in excitement as I was holding my cellphone to take a few photos. It is nice to have a photographer along to take the photos. Billy F. Gibbons disappointed NO one. From the minute he put on his electric guitar and played his first note until he took it off and said goodnight, he brought back some amazing memories of the first time we heard Billy, along with the late Dusty Hill and Frank Beard known as ZZ Top perform their signature songs, like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.”
On Sunday, June 12, the museum’s annual Deuce Day Cruise-In will be hosted at the Petersen Automotive Museum and will attempt to be the largest gathering of 1932 Fords in Southern California.
Stars of the new “Ford Fever: The Deuce Turns 90” exhibit include the famous McGee 1932 Roadster. Originally owned and built by Bob McGee, it paved the way for hot rods by combining speed and beauty with its shaved door handles, welded decklid, louvers and seamless look. McGee’s Roadster would later make appearances in a host of television shows and movies, including “Hot Rod Gang” and an episode of “Happy Days,” before being showcased on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Another icon on display is Doane Spencer’s 1932 Ford Highboy, which won several show awards in the 1940s. Bored with the show circuit, Spencer took his Highboy racing at El Mirage and extensively modified it for Mexico’s Carrera Panamericana road race. Other iconic 1932 Fords on display include the coupes of Doyle Gammell and Andy Kassa and the roadsters of Ermie Immerso and Ray Brown.
Held the same evening as the exhibit’s opening, the Deuce Gala is a mid-year celebration recognizing luminaries in the hot-rod world. The museum will present the Hot Rod Icon Award to legendary musician Billy F. Gibbons, the frontman for the rock group ZZ Top and a renowned automotive enthusiast. Tickets were $250 and consisted of a 45-minute performance from Gibbons, access to a live auction, complimentary dinner, an open bar and admission to the annual Deuce Day Cruise-In taking place the following day.
Capping off the weekend is the Petersen’s annual Deuce Day Cruise-in, where many of the museum’s greatest hot rods, including several AMBR winners, will be involved in what is slated to be one of the largest gatherings of 1932 Fords in Southern California.
For more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit www.Petersen.org.
About Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, 90036. Admission prices are $17 for general admission adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for children ages 4 to 17. Active military with ID, personal care attendants and children under age four are admitted free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For general information, call 323-930-CARS or visit www.petersen.org.