COVID-19 NOTE: Due to the virus, Los Angeles is in lockdown and all museums are closed until further notice.
We Angelinos love our cars, and The Nethercutt Collection is one of the best car museums in the world. (Autoweek Magazine said so, and who are we to disagree?) Housing everything from a stunning 1933 Dusenberg (costing $20,000 when it was NEW) to a vintage 1947 Ford Woody to a tricked-out 1979 Lincoln lowrider, there’s a lot to love. Each car is kept in working order and gets driven regularly on the Los Angeles freeways. Even the Dusey!
Some of the fanciest cars are shown off to best advantage in an opulent replica of a high-end showroom from the 1920s, complete with marble columns and glittering chandeliers.
Also see their collection of automotive memorabilia, such as hood ornaments. The glass Lalique ones are gorgeous but can you imagine driving about with one on your car??
The top floor is filled with automated musical instruments. Each one is completely mechanical, from the days before electrical or digital anything. They are physically beautiful (some are enormous) and the music they make is absolutely magical.
The combination of cars and musical instruments is a bit odd, to be sure, but it makes for a very interesting day out!
NOTE: The Nethercutt Collection is free but you must have reservations (and they do fill up so plan ahead). The Nethercutt Museum is across the street and free to walk in any time they’re open. Be sure to see both!
