Q&A: Michael Bodell, COO of the Petersen Automotive Museum

As part of its Long May We Drive campaign, automotive lubricants company Pennzoil has been conducting interviews with racers, influencers and other prominent figures in the automotive aftermarket.

Next on the list is Michael Bodell, COO of the Petersen Automotive Museum. For more than 30 years, the Petersen has been at the forefront of preserving automotive history, igniting passion in car enthusiasts of all ages through key exhibits and unique auto-related events.

Together, Pennzoil and the Petersen Automotive Museum look to celebrate the spirit of driving and ensure the legacy of automotive culture thrives for generations to come.

Q: This year marks the Petersen Automotive Museum’s 30th anniversary, and you recently hosted a special gala to celebrate. How has the museum evolved, and what did attendees experience at the gala?

Bodell: When the museum first opened, it focused primarily on American automotive history, serving as more of a local attraction. Since our renovation in 2015, we’ve expanded our focus globally, curating a collection that represents car culture worldwide.

Our exhibits now span many eras and themes, appealing to a much more diverse and international audience. We celebrated this evolution with our 30th-anniversary gala, our largest fundraising event of the year. We honored Bruce Meyer, our founding chairman and a key figure in the museum’s growth.

The funds raised will support future exhibits and educational programs, helping us to continue expanding. This year’s gala sold out within a week of being announced, showing just how much enthusiasm there is for the museum’s future.

The support ensures we can continue preserving automotive history and inspiring future generations while showcasing the museum’s role in shaping the global automotive narrative.

Q: The Petersen Automotive Museum has a rich history of showcasing Ferrari heritage. Can you speak to the significance of Ferrari in the museum’s collection and any Ferrari-related activations?

Bodell: One of the big exhibits we opened for our 30^th anniversary is a celebration of significant Ferraris from each decade, housed in our Legends Gallery. One of the highlights is the first Ferrari ever built, the 1947 Ferrari 125 S, chassis number 01C. This car is displayed alongside other iconic Ferraris, such as the 1952 Ferrari 212 Barchetta from the Ford family collection, a Ferrari Testarossa from the ’80s and the Ferrari Enzo.

Ferrari excites people of all ages, including collectors drawn to the brand’s racing pedigree or new enthusiasts thrilled by its speed and design.

Ferrari’s presence at the museum connects deeply with fans, thanks to its storied racing history and modern success, including the rise in popularity due to the “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series. We’re also seeing a younger demographic engaging with Ferrari, and this passion is reflected in the renewed interest in motorsports and the brand’s exciting new innovations in hypercars and supercars.

The brand embodies the racing spirit that Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari always championed. As we continue celebrating Ferrari’s legacy, we’re also looking ahead, ensuring that seasoned collectors and new fans stay engaged with this iconic brand.

Q: Pennzoil has played a vital role in supporting events such as Petersen Digital Car Week, Ferrari Cruise-ins and the Ultimate Supercar Showdown series on YouTube. How has the company’s involvement contributed to the success of these initiatives and the museum’s broader mission?

Bodell: The museum’s mission is to preserve and present the history of the automobile, and our collaborations with Pennzoil have allowed us to deliver on that mission. Initiatives such as the Ultimate Supercar Showdown and Digital Car Week extend our audience beyond the museum walls, showing cars in motion and telling the stories behind them.

They also let us connect with new and established car enthusiasts, sharing their passion while keeping these vehicles alive for future generations.

Q: How does Pennzoil’s Long May We Drive campaign align with the museum’s mission?

Bodell: The campaign resonates deeply with our mission. We see cars not only as objects but as expressions of freedom and personal stories. Our collaboration lets us emphasize the passion for driving, whether it’s preserving classic cars or celebrating future classics.

The campaign also allows us to share untold stories of vehicles from the 1980s, ’90s and early 2000s—cars becoming the new wave of collector’s items.

Q: Can you tell us about the special exhibits currently on display for the 30th anniversary celebration?

Bodell: We’ve brought out some of the “crown jewels” from our vault, giving visitors the rare opportunity to view pieces of our collection that are usually preserved behind closed doors.

For technology enthusiasts, we have an interactive Waymo exhibit that explores the history and development of autonomous vehicles. We’re also showcasing hypercars—vehicles valued at more than $1 million, more than 1,000 hp and fewer than 1,000 made—plus an exhibit featuring concept cars from the 1990s and 2000s.

Finally, we have a special BMW and Clarios exhibit that focuses on alternative propulsion, highlighting the future of automotive technology. We’re also looking forward to our ongoing collaboration with Pennzoil, which will enable us to continue telling stories through various exhibits and events in the future.