The Petersen Automotive Museum will open Legends of the Dirt on December 7, 2025, a major exhibition in the Nearburg Gallery dedicated to landmark machines from many forms of off-road motor sport. Supported by Optima Batteries, the display will run until January 2027.
The exhibition will feature vehicles from the SCORE Baja 1000, King of the Hammers and the World Rally Championship, alongside entries from stadium truck racing, motorcycle hillclimbing and other specialist disciplines. The showcase will examine the engineering developments driven by off-road competition, including advances in all-wheel drive, suspension systems, durability technologies and on-board communications.
Confirmed exhibits include Tanner Foust’s 2017 Volkswagen Beetle GRC, the 1983 Lancia Rally 037, the 1995 Herbst LandShark, Nobuhiro Tajima’s twin-engined 1993 Suzuki Cultus Pikes Peak Special (pictured above), the 2010 Coleworx Screamin’ Blue, the 1970 Ford Bronco Big Oly and the first King of the Hammers-winning Ford Bronco, plus a selection of notable off-road motorcycles.
“This exhibit represents one of the few automotive sectors we haven’t covered in much detail before,” said Terry L Karges, executive director of the Petersen. “Thanks to our partnership with Optima Batteries, this exhibition couldn’t come at a better time – and we are excited to welcome guests to explore this beloved sector in motor sport.”
For more information on Legends of the Dirt, head here.
