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Petersen classics move to Reagan Library

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Iconic cars from the Petersen Automotive Museum will be leaving Wilshire Boulevard and taking up temporary residence in Simi Valley at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which will host an “Amazing Automobiles” display beginning Oct. 28.

The display includes Petersen prizes such as Steve McQueen’s 1956 XKSS Jaguar, Elvis Presley’s 1971 DeTomaso Pantera, and Pope John Paul II’s Cadillac Papal Parade Phaeton.

Also headed for the new location are a 1952 Ferrari 212/215 Inter Spyder, a 1913 Mercer Raceabout and a 1939 Bugatti 57C Atalante.

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The cars are leaving the museum to make way for demolition and reconstruction of the Miracle Mile location. The Petersen will close to the public on Oct. 19. Work on the planned $125-million remodelling project begins Nov. 1 and is expected to last at least a year.

During that time, a rotating exhibit of vehicles will be held at the Reagan Libary. The “Hollywood Gallery” exhibit will start Oct. 28 and run through May 1, 2015. It will include a “Batmobile” and the car driven by the title characters in “Thelma & Louise.”

The “Heads of State” exhibit will run from Nov. 15 to October 2015 and will include, in addition to the Popemobile, a 1942 Lincoln Limousine used by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman and a 1938 Packard Super 8 Parade Phaeton used by Argentina’s Juan and Evita Peron.

The aforementioned Ferrari, Bugatti and Mercer will be part of the “Historic Cars Gallery,” which will run from Jan. 31 to May 1, 2015.

The library is open daily from 10 to 5 p.m., closing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. General admission tickets are $16. The museum offers discounts for children. Active military personnel get in free.

Follow me on Twitter: @misterfleming

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