The Petersen Automotive Museum’s newest exhibit, “GM’s Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars from the Joe Bortz Collection,” is now open in the Audrey and Martin Gruss Foundation Gallery. This exhibit showcases the legacy of GM Motorama shows in the 1950s, featuring six extremely rare GM concept cars displayed together for the first time.
Cars on display include the 1955 LaSalle II Roadster, 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, 1955 LaSalle Sedan, 1953 Buick Wildcat, the 1953 Pontiac Parisienne and a completely original and unrestored 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special. The exhibit highlights the history of General Motors’ traveling Motorama shows, which legendary GM stylist Harley Earl used to present experimental non-production cars that featured unique design and technological concepts. A few of the vehicles, like the Corvette, even went into production.
Most “Dream Cars” were sent to scrap yards after their time in the spotlight, but four were saved from near destruction at Warhoops Auto and Truck Parts in Sterling Heights, Michigan, by Warhoops employees. Bortz rescued the cars and painstakingly restored the 1955 LaSalle II Roadster and 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne after both were cut in half in preparation for the crusher. The 1955 LaSalle Sedan is presented in its “junkyard fresh” condition.
“These cars are the Picassos and Rembrandts of this automotive generation,” said Bortz. “To see six of them together, all from the ‘50s, and all the real deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“We’ve never displayed a collection of concept cars quite like this at the museum,” said Terry L. Karges, executive director of Petersen Automotive Museum. “We are thrilled to display these iconic cars and illustrate the significant role Motoramas played in automotive history.”
“GM’s Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars from the Joe Bortz Collection” will be on display until March 2026. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit Petersen.org/exhibits.
