Petersen Museum Launches Open Garage Series
The new YouTube series provides virtual tours of private car collections from famous automotive enthusiasts.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Car Culture
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Would you watch a museum's YouTube series to learn more about their private vehicle collections?
The Petersen Automotive Museum has launched a new YouTube series titled Open Garage, which features private vehicle collections from collectors, celebrities, and builders. The project aims to bring automotive culture to a global audience by providing tours of spaces that are typically inaccessible.
Why it matters
The museum created the series to extend its reach beyond its physical walls in Los Angeles. By highlighting the stories behind unique vehicles and professional automotive careers, the institution is making niche enthusiast content available to a wider public.
The Open Garage series features a set release cadence, with new episodes scheduled every Saturday until the final release on Nov. 28.
The players
Petersen Automotive Museum
This Los Angeles-based institution is a leading facility dedicated to the history and preservation of the automobile.
Tim Allen
An actor and comedian, he is widely recognized in the automotive world as an avid car collector and restorer.
Larry Chen
He is a prominent automotive photographer known for documenting car culture and professional racing events.
Richard Rawlings
He is a well-known media personality and automotive entrepreneur recognized for his work on the Gas Monkey Garage brand.
Block House Racing
This racing organization is known for its involvement in high-performance automotive projects and professional motorsports.
The details
Each episode explores the personal stories behind featured collector vehicles and the professional careers of automotive builders. Participants include Tim Allen, Larry Chen, Richard Rawlings, and the team from Block House Racing.
Timeline
The Open Garage series officially premiered on October 10, 2026.
New episodes release every Saturday through November 28, 2026.
Roadmap
This series represents a broader shift toward digital engagement in the automotive museum sector, moving away from static displays to high-definition video content. It positions the Petersen Automotive Museum as a modern content producer capable of rivaling digital automotive media brands.
Viewers can access private, world-class car collections for free through the Petersen Automotive Museum's YouTube channel. This digital access removes the logistical barriers and costs typically associated with attending exclusive private automotive events.
The takeaway
Digital series like Open Garage highlight how institutions are adapting to reach audiences who cannot visit in person. Enthusiasts can implement this by subscribing to museum channels to gain insights into the expert-level automotive knowledge usually reserved for industry insiders.
What happens next
New episodes of the Open Garage series will continue to air every Saturday until the conclusion of the season on November 28, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more about Car Culture to see how automotive enthusiasts are engaging with new digital media platforms.
Source note: This article includes information reported by THE SHOP.
Live Poll
Would you watch a museum's YouTube series to learn more about their private vehicle collections?
