The California Automobile Museum is proud to present an exciting new exhibit titled Crafting a Rebellion: Sacramento’s Customs and Hot Rods. With more than a dozen cars on special display in the Museum’s main gallery, the visually-enticing exhibit tells the story of the creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship in automobiles. The exhibit also provides perspective and insight into the people and culture from the 1940s through the early 1960s, including the work of Harry Westergard, Dick
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The California Automobile Museum is proud to present an exciting new exhibit titled Crafting a Rebellion: Sacramento’s Customs and Hot Rods. With more than a dozen cars on special display in the Museum’s main gallery, the visually-enticing exhibit tells the story of the creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship in automobiles. The exhibit also provides perspective and insight into the people and culture from the 1940s through the early 1960s, including the work of Harry Westergard, Dick Bertolucci, and Sam Barris. A few of the automobiles on display will include Sam Barris’s personal 1949 Mercury, a 1939 Ford customized by Harry Westergard, and a 1929 Ford Roadster which earned the title “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” in 1951.
The Crafting a Rebellion exhibit covers the culture that fueled the desire to customize and hot rod cars, the relationship between customs and hot rods, and their connection to racing. Visitors to the Museum will have the opportunity to learn the reality of the motivation and culture of custom cars during those post-war years, a topic which is often romanticized. The exhibit illustrates the work in customs and hot rods by comparing them with stock versions while explaining much of the terminology and design used in custom cars. Museum visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about some of the individuals who were considered pioneers for custom cars and hot rods including Harry Westergard, who died in a horrific car crash while racing home to Sacramento from Walnut Grove and is buried in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery.
In addition to showcasing an amazing collection of rare and beautiful automobiles, the Museum also brings the era and skills of these craftsmen to life by displaying parts, tools, and photographs within the exhibit, as well as creating engaging programs. There will be hands-on interactive elements within the display itself, plus demonstrations and periodic special events associated with the exhibit.
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