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Automotive Museums in the Southwest

Visitors to the Penske Racing Museum in Phoenix may stop first to gaze at racecars displayed next to the building’s front entrance.Credit...Penske Racing Museum

CALIFORNIA is where the car is king, home to freeways, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Élégance and several of the nation's finest automotive museums. Here is a list of museums there, and also in Arizona and New Mexico.

Arizona

FRANKLIN MUSEUM A museum devoted to preserving the history of the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company, with 22 restored Franklins. Open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. mid-October to Memorial Day. Donation requested. 1405 East Kleindale Road, Tucson, Ariz. 85719. (520) 326-8038. franklinmuseum.org

PENSKE RACING MUSEUM Celebrates 40 years of Team Penske, named after Roger Penske, a stalwart owner in Indy car and Nascar racing, with a collection of vintage cars and memorabilia. Open daily. Free. 7125 E. Chauncey Lane, Phoenix, Ariz. 85054. (480) 538-4444. penskeracingmuseum.com

California

BLACKHAWK AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM Showcases 90 vehicles dating from 1897 to the 1960s, selected for their significance or artistic inspiration. Open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee. Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, Calif. 94506. (925) 736-2280. blackhawkauto.org

CALIFORNIA ROUTE 66 MUSEUM A collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to the history of Route 66 and its communities, including the historical, cultural and economic impact of the mother road. Open Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. 16825 D Street, Victorville, Calif. 92393. (760) 951-0436. califrt66museum.org

DAN ROUIT FLAT TRACK MUSEUM Memorabilia related to the history of motorcycle racing, including flat-track race bikes, posters, programs, trophies, leathers and helmets. Call for hours. Free. 309 W. Rialto Street, Clovis, Calif. 93612. (559) 291-2242. vft.org/rouit.html

HAYS ANTIQUE TRUCK MUSEUM Founded in 1982 by A. W. Hays, a leading figure in the California trucking industry, this museum has one of the largest collections of antique trucks in the country, if not the world, with more than 100 models from 94 manufacturers on display. Open daily. Admission fee. 1962 Hays Lane, Woodland, Calif. 95776. (530) 666-1044. truckmuseum.org

JUSTICE BROTHERS RACING MUSEUM Traces the evolution of motor sports, from track racecars to ice-racing motorcycles. The collection includes two Indy cars that were in the movie “Driven” starring Sylvester Stallone. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free. 2734 E. Huntington Drive, Duarte, Calif. 91010. (626) 359-9174. justicebrothers.com

MARCONI AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM Opened in 1994 by Dick Marconi, who founded a manufacturer of vitamins, food supplements and weight-loss products, this museum houses a $30 million collection of historical, exotic and classic cars. His collection includes a late model Formula One car driven by Michael Schumacher in his first year with Ferrari. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission fee. 1302 Industrial Drive, Tustin, Calif. 92780. (714) 258-3001. marconimuseum.org

THE NETHERCUTT COLLECTION This collection was begun by J. B. Nethercutt, the co-founder of Merle Norman Cosmetics. There are 200 meticulously restored vehicles dating from 1898 to 1982, including an 1898 Eisenach Runabout and a 1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder. There is also an automotive library. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free. 15151 Bledsoe Street, San Sylmar, Calif. 91342. (818) 364-6464. nethercuttcollection.org

MURPHY AUTO MUSEUM A collection of more than 50 cars, including a variety of classic, milestone and special-interest vehicles, including many models of Packards from 1927-58. Open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donation requested. 2230 Statham Boulevard, Oxnard, Calif. 93033. (805) 487-4333. murphyautomuseum.com

PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM Robert E. Petersen, the founder of Petersen Publishing and its flagship Motor Trend magazine, and his wife, Margie, were founding benefactors of this well-known museum. Its exhibits and dioramas feature more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles covering four floors. Open day 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday. Admission fee. 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles 90036. (323) 930-2277. petersen.org

SAN DIEGO AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM Changing exhibits examine the history of the auto industry from classics to concepts. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee. 2080 Pan American Plaza No. 12, Balboa Park, San Diego 92101. (619) 231-2886. sdautomuseum.org

TOYOTA USA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM A showcase of Toyota’s history in the United States, including more than 100 Toyota and Lexus vehicles from 1957 through 2007. Among them are two Toyopet Crowns, examples of Toyota’s entry vehicle into the American market. By appointment only. Free. 19001 South Western Avenue, Torrance, Calif. 90509. (310) 468-4728. toyota50th.com

TOWE AUTO MUSEUM Exhibits more than 170 classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and racecars in historical groupings including a 1904 Ford, 1915 Hupmobile, 1925 Franklin, 1949 De Soto and 1958 Edsel. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission fee. 2200 Front Street, Sacramento 95818, (916) 442-6802. toweautomuseum.org

WALLY PARKS N.H.R.A. MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM A celebration of motorsports culture, including hot rods, customs, racecars and photographs, trophies, helmets, uniforms and other memorabilia. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission fee. Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona, Calif. 91768. (909) 622-2133. www.museum.nhra.com

New Mexico

UNSER RACING MUSEUM This museum honors four generations of the Unsers, a venerable family of Indy car racers whose members have won the Indianapolis 500 nine times. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission fee. 1776 Montaño NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, N.M. 87107 (505) 341-1776. www.unserracingmuseum.com

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