Get a glimpse of Grand Prix of Long Beach history, for free

In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Grand Prix of Long Beach is celebrating its past — with cars, of course.

For five decades, the Grand Prix has enthralled racers and fans alike on the streets of Long Beach, first with Formula 5000, a former open-wheel racing series, and Formula 1, and now the IndyCar Series.

And with less than a month to go before the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the iconic street race’s history is now on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, in the form of five historic race cars from all three of those racing eras. And it’s open to the public.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Petersen Automotive Museum, seen here on Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025, is hosting a special exhibit showcasing five historic race cars. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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The exclusive display includes the 1974 Formula 5000 Dan Gurney All-American Racers Eagle 755, driven then by Australian racer Vern Schuppan, who nabbed pole position with it in Long Beach. Notably, it was also the “first ever car to turn a wheel on the streets of Long Beach,” the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach said in a news release.

Then there’s the 1976 March 761, a Formula 1 car driven by the late Italian racer Vittorio Brambilla in Long Beach, as well as four-time Formula 1 champion Alain Prost’s 1980 McLaren M30.

As for the Indy Car era, the display includes Dennis Firestone’s 1987 All-American Racers Eagle 8100 and the 1999 Reynard driven by Bryan Herta.

“What we tried to do is create a whole panoply of elements focusing on these three eras and make it something that people could understand in terms of the history of the event,” Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian said at an event at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wednesday night, March 19, where guests mingled among the race cars and celebrated the 50th anniversary.

The five cars are now on display in the museum’s lobby, on Miracle Mile, through Tuesday, April 8. There is no admission fee to view the historic display.

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The cars will return to Long Beach for the Grand Prix’s Historic Formula Exhibition, During which they will all race together for the first time. There are two exhibitions scheduled, one for Saturday, April 12, and another the following day, per a tentative weekend schedule.

“Racing in Long Beach has been an important part of American motorsports for five decades,” Michaelian said, “and this exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum offers a rare opportunity to celebrate its legacy.”

The Eagle 755 is owned by businessman Tom Malloy, according to the Grand Prix. Richard Griot owns the March 761, while Sean Allen is the owner of the McLaren M30. Eric Joiner owns the Reynard, and Firestone owns his All-American Racers Eagle 8100.

The Petersen Automotive Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and stays open an hour later on Saturdays and Sundays. Check its website for more information, including other exhibits on display and ticket prices for the rest of the museum.

This year’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place from April 11 to 13.

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