A Celebration of Overlanding History

Photo By: Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum has debuted an amazing collection focused on historic long-distance journeys that pushed the capabilities of man and machine. Dubbed ADV: Overland, this exhibit features 23 vehicles ranging from 120-year-old motorcycles to a model of the Opportunity MER-1 rover, and more.

Adventure motorcycle enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 1903 California, the first motorized vehicle to travel from coast to coast, or the 1933 Puch 250SL that Max Reisch rode to India appears at the exhibit, in as-ridden condition.

Fans of four-wheeled travel will enjoy the 1969 Honda N600 that was Honda’s first factory race car available in the United States. Also on display is the 1969 Ford Bronco, “Big Oly” that Parnelli Jones raced in Baja during the 1970s.

READ MORE: Ride the Harley Davidson Pan America at Overland Expo

The overlanding history at ADV: Overland isn’t limited to Earthly pursuits. As previously mentioned, a model of the Opportunity MER-1 rover on loan from NASA is included in the exhibit. Its Mars-bound counterpart holds the record for the longest-distance off-world overland journey with its 28.06-mile trek between 2004 and 2018.

Many of the included vehicles have never been publicly displayed, so don’t pass up this opportunity to dive into the history of vehicular travel. ADV: Overland will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum until March 22, 2022.

Photo by Brett Willhelm

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