The Maybach marque was not only the most prestigious German automobile at that time, but also featured advanced technology like independent suspension and double overdrives - resulting in 6 or 8 speed transmissions. The Zeppelin models even were equipped with 12-cylinder engines, which had their ancestry in the power plants propelling the famous airships.

This particular Maybach SW 38 Special Roadster is one of only two built by Spohn of Ravensburg, Germany - who did the coachwork for most of the Maybach automobiles - and the only known to have survived. After the war, it served in the motor pool of the US Army before being shipped to Florida. After many years of storage, it was brought back to original condition in 1997 and debuted in Pebble Beach that year.

Fred and August Duesenberg were the creators of the most prestigious American automobiles ever produced. The model J was powered by a straight-eight engine with two overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, which produced 265 horsepowers. The SJ, equipped with a supercharger, developed 320 horsepower - enough for speeds in excess of 120 mph.

In 1935, the first of three Mormon Meteor was built to produce a new world speed record. Several modifications increased the output to 390 horsepower. In 1936, this particular Mormon Meteor - driven by Ab Jenkins - reached a top speed of more than 160 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Covering a distance of 3,253 miles in 120 degree temperatures, he set a 24-hour average speed record of 135.57 mph and a one hour average top speed of 152.145 mph. Both records remained unchallenged for many years.

This Mercedes-Benz W 154 Grand Prix race car was the sucessor of the W 25 and the W 125, and was constructed as a response to the changed formula in Grand Prix Racing for 1938 to 1941, which limited the volume to 3 litre for supercharged engines.

The W 154 debuted in 1938 with a twelve-cylinder engine of the type M 154 - featuring two superchargers and a setup for a Bosch fuel injection - even so it was only raced with carburetors. The output was up to 450 horsepower. Compromised reliability at high rpm required extensive modification in the basic design of the engine, leading to the new designation M 163 for the 1939 Grand Prix season. Equipped with the modified engines with an increased output of up to 480 horsepower, the W 154 finished the Swiss Grand Prix - the last before World War II - with first, second and third place.

With it's race-ready eight-cylinder engine - featuring double-overhead cams and twin superchargers -, revolutionary chassis with independent suspension and stunning coachwork, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 was considered the ultimate sports car of it's time. Carrozzeria Touring created most of the 8C 2900 bodies and their design is considered the most beautiful among the less than forty examples produced. Uniquely slotted spats over the rear wheels, a windshield without top frame, slots surrounding the radiator, and a narrow body are the most prominent cues of the Carrozzeria Touring spider.

Unfortunately the majority of the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 has been re-bodied, salvaged or modified over time - only a handful survived intact and in original condition.

Even so there were a total of 25 540 K Special Roadster produced - this might the Million Dollar Car par excellence. Highly recognizable, of unparalleled beauty for a mere production automobile, mostly owned by VIP's or celebrities, it was desired by collectors ever since the end of World War II, and reached record prices and interest whenever one changed ownership or came up for auction.

This particular example was the 1937 Berlin Motor Show exhibition Special Roadster, and was purchased at the show by Jack Warner - boss of Warner Brothers. When it was auctioned off in January of 2002, it was considered one of the most original examples of the six 'long tail' versions, featuring the covered spare wheel. Nevertheless, it underwent a sensible restoration to reach the level of perfection, which this magnificent automobile deserves.

Another great marque in automobile history - Hispano-Suiza - offered advanced, powerful, luxurious, and very expensive automobiles to discriminating European clients. Founded in Spain in 1904 by Swiss designer Mark Birkigt, the company relocated to Paris, France in 1911 to concentrate on the French market - leaving the Spanish factory producing the lower end chassis until 1938.

The Type 68 was a magnificent V-12 of first 9.4 litre, and later 11.3 litre volume - introduced in 1931 at the height of the depression. It was powerful enough to accelerate most of the custom coach built automobiles to a speed of 60 mph in around or under 10 seconds. Power brakes were already standard on the Type 68.

Hispano-Suiza ceased automobile production in 1938. After World War II the company experimented with front wheel drive and Ford V-8 engines but never went into production again.

The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at the corner of Fairfax Avenue) in the historic Miracle Mile District of Los Angeles, on Museum Row. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is closed Mondays.

Admission prices for the Museum are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children ages five to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Special group rates are available. Unlimited museum parking is available for $6. For general Museum information call (323) 930-CARS.