Automobile Driving Museum
Marisol Herrera is the Executive Director of the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California (Psst: it’s right around the corner from the Hot Wheels HQ).
The mission of the Automobile Driving Museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit and ride in historic vehicles. They use the collection to present educational opportunities and displays that illustrate the aesthetic, engineering and cultural evolution around the automobile. Marisol’s role is to raise funds for the museum through events like car shows, event hosting, retail store donations. The funds go towards their mechanical engineering scholarship program, high school restoration program and of course the maintenance and restoration of their collection.
With an Environmental Science degree from UC Santa Barbara, Marisol worked for some of Los Angeles’ premium museums. She has ten years of experience working in museums like the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, the La Brea Tar Pits, and the Science Center. When looking for a side gig, she applied for a receptionist position at the Automobile Driving Museum (ADM) from a Craigslist ad and in 4 years she grew through 4 different titles. She worked with the previous Executive Director in creating fun events and initiatives that helped put ADM on the map.
Marisol tells us she knew nothing about cars before working at the ADM. She would walk around at break and learn about each and every vehicle, The mechanics were very nice and let her watch them work and perform maintenance on the vehicles. They also taught her how to drive a 1941 Cadillac with three-on-the-tree.
The museum created a “Female Restoration Program” where she learned how to restore a 1955 GMC Pickup with a group of talented ladies. She owes all her car knowledge to the museum and its extensive library and loves every minute of it!
We have been to several events and cruise-in’s at the Automobile Driving Museum, including a private tour last year with the Cambra Speed Shop Holiday Field Trip. The musuem is not only an educational organization but an event venue as well. They rely heavily on events to keep the museum alive, and with the pandemic, they are hosting creative outdoor events like cruise-ins and drive-in movies. They also appreciate people shopping on their website store and of course making capital donations.
Marisol bought a 1963 Ford Falcon Futura from a museum sale. She plans on adding AC and a sound system. She also bought a ’62 Studebaker Champ with her husband Matthew and are planning on restoring it and painting it their wedding color; maroon. She is so excited working on cars! We’d say she caught the Fuel Fed Fever!
Learn more about the Museum at AutomobileDrivingMuseum.org
