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'Cars 2' revs up classic-auto exhibit (photos)

A special classic-car exhibit pulls up alongside the "Cars 2" World Grand Prix Attraction amusement park in Hollywood. Sports cars, concepts, and lemons included.

John Lewinski
Crave freelancer John Scott Lewinski covers tech, cars, and entertainment out of Los Angeles. As a journalist, he's traveled from Daytona Beach to Cape Town, writing for more than 30 national magazines. He's also a very amateur boxer known for his surprising lack of speed and ability to absorb punishment. E-mail John.
John Lewinski
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Cars 2 World Grand Prix Attraction

HOLLYWOOD--To celebrate the opening of "Cars 2," Pixar and Disney partnered with Kodak, Goodyear, and other sponsors to offer a temporary "Cars 2"-themed amusement park in Hollywood. World Grand Prix Attraction offers activities for kids, along with a special classic-car exhibit served up by the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Just a short walk from a life-size re-creation of Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, visitors to the Petersen setup can check out super cars of old, plus concept vehicles that didn't stand the test of time.

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Life-size Lightning McQueen

A life-size Lego Lightning McQueen stands near the spot where young visitors to the "Cars 2" World Grand Prix Attraction can build and race their own mini Lego creations.
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Tire change test

Visitors to the "Cars 2" World Grand Prix Attraction behind the historic El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard can try their hand at changing a Nascar tire on the clock.
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Painted Mercedes Benz

At Mader's Body Shop at the "Cars 2" World Grand Prix Attraction, kids can pick up brushes and paint this old Mercedes Benz.
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Super agent Finn McMissile

Patterned to resemble the classic James Bond 1964 Aston Martin, this life-size mock-up of "Cars 2" superspy Finn McMissile rests near the Petersen Auto Museum's special exhibit at the World Grand Prix Attraction in Hollywood.
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1956 BMW Isetta

Sometimes called "the car that saved BMW," the tiny 1956 Isetta was actually built by an Italian firm.
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1968 Lamborghini Espada

Only 1,224 Lamborghini Espadas were ever made. This 1968 version could do 140 mph in its day.
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1954 Rolls-Royce

This 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon by Freestone and Webb was one of only five ever built. It was owned by author and actor Richard Ney.
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1957 Teverbaugh & Kirkland Bonneville Special

Built by John Teverbaugh and Robert Kirkland, this 1957 specially designed and built car was designed to go more than 200 mph and was the first Bonneville speed machine to come with a parachute for slowing down.
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1953 Muntz Jet

Built by the company owned by "crazy" Southern California television manufacturer and self-promoter Earl "Mad Man" Muntz, the 1953 Muntz Jet did 0-60 in nine seconds.
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2002 Isuzu Axiom XSR concept

Isuzu built this Axiom XSR concept car in 2002 to see how the public would react to a two-seat, convertible SUV. It would have come with a 3.5 liter V6, had it been mass-produced.
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1976 AMC Pacer

Called "the first wide small car," the 1976 AMC Pacer's extra glass made it resemble an upside down fishbowl and allowed sun rays to heat the interior quickly.
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1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2

While this high-performance version was designed for rally car driving, the standard-produced Renault R5 Turbo 2 did 0-60 in just 6.6 seconds in 1985.

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