Robert E. Petersen | Car magazine publisher, 80
Robert E. Petersen, 80, the publishing magnate whose Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines helped shape America's car culture and who gave millions to a museum dedicated to his passion, has died.
Robert E. Petersen, 80, the publishing magnate whose Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines helped shape America's car culture and who gave millions to a museum dedicated to his passion, has died.
Mr. Petersen died Friday of complications from neuroendocrine cancer at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, said Dick Messer, director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
The son of an auto mechanic, Mr. Petersen founded Hot Rod magazine in 1948 while trying to promote the custom-car show at the Los Angeles Armory. The next year, he launched Motor Trend for automobile enthusiasts.
By the time it was sold in 1996, Petersen Publishing's annual revenue was about $275 million.
Mr. Petersen is survived by his wife, Margie. - AP