The Best Cars of the Euro Cruise-In at the PeteBob MerlisAbout once a month the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles hosts a gathering of cars based on rotating themes. Last weekend it was the Euro Cruise-In, which was kind of nice because it opened it up to more than just Porsches, Ferraris, or BMWs. Heck, there was even a Peugeot 405 Mi16!Here are our favorite photos, some courtesy of Turner Engineering's David Turner, others shot by Bob Merlis, "Chief Scrounger" at FeralCars.com, "Grand Fromage" at MFHpr, former contributor/writer at Automobile Magazine, and former SVP at Warner Records. I took some, too. Scroll on and pick your favorites.1)Photo credit: Mark VaughnBruce Meyer's 356 with removable hardtop. How did he choose this one out of his big collection? "It was the one closest to the door."2)Photo credit: Mark VaughnBob Merlis' shot of a 190E 2.3-16( valves) with manual trans.3)Photo credit: Mark VaughnRenault Caravelle in the foreground, says Merlis. "In Europe, the model designation was Floride (Florida)… go figure." Deux Cheveaux and a Citroën ID behind it.4)Photo credit: Mark VaughnUS-market Citroën SM, says Merlis. "It doesn't have the glass enclosed headlights and the inner headlight that swivels with the front wheels."5)Photo credit: Mark VaughnRenault R5 Turbo, circa 1981. "As if the standard issue Renault 5 weren't awesome enough, here's the mid-engine rally car variant."6)Photo credit: Mark VaughnMercedes Gullwing7)Photo credit: Mark VaughnA Morgan 4/4 sports car done in the "Skimpy" theme, modified to emulate a classic, stripped-down British pre-war racing car.8)Photo credit: Mark VaughnLancia Flaminia, with the engine in the front aft of the axle and the transaxle in the rear forward of the rear axle. Perfect balance!9)Photo credit: Mark Vaughn1951 Aston-Martin DB2 + Ferrari friend.10)Photo credit: Mark VaughnWe got the distinct pleasure of pushing this Opel GT down the parking structure ramp so the owner could bump-start the engine.11)Photo credit: Mark VaughnThis is the 60th anniversary of the BMW 2002. "What can I tell you," said Merlis. "I had one of these for 21 years from new. Brilliant car, actually the best I've ever owned in real-world terms."12)Photo credit: Mark VaughnOur new friend Ed just bought this 1965 BMW 1800 Neue Klasse from a seller in Sweden. It was fresh off the boat at the show, still had the shipping stickers.13)Photo credit: Mark VaughnVolvo P1800 ES, "Greatest shooting brake in history."14)Photo credit: Mark VaughnAlfa twins: Bertone-designed 2000 GTV. "Educated guess, 1973."15)Photo credit: Mark VaughnLast Peugeot model imported before the marque was banished: 405 Mi16 (16 meaning valves). Pininfarina design. "I think this is a '90, but Peugeot left the US market the next year (sniff)."16)Photo credit: Mark VaughnCitroëns Traction Avant. "The white one is owned by Chuck and Tina of Autobooks Aerobooks in Burbank. The black one was brought over from Australia. It's RHD and was built in Slough, England where Citroën had a factory from 1926–1966."17)Photo credit: Mark VaughnThe Mercedes-Benz "Pagoda" is the affectionate nickname for the W113 series grand tourer produced from 1963 to 1973.18)Photo credit: Mark Vaughn2025 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. Top speed: 207 mph!19)Photo credit: Mark VaughnMerlis stands in the sunroof of his 1967 Fiat 500 Giardiniera ("Gardener").20)Photo credit: Mark VaughnDushaun Tucker's AMG GT S.21)Photo credit: Mark VaughnWalter Pierre's Mercedes E320.22)Photo credit: Mark VaughnYoung driver and her younger brother check out the Giardinier.23)Photo credit: Mark Vaughn"This BMW Isetta 300 won the People's Choice award, I'm told," said Merlis.24)Photo credit: Mark VaughnThe Lancia Flaminia, named after the via Flaminia, the road leading from Rome to Rimini, was produced from 1957 to 1960. It was Lancia's flagship at the time, replacing the Aurelia, wrote RM Sotheby's in a description of another Flaminia. Throughout its lifetime, it saw various version as sedans and coupés. The Flaminia coupé and convertible were coachbuilt cars with bodies from several prestigious Italian coachbuilders such as Pininfarina, Touring, and Zagato.25)Photo credit: Mark VaughnPorsche GT3 RS 4.0
