It’s not every day we get to sit down with our amazing Chief Historian, Leslie Kendall, but today is that day! Leslie provides valuable insights into every vehicle that comes through the doors here at the Petersen. Possessing a world-class level of automotive knowledge, Leslie’s latest book, Defying Detroit, offers an encyclopedic look at the bold, unconventional history of Southern California’s automakers who challenged Detroit’s dominance.

Pick up a copy here!

I got to sit down with Leslie to learn more about his latest project!

Hi Leslie! Could you give us a synopsis of your book?

Leslie: The book speaks to my interest in local automobiles, beginning with a 20-page essay on automobile manufacturing in Southern California. It explains why there were so many people who thought they could build cars, and why all of them failed—at least so far. Very few have succeeded for any length of time at all.

The rest of it is a 350-page, A-to-Z encyclopedia of all the manufacturers that have been in Southern California from 1896 to the present. There are over 900 of them.

What was your overall experience putting this project together?

Leslie: Well, it was a mix of victories and frustrations. When I first started out, I thought it was going to be barely a pamphlet; I thought I’d be lucky to have 30 or 40 cars. Forget 900!

Then I started working with Nathaniel Salvini, my research assistant. We’d each find cars to add. It was always, "Oh, did you hear about this? Oh, did you hear about that?" and we’d add them in. What was frustrating was looking at the dozens of lists that people had put together in the past and trying to find photographs or any information at all about the cars, motorcycles, scooters, or motorhomes. That was quite a challenge.

Jonathan: But you would argue that you guys really put in the time and labor to find more than others usually do.

"We looked at every possible resource. I’m proud of what we did. Nobody is going to look at that book and think it took about as long to put together as it did for them to read!"

Jonathan: (Laughs) But it took years. Wow. How many years?

Leslie: About five years from the start of the project. It began when I was in our Executive Director Terry Kargas’s office and I said, "Terry, what do you think if we have our first museum book be about automobile manufacturing in Southern California?" This is, after all, where we are—even if Los Angeles is of international consequence.

If you had to choose one song to listen to while reading the book, what would it be?

Leslie: Wow. Anything by Sinatra. I’m a Sinatra guy, kind of. I also really like Ella Fitzgerald.

Jonathan: Any particular song?

Leslie: You know that Sinatra song I like that nobody’s ever heard of? It’s called "Star." Whenever I hear it, I always picture a European sports car from the '50s. If you listen to it, you’ll know why.

Jonathan: I’ve got to give it a listen right after this!

Leslie: Yeah, it’s a swinging song!

Per Leslie's request, go give it a listen! I found something new to add in my rotation!

What can you say to prospective readers of the book?

Leslie: I would hope that they end up appreciating Southern California from an automotive perspective as much as I do. Having grown up here, I’ve watched automotive history unfold.

I was born and raised in Southern California, which is the hotbed of automotive consumption, creativity, and culture—the "Three Cs," I guess you could say. It’s very evident to me that while they may not mass-manufacture cars here like they do in Detroit, this is where all the inspiration is.

Jonathan: Oh, 100%. A lot of famous designers.

Leslie: A lot of famous designers, and the reason they’re famous is because they come here for inspiration. They’re smart enough to know where the party is! (Laughs)

In Detroit, they make the cars because they have the natural resources—the coal, the iron, the timber, and the fresh water. In LA, we don’t have iron ore or coal, so you can rule all of that out right away. But what we do have are scenic destinations. It’s more about what’s on top of the ground than what comes out of it. People come here because they appreciate that inspiration.

What's interesting is I was talking to Stuart Reed of the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and asked him, "Would you agree that the sun seems to shine red on the West Coast and blue on the East Coast?" And he said, "Yes, it does." You go to the East Coast and the sun shines blue. Florida may have a beach culture, but it’s totally different than LA, which has its own unique quality.

Jonathan: It's just right. It might be the smog. (Laughs)

Leslie: Well, it certainly could be! And hey, good for the smog if that’s indeed what it is, though I hope it’s not. (Laughs) But it’s just the way the sun reflects on the landscape.

What can younger readers and aspiring industry workers expect to take away from the book?

Leslie: Our embrace of the automobile isn’t brand new. We have been linked in some way to cars for a long, long time, and we’ve had a massive influence on car culture, design, and creativity. In that respect, Southern California has never lost its luster.

It has always been a place where, if people feel their hometowns have no more secrets to give up, they come here.

"There is always something or someone new to find, and it’s super easy to find kindred spirits, especially if you’re in the automotive enthusiast realm."

If you like it, there are probably hundreds of other people who like it, too. Just find a club and start printing t-shirts!