People’s Champ
The Impact of Ken Block
Photo by Larry Chen
2nd Floor
Bruce Meyer Family Gallery
Opens Feb. 15th
Vehicles are subject to change within the exhibit without notice.
Photo by Tony Harmer
A motorsports icon and pioneer of automotive content in the age of online media, rally driver and DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block utilized his marketing acumen, driving expertise, and automotive enthusiasm to create the enormously popular Gymkhana video series and Hoonigan, an automotive lifestyle brand and production company that has captivated audiences for over a decade.
By the time of Block’s tragic death in 2023, the series’ multiple films had amassed hundreds of millions of views. The vehicles had improved from modified street machines to one-of-a-kind, purpose-built Gymkhana monsters, and the locations had progressed from empty airfields and dockyards to closed roads in metropolitan areas and perilous mountain passes. Additional shows on the Hoonigan YouTube channel, such as Daily Transmission, Build Breakdown, and The Unprofessionals, showcased unique vehicle builds, high-performance driving, and the automotive antics of the Hoonigan staff. Block and the Hoonigan Media Machine team revolutionized motorsports filmmaking and became a pillar of automotive culture by producing authentic, enthusiast-centered media that was tailor-made for online viewing.
This exhibit will honor Block’s legacy through a display of his most iconic vehicles and memorabilia like racing suits, helmets, wheels, DC Shoes, and Hoonigan merchandise from key moments in his career.
Exhibit in Collaboration with
Explore hundreds of vehicles, automobilia, and much more at the Petersen Museum.
Museum Tickets
Current Exhibits
Explore all the current exhibits at the Petersen Automotive Museum