Name: Mindy Michelson

Volunteer Role: Docent and Family Day Event Aficionado

Started volunteering: April 2015

My interest in cars started with my two brothers who built/rebuilt muscle cars and ran them at Terminal Island in California.

We were also fortunate to have a neighbor that was a sheet metal fabricator/designer in the mid 70’s who was helping Mario Andretti design his cars. My brothers and I would go over and sit in the cars and hang around in Lance’s garage.  I remember very well the walls shaking when they would fire them up. My brother still has the frame of a car with ‘Driver-Mario Andretti’ that they give him after the car was retired.

Other car related happenings during childhood included cruising Van Nuys Blvd on Wednesday nights in the San Fernando Valley and on the weekends at late night Saturday street races coordinated in the Bob’s Big Boy parking lot in Playa Del Rey.  

When World of Speed had the first New Year’s Eve party, I thought it was the coolest and it brought back so many fun memories. I wanted to do what I could to help it succeed, volunteering and promoting the museum to everyone I know is a small way I can help out. 

Q: What is the most memorable experience of your time volunteering?

The Holiday Celebration when Santa arrived in a hot rod.

Q: What do you wish other people knew about World of Speed?

What a fun museum it is!

Q: What is your dream car?

A: Porsche 959!