2539: Chris Peterson

Christopher Peterson has been passionate about cars for as long as he can remember—probably even longer. A La Jolla native, he grew up surrounded by classic and exotic automobiles, dreaming of one day becoming a race car driver. This passion eventually led to a career spanning over 25 years in the collector car world. Straight out of high school, Chris joined Symbolic Motor Car Company, one of the leading dealerships for classic, exotic and competition cars. Over the years, he worked his way up from the parts department to Director of Sales and Marketing, developing a deep expertise in post-war European sports and competition cars, along with a talent for uncovering rare and historically significant automobiles. Today, Chris serves as a consultant for Sotheby’s Motorsport and chairs the Motor Car Classic at the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. His time is spent sourcing exceptional cars, helping collectors navigate the auction world, and ensuring automotive history is properly appreciated— or at the very least, not left to collect dust in a forgotten garage. A fourth-generation San Diegan, Chris comes from a family with deep ties to the region’s business and automotive culture. His grandfather, Robert O. Peterson, founded Jack in the Box and pioneered the modern drive-thru restaurant. When he’s not hunting for automotive treasures, Chris enjoys cooking, sailing, and occasionally restoring cars that he swears he’ll finish one day.

INSPIRATION