British electric Speedster joins Petersen Museum collection

The Longbow Speedster, described as the world’s first “featherweight” electric sportscar, has been inducted into the prestigious Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

The British-built two-seater will remain on display in the museum’s lobby throughout summer 2026, alongside Sergey Brin’s original Tesla Roadster. The vehicle was officially exhibited in a special ceremony over the weekend.

Weighing just 1973 pounds, the Speedster represents what its makers call a “turning point for automotive enthusiasts in the electric age.” The open-topped sportscar combines lightweight construction with electric propulsion, positioning itself as a spiritual successor to British icons like the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type.

“The Petersen is an ideal venue for emerging automotive technology, and we’re proud to welcome the Longbow as part of our commitment to showcasing innovation,” says Bryan Stevens, Director of Exhibitions at The Petersen Automotive Museum.

“We are the home of past and future icons, capturing the imagination of visitors across generations.”

Speed of Lightness philosophy

Longbow Motors has built its approach around what it calls “Speed of Lightness” – a philosophy applied to the business, engineering and manufacturing processes. The company says this approach allowed the Speedster to evolve from initial sketch to fully driving demonstrator in just six months, with first customer deliveries planned for later this year.

The vehicle was first unveiled in November 2025 and made its public debut at CES in January before touring the United States. Its distinctive design features a two-tone paint scheme that reflects classic sportscar aesthetics while incorporating modern details.

Hand-built in the United Kingdom, the Speedster combines what the company describes as innovative chassis design, lightweight construction and industry-leading powertrain technology.

Industry veteran leadership

Longbow was founded by industry veterans Daniel Davey, Mark Tapscott and Jenny Keisu. The company’s board includes former automotive executives Dan Balmer, Michael van der Sande and Mike Flewitt, with collective experience across Lotus, McLaren, Aston Martin, Tesla, Alpine and Lucid.

“We are greatly honoured by this opportunity,” says Daniel Davey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Longbow.

“The Petersen represents so much of the history, vision, and passion that have driven technical evolution in the automotive industry. Now, visitors can glimpse the first true driver’s car of the electric age, the featherweight Longbow Speedster.”

Davey describes the vehicle as “the much-anticipated resurrection of fun and engaging lightweight British sportscars, vehicles long beloved in North America.”

The museum induction comes as the global automotive industry continues its transition toward electrification, with lightweight construction becoming increasingly important for electric vehicle efficiency and performance.