Hi Kids I'm back from another hot rod holiday.

allan wrote:Big thanks Carps, the low rider is a work of art in its self, there is something for everyone.

My pleasure, there isn't something for everyone yet, but I'm working unit.  


This one caused a bit of a conundrum I’m still in two minds what to do about it.  Best the owner knows the mileage is correct and it certainly runs & drives OK. 
I don't really need a ’55 Packard Clipper, but it's in pretty good shape considering it’s been stored outside for a long time and the price is so good that I might be able to make a handsome profit by dragging it home. So right now it’s in my buddy’s garage in St Louis.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
I have yet to decide what to do, sell it there or drag it back here and maybe use it as a driver.

With Bonneville over early, I arrived back in Los Angeles ahead of schedule.  That meant I had some time to get to a few places I’ve not been before, before heading north to make the Pebble Beach Concours..
 

 
First on that list was a unique place called The Automobile Driving Museum.  It’s a little different to most car museums in that the cars don’t all appear pristine and show ready.  Many of them leak oil and look a tad worn, which is part of the beauty of this place.  Y’see if you come here on Saturday or Sunday, many of the cars will be outside and driving visitors around the local streets.  Being tucked away in the middle of an industrial area, there’s no other traffic and the museum cars just chug around all day long.
 

 
The museum includes a neat little dinner and a bunch of memorabilia in cases throughout the building.
 

 

 

 

 

 
One of the first cars inside the doors is this RHD Packard, originally delivered in NSW, which somehow found it’s way back to the US during the 1970s when the museum obtained it.
 

 
The first thing you notice about the cars here is that they are not all pristine and show car shiny.
 

 
That’s because they are all drivers, even this rare early ‘20s Packard Double Six.
 

 
The engine is obviously a runner and the oil stains suggests it’s been out and about recently.
 

 
Like most US auto museums, there’s more than one T model Ford on hand.
 

 
Plus, a few less common brands.
 

 
Big Chrysler Airflow is in great shape.
 

 
Patrons are invited to try the cars on for size and comfort.
 

 
In fact this is the only car that’s roped off.
 

 
The odometer should explain why.
 

 
The Packard Carribean is basically brand spanking new and the museum is only the second owner.  It was purchased new by one Howard Hughes, as a gift for movie actress Jean Peters whowas his wifeat the time.
 
The Packard is one of only two cars in the museum that are not used for passenger carrying duty.  In fact it is never driven other than to maintain it in working order.   The other car is used regularly, only not for joyriding as it is a rare 100point concours perfect restored Packard Phaeton. 
 

 
However, if you look at the image of the Hot Rod garage, you’ll be able to make out the Museum’s second ’55 Carribean, which is used for regular driving activity and there’s also a duplicate of the 100 point car.
 

 

 
This really is a cool place as auto museums go.
 

 
The collection is eclectic, from Edsels….
 

 
….to Pontiacs…
 

 
…and everything in between.
 

 
Among the rarities is this Brewster bodied Plymouth.  It was specially built for Eleanor Roosevelt because she was concerned that owning and being driven around in an expensive luxury model, at the height of the depression, might cause her husband to lose favour with voters.  So she purchased Chrysler's budget Plymouth and had it rebodied to suit her needs.
 

 
Even this old two-cylinder turn of the century horseless carriage is used to give folks the veteran driving experience.
 

 
Shirley Muldowney’s last top fuel dragster is another that’s probably not regularly driven.
 

 
However, despite it's rarity and status this V16 Stutz, which is one of only four built, is used on most weekends.
 

 
Another couple of Plymouths, one from the fourties….
 

 
….and one from the fifties.
 

 
English designed and built electric car from the sixties.
 

 
There are more than a few British cars here.  Like this late ‘40s Truimph Dolomite, complete with rumble seat windscreen.
 

 
Fairlane convertible is in very nice shape.
 

 
As is this late fourties Buick.
 

 
Crosley wagon is a later model, but looks like fun anyhow.
 

 
Did I mention the collection is quite eclectic, the cars are acquired for no other reason that they are cool and roadworthy.
 

 
Darrin bodied Packard is also another that’s fairly rare.
 

 
’41 Cadillac isn’t what one would consider common.
 

 
Another nice old Buick.
 

 
There’s even a few Gassers on hand.
 

 

 
And yes, the boss man assures me they are also used on the driving days.
 

 
There’s not too many Kaiser four door convertibles about.
 

 
And this big Chrysler looks like a Town and Country but without the wood.
 

On the way home from the museum, we passed this used car operation and figured it might be worth a look.
 

 
The Merc Coupe seemed OK but this Dodge Coronet looked even more interesting.
 

 
Turns out it had a few minor issues, not the least being no interior.
 

 
Not sure what this is, but I’m thinking American Motors/Rambler for some reason.
 

 
Dodge van was kinda interesting.
 

 
A genuine BMC Mini is a bit of an oddity for this part of the world.
 

 
Pair of woodies are also kinda neat.  The silver twin spinner was chopped and mildly customised with a very high price tag.  It appeared to be in very good shape.  The single spinner would have been my pick, not just because it was cheap, but because it hadn’t been cut up.  The paint and some of the wood needed work as did the interior, but for the money it would still be good value.
 

 
This Brookville Deuce lit my fire too, but I figured like most Deuces there’s no way I’d be comfortable inside it.
 

 
So the boss convinced me to try it on.  First thing that grabbed me is it has three pedals and I could easily and safely operate them all.  Seems the builder was 6’ 6” and the car fitted me perfectly because it was made to fit Mr Tall..  But it's not what I'm seeking and was far from cheap, so no sale.
 

 
Everything about it was right, even the six carb 327 and it has air conditioning.
 

 
But not for me, I have something else in mind and it’s not this ’32 Tudor that’s fitted with every modern convenience imaginable.
 

 
Nor is it this gasser.
 

 
Caddy is nice but way too big for a daily driver.
 

 
And there was nothing of interest in the rod shop next door.
 

 

 

 

 
Since we were close, we stopped by to see how our pal Bud was getting on.  His daily driven Olds looks better each time I visit.
 

 
Bud’s passion is for ‘39/’40 Fords.  He has at least one of each body style, including the yellow Convertible sedan he was getting ready for the road trip to Pleasanton.
 

 
Next day we hit the antique markets at Orange, which also meant ice cream soda at Watsons and stopping to check the latest at C W Moss.
 

 
There’s always something cool to see here.
 

 

 
However, I’ve not ever seen muscle cars in the C W Moss showroom before today.
 

 

 
The muddersickel looks kinda familiar.
 

 

 

 
And of course as always C W has a couple or three old Fords on hand.
 

 

 
The ‘33 roadster is a very original car, still has most of it’s factory paint.
 

 

 
And when we came out, these were parked in the street, I kinda like the red one.
 

Had a quiet day on Friday starting with a great breakfast at Fullerton Regional Airport.
 
However, Friday evening means it's time for Ruby’s Cruise.
 

 

 
Not a huge turnout this week but enough to make it interesting.
 

 
This Chevy was kinda cool as it had all the original documentation to confirm it as the real deal.  That is factory 409 with dual fours, four speed and positraction. 
 

 
What makes it special is that instead of the standard bucket seats it was ordered with a split bench.
 

 
The owner still has the original wheels, tyres and caps, for those times he’s headed to a restorers event.
 

 
The gangsters were also out in force.
 

 

 
’35 lotsa doors is a very tasty restoration, with just a hint of hot rod.
 

 
There’s always one or two cars turn up here that I haven’t seen before.
 

 

 
And the occasional fresh build.
 

 
I think I may have mentioned already that old pick-up trucks are gaining in popularity.
 

 

 

 

 
Not sure if this one qualifies as a pick up truck, or something else.
 

 
You can also be sure somebody will have something just a tad unusual……
 

 
……or at least less common than most.
 

 
And there’s always a handful of stockers.
 

 
The Fordy boys also turn out in force, the black coupe was my ride for the evening.
 

 
Big or small it’s of no consequence, everybody is welcome.
 

 
Even beaten up old sedan deliveries.
 

 
And furriners.
 

Next morning I was up early to catch the Donut Derelicts before heading north for a little culture at Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance, but more on that later.  Seems the same deal applies here as far as pick up trucks go.
 

 

 

 
They have them in every shape and size imaginable.
 

 

 

 
Along with a few Sedan Deliveries…….
 

 

…….Muscle cars……..
 

 
…..racers………
 

 
………. Plus a few oddities and orphans.
 

 
The variety of machinery that comes and goes through the morning is one of the things that makes it worth getting up at oh dark thirty.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
A few magazine cars turn out every now and then.
 

 
Along with the occasional shoebox Ford.
 

 

 
Even the odd Willys.
 

 
And sometimes a rare Edsel Ranchero.
 

 
There’s everything from interesting to…..
 

 
….. downright weird.  Look closely and you’ll see this Beemer is not painted, it isn’t ‘wrapped, well it kinda is but not in the normal way, it’s actually fully upholstered in hand stitched leather.
 

 
I loved this ’57 GMC, soo much cooler than a Chevy.
 

 
Dak Dak is far more simple……..
 

 
And others simply pine for simpler times.
 

 

 

 

 
The cars come and go all morning.
 

 
However, since I had places to be I couldn’t hang around too long and as it was time to hit the highway.
 

 
There’s always more interesting stuff to be seen out here on the open road…
 

 
There’s also plenty of roadside relics along the way if you’re prepared to get off the beaten track.
 

 

 

 
Studebakers were in pretty good shape considering how long they had been outside.
 

 

 
Old step van was in OK condition too.
 

 
Buick was a runner
 

 
Wasn’t as bad as it first appeared, decet interior too.
 

 
Yup that’s an early seventies Chevelle, with a 454 and four speed.  Not for Sale, it’s rare dontcha know?
 

 
Look closely, there’s a ’55 Chevy Nomad buried behind the ’34 Ford Tudor.
 

 
Dunno what this is but think it may be an early ‘30s Graham, Nash or Studebaker.
 

 
Think this was just junk.
 

 
Another rat rod candidate?
 

To keep things in perspective, here’s a few images of the road trip, starting in L.A and then further out in the countryside.
 

 
These were being delivered back to the rental agency in Hollywood, I thought about grabbing one for the trip to Pebble Beach and the 70 years of Ferrari celebration, but the price was a bit steep, and my luggage didn’t fit.
 

 
Don’t believe what you see on TV, Hollywood is mostly a slum, heres one of the posh motels.
 

 
Nope, Hollywood aint all it’s cracked up to be.
 

 
Sure fire way to lose you car.
 

 

 
California is just like Home, only different.
 

 
The infamous Grapevine, it climbs 4,500 feet in about three miles
 

 

 

 
The water in this lake comes by pipeline from over 600 miles away.
 

 

 
Sometimes the urban traffic slows down a bit.
 

 
However, on the open road it scoots along at a good pace and if you don’t keep up you’ll get run over.
 

 
In the small towns you’ll often see some neat or weird stuff on the roads.
 

 

 

 

 
I thought I might have seen Mr Cunningham’s Desoto parked outside this place.
 

 
Pick Up Trucks it seems are the new Deuce Roadsters, passed a few oldies along the way.
 

 

 
Although exotic Italian cars seem to struggle with the hot and dry conditions.
 

 
Hot rods seem to pop up even in the middle of nowhere.
 

 
Not just any old intersection this one, look closely and you’ll see the signs telling how it’s where movie star James Dean’s Posche collided with a single spinner Ford.
 

 
These things remind me of parcel shelf puppy dogs with nodding heads.
 

 
The trains are often a mile long, literally, not figuratively.
 

 
Many have two or more engines pulling, one in the middle and two more at the back pushing.
 

The interstates make travel easy, but getting off them onto the two lane roads makes travel even more interesting.
 

 
Getting off the main routes onto some of the more scenic rural roads, it’s amazing what you might stumble across.  Like out in the middle of open farming country miles from anywhere, I was confronted by this.
 

 
So I just had to move in for a closer look.
 

 
Turns out it’s a small privately owned Air and Military Museum.
 

 

 
Since the sign on the gate said ‘Open’ I headed up the long driveway where I was greeted by this neat building styled to look like a military air base.
 

 
It seemed ther was a hundred aircraft in the space behind the building.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Plus a few tanks and other assorted heavy equipment.
 

 

 
Inside, the display rooms are filled to the brim with militaria, like this trench art.
 

 

 
Or this section of a gun-barrel, from the USS Missouri, which is about 3 feet in diameter.
 

 
Diaramas are used to depict specific situations.
 

 
I think they had examples of every kind of ordinance ever used by the US military.......
 

 

 

 

 
.....and the means to despatch it.
 

 

 

 

 
The sign out front also mentioned automobiles, which I figured to be this stuff.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Of course there are Jeeps.
 

 

 
Forward control Ford Jeep was something I’ve not seen before…
 

 
Mint original ’40 sedan staff car was pretty neat.
 

 
Wandering around the military display the lady who let me in made a comment about my hot rod shirt and suggested I might wish to see the car museum. Which is at at the other end of the main building.
 
So, off I went to see what there might be to see.  What I found was one of the most awesome collections of race cars outside of the Indianapolis and Justice Brothers collections.  All in a paddock in the middle of nowhere!
 

 
Mindblowing it was!
 

 

 
Like all race-cars, each machine had a story to tell.
 

 

 

 
In addition to the cars there are engines too.
 

 

 

 

 
And parts.
 

 
Even an early NSCAR Camry.
 

 

 
The owner of the museum is an ex military guy, now farmer who was once heavily involved in local motor sport.  He’s not a famous champion, just a guy who did good enough from farming to feed his desire to play with mechanical stuff.  So he set aside a small (OK it’s not really that small) corner of his property to house his collection of stuff.
 

 
One of the cool pieces is this ’57 Ford, found in a barn and now preserved in as raced condition.
 

 
The roll cage is rather rudimentary but the car was quite successful in it’s day.
 

 
In addition to the dirt track cars there’s a few Indy racers also.
 

 

 

 

 
This Packard was first raced in 1916 and also competed at Indy along with many other banked ovals during that period.
 

 

 
And some of the equipment is more than just interesting it’s rare and unique too.
 

 
Like this Moser quad cam small block, like the one Tom Mc Mullen used in his Deuce.
 

 
Some of the racers were driven by the big names like Al Unser…...
 

 
……..and George Snider.
 

 

 

 
And in anoter room there’s the non race cars, another eclectic collection from across the globe.
 

 
How many times have you seen an Ardun powered Allard?
 

 
Or a rare competition spec alloy bodied XK120 Jaguar?
 

 
There’s also a few hot rods here.
 

 
Automobilia in abundance.
 

 
Packards too.
 

 

 

 
Gangster equipped.
 

 
English cars by Morris, old…….
 

 
…and not so old.
 

 
The Reo Motor Home is simply awesome.
 

 
It’s a Speedwagon.
 

 
With a comfy driving space.
 

 
And even more luxurious living space.
 

 

 
There’s also a couple of racing boats.
 

 
And a Hemi four speed equipped Dodge Daytona.
 

 
Unfortunately it was late in the day and time to leave, so I headed towards Paso Robles where I decided to camp for the night.

Paso Robles is a smallish town in central west California, about the size of Hamilton.   I rolled in about 6:30pm on Saturday evening, found a comfortable but cheap motel and proceeded downtown in search of sustenance.
 
On the way I passed this non descript building, but what was inside the window caught my attention and prompted me to turn and go back for a closer look.
 

 
You can imagine my surprise on looking through the glass panels to see a genuine Ford Thunderbolt.
 

 
A story board in front of the car gave up it’s details and bona fides. 
 

 
It’s the real deal all numbers matching….
 

 
…… and parked right beside it, a slightly newer 427 Fairlane with similar spec.
 

 
Also in the same space, a lightweight factory built for racing, Dodge Coronet,
 

 
……..complete with 426 Race Hemi and again with verification of it’s heritage.
 

 
In a second larger building was the Coronet’s baby brother, same spec and a year younger.
 

 

 
Plus a bunch of other rare and desireable muscle bound machines including a couple of big block Chevelles, ’70 Z-28 Camaro and a 454 powered Corvette.
 

 
The ’34 Ford Coupe and ’55 Nomad added some class.
 

 

 
In a workshop space right next door, there was a pro mod Camaro alongside a Pro Street variant of the same model.   Both set up to go seriously quick and fast.
 

 

Sunday morning I was up before the sparrows for the 140 mile drive to Pebble Beach Golf Club and the annual Concours D’Elegance.  This is no rod run but where the rich and famous play and winning the big prize here could add millions to the value of your pride and joy.
 
To keep the riff raff out, general admission tickets start at US$450, fortunately for me, Lexus are the major sponsor and I just happen to have a few contacts there.
 

 
This year, parking in the golf club parking lot was restricted to Ferraris as many owners were expected to join in for the celebration of 70 years of their favourite marque.
 

 
In addition to the rather scrawny looking security dude, the gateway was being protected by this 288GTO, one of some 250 similar cars that are now changing hads at around $5 million a piece.
 

 
Here’s what 3 million dollars worth of new cars looks like.
 

 
The owner of this one gets my vote for being too cool for school.  The rare Pontoon Bodied 250 Testa Rossa is one of only 24 built and probably worth more than 30 million dollars.  When it arrived the Ferrari parking lot was filled to overflowing and the security guy couldn’t find a place for it to park  (it probably should have been part of the show as around a dozen of it’s siblings were on the 18^th fairway) anyhow I watched as the driver gestured to the gate keeper not to worry.  He then backed it out, drove out into the street and parked in front of the apartment buildings between a Camry and Chevy.  Then he simply got out, closed the door and walked away.  The gate guy immediately raced over and put a couple of cones down to protect it.


 
Everybody else got to park in fields, many a good number of miles from the entry gate to the golf club.  No real problem, as luxury coaches are used to ferry folks back and forth from the parking areas.  Considering the admission cost, I'd expect nothing less.
 

 
I managed to arrive early enough to park in the paddock closest to the gate, about a mile and a half away and I’m pretty sure mine was the only Chevrolet among the hundred or so cars parked there.  There was one Toyota.
 

 
But the rest were more like this pair of McLarens,
 

 
….or this fancy VW….
 

 
…or this expensive german 4X4
 

 
Here’s a spanking ne Bugatti Veyron after being rejected from the Ferrari space and now headed for the paddocks.
 

 
The white car was in, the Bentley I’m afraid sir, will have to go elsewhere.
 

 
After leaving the coach, everybody gets to be tempted by the cars for sale.  The only way to the front gate is to walk past/among them.  Of course you can't just make an offer on anything that takes your fancy, you have to attend the auction, which starts at around 3:00pm, after the awards are presented.
 
There was some nice stuff on offer, like this Packard Cabriolet.
 

 
If you’re looking for a one off Ferrari, this Shooting Brake was going cheap with an astimated selling price of only $15 million.
 

 
It’s the ugliest Ferrari I ever saw.
 

 
You could take this nice clean Daytona home for a third of that.
 

 
Bargain of the auction would have been this Marmon Herringtom 4X4 Wagon with an estimate of only $250K.  It’d make a nice SUV for use on the farm.
 

 
The Maserati single seater wasn’t expected to bring more than a couple of million, the Ferrari just a few dollars more.
 

 
Mercedes SSK was listed at $3.5 million plus.
 

 
This pair of British cars had no reserve prices listed.
 

 
This rare and very large Alfa Romeo was to be one of the stars of the auction.  Which means it was expected to go for a whole lot of money and it wasn’t posted on the window sticker.
 

 
Early ‘30s Alfa racing car was also expected to bring big bux.
 

 
The newer version only a few hundred thousand.
 

 
I opted not to attend the Auction It was later confirmed that over US$70 million was spent on the cars that changed hands.  

I guess since Pebble Beach was all about 70 years of Ferrari, that’s where we should start.  This was claimed by the organisers to be the largest gathering of Ferrari vehicles anywhere on earth.  Of the all the GTOs built, 20 were present here.  Likewise the 250 Testa Rossa had a huge showing, but making the event even more special was that it was also the largest ever gathering of single models or one off cars.
 
I’m not going to put ‘em all up, but I still think they are among the most gorgeous production cars ever, so I’ll to post up those I like.
 
The biggest problem here was getting a clean shot, as so many of the people on the ground were just bloody rude and thought they should be in everybody else’s photograph.  But I’m a patient person and I think I managed to get them all, without some rude bastard standing in front of the car and without swearing at anybody
 
On the other hand the owners were great to talk with.  It was only the audience who were ignorant, arrogant, rude or all of the above.  Which is why I’d probably not bother going again.  Not because the cars aren’t worth seeing, they definitely are, but it’s so crowded and bloody hard work to stay polite and see everything there is to see without them pushing in front of you.
 
Anyhow, here’s a few Ferarris, starting with one of the finest 250 GTOs there is.
 

 
This car changed hands only a couple of years ago and at the time it was the highest price ever paid for a Ferrari at US38.4 million.
 

 
The TR250 is up there with the GTO for beauty and value.  Also success on the race track.
 

 
Not an ugly car among them.
 

 
750 Monza was among the most successful of the ‘50s era racers.
 

 
Most of these cars were built in the fifties or very early sixties, like this ’64 SWB California Spyder.
 

 
Variation on the theme.  Since most of the road cars wore coachbuilt bodies it’s rare to find two of the same model with exactly identical body details.
 

 
Another GTO.
 

 
A Super America from the mid sixties.
 

 
Same model, different car.
 

 
From the later half of the sixties.
 

 
The 250 SWB was the first high volume Ferrari road car, which was also most successful on the track.  Your basic drive it to the office during the week and win races on the weekend deal.  Which is why they were so popular and this model spawned the famous competition only 250 GTO.
 

 
More 360 GTS models.
 

 
Later model California Spyder.
 

 
360 Berlinetta Boxer based racers.
 

 

 
Pre Shuey F! car.
 

 
Uniquely bodied Monza.
 

 
Speaking of unique, all of the following cars are one offs and as such worth silly money.
 

 
There are three matching grilles here, but each car has a unique body.
 

 
This is the coupe.  There’s also a roadster and a cabriolet.
 

 
Some are less pretty than others, but each one totally unique.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This is the car that Niki Lauda crashed and burned.
 

 
This is the car he came back and won the world championship with.
 

 
This car raced very successfully throughout North America.
 

 
Early fifties 250 MM Barchetta, these were almost unbeatable during the early fifties.
 

 
The GTO was unbeatable.
 

 
As too was the Testa Rossa, this is the more common Pininfarina bodied version.
 

 
The Monza was also a prolific winner.
 

 
A couple more early fifties models.
 

 

 

 
Early mid engine Dino in North American Racing Team yellow.
 

 
The gorgeous 250 Testa Rossa body by Scaglietti.
 

 
Garden variety 250 SWB.
 

 
This is definitely the iconic 250 GTO.
 

 
The famous V12.
 

 
Line up of Le Mans winners.
 

 

 
Early MM Barchetta Superlegerra.
 

 
Looks like but isn’t a 250 TR, I think it may be a Scaglietti body on a Monza Chassis.
 

 

 
Another unique body.
 

 
Cockpits were usually quite sparse.
 

 
The V12 again
 

 
Daytonas.
 

 

 
That should do us for Ferrari, next up some huge classics.

In addition to Ferrari, the featured Marque at Pebble Beach this year, was the Italian challenger to Rolls Royce, Isotta Fraschini
 
These are all bloody huge cars, at least 20 feet long and six feet tall, but there’s something slightly unusual about them all.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Did anybody notice it?
 
Isotta Fraschini were also strong competitors in early motor racing.
 

 

 
This is the oldest IF known to still exist and it’s in 100% totally original unrestored condition.
 

 
And this pair, are from the last production year just before Hitler moved into Italy.
 

 

 
Many of the car owners dress up in period costume to match their magnificent machines.
 

 

 
This 1899 motor buggy was the oldest car on the grounds. 
 

 
This 1929 Mercedes Benz was the top car of the show.   A little non descript compared to many of the cars present, but a totally magnificent restoration of a rare old machine.
 

 

 
If you can’t drive youre car to the podium, you don’t get to take home your prize, they give it to another car that can be driven.
 

 

 
Which is fair enough I reckon.
 

 

 

 

 
Lalique Crystal radiator mascots were everywhere, many are more valuable than a house or some of the cars.
 

 

 

 

 
However, the cars are the stars of the show and almost all of them, like this V16 Cadillac, are simply stunning.
 

 

 

 
Likewise the Packards, I luvs these things.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The oldest Packard present is also totally original and unrestored.  And the unrestored cars here are more highly regarded than many of the restored beauties.
 

 
Deusenbergs are pretty cool too and some of the rarest were parked on the Pebble Beach grass..
 

 

 
Yes folks they came from the factory detailed like this.
 

 

 
One of the last Deusenbergs from 1935.
 

 
Everything and anything it seems is fair game at the concours, like this Stanley Steamer.
 

 
Or this 1910 Pierce Arrow.
 

 
Rolls Royce are also well represented, with a few rarities like this copper bodied Phantom III.
 

 

 
Others were a tad more subtle.  Did ya notice the Morris Minor tail-lamps?
 

 
Others a little weird.
 

 

 
I do like an early Auburn Speedster.
 

 
Early to mid ‘30s Mercedes SSKs abounded.
 

 
And a few older models turned out too.
 

 
This one off Bugatti was also a tad different.
 

 
But magnificent, at the same time.
 

 
For an early thirties model, it’s pretty swoopy.
 

 
I also loved this huge Chrysler Imperial Airflow.
 

 

 
Marmon V16 Limo was positively huge!
 

 

 
Can;t remember what this big V16 engine was in, I think maybe a Hispano Suiza.
 

 
Thomas flyer is big and good for 100mph.
 

 
I think the mascot may help.
 

 
When Henry Ford was tinkering in his shed, Alexander Pope held almost 45% share of the booming US automobile market.  He also refused to hire Ford as an engineer stating thet Henry was not suited to the automobile industry.
 

 
I think this is another Hispano Suiza powerplant.
 

 
Delahaye styling was always a little out there.
 

 

 
Early ‘30s Chrysler Imperial engine room, the car appears up near the top of the page.
 

 
A few more oldies.
 

 

 

 
Chrysler powered Ghia Dual.
 

Dennis Healy’s first attempt at a production car.
 

 
Fiat streamliner.
 

 
This is a custom bodied Aston Martin DB4.
 

 

 
Another original oldie.
 

 

 
A very early Shelby Cobra.
 

 
Jaguar XK120 was customised by Barris, you can just see the crest under the windscreen post.
 

 

 
Kurtis.
 

 
Talbot Lago.
 

 
American racing specials.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cadillac.
 

 
Movie Car, I think used by Fabian in a 1950s chick flick..
 

 

 

 
Pontiac Concept.
 

 

 
Model T Ford Roadster by my good friend, The Late Leroy ‘Tex’ Smith.
 

 

 
Dean Jeffries’ Manta Ray.
 

 
Rambler AMX Concept.
 

 
Studebaker concept from late fifties.
 

 
Gotta love the chrome upholstery.
 

 
A modern Bugatti concept from the late ‘70s.
 

 
Old Bugatti.
 

 
Pierce Arrow.
 

 
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.
 

 
Giant Hispano Suiza, this is the car that belongs to the engine I wasn’t sure about in previous post.
 

 
A Packard for men with big hats.
 

 
Lincoln.
 

 
Jaguar MKV, body by Gangloff.
 

 
Yet another Mercedes.
 

 

 
Delahaye.
 

 
Lagonda.
 

 
Fiat concept from mid fifties.
 

 

 
Alfa Romeo from same coachbuilder, same period.
 

 

 
I think that should do for expensive exotics, its now time to head towards San Franciso and do a few shop tours.  But not tonight.

Awesome pics Carps, the ? about the Isotta Fraschini, they are all RHD

Some more cool ones to drool over,

dv8v8 wrote:Awesome pics Carps, the ? about the Isotta Fraschini, they are all RHD

Nope, think about them being Italian Rolls Royces.

Allan, there's more to come.  

Watching and waiting

What an absolutely stunning array of rides Carps, truely stunning as always,

THANK YOU so very much again..

I departed Pebble Beach for Pleasanton around 16:00 hours, arriving at my motel a couple of hours later for a quiet night alone, sorting out my laundry.
 
Pleasanton is a most affluent city and as a result coin laundries are a bit thin on the ground, but Google is my friend and found one albeit a good distance away on the other side of town.  First thing Monday morning off I went to get my gear clean.  I’d then have enough to last until it was time to head home.  Good news turned out to be that right next door to the laundromat is a classic car dealership.  So, whilst the Maytag was scrubbing my stuff, I wandered in for a look around.
 

 

 
Lots of cool stuff here and the asking prices seemed reasonable for the most part.
 

 
Poncho Firebird appeared immaculate……….
 

 
…… however, it had this label stuck to the windscreen.
 

 
Forty Ford coupe was a modern style street rod, with a big price tag.
 

 
It appeared well built and detailed to the max.
 

 
One that could have tempted me as a great daily driver, was this Chevy C10 Stepside.
 

 
It too was well built and clean on the original chassis with modified factory suspension.
 

 
It had an updated and uprated drivetrain and good detailing.
 

 
Wouldn’t be too difficult to convert to RHD.
 

 
The sales guy told me all the prices were negotiable and I could probably take the Chevy home for considerably less than the number on the windscreen.  But no, desireable as it may be, it’s not what I want.  Same goes for this Roadrunner.
 

 
It’s powered by a 383 and driven through a four speed manual box of gears.
 

 

 
Across the room was another MOPAR, a Dodge Charger that looked to be in primo condition.
 

 
The interior was immaculate and it also has four gear ratios and three pedals.
 

 
The deal clincher is most likely what is lurking beneath the hood.  The windscreen sheet said all the numbers matched and it was an original car with an $80K asking price.
 

 
This four door Merc was a better price proposition but less desireable machine.
 

 
Or maybe this older Chevy pick up is your cup of tea.
 

 
Caddy convert was in nice shape.
 

 
And there was even a couple of early Mustangs.
 

 
Pretty clean this one, with a Pony interior and four speed behind a 289.
 

 
Chevelle was loaded with a 454 and four speed plus posi.
 

 
Model A Huckster was pretty neat and priced well.
 

 
There were four different coloured Camaros, all wearing this badge on the front fenders.
 

 
Red F1 arrived while I was across the street moving my stuff from wash to dry.
 

 
Seemed to be a clean and streetable truck, ready for work or play.
 

 
TR3 is not something you see every day in this part of the world, asking price was pretty high by comparison to what you’d pay for the same car here.
 

 
The ask on this clean black flare-side C10 was around $10K less than the red step-side.
 

 
Then there was this, the sales guy told me it’s quite rare and as a result had a pretty steep price tag.
 

 
But I didn’t weaken and buy anything.  Laundry done I headed back to the motel where Hot Rod Liz (she’s the Canadian lady with the T Bucket at the NSRA Nationals)…….
 

 
………and the Lipstick Tour ladies were waiting for me to join their party.  They’d arrived early from Canadia to join the Hot Rod Week activities.
 
Every year these ladies load up their hot rods and head to one of the bigger events in the US.  Earlier this year they even came and stayed with me in OZ so they could attend our street rod Nationals
 
Liz’s bucket is not so comfortable for someone my size, but it’s proven reliable and fun too, clocking up around half a million miles in the fourteen years since it was built.  It’s actually Liz’s second T bucket, she wore the first one out
 

 

 

 
Barb’s ‘34 Pick Up is also a tight fit, that’s coz she’s not so big as the rest of us, but it’s more comfy than liz’s bucket and it rides good.
 

 

 

 

 

 
However, Cathy’s ’38 Chevy is my pick,…..
 

 
….. lotsa doors and room for everybody plus, it’s air conditioned.
 

Over lunch Liz mentioned she wanted to go to Sanderson Headers in San Francisco, to thank them for the fact that after almost half a million miles her headers were still as good as new.
 

 
So fed and watered we jumped in my Chevy Impala and headed in the general direction of the bay-city.
 

 
The double deck bridge across San Francisco Bay is called golden gate, but it aint that shiny.
 

 
 When we arrived at the header factory, the shop truck was being raised off the ground for some maintenance.  Since she was a bit busy with paying customers the boss lady asked the shop foreman Juan to give us the full tour.
 

 
It was a most informative visit and Juan went through the entire process of building headers in minute detail
 

 
The office is a pretty cool thing.
 

 
Each pair of headers is made entirely by a single worker, who adds his signature to the flange plates, which is how they manage quality control.  Anything that comes back, they know immediately who to punish for the problem.  Juan says it works well and they have no major problems at all.
 

 
There’s some pretty cool equipment in this place although its not quite as shiny as the shop next door, more on that shortly.
 

 
I love the name on the giant bandsaw.
 

 

 
There’s lots of old engines out the back, used as templates for making the jigs…….
 

 
….most of which look pretty agricultural but are very sturdy and ensure each header is the same as the next.
 

 
Somehow I don’t think the local safeway knows about the unique logistics management equipment at Sanderson.
 

 

 
Once the header is built it goes to the paint booth for a ceramic coating, either satin black or shiny silver.  Custom colours are also offered.
 

 
And for those who like the appearance of chrome there’s this little box of ceramic beads.
 

 
The coated pipes go into the box which is a on a big vibrating table and they are shaken and stirred until they come out looking like chrome.
 

 
Then it’s off to the packing area and shipping to the store or customer.
 

 
Next door to Sanderson Headers is this somewhat nondescript building.
 

 
The boss’s daily driver is parked out front and suggests to passing car people that this may be a place of interest to us.   So in we went to take a closer look.
 

 

 
Here’s what greeted us inside the door, along with a bunch of really friendly people.
 

 
Before we knew it we were on our own self guided tour of the shop.
 

 
It’s a pretty cool place with a good chunk of history………
 

 
….and where the welding is not too shabby……..
 

 
….likewise the fabrication.
 

 
A lot going on in this place, like this Lincoln coupe…..
 

 
….Packard wagon…..
 

 
And a whole bunch more.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This little Willys was ready to be delivered back to it’s owner.
 

 
It’s a real sweetheart of a car.
 

 
And it has just the right number of pedals.
 

 
I’d take it any day.
 

 
The staff parking lot is a pretty cool place too.
 

 
On the way back to our digs we were passed by this, so naturally we followed it back to it’s home base…….
 

 
….where we got to see a few more cool things under construction.
 

 

 

 
   
We thanked Mike for his hospitality and headed back to the motel for a late supper and good nights sleep.  Because tomorrow was day one of hot rod week and we had things to see and miles to cover.

We weren’t sure where to meet the Hot Rod Week gang on Tuesday morning but figured when the traffic was like this, we wuz headed in the right direction.
 

 

 

 
They seemed to be following us, no matter which way we went.
 

 

 

 

 
Our First official stop on Tuesday morning was a rather large industrial building, more like a complex, in Scott’s Valley, which is about 60 mile south west from Pleasanton. 
 

 
The facility is identified as a car guy place by a rusty old split window Dak-Dak in the front garden……
 

 
….. and is owned by retired race car driver Bruce Canepa, who among other things competed in IMSA GT, sprint car racing, midget car racing, and Trans Am. In 1979 he finished third at the 24 Hours of Daytona with co-drivers Rick Mears and Monte Shelton. Canepa also drove the first March GTP car with Bobby Rahal and regularly competed at Pikes Peak. He’s currently a regular at the nearby Monterey Historic Races and nowadays makes a living restoring and selling classic cars, specializing but not limited to Porsche.  His company also manufactures custom race car transporters and specialised trailers for various activities, including the huge Godguys transporter which you’ll see in the background of a few shots later..
 
The complex is a one-stop shop where they do everything including paint and upholstery. But we’ll start in the car sales show-room…..
 

 
…… and there’s a lot of nicely restored and rare stuff like this Lancia, for sale out front.
 

 
This SL300 Mercedes Roadster is the first one built and was displayed at the Paris Auto Salon when it was new.  Since provenance adds value it has a seriously large price tag.
 
.
 
Early Cobra is the real deal and priced accordingly.
 

 

 
Likewise this 1965 model with its original 427 side oiler.
 

 
Mustang fastback was not in the same price bracket as most that I’ve looked at in the US.
 

 
I think it may have something to do with the blue stripes.
 

 
Ariel Square Four two wheeler is not something you’ll see every day.
 

 
There were a handful of cool muddersickles for sale.
 

 
And a few more exotic sporty cars.
 

 
Even a half finished deuce Road duster.
 

 
BN 1 Healy was as nice a restoration as you’ll ever see and not so expensive as some of the other cars on the floor.
 

 
From the sales showroom we were taken upstairs to Mr C’s private museum, none of the cars here are for sale.  All of them are mouth watering cool.
 

 
If this nose looks familiar, that’s probably because it’s a very well known old hot rod or you once built the model.
 

 
I have the 1/18 scale version, but this is the real deal.
 

 
Powered by a front blown Ardun no less.
 

 
Late 1920s front drive Miller is a pretty rare beast.
 

 
And the speedway/oval track history kinda shows in a few cars on display up here.
 

 

 

 
There’s even a SOHC Ford powered top fuel dragster.
 

 
There’s also a shipload of the man’s favourite make, Porsche.
 

 
Each one with some serious race history/pedigree
 

 

 
Trans Am is also represented.
 

 
As is NASCAR.
 

 
Formula one is here too and it’s not just any old F1 car, but a six wheeled Tyrell!
 

 
 

 
It’s a pretty rudimentary thing by modern F1 standards.
 

 
But the F2 car is even more basic.
 

 
Mercedes Silver Arrows are not something that everybody has kicking around in their attic.
 

 

 
Indy cars are a bit more common.
 

 

 
And of course there’s also a couple or more old two wheeled racers.
 

 

Having salivated over the museum cars it was time to check out the workshop.
 

 
The Porsche 959 was produced between 1986 and1993, first as a Group B rally car and later a legal road car to satisfy FIA homologation regulations requiring at least 200 street legal units to be built.
 

 
When it was introduced, the twin-turbocharged 959 was the world's fastest street-legal production car with a top speed of 314 km/h.  It was also regarded as the most technologically advanced road-going sports car ever built, and the forerunner of all future super cars.
 

 
The 959 was not available for sale in the US because it wasn’t compliant with crash or emissions regulations at the time.  Canepa now purchases these cars from wherever they are available and rebuilds them as US compliant road cars.  They sell for more than six figures and I counted a dozen of them about the property.
 

 

 
If a 959 isn’t for you maybe the latest Posche super car is.
 

 
Or perhaps a retired Porsche racer?
 

 
A few more of which are stored in the rack awaiting restoration.
 

 
This one was raced exclusively in Can Am.
 

 
This one too.
 

 

 
Here’s a couple of Can Am Toyotas.
 

 

 
There’s also more American muscle out in the shop.
 

 

 
Neat Deuce fordor ….
 

 
….. is powered by a Gurney Eagle engine originally installed in a Can Am racer.
 

 
A Can Am big block Chevy, possibly just a tad wide for use in a street rod.
 

 
The upholstery area…..
 

 
…and the paint shop.
 

 
Fabrication and sheet-metal zone.
 

 
And the back yard
 

 

 

 
The shop isn’t limited to Posche, there’s Ferraris too…..
 

 
Lightweight Jaguars……
 

 
…and also a wooden station wagon.
 

 

 
Rare Pagani supercar has a screaming quad cam V16 mounted sideways behind the driver.
 

 

 
Cobras just have old Ford engines.
 

 

 

 
Ford Cosworth RS200 was a factory rally car.
 

 
As was the Audi Quattro
 

 
Of course there’s also a Bonneville racer among the competition cars.
 

 
And for those times when wheels just wont get the fun done?
 

 
A genuine pre war Chris Craft speedboat.
 

 
It’s totally original and unrestored.
 

 
Totally cool too.
 

 

 

And now we had to head off to lunch.

Food and fluids were waiting for us at Watsonville  (look closely at the buildings, they are actually plain concrete walls and the facades are simply painted on!) about thirty miles away…….
 

 

 
 …………. at Gary’s Rods and Restorations.  One  interesting thing about this shop is that before he opened it Gary actually worked for Bruce Canepa.
 

 
Outside the front door was a custom Merc built at the shop and kitted out as a mobile sound lounge complete with guitar amplifier and player who did a damn fine job emulating Carlos Santana.
 

 

 

 
Even cooler is a little bit of Australia in the car, thanks to a Pearlcraft modified and dressed steering wheel.
 

 
In the front doorway was this classy five window ’32 Chevy coupe.
 

 
Further inside, this even classier early Holden.
 

 
OK, it’s not really a Holden, but does give away where the Holden logo originated.
 

 
Yup it’s a Cad-lee-ak!
 

 
Inside it’s every bit the luxurious ride you’d expect a Cadillac to be.
 

 
And under the hood it’s all Caddy too.
 

 
This skeleton will one day be a ’29 Ford Woody Wagon.
 

 
Nice metalwork.
 

 
This, will one day be a very clean big block powered Camaro.
 

 
This one had everybody scratchin’ their heads, but I knew it is an Iso Rivolta.
 

 
It’s being built for some serious on road performance….
 

 
….and handling.
 

 

 
Cadillac’s seem to be popular in this neck of the woods.
 

 
Lunch was excellent!  Juicy hamburgers loaded however you wished, cool drinks and ‘Carlos’ playing live music.
 

 
A lot of the guys were impressed by the magnetic sheet metal brake.
 

 
Did I mention that Caddys are popular here?  This one is freshly completed.
 

 
It’s pretty cool outside and even more-so inside.
 

 

 
There’s a lens behind the mesh that functions as a turn signal side repeater lamp.
 

 
It’s also nicely slicked up under the hood.
 

No sooner had we finished lookin’ and eatin’ and it was time to load up and head towards Modesto and Beebe Racing Enterprises, or as they are better known, BRE.
 

 
This business owned by long time NASCAR and dirt track racer Lenny Boehler.
 

 
BRE has been in business since 1957 and in that time the company has built and raced many winning NASCARs and dirt trackers and drag racers.
 

 
In fact Lenny himself amassed over 300 NASCAR wins before finally hanging up his helmet in 1996.
 

 

 

 

 
The shop is not as huge as Canepa’s but bigger than Gary’s and is divided into retail parts store,…..
 

 
……..street car fabrication and construction……
 

 

 

 
……..paint shop,……..
 

 
………. race car fabrication and construction……..
 

 

 
……… and a small museum.
 

 

 

 
Yup, yet another Cadillac, told ya they is popular.
 

 
The workshop is very tidy with lots of cool machinery.
 

 

 

 
The quality of workmanship is very high, just check out some of the welding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
And fabrication.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
New slicks look funny with all the little rubber ‘hairs’, but one good strong burnout will fix it.
 

 
Studebaker is a mean nasty Pro Mod race car.
 

 

 
Willys pick up is being built as a dual duty rocket ship, street legal but capable of 8 second quarter miles.
 

 

 

 
It’s gunna be one tough arsed bad boy when it’s done.
 

 
The shop truck is pretty neat too.
 

 
How’s this for a nice pick up truck chassis?
 

 

 
The coffee and Krispy Cremes were great for arvo tea, but it was getting late and we had to head back to Pleasanton before the traffic got too heavy.
 

Thank's again for sharing these great photos.

the I F ? , the mascot it mounted on the radiator cap