April Issue of Driven World

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Ventura Farms Concours | Interviewed: Robert Ross | Supercar Sunday Lamborghini Day April 2013

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Contents ISSUE 39, April 2013 EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dustin Troyan

ART DIRECTOR

Connected Media Group LLC

COPY EDITOR Melena Gergen

DESIGN Connected Media Group WEB DESIGN

Jeff Balbien

STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Mike Grudt Tommy Mansuwan Danah Palmer Dan Neil Michael Teitelbaum

Page 6

PHOTOGRAPHY Randy Cordero Greg Grudt Dustin Troyan Michael Teitelbaum

Advertising/Marketing: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

818-516-5053 www.drivenworld.com www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com Page 18

Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to high-net-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large.

All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein.

Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein.

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Page 22

On the Cover: “Veyron�

Photo: Randy Cordero CorderoStudios.com

from the editor That Old Record Player

I remember when my family was given an old record player. I couldn’t have been more than ten years old. It must have been from the 1950’s and it was more of a piece of furniture than a record player. If I recall correctly, it was given to us by my aunt and uncle. My Uncle Gary was always into music. He had more records than just about anybody I knew. The record player they gave us must have weighed about 100 pounds with a built-in speaker and a top that slid open to show the turntable. I thought this behemoth of a record player was awesome.

It was in perfect condition and now we could play my parents records any time.

I can remember my parents had two boxes of records; the seemed so special although they had probably not been played in a decade. They just sat in their boxes—tucked away, dormant. I would often go through them, looking at the covers and the names of songs but having no idea what magic the records actually held.

I think we got the record player in the spring.

We got it home, it was like a magical machine just waiting to be turned on. We put the record player in the family room and my mom would put records on while we cleaned the house. I can remember the sound of her favorite bands playing throughout the house. It seemed to lighten everything up and make cleaning the house a little more fun. It was great to see my mom dance and happily sing in her own world. I even saw her do the Charleston and the Mashed Potato (all you youngsters have no idea what that means but they were very popular dances). The music brought a new dimension to our home, even though the amazing machine seemed to play most when we were cleaning the house.

I can recall my brother warning me not to scratch the records. They were the Holy Grail of sorts. We had no idea of the value of a record but we thought they must be worth a fortune. I suppose I scratched a few in my time, but that was probably par for the course for a kid. I could never quite figure out how to find the track that I wanted and I would drop that needle all over the records. As it would bounce and skip I would hope that I wasn’t doing any damage and that my parents would not be mad at me.

I think when one is very young you grow up liking the music that their parents play. Wondering how they know all the words to the songs. Watching their toes tap and seeing the effect the music has on them. I can remember songs that my parents loved. Best of Chuck Berry was always in my father’s tape player in his1978 Ford Currier pick-up and the Best of Neil Diamond cassette, which was black and white, was in my mother’s little 1980’s Capri. Such fond memories.

Best of Kenny Rogers. Yes, that was one of my all time favorites. I suppose it was because my mom loved it and also because I could sing along. There was just something magical about Kenny and his voice. I think there was something romantic about many of his songs, perhaps inspiring. His songs always seemed to have a sense of truth to them; they were almost patriotic. I cannot tell you why, but his songs seemed quintessentially American to me. Not really knowing what that meant as a child, I did know there was just something wonderful about Kenny Rogers. I played that album over and over.

And over.

I remember experimenting with record player’s volume. Once I realized that I was home alone, I sang my little heart out. It was an energy from within

directed to the heavens; an emotion so natural, so pure. I was just belting it out. The volume was turned high and I thought I was signing as well as, if not better than, Kenny himself. I jumped on the couch, pretended to have a microphone in my hand, and stretched out my arms like I was in front of an audience at the largest arena. Kenny and I were doing our thing.

Also when I was a kid, the Davis family and their sons lived on our block. What an amazing family!

My brother, Lance, and I would go on vacation with them. I can recall one year when Big Bill Davis was doing a horse drive in Mammoth and we were invited . My brother and I drove up to Mammoth with Carol Davis (Bill’s wife and the mother of Bill Jr. and Bobby). On this trip I was definitely the runt of the litter—a few years younger than Lance, Bill Jr., and Bobby and finding it hard to compete with them. A few hours into the drive, Bobby was playing a mix tape he created. He and my brother knew every word and “Little Dusty” was too young to know about David Bowie and Culture Club. Sitting in front with Carol and the two older boys with their music in back, I felt a little left out and awkward. But then it happened, something magical. Carol, who was probably tired of the “noise”, put on one of her own favorite tapes, the Best of Kenny Rogers. That was my record, my tape! Oh, those guys and their new-school music! Carol and I would show them how it was done!

And, what nobody in the car knew was that I had a phenomenal voice. It was my secret and it gave me a little bit of a competitive advantage because I also knew that entire album backward and forwards. As children Lance and I went to a little church school, which meant that every Wednesday we had to go to church. Part of church was singing and I really enjoyed it. When it was time for my favorite hymns in church church, boy oh boy, it was great! I knew I had a great voice and I really wanted to show it off. During the annual Christmas program I would sing so loud so my parents could hear me in the audience. I tried to make them proud. I often received great compliments about my voice, which meant a lot as a child.

So there we were cruising up to Mammoth, the Kenny Rogers cassette in the deck, the older boys in the back, and I am ready. I cannot recall what hit was playing but just as Kenny was about to sing, both my brother and Bobby started singing along. What?! This is MY album! I can remember feeling a little smaller, melting back into the seat. Carol, Lance, and Bobby were singing my songs. Heck, I don’t think Bobby and Lance even liked the songs but they sure did know them. What was I to do? As the tape continued to play, I decided to join in. How could I not? We sang together as Carol sped up to Mammoth. (Yes, if I recall correctly, she did get pulled over for speeding. I love you Carol Davis.)

Song after song we sang, and then Carol looked at me and complimented my singing. She was amazed I had such a wonderful voice and she actually asked the two older boys in the back to stop singing so she could hear me perform my Kenny Rogers. It was the opportunity of a lifetime! I sang with all my might, I was so proud, I was a hero! It was a moment I have never forgotten. A confidence-building moment thanks to my good friend Kenny Rogers and an inspirational woman Carol Davis!

Lance and Bobby, eat your hearts out.

Boy, could I sing. I could really carry a tune. I held that moment on the drive to Mammoth close to my

heart. But, then something happened. I wasn’t sure what it was but something was happening. Those high notes, I just couldn’t seem to hit them anymore. What was going on? It was about two years after my singing victory on the way to Mammoth and, all of a sudden, I couldn’t harmonize with the other kids in church. My voice only cracked and squeaked. Puberty. I suppose it was the same enemy that had allowed me to out-sing Lance and Bobby that day. Pesky puberty. My singing career has never been the same.

That record player—over time it sat and collected dust. Record albums turned into tapes and tapes were small. Space in the house became a precious commodity and it was time for the behemoth to go. We had a garage sale and our record player was passed on to another family, hopefully one that carried on the Kenny Roger’s tradition.

I still love Kenny Rogers. Heather and I included a Kenny Rogers song in our wedding and he is still on my favorite play list. How can one not like Kenny Rogers? I am not a big country music fan, but for me Kenny evokes magical times of my youth with my family and friends. It is good, old-fashioned, quality music with a message.

Heather found out that Kenny was playing at CSUN’s Valley Performing Arts Center in March and she bought tickets for the two of us and my parents. Now, I am not a big concert-goer. I am not into super-loud music. I hate crowds. But Kenny Rogers performing live, why not?

When we arrived at the concert hall, it was clear we were the youngest there or close to it. The whole crowd walked a little slower and the squeak of hip replacements could be heard with ever step. It was kind of understood, be patient up and down the stairs, no rushing or pushing. The crowd was very diverse and there was excitement in the air.

Kenny came out and he nailed it! My mom probably clapped and sang louder than anybody in that hall. Heather sang the hits, my dad had a great time, and, when nobody was looking, I might have sung along here and there. Kenny Rogers at 73 years old owned the room and we were eating out of his hands. He spoke about passion and energy between the songs. He cracked jokes and was completely at home. No surprise that after 50 years in the industry he knows what he’s doing.

That old record player. I can close my eyes and hear the records play. I can smell the house almost 30 years later—spring was in the air, the windows were open, and we were dancing to the music. Sitting in Carol’s car, belting it out. Dancing with my wife at our wedding.

Sitting at a local concert hall listening to a legend in his seventies with all the passion of a young man with a lot to prove. Inspirational.

I am not a big music buff; I am more of a “moment in time buff.” I like my moments in time and try to appreciate them. I suppose I have a way of remembering the past and seeing it with rosy glasses. Why not? The past makes us who we are and we can make our future whatever we wish.

The take away? Go out there and be great. Be inspirational. Just like Kenny Rogers at 73 years old, still doing what he does and sharing it with the world.

BE GREAT! Dustin

Lamborghini Day at Supercar Sunday

What can one say about the Lamborghini Day at Supercar Sunday? I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E!

Just about every Lamborghini in Southern California was in attendance! Aventador? There were a handful! Countach? Yup! Gallardo? Pick a color! And perhaps the finest 1966 Lamborghini 400GT Interim in the world was also present—and driven! We call it Supercar Sunday for a reason.

As the sun rose, it was clear to all that it was going to be an amazing day. The presenting sponsor of Supercar Sunday, the Auto Gallery, once again showed us why they are the most passionate automotive group in North America. With over thirty team members present and over fifteen cars on display, the Auto Gallery also brought out their race team to share with enthusiasts. From the managers to the technicians, the Auto Gallery team was present to support the event and answer any questions. What an amazing group!

Thank you to the Auto Gallery!

Did I mention we broadcast from Supercar Sunday to all over the world? The Auto Gallery team again stepped up and asked if they could do this for those in the car community who could not make it to Lamborghini Day. The Auto Gallery produced a handful of videos, which were completed and went viral in less than 48 hours! Supercar Sunday is going global!

I suppose it would not be Supercar Sunday if Batman didn’t show up. Comedian and all around car guy, Jeff Dunham, sent a BatText that he was bringing something special and then he drove up in the Batmobile! Hey, we all need heroes! Naturally, we saved

a spot next to Jeff for Debbie’s matte black “BatAventador!” Debbie had added a Batman logo to the hood of her Aventador and even came in full BatGear, proving to be the enthusiast of the day!

I would like to thank all of you for making

by Dustin Troyan Photos: Greg Grudt

Supercar Sunday the best show on the planet! For over twelve years, we have been meeting on Sunday mornings, sharing our passion, our cars, and our friendship. See you next Sunday!

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Golf Tips with Tommy The Mines Golf Club – Malaysia

For those who are frequent followers of the PGA Tour, you will recognize the Mines Resort and Golf Club as the host of the CIMB Classic that is usually held in October. For those who don’t follow, yes, the PGA does in fact have a tournament in Malaysia.

Playing professionally in Asia, I seem to find myself in Malaysia quite a bit but only recently did I have a chance to play the Mines for the first time.

Situated on an old tin mine, this course is separated into two halves. The first nine is built near a massive 150-acre lake with several holes running alongside the edge of the lake while the back nine wanders inland through trees and forest. From the very back tees, it measures just shy of 7,000 yards, which isn’t that long by today’s standards; however, what it lacks in yardage, it makes up for in dangerous scenery.

While beautiful to admire, six of the first seven holes

bring plenty of water into play and demand precise shots. Note: bring plenty of balls.

The second half of this course starts with a quirky bit of a hole where you will have to avoid a massive tree in the center-right side of the fairway.

Your tee shot must be precise on this hole, otherwise you will have to maneuver a recovery shot under the tree. Whereas the front side of the course is more open with hazards looming, the back nine resembles a more traditional parkland design. Framed by tall trees, it winds through the hills and homes giving a different perspective of the course.

Seeing the scores the PGA Tour pros shoot is something to admire. The course is simply not that easy. Small greens and narrow fairways tend to be the norm here so you must strike it pretty well to score on these holes. And while I would consider this a good course overall, it wasn’t really what I expected for a place that considers itself one of the premier golf

By Tommy Mansuwan

courses in Asia. On a scale of 1-10, this would be about a seven in my books as I felt the maintenance on the course was lacking for a high end course. On the flip side, they try to keep the club as exclusive as possible so you can fly through this course as fast as you’d like.

In fact, you are more likely to run into wildlife than humans.

Outside of the golf course, there is plenty for families to enjoy. The Mines Shopping Fair is a large mall adjacent to the golf course’s lake. The greatest feature of this mall is the canal that runs directly through it and connects to the lake. They offer lake tours, which are great for relaxation and keep the kids busy feeding the fish. In all, this place has a bit for everyone to enjoy.

For more information on the Mines, visit www.minesgolfclub.com.

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April 7th - Porsche Day May 5th - British Cars Day June 2nd - Ferrari Day July 7th - Hot Rod Day August 4th - Pro-Touring/Pre-1973 Muscle Car Day Sept 1st - Corvette Day October 6th - Ferrari vs. Lamborghini November 3rd - European GT Style Icons A celebration of the really great GT cars, which include pretty much any two-door European road car made between 19501970 with a motor larger than 2500cc.

Please visit www.drivenworld.com for examples.

On December 1st there will not be a marque day as it will be the 10th Annual Motor4toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive For more information please see: www.SupercarSunday.com or contact Dustin Troyan at 818-516-5053 or at Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

Car Culture

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Dan Niel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE AMPHICAR Sounds like the title of a 1960’s Saturday night B horror movie.

But believe it or not the Amphicar is exactly what its name implies, an amphibious vehicle capable of travelling on both land and water. Designed by German Hanns Trippel and manufactured in Germany by the Quandt Group. Production began in 1961 and 3,878 were built by 1965 when the company folded mainly due to a high sticker price ($2,800.00 to $3300.00 in 1961) and poor marketing.

Most Amphicars were sold in America (President Lyndon B. Johnson was the proud owner of one), however in 1964 sales in the United Kingdom began. Of the original 3,878 cars made 99 were converted from left hand drive to right hand drive with some used in the Berlin police department and others fitted with added equipment were used for rescue operations.

The Amphicar was powered by a 1147cc Triumph 4 cylinder engine producing 38 horsepower. It used a special two part land and water transmission built by Hermes (builders of the Porsche transmission) that allows the wheels and boat propellers to be operated either independently or simultaneously. The land transmission was a 4 speed manual with reverse and the water transmission had one forward gear and one reverse. The Amphicar could achieve speeds of 7 knots on the water and 70 mph on the street. It used the front wheels to navigate on both land and water.

Today there is an estimated 700 of the original 3,878 still on the road and water. A restored and well maintained Amphicar can sell for $50,000 to 60,000. There are many shows featuring the Amphicar. These shows are called “swim ins”.

Here are some fascinating Amphicar adventures: In 1965, two Amphicars successfully navigate the Yukon River in Alaska.

In 1968 two Amphicars cross the English Channel enduring 20 foot waves and gale-force winds.

In the late 1970s an Amphicar was sailed from the California Coast to Catalina Island. www.LeonsTransmission.com

The Taste of Charity

Breweries and wineries are finding ways to support important causes even during these challenging economic times. Some breweries and wineries have even created limited-edition products with specially designed labels to draw attention to and support specific charities.

So if you are interested in making a toast to a good cause here are a few suggestions.

Closest to home is Rosenthal Estate Winery in Malibu, which offers Surfrider Chardonnay and Hang Ten Red. For each bottle of Surfrider Chardonnay sold a donation is made to the Mauli Ola Foundation, which is a non-profit that helps students who have Cystic Fibrosis.

The foundation pairs professional surfers with the students battling Cystic Fibrosis to help them learn how to surf. With the purchase of Hang Ten Red a donation is made to organizations that help preserve the beauty of the oceans and its wildlife. Rosenthal is one of the few wineries that grows grapes in this region; their vineyards are located on the hillsides of Malibu Newton Canyon— not a traditional winemaking region. Rosenthal wines can be purchased at their Pacific Coast Highway tasting room, from their website (www.rosenthalestatewines. com), or at Wades Wines in Westlake Village.

Story and Photos by Danah Palmer tion, which spotlights the world’s most promising young jazz artists. And in 2012 North Coast Brewing released Otsuchi Old Stock Ale, named for Otsuchi, Japan. Fort Bragg and Otsuchi have been sister cities since 1997 thanks to Ken Sasaki. Sasaki’s father, a fisherman, was lost at sea and, as a young child, he would spend time looking at the ocean wondering who lived on the other side of the vast expanse of water. When he got older he discovered that Fort Bragg was at the same latitude as Otsuchi and he contacted the mayor, developing a lasting relationship between the two cities. When Otsuchi was devastated by the 2011 tsunami, the North Coast Brewing Company bottled Otsuchi Old Stock Ale and made a donation to the Otsuchi Recovery fund for every bottle sold. North Coast beers are can be found at Wades Wines, BevMo, and some grocery stores; other local distributors can be found on their website (www.northcoastbrewing.com).

A California brewery that is well known for their charitable ventures is the North Coast Brewing Company out of Fort Bragg. The brewery sells Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale and they donate a portion of their proceeds to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. This institute offers a wide range of public school jazz programs; mentor-based training for college musicians; and the annual Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competi-

For the animal lovers there is Carivintas Winery in Solvang. Their philosophy is to blend wine and philanthropy by doing what they love, making a decent living, and giving back to the community. All of their wine labels feature animals and a portion of their profits are donated to groups such as Best Friends Animal Society, Return to Freedom, and other animal support groups around the country. Their wines can be purchased in their tasting room in Solvang or on their website (www.

carivintas.com).

There is also a Central Coast winery, Jarhead Red, that supports military families. The winery is owned and operated by two ex-Marines, Adam Firestone and Ruben Dominguez. Jarhead Red makes several wines and net proceeds support the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which is an organization that provides educational assistance to the children of United States Marines. Jarhead Red’s goal is to honor and give back to the men and women who have fought and are fighting for our country. The wines can be purchased on their website (www.jarheadred.com) or through special events.

ONEHOPE Wine donates 50% of their profits to charitable endeavors. They offer several wines produced in partnership with Rob Mondavi, Jr. The company started in 1997 and has raised over $1 million for causes from breast cancer prevention and early detection, to providing clean water to people in developing nations, to supporting our troops. Their wines can be purchased at Wades Wines and at www.onehopewine.com.

In addition to these, there are so many other wineries that also give back. To name just a few more, Stark Wine partners with WaterAid to help bring clean drink water to some of the world’s poorest communities (www.starkwine.com); 100% of proceeds from the sale of Ehlers Estate wines go directly to the non-profit Leducq Foundation, which has awarded over $30 million annually to cardiovascular research (www.ehlersestate.com); and Armida Winery made special pink packaging for their Reserve Poizin and a portion of the proceeds benefit breast cancer research (www.armida.com).

So pick one of these libations, sit back, enjoy, and support a good cause. Because it is for charity you can have two!

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An Interview With Robert Ross

by Dustin Troyan

It was a cold autumn day about eight years ago and I was at Supercar Sunday in the Village Coffee Roaster parking lot. A regular at Supercar Sunday ran up and told me, “Robert Ross is here with his Lamborghini! You’d better go meet him!” I hope Robert will forgive me now because, at the time, I had no idea who he was or how special his Lamborghini was.

I remember walking up to Robert and, I believe, his Lamborhgini was fresh out of restoration. It was perfect. I introduced myself and we have been friends ever since. When he handed me his business card and it read “Automotive Director, Robb Report,” it all clicked. He also said, “If I can ever assist you with anything, don’t hesitate to call.” So many years later, I’d like to thank Robert for that.

For those of you have never met Robert, he is the guy who will pull into Supercar Sunday with the newest, most exotic cars—many pre-production. He is kind enough to share them with us and to answer all of our questions. Robert is a true car guy and is as passionate as they come.

Robert, when did you become a car guy?

Dustin, thank you for the encomium; I’m certainly not worthy of such praise. In fact, I’m just a guy who grew up in Reseda and learned to love cars from the very beginning. My first time behind the wheel was in my dad’s TR3A. He’d work the pedals and help me steer. I was about six at the time.

Would you say that your passion for art and automobiles led you to your role in the Robb Report?

I was SVP/Creative Director at CurtCo when we acquired the title in 2001, and all of a sudden we had a magazine that featured cars and art. I assumed the role almost by default…sort of like “anybody around here like cars?” I was a sports car and motorcycle lover for decades and I could write, so I fell into it quite naturally. It was a wonderful opportunity, for which I am very grateful.

It is my understanding that you are flown all over the world to experience the rarest cars on the planet…what is that like?

Well, car manufacturers budget quite a bit to fly journalists to exotic destinations when they launch new models.

I marvel that they think it really matters; frankly I prefer to have a car in my own backyard. But indeed, I’ve been to some great places and driven on some of the world’s most historic tracks, in some cases riding with some of the world’s best race car drivers. But I always feel a little sheepish availing myself of such corporate largesse… which is one reason I prefer to own the cars I drive rather than have them turn into pumpkins at midmight.

if it’s only mental space, if you know what I mean. For drivers, I have a Maserati GranSport and BMW 1M… maybe the perfect city car.

Oh, some bikes too—a 1973 Ducati 750 Sport, 1982 900 SS, and a 1982 Moto Morini 500 Sport—but they’re just for decoration. I quit riding seriously about eight years ago.

Valentino Balboni & Robert Ross (left to right)

Why did you choose to restore these particular cars?

Like virtually every car person I’ve ever met, there are certain cars that just burn an impression in one’s mind at an early age, and the ultimate reward is acquiring the car of your dreams, even if it takes three or four decades to do it. In the late 1960s, my dad took me to Auto Expo—the big LA auto show—and I remember seeing the Lamborghini Marzal, on a turntable with skinny girls wearing checkered-flag halter tops and go-go boots. The only two cars I ever really wanted were the Lamborghini 400 GT and an early Shelby GT 350. I finally found those, but I’m still looking for the girl.

Do you drive these cars?

Not as much as I’d like to. The Lamborghini is a true GT, not a sports car like the 911 from the same era. It’s a luxury cruiser, but still, it’s light and feels great flat out,

and of course there’s nothing like an Italian V-12 snorting—however refined the exhaust note—up to redline.

The Shelby is a brute and it has my favorite American motor—Ford’s 289. It is just a bucket of fun to drive.

I have to give credit to those guys who raced them on skinny Blue Dot bias ply tires and with an even skinnier wooden steering wheel. These drivers had serious skill.

The problem is that with a concours restoration, as I’ve done on these cars, you sort of paint yourself into a corner. You may look good in a tuxedo, for instance, but it’s hard to wear it out very often. Still, because of their rarity, I believe the world deserves to have at least one impeccable example of these models, well maintained for posterity. After all, as trite as it may sound, we’re only temporary caretakers.

What do these cars mean to you?

Honestly, they represent a great deal of hard work. It took a lot to commit the resources to acquire these cars;

Do you have a particular moment that you are proud of?

Well, I was fortunate to know Carroll Shelby and interview him on a number of occassions. My first taped interview remains one of the best of his I’ve ever heard (http:// robbreport.com/Exclusive-Conversation-RememberingCarroll-Shelby). It was the first time we’d met; he came to Malibu and we had a great day. Of course, you just push a button and Carroll would take it from there. I finally got my own ’65 GT350 about a year later and it was especially piquant to have him sign the glovebox. Afterward, I asked Pete Brock, whom I also know, to sign it, but he’d only sign the back! The car world is all about personalities, and that’s what makes it so much fun.

Can you please tell us about your cars?

I’m not like King Solomon, who could afford 300 wives and 600 concubines. I think the maximum number of cars and bikes a person has is determined by one’s time, storage, and financial commitment. I’ve whittled it down to my favorites: the 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT “Interim,” 1965 Shelby GT 350 and 2003 Morgan Plus 8. I’ve had some special Porsche 911s and a superb DeTomaso Mangusta, but there’s only enough time and space. Even

Robert’s 1965 Shellby GT 350.

I’m a working stiff and not a trust fund brat or a hedge fund manager flicking off a crumb from his bonus. I think in many ways I appreciate them more because they really did require a sacrifice, and I am very grateful to have them. I know most car guys—like ourselves—know what I’m talking about.

Are there any other cars that you are eyeing in the future?

Well, only if my ship comes in. But really, I am content having my two favorite cars; anything else is gravy. Of course, a Miura, Espada and first-series Countach would be welcome company, and a 289 Cobra would be a nice complement to the Shelby Mustang. And then there’s the Bizzarrini 5300 and…

Robert, beyond the Robb Report, you also have a full-service creative agency, Ross/Madrid Group. Can you tell us more about Ross/Madrid?

I’m technically a consultant for Robb Report, now that I have my agency. Ross/Madrid specializes in advertising and marketing for luxury brands in various segments; automotive, aviation, jewelry, watches, wine and spirits, real estate, financial management, executive recruiting, and so forth.

It’s a full-time job and a half, but my business partner and I have found our niche and have built a rewarding—if demanding—business.

Can you tell me about your client list? Does it relate to the automotive world?

We do some automotive, and have been the agency for Maserati North America since 2006. Funnily, I bought my Maserati before landing them as a client. When the president of Rolls-Royce, for whom I did the Phantom launch creative in 2004, took over Maserati North America, he inherited an agency on Madison Avenue with a creative director who didn’t even drive! It was pretty auspicious timing, and I get real satisfaction knowing that I truly stand behind what I advertise.

If you had to write one paragraph, which would sum up your experience in the automotive world, what would that paragraph be?

It’s really a short one. The automotive world is populated by some remarkable machines, but what makes it worthwhile is the people who love them. A garage full of cars and no one to share them with is a pretty empty place to be. I am very thankful to have met so many men, women, and kids whose passion for things automotive brings us all together. It can be a guy with a lowered ’63 Impala or a ’63 GTO (the Italian one); there is a common bond of fascination and camaraderie that is so aptly demonstrated, for instance, at every Supercar Sunday. That’s why you, Dustin, get the big salute for bringing all these great cars—and people—together.

Robert, thank you for your passion for automobiles and your support of the car community for all these years.

Robert’s 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT “Interim,” which was seen most recently at Supercar Sunday’s Lamborghini Day.

C

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Ferrari/Maserati 24050 West Ventura Blvd. Calabasas, CA 91302 - Lamborghini 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Canoga Park, CA 91303 Porsche/Audi 21301 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 - McLaren Beverly Hills 9022 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211 8 www.drivenworld.com Fiat Santa Monica 1820 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404

Ventura Farms Inaugural Concours Invitational

My son, Greg, and I had an opportunity to attend the Ventura Farms Inaugural Concours Invitational on St. Patrick’s Day. The event was hosted by David H. Murdock (Chairman and CEO of Dole Foods and Castle and Cooke) at his 2,200-acre private estate near Lake Sherwood. The estate is well known in the Equine community for champion Arabian horses and is home to a herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle, Kashmir sheep, reindeer, and hundreds of koi in the ponds on the grounds. There is a Japanese tea house surrounded by a huge koi-filled lake and a large greenhouse with over 25,000 orchids. Another unique feature is the presence of numerous huge sculptural boulders mined from the River Kwai in Thailand in the “Grand Allee” area. This beautiful property is rarely open to the public so we felt honored to be attending the premiere event. I could go on and on describing this impressive estate, but let’s talk cars.

There were not a large number of cars but those displayed were very high quality examples and most were multiple show winners. There was a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis (a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance winner), a 1928 Packard Boattail Speedster, and a 1947 Delahaye 135MS (another Pebble Beach winner in beautiful St. Patrick’s Day two-tone green). As I viewed this car I struck up a conversation with a gentleman from France. We admired the craftsmanship of this beautiful vehicle and I mentioned that numerous other examples of fine classic French automobiles are housed at the Mullin Museum in Oxnard. There was a 1936 Packard 8 Touring Phaeton (formerly owned by Joseph Stalin), a 1930 Cadillac 452A V16 Roadster (V-16, 452cu.in, 175hp, the original American Muscle Car?), and Bruce Meyer brought his award winning 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (which is my age and

Story by Mike Grudt Photos: Greg Grudt

probably in better shape). One of my favorite cars was the 1929 Auburn 8-120 Boattail Speedster. The craftsmanship on this vehicle is flawless and this is the finest example I have seen. In addition to the other fine examples of classic automobiles, there were displays of “future classics” from The Auto Gallery, Galpin Aston Martin, and O’Gara Coach Company.

Greg took photos throughout the day so you can truly appreciate this unique happening.

The event included numerous food and beverage samplings from local eateries, microbreweries, and vineyards. I’m not much of a wine connoisseur but the different food and microbrews I sampled were excellent. There were a few other vendors and a booth from the America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College. The college representatives brought two hawks and a barn owl with one wing (it lost a wing in an encounter with a car and ironically was brought to a car show). It is rare to see these beautiful birds of prey from a few feet away on their handlers’ gauntlets.

The attendees at the event were not the typical car crowd and included the editor of a horse magazine and a yacht broker. It was great to mingle with people with such different interests where automobiles are a common thread. The event was a great first effort and I’m sure it will expand in future years.

A portion of the proceeds will be used to benefit the Westlake Village Park and YMCA. As this event officially kicked off the California concours season, the next concours scheduled is the 4th Annual Greystone Concours d’ Elegance in Beverly Hills on May 5th.

For more information on the Greystone Councoursplease visit: www.greystoneconcours.org

The Platinum Club

Story by: Dustin Troyan Photos: Cordero Studios

LavaggioThe Art of Auto Detialing

If you are on Facebook or the online car forums, you have probably seen countless pictures of Lavaggio in Agoura Hills. It is without a doubt the finest auto detailing center in the world. There is absolutely nothing else like it; in fact, people within the detail industry the world over have visited Lavaggio to experience an entirely new concept in auto detailing.

If you have visited Lavaggio yourself, you already know what I am talking about. There is no comparison. Their service concept includes a concierge, lunch, a business center, shuttle service, the finest auto detailing, and so much more. Lavaggio is a car guy’s nirvana.

Lavaggio offers a country club style atmosphere at and incredible value. By providing more value than anyone else and so many extras, Lavaggio has strategically positioned itself as the only detail center you will ever need. In an effort to fulfill the demand for a “frequent flyer” program, Lavaggio came up with a totally unique concept called, “The Platinum Club.”

The Platinum Club is based around one idea: value. The program is an annual membership per vehicle, currently offered at $1,975. With it you are entitled to four Quarterly Ultimate Details (a minimum value of $1,596), a New Vehicle Protection Package ($299 value), and a Signature Wash EVERYDAY (a value of $49 each). This also includes all of the complimentary service and dining! A Signature Wash once a week would cost $2,548 and that would not include the Ultimate Details or the dining! Now that is value!

So, how does it work? Once you join, your vehicle will receive the first Ultimate Detail. This detail will get your car to a “like-new” condition. Enjoy a complimentary lunch (as you will with each visit), relax on the patio, and use the wifi to conduct business or relax. From that point on it is as simple as handing over your keys with each visit. Lydia Derian and her expert staff will ensure that with each visit your “country club” experience is better than the previous. The head service advisor, Gabriel, will pay close attention to your vehicle and will keep you informed during each visit. The highly trained professionals in the detail bay will keep your car like new, adding value and longevity to your vehicle.

Yes, if you are a Platinum Member you can visit Lavaggio every day. People do. Lavaggio offers a value that cannot be matched. I have been a Platinum Member for over two years and I can tell you that our vehicles are always clean and look like new. If it rains, I go to Lavaggio! If it is windy and the car gets dirty, I go to Lavaggio. If I want my car washed for any reason, I head over to Lavaggio. I hand my keys to Gabriel, order my complimentary lunch, and sit with other owners and members on the relaxing patio. The soft sound of water trickling down the waterfalls to the beautiful hills in the distance, Lavaggio is an oasis.

Should you visit Lavaggio? Yes. Should you join the Platinum Club? Yes. Think about it in these terms, if you are getting a detail anywhere else four times a year, you could be a Platinum Member and have the Lavaggio experience every day of the year. It is a no-brainer. For more information on Lavaggio, please visit: www.lavaggio.net

E V E R Y D AY . . .

W h E n Y o u n E E D i t. . .

➤ Pre-rinse and gently hand wash using micro-fiber mitts

➤ Lavaggio Signature Wash

➤ Rinse with spot-free de-ionized water

➤ Apply water repellent to glass, fabric and carpeting

L AVA g g i o S i g n At u R E WA S h

➤ Thoroughly vacuum and dust interior

nEW VEhiCLE PRotECtion*

➤ Treat all paint with clay and sealants

➤ Apply UV-inhibiting conditioner to protect leather, vinyl and more...

➤ Buff all exterior glass to a sparkle ➤ Dress tires and touch up door jambs

➤ $299+ value that ensures your new car always looks its best.

➤ Shampoo and sterilize floor mats ➤ Apply generous spray wax ➤ And much more...

➤ $49 value every time you use it!

And, we invite your to enjoy the world’s finest wash—every day!

W h E n Y o u n E E D i t. . .

L E A S E R E t u R n D E tA i L i n g

➤ Lavaggio Signature Wash

➤ Remove minor imperfections, inside and out for a “like-new” appearance

EVERY Q uARt ER ...

➤ Pre-arranged pricing for additional repairs as necessary

➤ Lavaggio Signature Wash

➤ And much more...

➤ Clean and de-grease trunk and door jambs

➤ $199+ value that can save you hundreds more in lease return fees.

LAVAg g i o u Lt i M At E D E tA i Li n g

➤ Remove surface contamination with detailer’s clay ➤ Apply protective dressing to all plastic, vinyl and rubber

P Lu S ...

➤ Apply premium Sonax® products to all paint and glass ➤ Polish and protect interior surfaces ➤ Apply ozone deodorization ➤ And much more...

➤ $1,596 value throughout the year that makes your car new again.

Complimentary dining from Bellini Bistro, access to meeting rooms, Lavaggio Concierge services, special events, executive shuttle service, priority scheduling and preferred member pricing on additional services.

t W E LV E M o n t h M E M B E R S h i P

$1,975

➤

$4,600+ value to Lavaggio Platinum Club Members. *Applicable only to new vehicles purchased or leased during your membership contract period.

The Platinum Club at Lavaggio...it does not get any better!

Review of the Month:

The Big Bad BOSS

Review and photos by: Michael Teitelbaum

The Mustang has been around for nearly 50 years and, in that time, it has cultivated a almost-evangelical legion of devoted fans who have, with passion and presence, turned the world’s first pony car into a American legend. There is something primal and iconic that I just love about the Mustang. It could be its “gas prices be damned!” swagger or maybe that dollar-to-horsepower ratio that continues to place the Mustang amongst the most affordable performance cars on earth. In the Mustang’s long history, there have been more than a few remarkable models (and a few bad ones) but none is more storied than the original 1969 Boss 302.

When Ford teased the return of the Boss 302 back at the 2006 SEMA show, I, like many other Mustang fans, waited with bated breath for the return of the mighty 5.0. It took an additional six years before that early sketch became a reality. The 2012 Boss 302 was designed from the outset with lofty ambitions. Ford decided to best BMW’s M3 at Laguna Seca, which would be no simple task.

Bavaria’s finest has consistently been one of the world’s premier performance vehicles. I have even counted several models of the M3 in my personal list of top ten best cars ever, so the thought of a Mustang not only competing against but besting the mighty M3 seemed, even to the Mustang faithful like myself, sadly laughable. The critics didn’t laugh though. No. In fact, when this car came on to the scene last year it scored heaping amounts of praise

and instantly became the darling of the automotive press.

It even scored number five on the 2011 Motor Trend Best Driver’s Cars list, right ahead of cars like the Lexus LFA, Audi R8 GT, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (I know, right?!). I don’t think I found a single unfavorable review of the Big Bad Boss.

Flash forward to today; here I am standing in a parking lot staring at the 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca, the highest performance option on this specific model of Mustang. It’s immediately noticeable with its look-atme red and black paint scheme and lack of a rear seat, which has been replaced by a bright red cross brace. The list of specs don’t disappoint either: an all-aluminum, high-performance DOHC 5.0-liter, four-valve V8 engine, producing 444 horsepower and 380 foot-pounds of torque.

Additionally the car features fully adjustable suspension and Torsen LSD, all which help propel the car from 0 to 60 in four seconds.

It certainly looks the part but I’ve been lied to before (Mustang II, I’m looking at you). The first thing I notice when I crawl into the cockpit of the Boss is the updated interior. Gone is the old hard plastic dash of yesteryear replaced by soft touch materials and a far more logical and user-friendly center stack with the controls all easily accessible from the driver position. Down below is a brand new short throw shifter that is much more precise. Up above, I noticed a additional three gauges that

monitor engine oil temperature, water temperature, and G force. Along with all these goodies comes the infamous Track Key. A special key that reprograms the cars onboard computer and changes over 200 engine specifications bringing it completely in line with Ford’s Boss 302 R race car that’s currently racing in the Grand-Am series. OK, enough techno babble.

Can this “race car for the street” be the mighty M3 slayer it’s purported to be? The answer is a resounding, “Hell, yes!” I decided to head up to Mulholland and Kanan canyons to give this road-ready-warrior its chance to impress, and boy howdy did it ever impress.

The first thing you will notice when driving the Boss is—dare I say—how refined the whole experience is. This Mustang has the most precise steering I’ve felt in an American car. You turn the car a little, it turns a little; you turn it a lot, it turns a lot.

The handling is about as neutral as I’ve ever felt in any car…ever. The under steer I’ve wrestled with on just about every Mustang I’ve driven is surprisingly absent. And the car goes where you want it to go.

Even when you kill the traction control, throw on the power in a bend, you break loose for a few seconds but it’s so easily manageable that you’re going to feel like you are a better driver than you probably are. This thing handles better than any car with a solid rear axel has the right to. Yes, you do notice it on particularly bumpy or rough roads but it is so well-balanced and -appointed that it never becomes a hindrance.

If anything, in several turns it helped me put down the power better than I could have in my old IRS 03 Cobra. Oh, the power, let me tell you about the power.

This thing pulls; it just gets up and goes, and goes, and goes, and goes all the way up to its 7500 rpm redline.

There’s so much thrust everywhere in the power band in every gear that you could really just stick it in 4th and drive the canyon all day. Stopping is also easily accomplished with the more than adequate Brembo brakes that come standard with the Boss. The brake dive that has been the bane of many a Mustang since the first, is noticeably and surprisingly absent. The standard Recaro seats are not just for looks; they more than adequately held me firmly in my seat with all the twisting through the canyons, all the while still being comfortable enough for longer journeys. Heading through the turns the car remains poised, and in the straightaways the car screams like a bat out of hell.

Did I mention the exhaust note on this thing? It’s

absolute perfection. It sounds the way a 444 horsepower Mustang should sound—a heavy lobe at idle and a rumbling boom at full throttle. The quad exhaust system pumping beautiful music like this out of a stock setup is something I thought was only reserved for supercars.

Speaking of supercars, this car can be had for $47,000; that’s almost $20,000 less than an M3 depending on the features. Do I have your attention yet?

The Boss knows what it is, who it’s for, and it’s comfortable with both. This is easily the most fun I’ve had behind the wheel of anything in this price range, well, ever. Everything about this car screams performance and fun. Ford has crafted a truly remarkable machine and they did so at an affordable price point where even Joe Sixpack can buy one. Ford says the 2012 Boss 302 is their fastest and best Mustang ever and I have to agree. There are 8,000 Boss 302s that Ford has produced for 2012-13—and only 1,500 with the Laguna Seca package. The best review I can give is to say, if you’re in the market for a performance vehicle, at least drive this one before you make your decision. I will say this, if you get behind the wheel of the magnificent vehicle and you don’t smile then you, sir, are a robot.

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Ferrari/Maserati 24050 West Ventura Blvd. Calabasas, CA 91302 - Lamborghini 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Canoga Park, CA 91303 Porsche/Audi 21301 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 - McLaren Beverly Hills 9022 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Santa Monica FIAT 1820 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404

April Calendar of Events

3 Wed Pomona- Prolong’s Twilight Cruise Night ; NHRA Museum 1101 W. McKinley Ave; 4PM - 8PM, www.calrods.com 5 Fri Mission Hills – First Friday Niter, Santa Monica Sports Car Club/SCCA Navigation Rally, BofA rear lot, NE corner 7PM, http://ffn.smscc.org 5-7 Fri-Sun Sonoma-CSRG 46th Season Opener, Sonoma Raceway, www.csrgracing.org Willows-SVRA WEST North-South Challenge. Thunderhill Raceway Park, 310-750-6933 www.svra.com Del Mar-Goodguys 13th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 925-838-9876, www.good-guys.com 6-7 Sat Sun Rosamond-VARA High Desert Challenge, Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, 800-280-8272 www.vararacing.com San Jose-26th Annual Clubmans’ All-British Motorcycle Weekend, Santa Clara County Fair Grounds, www.bsaocnc.org 6 Sat Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 ROAD TRIP DAY! 4:00PM - 8:00PM 9 BOOKS, 7 AUTHORS, MILES AND MILES OF STORIES Riverside-Riverside Airport 20th annual Airshow, 6951 Flight Road, 9am-4pm, www.riversideairshow.com Lake Elsinore-Smokin tires and Campfires Car Show, 32040 rivrside Dr, 6am-, smokintirescarshow.weebly.com 7 Sun Long Beach - Hi-Performance Swap Meet & Car Show - Veterans Stadium. Vintage, Classic & Hi Performance trucks. www.toppingevents.com La Jolla-La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, Ellen Scripps Browning Park 1138 coast blvd, 9am-3pm, www.lajollaconcours.com Pasadena-Eagle Classic Car show, Marshall Fundamental HS 990 North Allen Ave, 626-831-3981, bjames@lausd.net 9 Tues Monterey-HMSA LSR Invitational, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, 818-249-3515, www.hmsausa.com 11-13 Thur-Sat Central Calif-Targa California rally, www.targacalifornia.com Bakersfield-Bakersfield 22nd National Swap Meet, Kern county Fairgrounds, 7am-3pm, 661-325-2840, www.hcca.org/calendar.php 12-21 Sat-Mon Redding-Kool April Nites, Redding Civic auditorium, www.koolaprilnites.com 13 Sat Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 Winchester-5th Annual Hippy Killer Hoedown Hot Rod and Custom Bike Show, 32150 Grand Ave, 10am-9pm, Blog: hippykillersgarage.blogspot.com Pasadena-25th Annual EconOWest, Rose Bowl Parking Lot, Section 1,10am-2pm. 626-625-4745, shaggy069@earthlink.net 14 Sun Van Nuys-Queens English all British Car meet and Auto Jumble, Woodley Park, 9am-4pm, 626-797-4221, www.queens-english.org Pomona-Pomona Car show & Swap Meet Fairplex, Info @ www.pomonaswapmeet.com Rancho Cucamonga-5th Annual Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show, Chaffey college 5885 Haven Ave, 10am-2pm, Facebook.com/chaffeycollegecarclub 19-21 Fri-Sun Eagar AZ-Chrome in the Dome Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show, 550 N. Butler, 6am-4pm, 928-333-2123 Long Beach-Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, www.gplb.com 20 Sat Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 Corona-6th Annual classic & Custom Car Show, Corona HS east parking lot 1150 West 10th St, 951-522-9598, 951-264-2757 21 Sun Buena Park-Picker’s Paradise Automotive Swap Meet, Elks Lodge 7212 Melrose St, 8am-1pm, 714-299-1776 Irwindale-Irwindale Car Swap Meet hot Rod & Cycle show, 500 Speedway Drive, 6am-2pm, 209-777-5624, www.irwindaleswapmeet.com Buena Park-28th Annual Fabulous Fords Forever, Knott’s Berry Farm, 10am-3pm, 657-333-2229, www.fabulousfordsforever.org 26-27 Fri-Sat Payson AZ-RCCAC Charity Auto show, 1000 W. Country Club Dr, All day, 928-474-3560 Supercar Sunday 26-28 Fri-Sun Every Sunday Bakersfield-NSRA Western street Rod Nationals, Kern county fairgrounds, 901-452-4030, www.nsra-usa.com BC Canada-Spring Thaw Rallye 7-10am 27-28 Sat Sun www.Supercarsunday.com Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 Menifee-Big Barn Classic Car Show, Motte Museum 28380 Hwy 74, 10am-, 951-928-3210, www.mottemuseum.com Citrus Heights-Capital City Cruisers April SpringFest, Lowes Home Center 7480 Greenback lane , 10am-3pm, 916-723-8840, www.capitalcitycruisers.org Chatsworth-2nd Annual European Car Show, California Car Cover 9525 De Soto Ave, 9am-2pm, 818-998-2100 28-May 2 San Francisco- 22nd annual California Mille car show (Hotel Fairmont Nob Hill) and 4 day tour, 4l5-479-9950 www.californiamille.com Valley Center-Heartbeat Happening XV, Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Rd, 9am-3pm, 760-749-3017, www.heartbeatclassicchevys.com 28 Sun Long Beach–Cycle Show & Swap @ Veterans Stadium Motorcycles & bicycles. Buy/sell/trade.vintage/parts/bikes/accessories. www.toppingevents.

Madera-Central valley Classic car show, Madera County Courthouse Park, 10am-3pm, www.pontiacsofcentralcalifornia.org Irwindale-Bug In 38, Irwindale Speedway, www.bugin.com Valley Center-Heartbeat Happening XV, Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Rd, 9am-3pm, 760-749-3017, www.heartbeatclassicchevys.com Coronado-MotorCars on Main Street, Downtown-Orange & Isabella Ave, 10am-3pm, 619-437-0254, www.coronadomainstreet.com

The Supercar Sunday Project Camaro: THE REBOOT Alan Palmer of Palmer’s Customs has taken over!

We are moving right along! If you are following the build, you know that for about a year there was no progress and, if anything, regress. The Supercar Sunday Project Camaro was left out to rust. Well, that is not the case now!

Since taking my 1968 Camaro to Alan Palmer of Palmer’s Customs in Camarillo, I have seen more progress in two weeks than I did in the last year. Alan and his team of hot rod and customizing experts have taken on the challenge and thus far have hit home run after home run.

Anyone who has ever restored a car or considered doing it has either experienced or been warned about body shop prison. I am actually an expert on the subject but let’s focus on what is going on with the Project Camaro right now.

In last month’s issue of Driven World, the car was going off to the media blaster to remove the months of rust that were slowly eating away at the car. It was important to get down to the bare metal and start fresh. Blasting would show us the true canvas and any “hidden” issues that might need to be addressed. This was a very scary, yet exciting, process. I would get to see what I have or don’t have.

Alan called me to explain that my car would be back from blasting and they would then primer it to protect the now virgin metal from rust and any contaminants.

He asked if I wanted to be there. Hell, yes! I was so excited to wipe away all of the bad memories and have a fresh starting point. I cleared my day and the next morning I was at Palmer’s Customs by 7:00.

Palmer’s Customs. What a team! They are an amazing group of guys. They start their morning at 6:30 and are at it all day! The sense of camaraderie and passion is unlike anything I have ever experienced in a custom shop or body shop for that matter.

They are true craftsmen, true artists. Watching the team custom fabricate parts is like watching Discovery Channel. These guys can simply look at something and fabricate it. A custom metal hood? No problem. A custom gas tank? Done. I asked Alan why he didn’t just order a pre-fabricated tank and he looked at me kindly, realizing that I am not accustomed to such high-level projects. He answered, “The tank is part of the car, the car is art, the tank is therefore art. It needs to flow with the car and everything is custom and handmade. No other car in the world will have this tank. That is what we do here.” I got it. They are the best of the best and my little Camaro is in good hands!

Back to the Supercar Sunday Project Car. I was so relieved. With the car in bare metal, I could see the Camaro was in pretty good condition. Yes, there were some pinholes where the rust ate through but, all in all, there is nothing major. Thank goodness! There was also a sense of relief because the car is actually being done “the right way.” I never thought I would have a “frame off ” restoration and yes, it is a bit overwhelming, but I have finally found the right shop. Alan and his team have made me feel not only totally confident about the project but relaxed, too. Thank you, gentlemen.

The day we were to shoot the primer was very exciting. This was a big day.

Sure it is only primer but it is a huge step forward. As I walked into the shop at 6:45am, the guys were hard at work on many different projects. They all stopped for a moment to greet me and make me feel totally at home. Alan asked if I was ready to get started and I just grinned. My Camaro is going to be turning into something amazing, I can feel it. After all the hardships it is truly satisfying to see such progress. Again, a sense of relief came over me. No more rust, no more wondering what condition the body is in, we are moving forward!

As we pushed the body into the paint booth on a rolling dolly (I have a frame off restoration!!!), I played it cool but I was so excited. My wife sent me a text message about how happy she was for the Camaro and me; we are ready to get primer!

Alan reviewed the car and discussed the approach with one of his team members, Tony. Both Alan and Tony explained to me the plan and Tony then got to work. Starting under the car, Tony covered every inch of the Camaro with primer. Then to the interior, the exterior, the parts. Tony spent hours in the booth contorting his body in every imaginable way, taking his time and making sure that the car was totally protected!

As this was a major milestone, I had fitted the paint booth with two Gopro cameras and a third mounted to Tony’s head. As I type this, a video is being put together of the entire process. Going from metal to black primer, the Supercar Sunday Project

Story by Dustin Troyan

Camaro is at full speed.

When the primering was done, the car was pushed outside so I could get a few pictures. I uploaded them to Facebook and my page instantly went crazy! So many people were excited to see the transformation. Oddly, this was actually the best my Camaro has ever looked! We have a ways to go, but if this is any indication, I am in some good hands.

A very special thank you to Alan Palmer and his team of experts. You guys are aces and I see why you have the stellar reputation that you do!

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