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NISSAN MARQUE DAY NOW THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH
sponsored by
A proud member of the SAGE Automotive Group
SUPERCAR SUNDAY IS LOCATED AT: Westfield Promenade Mall 6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (On the corners of Topanga Canyon Blvd and Erwin Street)
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FROM THE EDITOR A
L E T T E R
B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N
I
often write about success. Using the illustrations of others that I find motivating. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by many successful people. When using the term “success” we often think about monetary success. A person who has made a lot of money, has a cool house or houses and a lot of nice things. I think in our culture that is the typical thought when it comes to success. There are many different forms of success. Whether it is achieving financial goals, health goals, relationship goals, or things like travel goals or educational goals.
Back to, ‘do you like what you see when you look in the mirror?’ If you don’t, I bet I can help you. I bet within one day I can help you like yourself a bit more. I am not saying I’m a guru, but from what I have learned from people better than me, smarter than me, with more experience than me, if you want to feel good, do something. And do something positive. Put some “skin in the game.”. I get it, anyone can open a door once or twice for someone else, but how about every time your wife or son or daughter or friend or whomever approaches that door, you open it for them and smile and say “after you...”. How about you make that a habit. How about you let that person go in front of you at the grocery store with two items and smile and when they thank you, you say “It was my pleasure.”. How about you walk up to that cop or fireman or teacher or garbage man and say, “Thank you.” Odds are you are going to need these people in your life and sure they are getting paid, but does it really hurt to say thank you and say it from the heart. Better yet, why not get involved. I mentioned putting skin the game, you want to feel good, be a part of something that makes a positive change.
How do you determine success?
I suppose there is even a category for daily goals. What did I accomplish today? We could continue to break it down to the minute or second I suppose. But at the end of the day, did you meet this goal? Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror? The “mirror goal.” I don’t know if that is a new term I have coined or if it already exists, but do you like what you see when you look in the mirror? Sure, what you physically look like, but do you like yourself ? Do you like what you stand for? Do you like how you are treated by others and do you like how you treat them? I have learned a lot from people around me, like I have said before. I am very lucky. I am also smart enough to do a few things: 1. Surround myself with good people. 2. Surround myself with successful people. 3. Surround myself with people who are smarter than I am. 4. Surround myself with people many years my senior. 5. Surround myself with people who offer good morals. I could keep going but I think you get the point. Now, I am not saying that I am perfect or anywhere near it, but I am trying to do the best that I can. We all have our days right? Good days, bad days, days where we feel like we are moving forward and other days where we feel like we are running in sand, uphill in a windstorm, with rabid dogs chasing us....sure we all have those days. But at the end of the day, when you look in the mirror, do you like what you see or more importantly, who you see? Sure, physically, are you healthy, but also emotionally, spiritually healthy? Do you like who you are? I think that most of us, mostly like who we are. Sure we can say perhaps that we are a decent person, but are you an exceptional person and how does one get to be exceptional? As you may recall, I never quite know what I am going to write when I sit down at the computer. Sometimes it is easy and other times it is a challenge. I recently got into a conversation with an associate who explained to me that society was breaking down. That people no longer cared and laws were not being recognized and we have no great leaders. I can agree with a lot of that, I suppose. Kind of sad actually. But, I have hope (you always have to have hope). I have a client, I have written about him before. He once said something in a meeting. He explained that when we do something good for someone, and we are actually doing it for ourselves. I had never really thought about it that way. My mother raised me to open doors for women and the elderly and to help out, I have always done it, but I never gave it much thought. He was right. I wasn’t doing it for them, I mean I was, but I was actually doing it for me, so I would like who I saw when I looked in the mirror. So I could be a good person and in turn, others might benefit. Perhaps it is the ultimate form of selfishness, doing the right thing for me (sounds like Ayn Rand huh...). Do it for yourself. So society is breaking down and we are all innocent bystanders waiting for someone else to fix the problem. Our tax dollars should fix it, the cops should fix it, the teachers should fix it, and the government should fix it. Well, when there is a challenge in life, most successful people I know fix it themselves. That old say’in “You want the job done right, do it yourself.”
The only reason society is having these challenges is because we are allowing them.
The reason people are acting crazy is because in my opinion, we don’t like ourselves and we are not making ourselves proud. What have you done lately that made you proud? I would say that going to work is, yes, that is one thing, being a good person is another, but there has to be more, we have to do more, for ourselves. The byproduct of liking who we are actually builds a better world. Think about it. The most polite and well-mannered person you know, I bet that person is liked. I bet that person has no problem waving someone else on at a stop sign. I bet that person has no problem extending a hand in friendship or making an introduction. I bet that person has no problem picking up a piece of trash off the street or helping a neighbor lift something heavy. I bet that person works very hard to be the person they want to be and the reward is that they like what they see in the mirror. With all this chaos around us, you can be the solution, or you can simply point a finger in blame. Well, if you aren’t making a change and you don’t like what you see when you look in the mirror, maybe you are part of the problem. I think the most successful people I know understand that we are all human and we all have our days. Our challenges. The successful people, they move on them. They change their situation; they change their outcome. And by changing this outcome, they change the outcome of those around themselves. Making their world better. Those same people create opportunities by making moves, by creating and going for it. And by adding value to everyone around them. And most of these people are pretty darn polite. So, here is the challenge...if you don’t like what you see when you look in the mirror, then I challenge you to a few things: 1. I would ask you to be polite. Polite to everyone around you. Without exception. 2. I would ask that you do something for yourself, go for a walk, a jog, a run, a hike or a swim. 3. Donate some time to someone in need or an organization in need. 4. Realize that when you look in that mirror, you have the ability to love who you see and to make our world better. 5. Do all of these things because they are right and true. And do them for yourself. Perhaps I am writing this for myself because I need a kick in the pants or because I have a child and another one on the way and I want a better world for them. Either case, the time has come for all of us to do the best we can in everything we do. Let us all lead by example and make ourselves proud. Embrace the mirror. 5
CONTENTS
drivenworld ISSUE 78, SEPTEMBER 2016
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dustin Troyan ART DIRECTOR James R. Stanley Jr. EVENT COVERAGE
10 Alfa & Fiat Marque Day Supercar Sunday
14 VFR All American Car Show Vista Ford Racing
28 TMPCC
Annual Car Show
INFORMATION & LIFESTYLE
16 Stress
Wellness
22 Flavor
Seared Scallops
26 Roadtrip
Top Ten Essentials
36 Real Estate World Taking the Plunge
COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group STORIES BY Dustin Troyan James Stanley David Buchanan Vincent Cachot Mark Llewellyn Steve Valline Gwen Banta Tory Herald
PHOTOGRAPHY James Stanley Ted Seven David Buchanan Jay Santos Richard Kratz Ken Latka Stephen Russo Larry Weiner
ADVERTISING / MARKETING dustin@connectedmediagroup.com (818) 516-5053
www.drivenworld.com
www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com
PERSONAL FEATURES
24 Car Culture
Origin of the Racing Stripe
12 Supercar Sunday
A Take on ‘The Scene”
18 Test Drive
The New Ferrari California T
30 Photographer Spotlight Ted Seven
35 Rat Rod Fever Hotrod Jay
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 highnet-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. Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.
On the Cover: Photo By Ted Seven
Three Dodge Vipers during a Life in Sixth Gear Rally from Orange County, Calif. to Las Vegas.
Southern California’s Largest Aircooled Porsche Dealer The Nation’s Largest Porsche Inventory 21301 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 autogallery.porschedealer.com 844.866.6762
LIFE. STYLE.
MASERATI 21326 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364 MASERATI | PAGANI | McLAREN BEVERLY HILLS 9022 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211 PORSCHE | AUDI 21301 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364 SANTA MONICA FIAT | ALFA ROMEO 1820 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404 VAN NUYS FIAT | ALFA ROMEO | MASERATI 5711 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401
TheAutoGallery.com Follow and tag us on Twitter and Instagram @TheAutoGallery #TheAutoGallery 8
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SUPERCAR SUNDAY FIAT & ALFA A L FA
W
R O M E O
&
F I AT
M A R Q U E
S T O R Y A N D P H O T O B Y J A M E S S TA N L E Y
ith the introduction of a new Fiat roadster, that is everything that the Mazda Miata (which it is based off of ) ever wanted to be and more, and at a price point that is in almost anyone’s budget, it’s no wonder that there were crowds surrounding the new Fiat Spyder. In addition to the rows and rows of new Fiat vehicle models in 500’s and Abarths, classics and new Alfa Romeos provided by the Auto Gallery, they were drawing crowds of their own. A walk down the rows and rows of supercars, classics, customs, sport compacts, low riders, motorcycles, vintage, and one-off vehicles filled the
mall parking lot once again while thousands of spectators admired each and every vehicle. This high level of excitement and enthusiasm at SuperCarSunday has become quite the norm. A fan for every car, and every car with a fan, this unforgettable event is everything you’ve come to expect and more from SuperCar Sunday. As a new regular to the event, I noticed that this crowd on the surface looked like the normal SuperCarSunday crowd, but as I looked closer, I
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noticed that many of the younger generation enthusiasts were taking a closer look at the new Fiats and Alfas. These mini-supercars are at a price-point that is far more attainable to the masses over the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, etc. The large showing of Fiat 500 Abarth owners looked intrigued at these new cars, to the point where whispers of, ‘I can afford that’ could be heard being uttered under their breath. The cameras weren’t shy at all about getting up close and personal with the new cars either, both DSLR and phones alike. Once the fingers started clicking away on the new cars, they continued on to the rest of the amazing cars lined up and show ready. Check out these images shared with SuperCarSunday on Facebook by attendees of the the event.
Photo Sumbitted by Sean Marshall
Photo Sumbitted by David Rosenthal
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SUPERCAR SUNDAY A
A
TA K E
O N
‘ T H E
S C E N E ’
STO RY A N D P H OTO S B Y DAV I D B U C H A N A N
s a Super Sunday regular and a reader of Dusty’s Driven World it occurred to me that many of you readers have never attended Super Sunday. For the car enthusiasts that have never been to the old Macy’s parking lot on Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Woodland Hills, Ca., on Sunday mornings, I hope that this narrative will serve to introduce you to our experience and perhaps motivate you to join us. We will cover: Cars, of course, Who Attends Super Sunday, and Attitudes & Lifestyle. First, the kind of cars that you will see here on any given Sunday. It is easier to define the category of cars that you will not find here, that category would be American Luxury Vintage. You know, Duesenberg’s, Pierce Arrow, Packard, Auburn, Cord. Do Not look for these here but there is always the exception from time to time. Every other kind of car, come on down. It is an eclectic mix. We will start with American Muscle Cars: Pontiac GTO, Buick GTX, Oldsmobile 442, and Chevelle 396, some numbers matching perfect restorations, some drivers, Bring it on! Do you like Mustangs, Camaros and Chargers?—these cars mostly come via their respective clubs—they arrive together, park together and pretty much intra-mingle. Every year is well represented, stock, highly modified—scary horse power. How about Nissan GTR?—fastest car out there? Come on the 2ND Sunday of the month—at least 25 on hand. Tri 5 Chevrolets still quite popular (mostly the older set): some are stockers, #s matching, retro rods. Exotic Sports Cars turn you on? There is everything: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Cobra, Maserati, Ford GT, McLaren and more—pick a color. I saw the new Porsche Hybrid—“The 918” 6 months before it was available in North America. Wow! Yes, new models are introduced here from time to time. There is a wide assortment of special interest and unique one-of-a-kind cars. There is nothing more unique than Gary Wales’ Beast—truly an engineering marvel and the centerpiece of the show. Rat Rods your thing? There are always a few on hand and all unique, but 12
all in primer of course. American Cars always well represented—from Model Ts to 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, GM, Ford and Chrysler products. Some are borderline junkers— all the way to full restorations. All owners equally proud and eager to share the cars’ history with you. Corvettes—plenty! Real America Hot Rods—the late 20s and early 30s mostly Ford with mega motors—these are the cars that started the car culture that is unique to So Cal. European Cars, vintage and otherwise—always in attendance: Mercedes, Jaguar, Benz, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, MG, VW, BMW—all years—original and restored. Who attends this car enthusiasts gathering?— mostly men from 16-85. Car owners, their friends and the spectators. The spectators are mostly locals and they are out for their morning constitution—you know—take baby and the dog for a walk—all well behaved. We do have celebrities that attend from time to time including Jay Leno (renowned car guy), Caitlyn Jenner, and Jeff Dunham. No one gets into their faces! Listen up single ladies!—it is about 90% guys. Check it out!—you are missing an opportunity. The 1st Sunday of the month is a “Marquee Day” One make of car or type of car is featured. It ranges from Lamborghini to American Muscle Cars. Come early—like before 7a.m.—or else you will be parking in the boondocks. The 2nd Sunday of the month is a popular day as well—this day is sponsored by Universal City Nissan—plenty of GTRs and other models old and new. On these days—coffee and rolls are served—all gratis. Where else can you get entertainment and breakfast all for free? Attitude is everything and on Sunday morning it is really a mood of peace, cooperation, admiration and civility. Even the Police roll through and stop and chat. Truly—everyone gets along and is more than willing to talk about their car—just looking for that ear. There is a lot more of course but I hope this gives you a pretty good Super Sunday insight. Oh, I almost forgot—Dusty is the guy with the Orange Ball Cap—can’t miss him. Come and check it out!
It’s not uncommon for rental car agencies to offer you the opportunity to purchase additional auto coverages on your rental, but do you need them? We have the answers!
Why Car Rental Insurance? The best time to make the decision about whether you will need extra rental car insurance is before you’re standing at the car rental counter. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), relieves you of financial responsibility if your rental car is damaged or stolen. If you have comprehensive and collision on your own car, you most likely do not need to purchase CDW from the rental car agency. Additionally, your credit card company may include some collision and theft protection if the rental car is paid for with your card. If your credit card doesn’t offer coverage for loss of use, you may want to consider purchasing CDW from the rental agency. Liability insurance provides excess liability coverage of up to $1 million for the time you rent a car. Rental companies are required by law to provide the minimum level of liability insurance required by your state. If you have adequate liability coverage on your car or an umbrella policy on your home/auto, you may consider forgoing this additional insurance.
Renting Outside the U.S.? In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad. Car rental agencies overseas usually provide auto insurance, but in some countries, the required coverage is minimal. When renting a car overseas, consider purchasing insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to that which you carry at home.
Auto Policy Options If you don't have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, you will not be covered if your rental car is stolen or if it is damaged in an accident. Collision coverage pays for damage to the car you’re driving if you crash into another car or object, or the car rolls over. A non-owner auto liability insurance policy covers you for damage that you may cause to someone else’s property and liability in the event of an accident. The policy will also provide medical payments coverage for you and your passengers, and under-insured and uninsured coverage. This pays for the cost of an accident involving a hit-and-run driver or a driver who has little or no insurance. If you drive an older vehicle, but plan to rent a luxury vehicle, make sure that your policy will cover the complete cost of the replacement value of the vehicle you are renting. An umbrella liability policy is also an option to meet the underlying auto insurance policy requirements when renting a vehicle. Finally, if you are renting a vehicle that is not classified as a passenger car (such as a moving truck, 15-passenger van, etc.), you must purchase a separate policy from the rental company to be covered in that vehicle. 13
Disclaimer: This brochure is provided for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should it be construed as advice regarding coverage. Eligibility for coverage is not guaranteed and limited to the terms and conditions contained in the applicable policy. © 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016 Zywave, Inc.
Gaspar Insurance Services http://www.gasparinsurance.com/ (818) 302-3060
VFR ALL AMERICAN CAR SHOW PAT R I O T
D AY
|
S E P T
1 1 T H
V I S TA F O R D L I N C O L N O F O X N A R D | J A M E S S TA N L E Y
Date: September 11th, 2016 Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm (Parking starts no earlier than 10:30am) Location: Vista Ford Lincoln of Oxnard 1501 Auto Center Drive Oxnard, CA. 93036 Types of cars: All American Cars and Trucks, of any American make, in car show condition. West BBQ Food Truck will be on site selling cold drinks and delicious BBQ There will be awards given to the Top 10 Best in show vehicles chosen by a panel of judges. For more information, please contact James or Sid at 805-983-6511
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any gave their lives that morning in New York. While thousands ran away, hundreds ran towards to help people that they didn’t know get to safety. Without regard for their own safety, they successfully saved the lives of countless hundreds as the towers were evacuated. The towers crumbled while the world watched, and thousands of lives were lost in seconds. The first-responders continued towards the rubble, again without regard to their own safety. In the horror of what had just transpired, they continued to save lives, pulled one at a time from the thousands of tons of rubble. Long days, and long nights rolled together into what seemed to be a never ending search for traces of life. The world stood still. The first-responders, that were in the buildings assisting the injured and handicapped escape the carnage of the plane impacts, had no escape for themselves when the buildings collapsed. On September 11th, 2016, 15 years after the terrorist attacks in New York, we celebrate Patriot Day, observed as the National Day of Service and Remembrance of the 2,977 people killed. With a focus on those first-responders, that everyday put their lives on the line when they dawn their uniforms. Selflessly, they protect and serve as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, all waiting on standby to spring into action on a moment’s notice to come to the rescue of anyone, anywhere. The days following the attacks, a wave of patriotism and national pride and determination grew from the ashes of destruction, and spread across the nation from New York to LA. In those months following those attacks, we were all one; we were all American.
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Located in Chatsworth, Valley RV Indoor Storage offers over 200,000 Square feet of indoor storage, concierge service and so much more... Motorhomes - RV’S - Collector Cars - Race Cars - Trailers - 5th WheelsJet Skis- Off Road Vehicles - Exotic Cars - Private Car Collector Areas - Etc. Located at 20701 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311 818-701-6500
STRESS AND YOU
A R T I C L E B Y E M I LY J E D E R L I N I C H | H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S C O A C H
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ike many of you, I am a stress eater. Yes, even as a health and fitness professional, I also have flaws. I am far from perfect, and I fully admit that when I am under a lot of stress I either become a coffee addict or reach for a bag of Lays potato chips. Salty, crunchy potato chips and coffee had become a habit over the years and I am slowly making new strides to form healthier choices. It is not easy forming a new habit. As you know, change or even a small transition in life can be stressful for many. It’s about how you can slowly change your continuous cycle of old habits, and move into a healthier routine. Take it from me, the salt crazy, coffee nut that I am, it has not been easy and it’s a continuous learning lesson about self control. Self control and forming new healthy habits takes time, and it’s about how much effort you put in on a daily basis. It’s about being conscious about the decisions you make when it comes to dealing with daily stress and what you are putting into your body for fuel. You can take advice from friends, health professionals, and self help books, but what I discovered is that you have to find what works for you on your own. It’s a journey of self and that my friend is a beautiful path to take.Yes, it maybe frustrating at times, you may feel like you have failed and will never overcome the habits you have formed, but take it from
me, every setback is a success of learning about who you truly are. You are not in competition with others around you because you are your own unique individual. It’s about finding your true essence and what fulfills you to be the best version of YOU when under stress, so you can be productive and in the moment even at the most stressful times of your life. Stressful events can bring up so many unwanted emotions and feelings. It can cause a lot of chaos, which causes an impulsive reaction to reach for something to comfort emotions of trying to control a situation that one does not have control over. I noticed when I was stressed and reached for that cup of coffee or the bag of salty potato chips that it was during a time that I was not being true to myself or to the event that had taken place. It caused more stress in my life than it should have been and I was not being productive about the situation. I was forming an impulsive and addictive behavior that would fill the void within when I was not fulfilling my own true being and happiness. It may take days, months or even years to fully surrender to the unhealthy habits that had been formed. The journey is not easy. There will be obstacles, setbacks and friends that will no longer support your goals. It is up to you to continue the journey of your truth, find what makes you happy to relieve stress from your life to be the best version of you.
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TEST DRIVE
THE NEW FERRARI CALIFORNIA T A R T I C L E B Y D U S T I N T R O YA N | P H O T O B Y F E R R A R I
When Ferrari Los Angeles called and invited me to drive the new Ferrari California T, I jumped at the opportunity. I have driven the previous generation Ferrari California with the V8 engine and found it to be a very pleasing experience. The balance between performance, luxury and drivabilty were perfectly balanced. Yes, the Ferrari California is a car that you can drive everyday. And if you really like to drive the car, the performance is all there. There is simply nothing like a Ferrari. For those of you who own them or have driven them, you know what I am talking about. If you ask me, I will say that Ferrari embodies a tradition of passion. When you get behind the wheel and start a Ferrari up, it is like your first kiss, wonderful (so I hope). The sound of a Ferrari is second to none. We all know the sound of a Ferrari, an Italian symphony, truly one of a kind. In my opinion, there is something truly special about a Ferrari. I do not currently own one, but it is a goal to own one or two in my lifetime. The new Ferrari California T has a 3.9-liter, twin-turbo V-8, just like the 488GTB, which will get you from standing to 62mph in 3.6 seconds. With 553hp and 557lb-ft of torque, the California T offers supercar speed and handling while being wrapped in a luxury automobile. The best of both worlds. Sure you can drive it to work or the golf course or to Supercar Sunday, but you can also drive it on the race track or on a fun canyon road. Don’t let the comfort fool you, it is a Ferrari in every aspect. The idea of driving an exotic car daily has been a dream for most car enthusiasts. With the progression of technology and design, Ferrari has indeed produced the best “daily driver” exotic to date. Yes, you can drive it everyday, yes it is exotic, yes it makes you feel like a rockstar and yes it is indeed a Ferrari. So you want to get a Ferrari and have to ask the wife permission... allow me to assure you, this car is so easy to drive that she will be driving it more than you! The creature comforts are all there, performance is there and with the top down, she will look like a movie star! So if you are in the market for a new exotic or are thinking of a new car...I would suggest a test drive of the new Ferrari California T, you will love it! Thank you Ferrari Los Angeles for the wonderful experience.
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THE AUTO GALLERY WOODL AND HILLS
To Our Valued Customer, We are excited to introduce our new location! Maserati Calabasas is now MASERATI WOODLAND HILLS. Although our name and address are new, our commitment to our customers remains the same. To better serve you, we have moved our dealership location to 21326 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364, right across the street from our Porsche and Audi dealerships on Ventura Blvd., at Canoga Avenue. As always, the Auto Gallery network of luxury dealerships has combined the strength of three Maserati locations in Los Angeles to provide the leverage needed to give you more vehicles to choose from at a better deal. For preferred customers like you, we invite you to stop by and take a test drive. We will donate $25 for every test drive to Motor4toys Foundation. We will also donate $250 should you decide to purchase a vehicle subsequent to your test drive*. You, too, could make a move to enhance your driving experience while helping those who are less fortunate. We look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely,
Tony Schwartz Tony Schwartz Co-President
Harrison Gray Harrison Gray Co-President
M A S E R AT I W O O D L A N D H I L L S
21326 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364 844-868-6876
Maserati Woodland Hills Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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S E A R E D
FLAVOR
S C A L L O P S
W I T H
Q U I N O A
RECIPIE BY CHEF VINCENT CACHOT
Ingredients 3ea u10 scallops ½ cup of fava beans (fresh or frozen) ½ cup of quinoa (half red/ half white) 1 lemon 2oz fresh morel mushroom 5 thin slices of Prosciutto ham 2 cups of water 4oz unsalted butter Vegetable stock (as needed) Olive oil (as needed, any other oil can be used as a substitution) S & P (to taste)
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Preparation
or prosciutto crisp, set prosciutto in a sheet pan with parchment paper, place another sheet pan on top of it so it stays nice and flat. Place into the oven at 325 for about 20 min or until very crispy and set aside. In a small pot get salted water boiling for the fava puree. Once water gets to a boil place fava beans in water until cooked thoroughly. After they are done, puree in a blender until very smooth. Add cooking liquid and season as needed for puree. Set aside after. In that same boiling water add quinoa and cook thoroughly, strain off the remaining liquid once done and set aside. For the mushrooms, cut in half and wash well.
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Assemble
eat up a saute pan with a little bit of olive oil, place scallops straight on pan after been seasoned. Sear scallops for about two minutes and then turn around and add butter to pan. Let scallops cook another two minutes while basting with the melted butter in the pan. At the same time reheat puree in a pan, while adding stock if needed. In another pan add a bit of olive oil, let it get hot, and then add the cooked quinoa. Saute the quinoa, add lemon zest and lemon juice and season to taste. For the morels, give a quick saute, add butter and season.
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Plating fter everything is hot and ready, place puree on center of plate. Followed by quinoa on top, and scallops right after. Morels can be placed around the scallops and garnished with the prosciutto crisp. Drizzle oil or lemon oil if available to finish it off, if desired.
Over 30 years of award winning experience 22836 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 222-8881
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We Specialize in Classic Cars Repair. Maintenance. Restoration. High Performance.
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We work on all classic vehicles: - Ford - Chevy - GMC - Cadillac - Hot Rods - Projects - Trucks - Restomod - Safety Inspections - Alignments - Brakes - Suspension and Lowering - Customization
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by Mark Llewellyn
Origin of the
Racing Stripe It was the 1952 running of the “24 Hours of Le Mans” where the Cunningham race team was the first to use racing stripes. From that moment on there have been numerous accounts of what was the origin of their creation. Some say the stripes evolved as a tool for the driver to use to align the front of the car into a curve. Others state it merely accentuated the chassis of a vehicle, mirroring the skeleton of the frame rails. The most likely reason was a form of identification on a track full of cars, many the same make and color. In the 50’s certain countries already had assigned colors in racing. Italy was red (Ferrari), Germany silver (Mercedes), and Britain green (Jaguar). This obviously made identification of individual drivers difficult, and the use of racing stripes helped to eliminate the confusion. We can credit the American and British Air Forces for the idea of stripes on cars. Following the invasion of Normandy in 1944, the Allied Forces used stripes on their aircraft for identification purposes to reduce the likelihood of friendly fire. Perhaps the mental association of these stripes on fast and powerful aircraft made the race cars go faster? Not likely, but the contribution which helps identify the car and driver cannot be ignored. Soon the use of stripes went from function to form. The first use of a racing stripe on a production automobile was the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350. Stripes have now found their way to high-end luxury cars, sports cars, and even pick-up trucks! They can run the length of the car either on the roof or sides. Dodge incorporated the stripe as a wrap over the trunk lid, the famous “Bumblebee Stripe.” Nowadays you will find racing stripes in different colors, offset, and in different widths. It is left to the power of the imagination to see what shows up next.
www.LeonsTransmission.com
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ROADTRIP
TOP TEN ESSENTIALS
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A R T I C L E B Y J A M E S S TA N L E Y
id you turn off the oven? Did you lock the doors? Sound familiar? These are all questions that everyone has heard, or even said when starting a roadtrip. Did we forget to pack the __________? Well, here is the top ten list of essentials everyone needs to have with them on every roadtrip! (In no particular order)
1. Cell Phone & Charger
No matter what kind of bind we may find ourselves in, a phone can get us the help we need. From roadside assistance, to calling a friend to check your stove to make sure you turned it off, a cell phone can be a literal lifeline. Most of the major highways across the country have great cell phone signal and many of the roads less traveled can at least yield you a single bar of service. In addition to being a phone, today’s smart phones are minicomputers with an almost unlimited range of apps. This device can be a source of maps and directions, and if you’ve got bluetooth, can even be your turn by turn navigator. For any passengers in the car, phones can provide hours upon hours of unlimited entertainment from movies, social media, news, music and games. Pretty much standard on all phones now are flashlights for use anytime after sunset while digging through the trunk for something, or while making your way to a rest stop that isn’t lit so well. Let’s not forget one of the most used features on many smartphones today; the camera. The camera on the phone is no replacement for those with a DSLR, but the quality of the cameras found on most phones today will give you more than stellar images, and it’s always with you, so you’ll never miss that moment, or the view! Don’t forget a great charger and even a backup battery when you’re away from a power source to make sure your lifeline has power.
2. Proper Spare Tire & Jack
One of the most common roadside breakdowns is due to flat tires. It could be from under inflation, over inflation, a worn out tire, or the ever common road debris. It doesn’t take much to puncture a tire, just the right kind of debris and an unlucky you. Having a spare tire is essential to any roadtrip. Many classic cars that have been restored leave out the spare tire for weight savings, or to save room in t h e trunk, and some newer cars only come with a mini air compressor and a bottle of fix-o-flat. Neither is really ideal for a long road trip. Depending on your route, you could be miles and miles away from civilization, or hours upon hours away from any type assistance. Having a spare tire can get you to the next town to get your car in the shop for a tire replacement, versus sitting in the middle of nowhere waiting for to tow your car to the next town while you ride shotgun in a tow truck. If you don’t have a spare, consider getting a brand new full size spare from your local tire shop. In many new cars, the spare tire well under the carpet in the trunk is large enough to accommodate a full size spare versus just a pizza-cutter size, temporary doughnut. The added weight, the space taken, and the hassle is minimal for the peace of mind. For those with undermounted spares, be sure that you have your key/crank to be able to lower the spare down off the body, and also make sure that if you have wheel locks, that you have the key! The worst feeling is when you have the spare tire, and you can’t get the spare out from under the vehicles, or get the flat tire off the car because of specialty lugs.
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3. Water
This one should be obvious, but is often overlooked. Water can be used in multiple areas of your roadtrip. If your car begins to overheat and the coolant overflows, adding water to the car can be a great temporary fix to get your car to the next town for help. If you’re stranded away from civilization, like in a snowstorm or broken down on the side of the road with a dead car, this water will become an essential life saver. You can survive for a few days without food, but without water, your time is dramatically cut down to hours. Water can also be used to put out fires, help cool off in super hot weather, and help with any unforeseen roadtrip messes. A single gallon of water can go a long way in a pinch.
4. Sunglasses
The ever so easy-to-loose pair of sunglasses can really help make your daytime driving less stressful. For anyone that h a s driven through the deserts of the S outhwest on a bright sunny day can all attest to how bright and blinding the scenery can be. We all have had a moment of driving behind that mirror-like semi trailer that reflects the light right in your face. This reduced stress on your eyes will allow you to stay more alert to the traffic around you and help keep you, your passengers, and your car just a little safer. In addition to safety and comfort, sunglasses just look cool. If you can spring for it, get polarized lenses for that extra bit of protection for your eyes and extra clarity of the road ahead.
5. Toilet Paper
Everybody poops. We learned this in elementary school. What we didn’t learn in elementary school is that not all port-o-potties and public restrooms will have toilet paper available. For the extreme emergency, when there is no bathroom other than out in nature, you’ll be glad to have a roll of super soft quilted two-ply at the ready versus the nearby foliage, especially when your flora of choice is a cactus, or a Joshua Tree. Toilet paper can also be used to clean up drink spills in your car and is great on glass to get rid of streaks and murdered bugs. The next time you’re out on a trip, and you use this backup TP, thank DrivenWorld!
6. Pillow(s) and Blanket(s)
Long distance driving can take the energy out of even the most seasoned drivers. A pillow and blanket can provide a bit of extra comfort to anyone trying to take a quick power-nap. Even the heat of the deserts can turn to below freezing temperatures at night , and a blanket can save you from having to run your engine all night to keep the heater going. When it’s hot and bright out, blankets can be hung over the windows to block out light in the back seats to give you a little relief from the sun. Those that don’t want to carry a big pillow should consider a simple u-shaped travel pillow. These work great in a pinch and are small enough to fit under your seat, or around your headrest posts.
7a. Roadside Emergency Kit
Most large retailers and auto parts stores carry pre-packaged roadside emergency kits which include several different items that can assist during a roadside emergency. Even the most basic of kits can be useful and will include things like; basic hand tools, jumper cables, air compressor, rope, hazard cones and/or flares, glow sticks, folding shovel, hand warmers, utility knife, tire slime, cross wrench, fuses, and more. These kits cover all the basics for the most common of roadside breakdowns and emergencies, all in a convenient carrying case. In addition to kit for your car, you’ll need a kit for your passengers which brings us to our next essential which I consider to be part of the same package, and can sometimes be purchased together in one all-in-one kit.
7b. First Aid Kit
So you cut yourself with the scissors you were using to cut some yarn you were knitting a sweater with while your Tesla was in Autopilot, what do you do? Never fear! Because next up on the list is a basic first aid kit. Usually filled with an assortment of band-aids, gauze, medical wrap, and a few mild pain killers (which help dull the pains of singing “The wheels on the bus” one more time if you’ve got kids in the car.). In all seriousness, some basic medical supplies, no matter how basic can help in an emergency situation, and could even help save a life. This should be in your car all the time, not just on road trips and many vehicle manufacturers even have branded first aid kits that will fit perfectly in a glove box or in the trunk.
9. Cooler
Buying cold drinks from roadside convenience stores is, well, convenient, but the cost can add up quickly. Consider a small cooler for your favorite beverage so that you always have the next one within arms reach, and ice cold. Buying a 12 pack of soda can easily be the same price as two individual tall cans. Save some cash and go with a simple ice chest to get you through your trip.
10. Cash
There are many reasons to carry cash while on a roadtrip including unexpected toll roads, parking fees, cash-only gas stations, roadside merchants, and more. Cash is accepted everywhere across the country where as credit/debit isn’t always an option. Even some diners and restaurants don’t allow for tips to be entered onto a credit card receipt after the fact, so having a few dollars on hand can help you not be ‘that guy’ and not tip your server. In addition, depending on your insurance policy, having gas brought out to you may require cash payment. Without it, you’ll be left high and dry. Be sure to have a number of smaller bills as some smaller off-the-beaten-path businesses may not be able to break larger bills.
8. Spare Keys
Losing your keys could be hassle enough when you’re within cab distance from home, now imagine losing your keys and the next closest set is hundreds of miles away. A well hidden key left inside the car can be the difference of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, or on the road to your destination. While it is possible to have keys made by a locksmith, many of today’s cars require that the key be programed by the dealer. It’s highly doubtful that a classic roadside mechanic on Route 66 is going to have the necessary equipment to
program a new set of keys for your ride. Even if you lose your keys, and your spare is locked inside, a locksmith can at least open your door for you and you can break out the hidden spare to get you moving again. One key on your key ring, one key hidden inside, and one key safe at home is ideal. It’s also a good idea to have any backups of important keys at home just in case you lose your set somewhere in the great unknown.
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THE TELEVISION MOTION PICTURE CAR CLUB A N N U A L
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S T O R Y B Y S T E V E VA L L I N E | P H O T O S B Y R I C H A R D K R AT Z , K E N L AT K A , S T E P H E N R U S S O , L A R R Y W E I N E R , & J A M E S S TA N L E Y
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2014 Shelby GT500 and a 2008 Shelby GT500KR that is an actual screen used vehicle from the 2008-2009 television series “Knight Rider”. There aren’t too many cars that could outshine or outrun the unveiling of the 2016 Hurst/Kenne Bell R Code Ford Mustang at this year’s show. Featuring a classic white and gold Hurst paint scheme, this one of a kind Mustang boasts a Kenne Bell supercharger and puts out more than 750 horsepower. The designer of the car, Larry Weiner made the decision to unveil this stunning street machine at the TMPCC Show, rather than the SEMA Show in Las Vegas later this year. What a treat and honor for the thousands of people and media who attended the event.
If muscle cars are your thing, then the beautifully restored 1966 Pontiac GTO owned by TMPCC’s Director of Celebrity Relations Glen McGuire certainly caught your attention. Of course you couldn’t miss Ron Izuno’s 1965 Plymouth Fury III in a beautiful burnt orange metallic paint finish. If you’re into modern muscle, there were several on hand, including TMPCC President Ken Latka’s custom one of one Mr. Norm’s Hall of Fame Edition Dodge Challenger that has been featured on the cover of several magazines, including the April 2016 issue of Driven World Magazine. If you’re into hot rods, then you might have been drawn to the 1929 Model A pickup owned by John Martinez, or you might have drooled over stuntman and actor Perry Barndt’s over the top 1934 Ford Tudor Sedan with a blown Hemi. There was also a rare 1937 Plymouth E4, 1946 Ford Super Deluxe, 1948 Plymouth Club Coupe, 1956 Chevrolet pickup, and a blown 1964 Pro Street Chevy Malibu. One of the biggest hot rods at this year’s show was the 1946 Chevrolet COE truck with a blown Hemi in the bed. If you’re a fan of Carroll Shelby, then no doubt the Shelby Mustangs drew your attention. This year there was an original 1966 Shelby GT350H, a 2008 Shelby GTC, a
Another surprise was the 2017 Ford Raptor Supercrew that is not yet available to the public. Mike Levine, the North America Product Communications Manager for the Ford Motor Company reached out to the TMPCC and asked them if they would like to have the vehicle displayed at this year’s show. The club coordinated with one of their sponsors, Tony Fiori of Vista Ford of Oxnard to see if he could make room, and he did, displaying the 2017 Raptor next to his own award winning 1972 Detomaso Pantera. Since the TMPCC is an entertainment industry car club, and since the event is held at one of the oldest studios in Hollywood, what would an entertainment industry car show be without a few vehicles from television and motion pictures! The club just happens to have members at some of the best picture car companies in town, including this year’s participants “Next Pictures” and “Studio Picture Vehicles”. Just a few of the picture cars on display included: a 1975 “Rockford Files” Firebird, a Back to the Future DeLorean, the aforementioned 2008 Shelby GT500KR from Knight Rider, a 1990 Ford Interceptor from Blues Brothers 2000 and many more, including the Major Crime Response Team van from NCIS that was on display courtesy of SPV President Ken Fritz and NCIS Executive Producer Mark Harmon. This year Faith Granger, the multi-award winning producer and director of the movie “Deuce of Spades” was on hand signing copies of her DVD and she had a wonderful display that included the 1932 high boy featured in the film. Borla was also in the house with a new generation Mustang outfitted with one of their latest exhaust systems. The Borla equipped Mustang sounded great as it was parked in position next to their booth. Did I mention The Stig? As in fellow TMPCC member Ben Collins, the professional race car driver, James Bond stunt driver (and the former Stig from the original BBC show “Top Gear”). Ben flew in from England to be at the TMPCC show and he was gracious to everyone, signing copies of his latest book “How To Drive”. Ben is a very cool guy, and he was, for me, the highlight of the event. Sitting next to Ben at the celebrity signing table was Legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr. Bob is the man who designed everything on wheels at Disneyland, including the monorails, the bobsleds for the Matterhorn, the cars for Autopia and dozens of other well-loved attractions. He also consulted with Universal Studios on the King Kong attraction, and he worked with Steven Spielberg and Stan Winston on the full size T-Rex in Jurassic Park. Bob was on hand to sign copies of his new DVD “Bob Gurr: Turning Dreams Into Reality”. I have only covered a few of the highlights from this year’s show and I haven’t even had time to mention the vehicles that were honored with awards on the Fourth. Heck, even the awards at the TMPCC show are above and beyond the ordinary. These are not the standard trophies many car shows present to the winners, the TMPCC awards are framed certificates with the logo of CBS Studio Center and the Television Motion Picture Car Clubs hot rod motion picture camera logo. I mean where else in the world can you receive an award with the name of a major television network studio on it. Here are the lucky people who took home these very special awards this year.
y Fourth of July was better than yours! Seriously… unless you were at the 18th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Festival at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California, then your Fourth was just average. That’s because this legendary studio founded by silent movie producer Mack Sennett in 1929 hosts a spectacular annual event with food, drink, live musical entertainment, activities for the children, the Annual TMPCC Car Show and of course one of the best fireworks displays in Southern California. This is the one day each year that the studio opens its doors to the public. People from all over the world attend the celebration and they get to walk around and explore this legendary studio where many famous television shows like 3rd Rock from the Sun, According to Jim, The Bob Newhart Show, Boston Common, Caroline in the City, CSI: NY, Falcon Crest, Gilligan’s Island, Gunsmoke, Hill Street Blues, Just Shoot Me, The Larry Sanders Show, Leave It to Beaver, Lou Grant, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, My Three Sons, Newhart, Rawhide, Remington Steele, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Spin City, St. Elsewhere, Still Standing, That ‘70s Show, Thirty Something, Titus, The Wild Wild West, Will & Grace, WKRP in Cincinnati and hundreds of other beloved shows and motion pictures were filmed. John Wayne, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and many others got their start at this very studio. I could go on and on about how awesome it is to be walking around a studio steeped in such history, but Driven World is all about the cars. So let’s get to it. One of the best things about the Fourth of July Fireworks Festival at Studio Center is the amazing car show hosted by a very unique and exclusive car club “The Television Motion Picture Car Club”. The TMPCC is the world’s only car club for those who work in the entertainment industry, and the vehicles on display are as diverse as the producers, directors, actors, stunt men and other members who bring them to the show. This year participants and spectators alike saw classics like a Concours winning 1953 Bentley R Type, to modern classics like Metallica guitarist and lead singer James Hetfield’s coach built masterpiece “Aquarius” (a 1934 Packard with the design and coachwork by Rick Dore Kustoms and Marcel). Some of the other classics at this year’s show included a 1931 Ford Model A, 1955 Morgan, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, 1957 Pontiac Safari station wagon, 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk, 1960 Ford Thunderbird, 1960 Ford Starliner, 1961 Nash Metropolitan, 1963 Studebaker Avanti, 1965 Corvette, 1965 Dodge Dart, 1967 Camaro RS and so many others, that it was like stepping back in time.
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TOP TEN BEST OF SHOW (in alphabetical order) Rodney and Elaine Byrd - 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk Chuck Cliff - 1941 Ford Panel Truck Travis Escalante - 1967 Ford OSI 20m ts Tony Fiori - 1972 Detomaso Pantera GTE Larry Grossman - 1961 Nash Metropolitan Greg & Kiki Hahs - 1946 Chevy COE (Cab Over Engine) Ross Harmon - 1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang Fastback Michael Hattem - 1955 Morgan +4 Drophead Coupe Ron Izuno - 1965 Plymouth Fury III John Martinez - 1929 Type “A” Pick Up Truck THE BOB GURR DESIGN ELEGANCE AWARD Presented to Rick Dore of Rick Dore Kustoms for James Hetfield’s Coach Built 1934 Packard “Aquarius” BEST OF SHOW Presented to Laraine Lisa for her spectacular 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD Presented to Rick Dore of Rick Dore Kustoms for James Hetfield’s Coach Built 1934 Packard “Aquarius”
If you’re not convinced yet to mark your calendars for next year’s show, then let’s take a break from the cool cars and talk about some of the other reasons to attend, like helping the Children’s Tumor Foundation fund a cure for the disease Neurofibromatosis that affects one in 3,000 children. The proceeds from this year’s event benefitted this wonderful organization. Other reasons to attend the Fireworks Festival and TMPCC Car Show at CBS Studio Center next year are the characters walking around. Be on the watch for roving bands of pirates from Studio City Tattoo, as they roam the studio in-between sword fight demos and photo ops for the children and adults alike. The sharp eyed attendee would also have noticed the WWII fighter plane flyover. But wait! There’s more! Live music fills the festival each year, and since this year’s theme was Fireworks and Luau, James “Elvis” Kruk and the Big Boss Men filled the air with classic tunes. There is also fantastic Fourth of July fare, such as tri-tip barbeque, bacon wrapped hot dogs, beer and wine, a Kids Zone with face painting and bounce houses to help burn off some the little one’s energy, and to cap off the day, one of the BEST fireworks displays in all of Southern California... Seriously… the bombs bursting in air lasted more than 30 minutes. It was awesome, and all this and more is included in the General Admission price. Naturally you are going to want to check out the pictures featured in this article. And if you haven’t already, mark your calendar and make plans now to attend this very unique and outstanding show next July Fourth. If you work in the television, motion picture, music, radio, sports or motorsports industries and you are interested in joining the Television Motion Picture Car Club, you can download applications directly from their website at www.tmpcc.org If you’re on Facebook, check them out at “TMPCC: The Television Motion Picture Car Club”.
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What is in your camera bag?
CAMERAS: Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 5D MkIII LENSES: 50mm f1.4 16-35mm f2.8 17-40mm f4 24-105mm f4 70-200mm f2.8
How many photos have you taken?
“Billions...maybe more :)” IMAGE META: 24-105mm f 1:4 1/80th f/8 ISO 125
PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT T E D
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A R T I C L E B Y J A M E S S TA N L E Y | P H O T O S B Y T E D S E V E N
mong a large pile of sponsor and vendor decals I was handed at my first long distance road rally, one of them stood out. It read, “I got shot by Ted7”. I had no idea what the meaning of it was, what it was for, or what type of business it was. I consider myself to be a photography professional with 12+ years as a photojournalist for the US Navy, and owning my own photography company since, and when I heard that it was the logo of the rally’s photographer, I was surprised. The sticker all of the sudden made sense, but I’ve heard the term “professional photographer” used very loosely more often than not, so I didn’t think much of him. Not long into the first leg of the rally, I noticed this funky little Fiat 500 Abarth zipping around all of the supercars in the rally. One at a time, the passenger would lean WAY far out of the passenger window, snap a few shots, change position, and snap a few more. A Fiat? Really? I didn’t have much room to trash talk since I was in a Ford Focus ST, trying to keep up with the likes of Porsche, Lamborghini, and Vipers. I didn’t really speak with this guy much during the rally, and I went on taking my own photos of whatever I thought was photo worthy. After getting home, still on my rally high, I processed a few images and started posting them up on social media for the rally members to see. They got great response and numerous likes on them, until another post came up. Ted7 posted a link to his SmugMug.com account and ALL of his images were up to view. My photos moved very quickly down the social media wall into oblivion while Ted’s photos were just eye candy for everyone. I quickly searched for photos of me and my car, and found several and was just as taken-a-back by them. I began to feel foolish in thinking that my images were worthy of sharing af-
ter seeing all of the stunning imagery he was able to create. I was in the company of a master... I was so enamored by the photography that I began downloading them one by one and researching the metadata to see what settings were used, which lens, which camera and so forth to see if I could somehow recreate his look so I could apply his style to mine. I’ve been working on trying to achieve this for two years now and haven’t been successful, his style, for now, is out of reach. Since that first rally, I have watched Ted performing his craft, following every image and event he covers, and from time to time, I have shot shoulder to shoulder with him. Although I have not reached his level, he has been an inspiration for me and someone I look up to for automotive photography, as does anyone else that has met, and/or seen Ted and his work. His first image in this magazine was seen in last month’s issue, with a single shot from an event we covered, a dozen or so images in this issue, and hopefully even more in the future. His work is just too stunning not to share with our DrivenWorld readers. From the cars of Supercar Sunday, to the green lawns of a top notch concourse, to the backroads across America, we’ll be getting it all! If you would like to see more of Ted Seven’s work check out his website at www.iamted7. com as well as on social media (facebook), smugmug, and flikr!
Where are you from?
“Belgium, Capital of Europe”
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in Brussels and Waterloo“
Why so many rallies?
I love rallies because it’s challenging to capture not only the vehicles on the road but the atmosphere of the event. I want people who went to the rally to remember the good time they had, and those who didn’t participate to register for the next one! I also like connect with people, after all I’m sharing their passion too, and I’m a true car passionate. Who was your biggest influences in photography?
“There are people I admire, like GF Williams or Mo Satarzadeh, but I can’t say I had influences per se. What I wanted is to create my own style. I wanted people to look at the photos and knowing it’s one of mine even if there’s no watermark or credit.”
What other types of photography do you do?
“I’m doing special events (except weddings) and real estate photography”
When did you first start in photography?
“I started automotive photography as a hobby in 2009 with a little Panasonic Lumix LX3 (Leica lens). It became more of a part time job in 2012 and then a full time job near the end of 2013. “
What is your #1 tip for an aspiring photographer that wants to shoot cars better?
“The more you shoot, the better you get! Don't try to copy anyone, get your own style, and people will love your work!” Tell us a bit about your car and driver, and why you chose each.
“Little Ninja is a Fiat 500 Abarth that belongs to my good friends at Car Ninja. It has been everywhere and became very popular! People know when they see the car that I’m not very far away! It has been recently tuned by 500 Madness with a lot of goodies that pushed the car to over 200hp, believe it or not, we didn’t have any issues to keep up with the goldRush rally supercars! The Abarth is the perfect car for us, it’s quick, very agile, and surprisingly spacious (in the front), it has no rear end and no front end, so the car is never in the way of the subject I’m photographing on the road. The driver is my wife, I taught her how to drive (a stick shift) 28 years ago, and she knows where she has to place me for getting the right shot, even if sometimes she’s a little bit too fast and I have to slow her down to be able to shoot the slow participants...”
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RAT ROD FEVER
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S TO R Y & P H OTO S S U B M I T T E D B Y J AY S A N TO S
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at Rods…… So what are they? Where did they come from? Why are they the center of controversy between the traditional Hot Rodder and Car Fabricator? Some people love them and some hate them, and a lot of people just plain don’t understand them. Rat Rods have been documented to being around since the 30’s. Used from everything from bootleggers to racing them on the dry lake beds. For the average guy and gal, there wasn’t a lot of money laying around to work on a broken down car. So through talent and ingenuity, they were able to use parts from various cars to get their car up and running. It was no different for people that owned motorcycles. Whatever you had or that you could get from a friend, that’s what you used. But it really came down to one important thing, they worked on their Hot Rods learning along the way. Over the past 35 years I’ve learned the same way. Growing up I couldn’t afford to keep taking my car to a shop to work on it. We didn’t have the internet, so if you wanted to learn how to fix something, you either bought a repair manual or learned from someone that worked on cars. I’ve worked on everything from go-karts to Drag cars. I have the cuts and burns and countless 2 a.m. nights to prove it. I’ve learned a lot along the way and I’m still learning today. That’s what’s so great about our local car community; there is always someone that can show you a different way of doing things. I’ve been fortunate over the years to meet these people. Rat rods come in all shape and sizes. Some may be rusty and some painted. It could be a truck or a coupe or even a combination of both. But what ties them all together is that they were built with parts that weren’t stock when they were first built by the factory. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some rat rods that probably shouldn’t be street driven and they are the ones that give “Rat Rods” their bad reputation. But when you run across one that is built properly, they can be truly a work of art. Being an owner of one, I have to tell you, it’s one of the coolest fun cars I’ve ever owned or built. And I’ve built and owned a lot! There is just something so simple but completely intriguing about them. When I’m driving with my friends or other members of Rock n’ Roll Hot Rods Car Club in their rat rods cruising up PCH it’s like a traveling car show circus phenomenon! People honk, wave at us, yell, take video and pictures and want us to pull over just so they can take a closer look at our cars. When we finally make our destination it’s like an instant car show. Crowds of people gather and take pictures and they want to know everything about the cars! How cool is that?! My first experience with a Rat Rod came by surprise. I was heavily into
Harleys in the 90’s through the early 2000’s. I was looking through a motorcycle magazine that I had laying around. In one of the photos I noticed this cool looking hot rod in the background. It was nothing like I’ve ever seen and I was mesmerized by it. For the past 20 years I’ve lived and breathed 1960’s muscle cars and at that point in my life, I was actually getting bored. So this new discovery awakened the giant inside. A few months later, I happened to be working a booth with my girlfriend Lisa for my athletic apparel company “Big Arm Clothing” at The David Mann Chopper Fest. I decided to take a walk and check out some of the cool bikes that were there. Right smack in the middle of all of them was this cool rat rod roadster. It was the only car at the event. I’d never seen one in person, and I’ve got to admit, it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. It had countless handmade parts and other ones that you would not normally see on a car or use them in the way that they were being used. I knew at that moment, I had to build one. After many months of researching and looking for the right rat rod, I found one. It was complete, but needed a lot of work to put it on the road. It rekindled my love and passion of cars. So why are they looked down upon from the traditional car guy? A traditionalist wants to build a hot rod they way it was built back in the day with parts that were used from that era. A Rat Rod is a hot rod with no set preference to what parts may be used. A lot may be hand fabricated or altered to fit the car. For a fabricator like myself, it’s “a blank canvas” (I stole that from my buddy Barry Buchanan owner of The Hot Rod Shop) These are two very interesting ideas that whether realized or not, actually intersect. If you look at a group of Ford hot rods at a local car show, you will notice that 9 out of 10 of them have a Chevy engine in them and not a Ford….. go figure! So why is that? Simple, some guys and gals want a modern engine with more power than what a flathead engine has. They build a hot rod with old traditional parts but upgrade the drive-train/motor. Take my advice: Whatever you do, don’t tell them “Nice Rat Rod”! Everybody has different likes and tastes. If we all had the same cars, then SuperCar Sunday would be like walking through Walmart…. all the same stuff ! My personal opinion is this, if you like what you’re driving that’s all that matters. Isn’t that what our car community is all about? See ya on the road! 35
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REAL ESTATE WORLD TA K I N G
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G W E N B A N TA & T O R Y H E R A L D | S O T H E B Y ’ S I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E A LT Y
ho can deny the serenity of a waterfall cascading into a pool? Yet some people prefer homes without pools, especially if they have small children or are maintenance-adverse. Thus, your decision to add a pool should be based on how much you will truly use it, not on an expectation of a dollar-for-dollar return on investment. When adding a pool, there are several things to contemplate besides cost. Consider the design, and choose the appropriate size for the space. One of the biggest mistakes people make is turning a backyard into Jethro Clampett’s “cement pond.” Do not overbuild for the size of your property unless you plan to open a YMCA. In designing your pool, consider the landscape. Enhance visual impact by choosing an irregular shape, or soften the pool’s lines with a unique hardscape and clusters of plants. Strategic outcroppings of hardscape allow for colorful lounges and bright umbrellas. A few Coronas may make any pool look good, but try to exercise good taste when creating that outdoor oasis.
Gwen Banta
Gwen Banta and Tory Herald - Connecting the Worlds of Real Estate 323-252-1700 * 310-985-2719 EastWestRealEstateSpecialists.com
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Tory Herald
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