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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 will be forty-four at the end of July. Where has the time gone? Good grief. I have yet to climb Mount Everest and yet to surf Pipeline in Hawaii. Sometimes I fear that certain doors are closing in on me as I am in warp speed. My father always told me to "stay a kid" as long as I could and I had my "whole life to be an adult..." and boy was he right. Time is going fast. Forty-four. In six years I will be the big 50. Wow! I swear I feel like I am twenty-five. Well, maybe not my back or my eyes...or my hairline, but I don't feel "all grown up" quite yet. Maybe I am and I just try not to see it or accept it. I suppose I am pretty responsible. Statistically, I am probably in the midlife crisis category, that should be interesting. I wonder what that will mean to me. Perhaps I am in it and don't know it or perhaps I will just glide by without going crazy and make some irrational decisions. Buy a new Ferrari, that's an easy one, it's not in the cards. Buy some wacky weekend car? I have no business buying any more cars considering I could start my own junk yard or used car lot with the cars that I own and that don't run. I wonder how it will manifest? I will share with you that I did accomplish a dream that I have had for quite some time. When my wife was pregnant with our first kid and although it made absolutely no sense, we bought a used camping trailer. It was second hand, but never really used. Much nicer than we expected we would be able to get. We were stoked. Noting, we had no where to store it and nothing to tow it with, but that is another story for another time. Sometimes you just have to go for it. In any event, my dream was to camp at a spot on the coast where I could surf everyday we were there. There is something so wonderful and so healing about the ocean and catching a wave. It might just be the best feeling on the planet. For the last five or so years, we have camped and enjoyed ourselves, but never where I could surf decent waves. Well, last week, we camped at Leo Carillo beach and I surfed almost every day. It was kind of funny, a break that I surfed so much as a young man, surfed it at night under a full moon into the wee hours of the morning with my best friends, that spot was like an old lost friend waiting for me to return. If you are familiar with the break, it is a point-break. That means that for the most part, the waves break at or around the same spot every time. It can change a bit depending on swell and tide, but most of us sit at, around, or out past the "rock." Most of the locals there know each other and have surfed there forever. Even the youngsters, the "groms," know exactly how the wave breaks and where to be. There is a sort of pecking order. If you haven't surfed in a while and it is crowded at Leo Carillio, aka "Secos" for us old timers, you might just be a tad intimidated to paddle out to the rock and jockey into position. I was surfing a board that I had really never ridden. It was a 1970's single fin "fish." I hadn't surfed in ages, I was/am a bit out of shape, but I had to get into that water and go surf. At the ripe old age of forty-four, I figured I had a week of camping so I would just take my time and not do what I did when I was young, which was to go all out and get hurt. I would take the pressure off myself and try to enjoy the process. Boy, I must be getting older. So with a game plan and with my wife and kids on the beach, I slapped
on the sunscreen (something I never did as a kid and I highly recommend doing) and headed to the water. In my mind, I could hear the lifeguard thinking to himself, "here is some middle-aged guy on some garage sale surfboard who just watched Endless Summer or Point Break trying to prove to some girl on the beach that he is, was, and still is a surfer. " As I paddled out the line-up, I reminded myself that I was there to have a good time and it was not necessarily about being the best or most aggressive surfer in the water. There was a time in my life when I knew everyone at most of the beaches and could catch waves with the best of them. That was a long time ago. Using a new board, you kind of have to get used to how it paddles, how it catches waves, where to put your feet and how much pressure you apply with your weight to the board. If you can surf, it is not all that difficult, but takes a couple waves to get used to. I paddled to the rock where all the locals were, old and young. They were chatting it up and we casually sized each other up. It is what it is, basically you want to know if someone is going to be in the way or he can handle himself. The first couple waves I went for on the new board, I missed. I figured out where the "sweet spot" was and I caught my first wave. Ok, I can still do this. I slowly found myself making my way out to front of the line-up where I used to be. When you surf a lot, you can kind of "feel" the energy of the ocean and your eyes can pick up on waves faster than guys that don't have years in the water. I have always been good at reading the waves. The first couple days, I kind of just got my feel for surfing again. As the days went by, it was all the same guys in the water. And the waves, the waves were fun. There were a couple of really good set-waves that came right to me and when I caught them, my back foot slipped off the board. All I wanted was one of the bigger "outside" set waves. I wanted a "macker." I spent so much time in the water as a kid that there were times that I was literally the first guy in the water in the morning and sometimes I was the last guy out in the evening. There is something magical about being in the water after the sun goes down. The hue of the sky, the day slowing down, you almost have to "feel" the ocean more, you are more at one with the universe. I got to surf into the evening as the wife and kids were at our trailer. I got out, felt that cool air on my face, it was heaven. Everyday I surfed. I hooted and hollered for all the guys and gals catching waves. When they would greet me and ask me how I was, I replied, "I'm happy, I am happy." It had been so long that I had not been with my old, dear friend the ocean, with nature. It had been so long that I had not taken the time and the part of me that felt so dead, well it was not. I caught a ton of waves. I sat out at the point like an old(er) local and competed with every guy and gal out there. We all had a blast and everybody was so damn nice. We were all happy out there. I caught one wave in particular that was truly magical. I took off super late, made the drop and rode it literally all the way to the sand. The wave walled up and it was just perfect. Leo Carillo beach, when it is good, it is good. That wave was sent from heaven just for me. Mother nature welcomed me home like a long lost son and she gave me a gift. For that moment on that wave, it was just her and I and the universe and all was perfect in the world. And, when I say, I rode it from past the rock and stepped off onto the sand, I did. Just like in the old days. Just like under a full moon with my friend Kelly. Just like in the rain. Just like all those wonderful years ago. I can still surf, I am still a surfer. And I am going to make a point to surf more. I do have to tell you, the very best partw is that I am a father and a husband and my wife and kids were there watching me, cheering me on, waving and supporting me. I am happy. Now please go do something you have been wanting to do...it just might make you happy. Dustin @the_guy_in_the_orange_hat
drivenworld ISSUE 115 JUNE 2019 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dustin Troyan ART DIRECTOR Staff COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group CONTRIBUTORS Dustin Troyan Mark Llewellyn Gwen Banta Tory Herald Steve Geldman Randy Fishwick Steve Ellis
ADVERTISING / MARKETING dustin@connectedmediagroup.com (818) 516-5053
www.drivenworld.com
www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com
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.
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Father's Day Rodeo Drive Concours D' Elegance
Article and Photos by Steve Geldman | Image Photo Motorsports | @ImagePhotoMotorsports Move over Gucci, Prada & Tiffany and Make Room for Bentley, Bugatti & Lamborghini Father’s Day 2019 on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was once again a spectacular automotive event. Marking its 26th anniversary on this world-famous street, Bruce Meyer, event organizer and Vice Chairman at Peterson Museum, pulled no punches. This year’s show marque was celebrating ‘100 Years Of Bentley’.
For those of you who have been hiding under a rock the past 26 years and not familiar with this event, the Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance showcases some of the rarest and most exotic cars from all over the world. If you think making the schlep from the valley or elsewhere, spending 2 to 4 hours walking this iconic street while salivating from the automotive visual, then drive home thinking that was all a waste of time, folks, that’s simply not going to
happen. Even if you bring your wife, who totally does not understand why you’re into cars in the first place, will surely enjoy the experience … especially if you buy her something in one of the many money-thirsty famous retail shops. Wait, this is Father’s Day. Maybe she should be buying a little something for you! Aside from the O’Gara dealership showcasing their latest Bentley models, there were 5 examples of private owned historic Bentley’s
on display dating back to 1927 with the 4 ½ Litre model. Also parked along Rodeo were a Bentley 1960 S2 Continental Drophead and the world’s most accurate re-creation of the historic 1956 Bentley Blue Train. The Bentley Blue Train has some cool history too in-depth for this article, but it’s suggested to check out its background online: http://www. thewholecar.com/1930-bentleyblue-train-recreation
Three private collectors were pulled from over eighty cars on exhibit for interviews. These were chosen by this author’s personal coolness scale. First up is retired architect Earl Rubinstein from West Los Angeles with his 1935 Packard Super 8 Phaeton by Dietrich. Rubinstein purchased this beauty, which was in excellent condition, from the original owner in 1963 for, believe it or not, $1,200. Soon after purchase, Rubinstein had the engine professionally
rebuilt to factory specs. Not being too crazy about original pea-green exterior and dark green seats and trunk, Rubinstein had the car repainted to “Sky Blue” with interior seats and trunk changed to a dark blue rich leather. This vehicle was no doubt one of the highlights at the show in terms of attention-getting and camera shutters rapidly firing. For you gear heads, the ’35 Packard has a V-8 power plant creating 160 hp along with a 5,700 lb. body weight.
No speed records will ever be set but when driving this baby around town, Rubinstein just wants to sit back and cruise. Next up is Joe Duray from Los Angeles, a retiree from the banking industry. Duray drove in with his 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe. While in the early 80’s and living in the bay area, a buddy of his turned him onto Maserati. Duray searched out this specific model looking at classified ads in the San
Francisco Chronical. Keep in mind the internet was still in its infancy as newspapers and magazines were still the norm for buying and selling used cars. In 1984 he acquired this coupe and had it totally restored, minus the transmission and rear differential. As an interesting tidbit, these Maserati’s were available only as ‘built to order’. None were ever on a dealer showroom floor unless already purchased. For this ’61 model, 500 were sold. A total of 2,226 units were built during
its entire production run from 1957 to 1964. The vehicles low 3,500 lb. weight is contributed to an aluminum body and tubular steel chassis. Under the hood, Duray’s GT has a 3.5L 12-valve Inline-6 pulling out 220 hp. Not too shabby for ’61 6-cylinder especially when considering the power-to-weight ratio. Lastly and perhaps most notable is a Rat Rod that was homebuilt from scratch. From the outskirts of the Mojave Desert, this vehicle is owned by rat rod auto builder and motorcycle mechanic, Spud Innit,
and his wife, Ares. They trailered in their 2018 ‘LSME’ wasteland “Mad Max style” Rat Rod only because the CHP might have a problem seeing this vehicle flying by on Highway 14 or the 405 powered by its JET TURBINE AIRCRAFT ENGINE! The back story to this vehicle is most interesting. As Innit explained, it all started out as a joke. The engine is from a French built Fouga CM.170 Magister aircraft. The CM.170 was built in the 1950’s and was used as a 2-seater jet trainer. During a rebuild/ certification of this aircraft, a hairline
fracture was found in the engines burn canister which made it unworthy of flight and the engine had to be replaced. A friend of Innit who had access to the engine, as a joke, suggested to Innit to build a vehicle around it. After all, with only a minor microscopic fracture, it still operates to spec. With 60 to 70 past Mad Max type builds behind him, how hard can this be? This project took about 1 ½ years for R&D and build. During this interview, Innit hit a switch or two from the dash and the turbine started to spin along with that
turbine sound. As a crowd of people started to huddle around the vehicle, Innit shut it down never hitting the ignitor switch. Anticlimactic but it put a smile on many faces. Attending the event each year is free to the public. Proceeds from The Rodeo Drive Concours benefits the Beverly Hills Police Foundation through street sales of merchandise and water. This Foundation funds everything from life-saving emergency flights to assisting police families in time of need.
Be sure to attend the 2020 27th annual Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance. It’s family friendly so all ages are welcome. The event runs the entire length of Rodeo from Santa Monica to Wilshire boulevards and closed to normal traffic. One piece of advice is to arrive early, perhaps around 8 a.m., to avoid the crowds and it’s much easier to find parking. Then you’ll have time for a short walk to a nice Father’s Day brunch at one of the many eateries along the nearby parallel streets, such as those on North Beverly Drive.
Who Will Bid Over $1M to Win the Immaculate 1 of 1 Jaguar Pirana in Monterey? Story by Craig Melone
That Jaguar Pirana That Inspired the Lamborghini Espada is Coming Up for Auction This Coming August in Monterey at R/M Sotheby’s There are a handful of truly amazing, multi-million dollar car stories. This is one of them. For more than 40 years, the mysterious and heralded “Pirana” virtually disappeared from view in the UK. The fact that this one-off Jaguar prototype Pirana even exists is one of those classic car tales that defies logic. Now, the car that inspired one of the most iconic and original body styles ever to hit a drawing board is up for sale at R/M Sotheby’s: Monterey Car Week August 15-17, 2019. Click: The Pirana showed it still has teeth, winning in the BEST EXOTIC SPORTS CAR category in this year’s San Marino Motor Classic. The highly anticipated sale at the R/M Sotheby’s Auction at Pebble Beach has collectors foaming
at the mouth. The only question now is this… what will this gleaming silver Jaguar Pirana bring at auction? The sky is the limit. In 1967 a one-off concept car based on the Jaguar E-type was commissioned by newspaperman John Anstey, publisher of the English Weekend Telegraph. Anstey stipulated that the car should be built from components already in production and available to the public, and that all the latest aids to safety, comfort and performance should be built in. The car must be built from production parts and eliminate any custom parts or fabrication. The car was required to meet all existing safety requirements and equipped with all the E-Type Jaguar amenities. The idea came from a group of motoring journalists who, in March of that year, decided to experiment with the development of a car that would represent the attainable, unlike the offerings from Lamborghi-
ni, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati and Iso, their prices ensuring they were the play-things of only the rich and famous. By the third week in April, the basic design had crystallized, Sir William Lyons agreeing to sell the Telegraph a 2-plus-2 E-Type Chassis. Then, after a record minimum of letters (two each way), Nuccia Bertone agreed to design and build the coachwork, promising to complete the job in time for the London (18th to 28th October) and Turin (1st to 12th November) motor shows. The one-off, one-of-one automobile was styled by Marcello Gandini for Carrozzeria Bertone. Under the able hand of stylist Marcello Gandini and the direction of Nuccio Bertone, Carrozzeria Bertone, the team was able to bring the Jaguar Bertone Pirana Coupe from design concept to auto show star in just five months. They found time to develop a clay model which was
modified many times before they were happy with the result. Full size and to-scale drawings came next, followed by a full size mockup (done largely in wood) using clay for the critical surface areas. It is a remarkable story, one that will almost certainly never be repeated. The fully functional Pirana made its debut at the 1967 Earls Court Motor Show owing some of its styling to Bertone's Lamborghini Marzal concept car. It served as the preview for the styling treatment for the production Lamborghini Espada which debuted just a year later. It never went into full production but was exhibited to the public on special occasions. For more than 40 years the Pirana disappeared from view. Fast-forward to Palm Springs, California where it resurfaced briefly in 2010. It also made a guest-starring appearance at the
2012 Concorso Italiano where it surprised many attendees and knowledgeable Italian car fans, most of whom knew little of its existence. The Pirana is a rock star who has appeared on Jay Leno’s Garage, been featured in numerous publications and has its’ own website at www.jaguarpirana.com There have been die-cast, scale models, books and posters created. Two Southern California-based collectors commissioned a complete several-year restoration from Craig Calder’s Fast Cars, Ltd., which included replacing the car's green exterior to a silver metallic finish that closely represents its original Earl's Court presentation back in 1967. The Bertone Pirana is a fully operational concept, based on the chassis of a 4.2 litre E-Type Jaguar. It is a fastback two-seater with abbreviated Doktor Kamm tail and an overall length of just over 16 feet. To extend the effective track wide based rims and tires (Dunlop cross-ply racing) were used, the cars overall width being 5 feet 6 inches (as compared to the E-Types 5 ft. 5.3 in.). The Pirana is heavier than the E-Type. There were numerous other companies prepared to assist with the car’s development. Triplex supplied special Sundym glass which featured a thick vinyl interlayer which increased flexibility and resistance to penetration, with both the windscreen and rear window (which was hinged at the top to give access to the luggage space) being heated by wires laid in the interlayer. They say Joseph Lucas, with offices in Turin, kept a close watch on their side of the project, which included paired 5 3/4" diameter headlamps at each end of the grille - the main beam being supplied by the inner lamps of each pair, which used quartz-iodine bulbs; the outer, sealed beam lamps being used for dipping. Smith's Motor Accessory Division played a big part in the luxury side of the original concept, their assistant chief engineer for special products Brian Bishop making many journeys to Turin during the construction of the car. The result was the development of a special heating and air-conditioning system that used a refrigerator which cooled and de-humidified all air - whether it is needed for cooling or heating. It also featured one of the original climate control systems, using only two controls for the selection of temperature and blower speed. Using the principle that warm air rises, and cool comes down, heated air travelled forward along ducts let into the door sills from the heater unit behind the seats, while cool air was distributed throughout the car via a perforated distributor mounted to the roof. A radiomobile set was linked to Smith's latest tape-recorder and player - the first such unit to use cassettes. Safety items included seat-belt reminder lamps and audible warnings, along with speed limit warnings. Inside the Bertone Pirana was functional, the E-Type steering wheel being carried over and giving a clue as to the origins of the car. The seats were upholstered in top-grade Connolly Anela hide, and special Britax seatbelts were fitted which used webbing to match the upholstery.Then came the conversion to steel and alloy panels. Many were responsible for the cars development. Special mention should be made of the main players, Bob Berry (then Jaguar executive director in charge of group publicity), Enzo Prearo (Bertone's commercial manager), Brian Bishop (Smith's assistant chief engineer in charge of special products), John Anstey (editor of The Daily Telegraph Magazine), and of course Nuccia Bertone and Marcell Gandini, Bertone's chief stylist. The 2 current owners/collectors have kept a relatively low-profile, as is their want. A Book by Richard Truesdell, The Jaguar Bertone Pirana Coupe – a history in photos serves to document this unique collaboration between The Daily Telegraph Magazine, Jaguar, and Carrozzeria Bertone. It transports the reader back in time when an audacious editor, John Anstey, had the power and budget to commission the building of a dream car.
Photographer Interviewed: You are a car guy........a photographer....how did all of that happen? I remember being in love with cars from a very young age. As a child, my family lived in Armenia. Armenia had Russian Soviet made cars called “LADA”’s. Basic workhorses for everyday citizens; not at all a good looking car, but I fell in love with the boxy look of them! From that point on, I’ve come to love every car. Each has its own unique personality. At around 14 years old, my high school best friend Nick and I began taking pictures of cars on my phone. Granted, these were some of the worst pictures; it was the start of something beautiful. Through time, I learned to take better pictures, better edits, etc. As I continued taking pictures, I upgraded my gear and began expanding my horizon towards other events. Now, I get regularly hired for big events such as weddings! Currently, I am 20. I have gained an audience of over
13 thousand followers on Instagram. I have been published worldwide 6 times by Visual Supply Company. I have also been published worldwide by Jaguar, and every other Jaguar Division across the globe, including Germany, Ukraine, India, South America, and even Japan! Although I have photographed countless weddings, birthdays, graduations, proms, etc., Automotive photography will always have a special place in my heart because that’s where it all started. Have you always been into cars and if so, what started you? As a child, I’ve always loved cars. Any car, any make, any model. I was in love with all things on 4 wheels. No one really understood how much of a passion I had. I would stop and stare at every car parked on the street as a kid. I’d observe every nut, bolt, bumper, and fender. I don’t know what started it, I guess it’s always been there.
How long have you been coming to Supercar Sunday? I have been coming to SuperCar Sunday for the last 6 years. Every Sunday. It all started when my high school friend Nick, introduced me back in freshman year, and ever since then, I’ve been here ever Sunday morning. It was especially a challenge back in the days because I wasn’t old enough to drive. So every Sunday morning, I’d have to wake up my dad and convince him to take me. Which wasn’t a bad idea at all because he has a 1989 BMW E24. Ever since I’ve gotten my license, I’ve been a regular here. Do you have a day job or is it all cars and photography all the time? I wish life was nothing but cars and photography as income! I’m a full time college student, with 2 full time jobs. Life is definitely occupied by work and school, however I find myself behind my lens at least a few times a week!
As per your photography, did you take any classes or are you selftaught? I have never taken a single class for photography. What you see today from my current work is a result of trial and error for years. Is photography something that you are now doing professionally? I do get regularly hired as a photographer for events such as weddings, birthday parties, car photo shoots, etc. I would have to consider myself a professional at this point, not because I like to brag about myself, but because of the positive recognition I’ve received from large companies such as Jaguar and Visual Supply Company. When I first started my Instagram page, I would have never imagined that I’d gain an audience of 13 thousand and counting followers. Having the official Jaguar Instagram page post my photo was definitely a surreal experi-
ence and was also a turning point in my photography career. Where do you see yourself in ten years? I am currently a psychology major. So, hopefully in 10 years I would be looking out of my high rise office, waiting for my next client’s therapy session. Taking early appointments starting now! Tell us about your car(s), what do you drive? Currently, I have a Jaguar XE and 1984 BMW E30. I’ve completely blacked out my Jaguar, so it looks a little bit more brute. As for the E30, let’s just say you’ll see me in willow springs burning rubber... If you could have one car, any car...what would it be? In 8th grade, I found out about the BMW E30. A basic, economic, sedan/coupe that made transportation both luxurious, sporty,
and comfortable in the 80’s. Ever since then, I’ve promised myself I will own an E30. Currently, I’ve owned 2 of them. I know for a fact I’m going to own many more in the future. Nothing beats 80’s German made cars. In your automotive life, what is the best moment that you have had....One morning upon waking up, I checked my phone and the first notification was that the official page of Jaguar had posted my photo. I had literally gone viral overnight. As a matter of fact, my picture had held the record for the highest number of likes at the time it was posted. With over 150,000+ likes, my picture still stands strong as one of Jaguars most popular images. What is a personal goal that you wish to achieve? Honestly, some goals become achieved when they aren’t even set. I was never expecting to become published worldwide by so many multimillion dollar companies.
Hagop Balekyan
However, with that being said, I always keep myself humble. Everyday I find something in my work that I can improve upon. There really is no boundary for successful visionary commodities. I’m always improving and open to suggestions. My goal would be to remain this passionate.
What is it about the car world that you love the most? The car community has gone through many phases in California. Right now, it’s very tough being a car guy because of all the state regulations. Nonetheless, the car community has remained intact. The thing that I love so much about the car community is that people have become open to all cars. Civic owners get along with Lambo owners; and visa versa. Where do you see automotive photography going in the future... Automotive photography is fairly recent, I don’t see many things being different in the future.
Capturing a beautiful machine is an art form that doesn’t expire. If you could be known for one thing, what would it be? At this point, I’m basically known as the family photographer. Everyone in the family calls me when they’re having an event and need it captured. Sometimes it can be strenuous, but a passion is a passion no matter the event.
Parting thought....what would you tell someone getting into cars, photography? One thing I wish I could have told myself when I started taking pictures of cars, is to look at what the professionals are doing. What angles they’re using, how they’re editing, etc. Mimic what you see is trending as photography. Throughout the many years I’ve been shooting and editing, I’ve come up with my own unique style. Follow on Instagram: @disfazed
Supercar Sunday 914 Day Photos by Randy Fishwick & Steve Geldman | Image Photo Motorsports | @ImagePhotoMotorsports
Supercar Sunday has been hosting a monthly Porsche Corral since the move to Pierce College. As Keyes Cars and Porsche Woodland Hills are the presenting sponsors, we are excited to incorporate more excitement with the Porsche brand. This past month we had over sixty Porsche 914s on display as part of the West Coast 914 World West Coast Ramble. When all the 914s rolled in it was such a tremendous sight. All of the Supercar Sunday attendees were blown away as for most of us, this was the first time we had seen so many 914s at one time! It was all smiles, hugs and handshakes as once again, the car community illustrates what passion and friedship is. It was truly beautiful! For more information on which Sunday we are featuring a Porsche Corral, please visit: www.supercarsunday.com.
The Toyota Hypercar...What?! Article by Steve Ellis Photos by Toyota When you think of supercars, or hypercars, brands like Bugatti, Ferrari, McLaren, and Koe-
nigsegg come to mind. The ability to reach speeds of 200 miles per hour with ease, rare materials such as car-
bon fiber, magnesium, and outfitted with the best of the best leathers, and boutique fabrication. These are commonly associated with cars at this level of echelon. A brand that doesn't come to mind is Toyota, and for the simple reason that the automotive manufacture has never dabbled in the world of high-end performance‌ until now. Roughly a year ago, Toyota announced that it would create a road car, based on a highperformance race car, and the car presented at the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon, was the Gazoo Racing Super Sport. The GR Super Sport is based on Toyota’s TS050 LMP1 prototype race car, will enter the WEC 20202021 season, and has been seen testing at Fuji Speedway at this time. Given that Toyota just recently finished 1st and 2nd at Le
Mans this year, the excitement to see the results of their racing endeavors have the world talking. The GR Super Sport will share the 2.4l V6 turbo-charged powertrain from the TS050 LMP1 prototype, making 986hp, and put to the ground via a 6 or 7 speed sequential transmission. Currently at this time these are the only details that Toyota has released on the GR Super Sport, and as for the price, well we know it will cost a lot more than a Prius. For more Behind the Wheel Instagram @GetBTW
Hearth and Home When you think of a fireplace, adjectives like “cozy”, “warm”, “inviting” immediately spring to mind. Fireplaces can be an important design element in any home. They can be incorporated into all home styles and can be placed almost anywhere! Thanks to the artistry of today’s top interior designers, there is no short-
age of creative fireplace design ideas from which to choose. And since there are no positioning rules, you can let your imagination run free to create vivid size adjustments, or use your fireplace as a room divider or even as an art statement. Modern fireplaces incorporate marble and glass rather than the traditional stone and brick. Ethanol
fireplaces are eco-friendly because they work with denatured ethanol, produce no smoke or ash, and require little, if any, venting. Floating fireplace designs are a great choice if you have limited space, as they generally hang from the ceiling. A cozy round fireplace can be situated in the corner of any smaller room. An inviting, attractive fireplace always offers a welcoming space for friends and family to gather. Fireplaces have the allure of keeping both the body and soul warm. A fireplace can also definitely add value to your home, as the majority of home buyers out there are willing to pay a bit more for a home with at least one fireplace. If you are thinking of remodeling your residence this year, be sure to “bring the heat”! Gwen Banta & Tory Herald
GWEN Banta (323) 252 1700
Tory Herald (310) 985 2719
Connecting the Worlds of Real Estate DRE# 01362887 & 01920423 Sotheby's International Realty
www.LosAngelesLuxuryHomesForSale.com
FOR SALE
1997 FORD F-250 4x4, 460 Big Block, custom stereo, Alarm, sun roof, Line-X bed, Cam, Hedders, Borla Exhuast. Registered and ready to go! For more info: Dustin@connectedmediagroup. com
FOR SALE
1996 FORD MUSTANG COBRA #1205 1996 Ford Mustang Cobra #1205 with Mystic Paint. This Cobra is a single owner car owned by a Ford Collector. With 20,829 Original Miles, this is the rare opportunity to own an “unmolested” Cobra. The vehicle is fully documented, clean Carfax and all original. All servicing has been done at the dealer. This rare cobra is ready to go into your collection. Contact: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com for more info. FOR SALE
1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM If you're a fan of Pontiac, then you know how special this car is. Besides it being a limited production Trans Am GTA, it's fully loaded and completly stock. It has never been registered, and rarely driven with only 740 original miles on it. This 80's icon will only increase in value, and it a piece of Pontiac history. For more information please contact dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
FOR SALE
1930 FORD COUPE Out of the Harrah’s Collection. This is a stunning 1930 Coupe. Owned for 40 years after purchased from Harrah’s. Ruble Seat, All steel, All original. Needs the interior to be finished. For more info: dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
FOR SALE
1981 Corvette Pace Car 1981 Corvette Pace Car A very nice example of a 1981 Corvette Pace Car. Updated with a 454 cubic inch big block, this car drives as great as it sounds. A new interior as well, this car is a great example of a driver that is also show ready. Priced to sell, this is your chance to get your hands on a collector car at a great price. Asking $6,000.00
FOR SALE
1954 Chevy Sedan Delivery 6 cyl. Registered, Running and ready to go. Restoration is 85% done, needs interior work to finish. A very nice example. For more info: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
Price: $23,500 Contact Information:
Dustin@Connectedmediagroup.com
Price: Contact for Pricing Contact Information:
Dustin@Connectedmediagroup.com
Price: $55,000 Contact Information:
Dustin@Connectedmediagroup.com
Price: Constact Dustin Contact Information:
Dustin@Connectedmediagroup.com
Price: $6,000 Contact Information: Eric at 818-284-3439
Price: $25,000 Contact Information:
Dustin@Connectedmediagroup.com
Price: Contact for Pricing
FOR SALE
2019 Corvette Z06 2LZ Package
Contact Information:
Asking $80,000.00
Richard (818) 373-9594
This is a collector owned car with just over 950 miles. It has never been driven in the rain. It is in brand new condition, and smells like new. Has never been raced or driven hard. This Corvette has the 2LZ Package and every option that was available. It comes with a custom California Car Cover with a flannel liner. The paint and exterior was always maintained at Lavaggio. It has the best 3m window tint on it. The car is perfect.
Contact Information: Richard (818) 373-9594
FOR SALE
1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 283 cu. in, four barrel, power brakes, power steering, power windows, padded dash. Same owner for over 25 years. A very clean example, running, registered and ready to drive For more info: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
AUTOMOTIVE SPACE FOR LEASE OR SALE 1150 CALLENS ROAD
VENTURA, CA 93003 3,800 ft2 | $5K/month 12 Ft Roll Up Door Concrete Floors Separate Utilities Open Yard for Parking Ferrari Mechanic on site 4 days/week For Inquiries Please Call: 714.415.9202
Price: $65,000 Contact Information:
Dustin@Connectedmediagroup.com