Driven World August 2017 Issue by Driven World Magazine- The official magazine of Supercar Sunday

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am trying to wrap up as much stuff as possible before I go away on vacation. I have not taken a vacation in about 20 years. (A proper vacation.) Sure a few days here and there, but I am actually taking 2 weeks off. I am so looking forward to it. If you read DW regularly, I think I mentioned it in a past letter that since I sold a couple of my cars, I was going to take a few weeks off. As time went by, the less important it seemed to take the time off, but I told my wife we were going to visit her parents in Oregon and heck, we will do it for about two weeks. So we are going! So this is the mad dash before we go. I have a magazine to publish, events this weekend, next weekend (both Saturdays and Sundays), need to get everything in order at the house, set up a ton of social media and on and on and on. BUT, we will be on vacation for two weeks! I cannot wait! We have decided to drive my wife’s Ford Excursion. We went back and forth, but total travel time flying and then getting to her parents rural home, renting a car, etc. We bought the Excursion for road trips, and this will be our first. With an eight month old and a 3 1/2 year old it should be interesting. Total drive time should be about fifteen hours. We will leave after Supercar Sunday, try to get to Sacramento or so and call it a night. Leave early the next morning for the longer day, about eight hours in the car. I am not sure how many stops we will have to make with the kids, but, it will be our first adventure. First of many. Being a car guy, it is an excuse to go through the Excursion and make sure it is roadworthy. I wanted to set it up to tow and start adding all the cool parts that add reliability. So I sent the Excursion to Mark at Leon’s Transmission and he changed the transmission fluids, differential fluids, and transfer case fluids. We added a bigger rear diff cover that I picked up at Vista Ford in Oxnard. Monday morning, I will have Vista Ford Oxnard go through the truck and make sure it is road worthy as well as change the radiator fluid. I will change the oil myself this weekend. The Excursion has about 210,000 miles on it and I hope to put over a million on it. That would be something. Our first road trip. It dawned on me that we will have baby-sitters in Oregon, the grandparents. So I told my wife that we should take our mountain bikes and if we could get seven or eight rides in, it would be a good kick start to getting back in shape. And being that her parents live in a rural area, we can ride from their house. The scenery is beautiful. So many trees, fresh air, cattle, streams and lakes. And, the cell reception at the house is horrible. I CAN’T WAIT! I wonder how relaxed I will get. When we visit them every couple of years, I don’t want to do leave their property. I don’t want to see any sights. I just want to sit there, on their patio and take in the beauty. The sound of the wind in the trees, the way the sunlight seeps through the forest, the aroma of different plants and pollen. The far off sound of cows and birds. I want to go fishing one day while we are there. That is the one request I always have, to go lake fishing. I don’t care if I am on a little metal boat or on the shore casting. I find a nice quiet spot all to myself and I sit. I look at the reflection on the water, the way the wind dances on the top of the lake and I smile. Really doesn’t matter if I catch anything. I just like being there. And this time, I will have my two little girls there. I cannot wait to take them. I am so hoping that Scarlett, my three year old catches a fish. I can just see her screaming and yelling and being so proud. That would be a memory. And to have that picture of her with her grandparents in Oregon at the Lake, holding fish that would be a picture for a lifetime. That sounds really nice. And hey, nothing like fresh fish on the BBQ for dinner. The fresh air, no traffic, no noise. Hikes in the forest, I am almost counting the days. Yes, I need to get so much done, but man, once we get in the car, we are gone. We can take turns driving. I bet I can nap for a few hours each day on the way up, while my wife drives. We are shooting for two days to get to Oregon. Many of my friends laughed when I told them that. They said good luck! You will be making more stops than you expect. That’s ok. It will be what it will be. I even thought about getting a CB Radio, I could be a trucker! Maybe I watched Smokey and the Bandit too many times, but it does sound like fun right! I don’t even know how to use a CB Radio, but I still may run out and buy one. Couldn’t hurt to have it. And for the future, when we are camping in areas with no cell reception. I can totally justify it right? One of the reasons I am taking the time off is I am tired of not making time for myself or my family. I do a good job spending time with the family, but I think that traveling makes all the difference. And the memories, I am all about memories. I am not the best planner, but, I am going to set the Excursion up to make those memories. I have never seen many of our national parks, I want my kids to see them all. I want to make the time because I know people that have so much more responsibility than I, have made the time. So if they can do it, so can I. And, time is

going so fast these days, I am going to make time. I must. I was talking to a good friend this morning. He has kids. He works a lot. He is a bit overwhelmed, over-worked, over-tired and in desperate need of a vacation. I told him I was going. That he needed to make a change too. So many of us in the same boat, working hard, working almost every day, and with social media, email, and cell phones, we never get a break. We are always on. Always. Well, I am going to do my best to be off. To turn it all off and read a book or two. Maybe write a little bit, get some bike rides in and spend some quality time with the family. What a novel idea, to be quiet. I can smell the forest as I write this. I can see that dark sky at night with the stars working so hard to brighten it up. So many stars, when there are no street lights and buildings. Where we are going it is very peaceful. I told my wife a few months ago that when school is in session let’s try to run up to Yosemite (our kids are not in school yet). I really want my daughters to see how big the world is. I didn’t take my first trip until my late teens and man it changed my life. I figure the more they see at a younger age the more of life they will understand. When I talk to the “old car guys” they all tell me the same thing, “Work less and spend more time with the kids and take more trips!” I guess the work will always be there but your time will not. I was chatting with a guy the other day. He said now that he is in his seventies he is trying to make up for all the time he missed when he was younger with his kids and he implored me not to make the same mistake. He said that things are better with the kids but he missed out on a lot. Just today, I missed my daughter’s first dance recital. Well, it was a “week long dance camp,” a few hours each day. I missed it as it was on a Friday at noon. I know I can’t be there for everything but when my wife showed me the picture and I saw how proud she was, it did make me a little sad. I get it, you can’t be there for everything...but you can try. I suppose I could have tried a little harder. Maybe I could have ran in for a few minutes, maybe...maybe not. This time it was not. I guess that is life. Rushing around. I will be going hard and fast this next week to get things where they need to be. The funny thing is that I know that whatever I don’t get done, for the most part, things will be just fine. I could probably leave right now and everything would still be here when I got back. As long as the magazine was at the printer, I would be good. If I had to I could work remotely from Oregon. I have done it in the past, but this time, I really want to be off. I want my mind to wander. I want to be carefree. I want to feel like a kid again, playing with my kids. I don’t want a schedule, but to just go where the wind takes us. Take the girls to see some of the sites, have a beer with my father in-law, find ways to annoy my mother in-law and sister in-law. I am really lucky to have married into an outstanding family. Makes the visits even better. Really kind people. It is like being at home with my parents, it is a good fit. Truth be told, I would be happy cutting trees and grass on their twenty-acre property. They always leave a bit of work for me when I visit. I like it that way. I do enjoy working and working with my hands and helping out. It is a win for everyone and I request that they put me to work. Mark, my father in-law (had two daughters like me), they are capable, but, having another guy around do to some heavy lifting, well it is a good time for bonding. We talk about cars, politics, nowadays... kids. Mark and I have a good time. I could work the whole time I was there as long as it was outside. I will have to write a story about the trip in the next issue. So you can see what I am talking about. It is much different than Los Angeles. I don’t know if I have rambled on enough about taking a vacation. Sure it is not Tahiti, but, it is a close second. A rite of passage is before my family, our first road trip. Got me thinking about when my parents drove us back to Michigan in a Cadillac. I must have been four years old. I don’t remember much, a few stops, sleeping in the car and my parents taking turns driving. That car, my dad was actually driving back to Detroit and getting paid to do it. Back then people would put ads out in the “Recycler” when they needed a car delivered and they didn’t have the money for transport. I remember seeing rattlesnakes somewhere in Texas, my mom getting stopped for speeding with my dad and I asleep in the back, staying in motels and long hours on the road. I guess I have turned into my dad and my wife has turned into her mother. How exciting. Well folks, I’ll let you know if it takes fifteen hours (being really optimistic) or twenty. And if we have to make a ton of stops or I just caffeine up and drive all night while the wife and kids sleep. Either way, I am looking forward to our first family adventure, creating memories and seeing family. Who knows, with ten whole days in Oregon, maybe I’ll find a car to buy and tow back! Heck, I’ll have the time! (I hope my wife doesn’t read that part until the magazine is printed.....). See you all in two weeks! 5

CONTENTS

drivenworld ISSUE 88, AUGUST 2017

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dustin Troyan ART DIRECTOR James R. Stanley Jr. COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Gwen Banta Tory Herald Scott Martin Ted Lighthizer Mark Llewellyn James Stanley Randy Cooper

Page 8 CARS & CIGARS Lamborghini Page 11 REAL ESTATE Bathroom Drama

PHOTOGRAPHY David Rosenthal James Stanley Scott Martin Ted Lighthizer Randy Cooper

Page 12 PORSCHE Panamera Page 15 CQD Maximum Potential Page 17 GARY WALES Profile Page 22 ARTIST James Stanley Page 28 KATECH Legacy Page 32 CONCOURS Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Elegance Page 34 CAR CULTURE Trailer Show Page 37 1958 Turnpike

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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: Gary Wales Photo By: Scott Martin

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CARS & CIGARS Lavaggio & Lamborghini North Los Angeles

like to have fun. The more fun the better. What could be more fun than getting together with friends, exotic cars and enjoying a lovely afternoon. And of course, a scenic drive. Cars and Cigars, July edition was a huge success. Partnering with Lavaggio-the art of auto detailing and Lamborghini North Los Angeles, it was a standing room only event. Exotic cars owners came from all over California to hang out and share the passion of the automobile. Many of us have known each other for almost two decades. An event that started back at the Village Coffee Roaster for Ferrari owners has evolved into something much more fun. As the times change, so do you...and the events. When I first became part of the Lavaggio Team I knew that the type of events I could do there was endless. The building is so beautiful, the Lavaggio Team is second to none, David Delrahim, the owner of Lavaggio offers such tremendous support, and there is simply no other place like Lavaggio. When I moved the Cars and Cigars event there almost seven years ago, we took it up a few notches and started to partner with different leading brands both in and out of the car industry. Sometimes we have a Sinatra impersonator, sometimes we have complimentary massages, sometimes we have exotic car test drives, most importantly, we have really nice people attending...with cool cars. For this event, we started at Lamborghini North Los Angeles. Lamborghini North Los Angeles located in Calabasas off of the 101 Freeway is a dedicated Lamborghini Dealership which is part of the Boardwalk Automotive Group. Beyond Lamborghini, they offer other highline preowned exotic cars. I have never seen such a large inventory of pre-owned Ferraris in California. Boardwalk offers New or Pre-Owned Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Audi, or Volkswagen. They have two Ferrari Stores, Ferrari of San Francisco and Boardwalk Ferrari in Texas. They have two Lamborghini stores, Lamborghini North Los Angeles and Lamborghini Dallas. They are emerging to become one of the larger exotic car dealers in the Western United States. I know the team at Lamborghini North Los Angeles very well, and

they are quality. As the exotics rolled into Lamborghini North Los Angeles it was a site to be seen. From Porsche 918s, just about every model of Ferrari from 348s up, every model of Lamborghini from Gallardos to current, and of course 1 incredible Pantera. We had about sixty exotics heading out for a scenic tour. The sound alone, a symphony. There is something about all those exotics together, it makes you feel...cool. The drive was incredible. Touring the Santa Monica Mountains with all those cars, it was perfection. The roads were empty and it was a casual drive and we all had a great time. A line of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exotic cars on Mulholland, breath taking. Pulling into Lavaggio, to kick off Cars and Cigars, we were totally out of space. Exotic cars were everywhere. Double parked, triple parked and more still showing up who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t join us on the drive. It was a kaleidoscope of exotic

cars, colors and people. Tens of millions of dollars of mechanical art on display, what a sight! Lamborghini North Los Angeles had brought over limited edition vehicles to display and to offer test rides for the exotic owners. A chance to drive a $600,000.00 Lamborghini Aventador, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just say that everybody was hugely excited and jumped at the offer. Many had never driven a Lamborghini or a Lamborghini of that caliber, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just say that it got many exotic car owners thinking of buying a new exotic, or trading in the car they drove, for a new Lamborghini. After the test drives, it was smiles all around and everybody was in awe of the latest Lamborghini offerings. The Lavaggio Team did an incredible job. Creating the ambience, the catering by our in house Bellini Bistro and the guest services were on par with any five star hotel or event. At Lavaggio, we pride ourselves on customer experience and it shows. With just shy of one hundred people present,

everybody had a great time, enjoyed the fine cuisine, the atmosphere and the experience. Thank you to the Lavaggio Team for always raising the bar and going above and beyond. As the event wound down, everybody asked when the next one would be...they had such a great time and images and videos went global via social media all afternoon. By the end of the day, millions had seen coverage of the event, the cars and the people. The event was a huge success on so many different levels, but most importantly, we all had a great time, saw friends and made new friends. A very special thank you to the sponsors: Lavaggio- The art of auto detailing and Lamborghini North Los Angeles. To the staff of both organizations, thank you and very well done. To everyone that attended, thank you and there is more to come! 9

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ARTICLE BY GWEN BANTA & TORY HERALD | SOTHEBY’S INTERNETIONAL

bathroom drama Many of us want to redo our bathrooms but need to keep an eye on the budget. New design trends in bathrooms have made that goal much easier to achieve. Here are a few of our favoritecreative ideas: Walk-in showers and baths are very popular. You can achieve a n updated look by replacing existing shower doors with a vertical piece of plexiglass, which will act as an accent rather than as a door. Try an opaque material which is less likely to show water stains. Replace your shower floor with smooth, polished garden stones set in cement rather than with expensive tile. This decorating idea also works for countertops and can be a fun project. If you have a showertub combination, try surrounding the edge of your tub with a wooden frame. Then glue decorative cement tiles to the top and side of the frame and seal. This can be done with a handyman and gives any bathroom an immediate facelift. Substitute glass for expensive granite and hard finish countertops. Paint the underneath side of the glass with a bright enamel color that will give the countertop beauty and depth. Bathroom cabinetry with drawers can be expensive, but shelves with attractive baskets are still trending and are very useful. If you are creative in your choice of baskets, those shelves will become an artistic statement and conversation piece.One of our favorite ideas is repurposing unique tables, chests or restaurant supply tables as a bathroom vanity. This is a good way to utilize grandma’s cabinet that has been hidden away in the garage. Don’t forget lighting. Harsh lighting in bathrooms can be a disaster. Create a soft glow to eliminate wicked shadows that make your guests look like vampires. Lighting underneath vanity edges can provide a romantic evening ambience. Hidden lights along mirror edges or in glass front cabinets can also add a lot of drama...and bathroom drama is a great trend that adds value to your home!

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he 2017 Porsche Panamera is the second generation of the fourdoor 911 inspired sedan. What many purist initially thought would be a bad move by Porsche, ended up being a huge success for the brand. Extending the line and making a four-door available to enthusiasts who needed a little more room for business associates or family members not only extended the segment buying Porsches, but invited in a whole new segment. A Porsche as a family car, sure why not. It is not uncommon to see a family of four getting out of a Panamera or a garage that has both a Panamera and a 911. For that matter, for the die-hard Porsche enthusiasts, you may just see a Cayenne as well. You do need a tow vehicle for the race car. But that is another story. For 2017, the top of the line, is the Panamera Turbo S. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 produces up to 570 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque, it gets moving fast. Zero to sixty in 3.3 seconds and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, it does indeed make you feel like you are driving a 911 Turbo, just a bit bigger. A sleeper of sorts, this four door sedan is in the supercar arena when it comes to acceleration and top speed. The

ARTICLE BY DUSTIN TROYAN

PORSCHE PANAMERA 2017

all-wheel drive allows the car to stay planted to the ground and if you plant your foot, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just say that you can keep up with a half million dollar exotic for a bit, while discussing business. The Panamera which, in its second generation form, shows more inspiration from the 911 which we have all grown to love. A timeless model indeed (the 911), the refinement and changes to the 2017 Panamera body makes most enthusiast proud. More refined, a smaller tail-end, and more aerodynamic, it is clear the Porsche was listening to 911 owners. If it has to be four-doors, make it look and perform as good as or better than a 911. To most enthusiasts, the 2017 model is what they promised a few years back. Enthusiast are pleased. The fit and finish on the inside is dedicated to two things, comfort and technology. A more technologically advance Porsche may not exists and just about everything is run off of two 7.0-inch touch screens. The interior is clean and concise. Everything is where it needs to be and intuitive, for the tech savvy. The interior is beautiful. The Porsche InnoDrive is an adaptive-cruise-control system that adapts

to roads and highways by utilizing high definition mapping data up to two miles ahead. The computers will shift gears, slow down and changes driving modes to offer the best driving parameters given the driving conditions. It does not drive the car for you, but who would want a self-driving Porsche? The 2017 Panamera Turbo S is clearly the best of both worlds, sport and comfort. Taking it to a meeting, no problem. Taking the kids to the park, no problem. Out accelerating an exotic car, you just might depending on the model year of the exotic. Lapping people at your local track in four door sedan, you most likely would. The second generation is what Porsche enthusiasts wanted for the first generation. A 911 for business and family. Closer than ever to the iconic 911, this four door is the sedan for a Porsche Enthusiast or someone who wants the best of luxury and sport. Four doors, four seats, the best of Porsche and one hell of a sports car. I call it a winner. For more information or to test drive a new Panamera, Please contact Ron Giger or Keith Goldberg at Rusnak Porsche/Westlake. www.porschewestlake.com

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GARY WALES hen you bring up “The Most Interesting Man in the World”, it’s fitting that Gary Wales is quick to say, “Oh yeah, I know Jonathan Goldsmith… great guy!” Like Mr. Goldsmith, Gary’s life story reads like an adventure novel complete with a round-the-world record-setting flight, winning The Great Race and achieving Pebble Beach trophies and highest auction price with his 1947 Franay-Bodied Bentley Mark VI. Not to mention, the inside of his house looks like a museum, complete with medieval armor. Gary reminisces that at 12 years of age, he became a “car nut” due to the kindness of an older gentleman at a Rolls Royce Owners Club gathering. He says that because Jack Frost (true name!) took the time to show him his car and explain everything about it, he got the bug and to this day, gets the most enjoyment out of educating the throngs of people that surround his vehicles at shows and events. But he really became an automotive enthusiast when he met his wife, Marilyn. A blind date led to a crazy night that ended in a car crash but the next day, she called to ask if he wanted to look go look at a car. It turned out to be a bright red Allard L4 that he purchased and began his true love affair with his wife and cars. Wales early years were spent in Motor City, Detroit. After high school, he played with the notion of College but instead enlisted in the Army. Being an entertainer at heart, he became part of the USARADCOM Choral Group. Upon discharge, he was a stockbroker but dropped that when he got the car bug. After owning a succession of high-profile Ferrari’s, the Allard, Bentleys and Rolls Royce’s, Gary began restoring and fabricating one-of-akind Bentleys plus specialty roadsters that, as he says, are “a salute to the great race cars from the heroic days of racing.” Citing the massive “Beast of Turin”, a 1911 Fiat Tipo S76 as his model, Gary began finding early 1900’s American LaFrance fire engines and utilizing their frames, tires and drivetrains to build gargantuan works of automotive art. Prince of Wales Custom Coachwork has now built 8 “La Bestioni” vehicles including Rusty 1 and Rusty 2, and is currently working on a 1938 Bentley Speedster called “The Black Prince”. It will debut at Monterey Car Week 2017 in August. “The important thing is saving them,” Wales states about the vintage vehicles that he says deserve to be preserved “to honor the life-saving equipment and dedicated fire-fighters” that once graced their massive frames. The challenge of bringing cars back to life that have been sitting in fields 4050-60 years is one he can’t resist. The amazing thing is that with just a little TLC, the 14 Liter, 6 cylinder engines with 4 plugs per cylinder and pistons the size of two pound coffee cans, “start right up.” By the way, they require 2 cases of oil! Along with long-time mechanic and fabricator Andres Aranda, Gary brings his creations to life with a flair for “bigger is better”. As people will do, some ask him why he does things a certain way and he just unapologetically says, “Because I can!” You see, Gary goes by the motto of “Be the absolute best you can be.” For anyone who knows Gary or has seen him in videos or on TV with people like Jay Leno, those verbal gems are just the tip of the iceberg… Mr. Wales is anything but shy! 17

From anyone’s point-of-view, Gary’s accomplishments are impressive: He won “The Great Race”, an 8-day journey from Los Angeles to Indianapolis in a boat-tail speedster he had designed from a car that had been buried after a house had been in a fire and fallen on it. The prize - $100,000!; He flew around the world in 36 hours, 54 minutes and 15 seconds on Friendship One with 100 other philanthropists including Neil Armstrong, Bob Hoover and Mona Lear; He was close to winning Best of Show at Pebble Beach with his custom-built Franay-bodied Bentley B 20 BH but they would not award it to a post-war vehicle. Instead he won Best in Class and was called back up for the French Trophy; The same car was sold at Barris-Jackson for $1,760,000 which was a world record for “Highest Price Post-War Rolls Royce or Bentley” and still stands after 11 years. The vehicle is now worth $4,000,000. Gary Wales was a good friend of George Barris and his family and so he dedicated his most recent vehicle (#8) to George and designed it to emulate Barris’ most memorable achievement. Called “The 100 year-old Batmobile” there is no mistaking the scalloped fins and fenders but with more of a “Great Race/Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” twist (sorry, Gary!). When a piston exploded 18

e o n e p r h d p 0 ”

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out of the finished hood, instead of repairing it, Gary and Andres paid homage with a “Boom, K-Pow, Smack, Arg, Wham, Bang, Clunk, Oops, Ouch and Oh-S**t “ painted around the newly made hole. When asked, “How did you get the knowledge and skill set to build your own vehicles?”. Wales replied “necessity”. To be honest, I have watched Gary and Andres at work on multiple project cars, and it always amazes me how creative, resourceful and mechanically inclined they both are. They make it look effortless even though I know an amazing amount of work goes into each element of every car. I personally think it’s more like “a lot of experience, know-how, common sense, imagination and perseverance”. One of the most subtle but telling remarks about the details on these vehicles is when Jay Leno says, “Nicely done!” When it comes down to it, Gary loves everything about what he does and the satisfaction he gets from completing and showing these mindboggling creations. I’ll leave you with one last Gary-ism to live by, “Do what you love and love what you do!”

Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer Second Class on the flight deck of the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) taking official photos for the US Navy Centennial of Naval Aviation. ÂŠ2010

iNTERVIEW BY DUSTIN TROYAN | PHOTOS BY JAMES STANLEY

artist spotlight GRAPHIC DESIGNER | PHOTOGRAPHER VETERAN | ARTIST

ames, how long have you been into cars? I’ve been into cars since before I got my driver’s license. My dad was a bit of a car guy and I can still remember his 1991 Pontiac Firebird doing a one-wheel-peel in front of the house when I was kid. When I was 15, I used to take my parents Ford Ranger (manual transmission) for late night joy rides around San Diego. I got pretty good at driving stick shift, until I got pulled over. My parents had to drive out to where I was to pick me up from the back of a police car. As punishment, I had to wait till I was 18 to get my license. I can still remember the first time I drove alone with my new driver’s license. I got less than a block away, down shifted and floored it. My foot hasn’t let up since. What cars have you owned and why? 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT - It was my first car. It had major issues, but it was once my mother’s car, but she didn’t like driving it since it was so unreliable. 1985 Pontiac Fiero GT - As a Fiero owner, you can’t just own one. 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT - See above. 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 - It was supposed to be my reliable daily. I started to modify it and realized that it out handled my Fieros, looked better than my Fieros, and was faster. 2002 Ford Focus SVT - I bought this two days before leaving for bootcamp. Since everything I was doing to my ZX3 was to make it more like a SVT, I just took the plunge and got one. 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 - It was too good of a deal to pass up. It had the same 2.8L v6 that I became very familiar with in the Fiero. It was easy to work on, it was cheap, looked great for its age at the time, and was a manual transmission. Loved it till I a friend spun a bearing in it racing a Honda. 1995 Ford Taurus SHO - I got this car in trade for a tank of gas. It was a problem car. After rebuilding the top end in my garage, I was running with the garage door open, but I didn’t realize how bad of an exhaust leak it had. It sent me to the hospital. Buh bye. 2007 Chevrolet Silverado - I traded in my SVT Focus for this since I drove it into the ground. I figured that it would be a good idea to get a truck for its utility. 2007 Ford Focus ZX3 - I hated the handling and lack of power in the Silverado. Then the gas prices started to skyrocket, I was then working 60 miles away from my home, and I waited an until my Virginia registration was up before registering it in California. It was going to be $5,600 in fines and taxes, so I traded it in for something more fun and economical. 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT - Because nostalgia 2013 Ford Focus ST - I was doing well at the time and this was the new hot hatch. I had to have it! I bought the first one that landed that wasn’t orange. 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT - It’s the same car as above. I originally bought it for $2500, sold it for $5,000, bought it 2 years later for $500, and sold it again after fixing it back up for $6,000.

2004 Ford Focus SVT EAP - While the Focus ST was fast, it didn’t have the same feeling as the MK1 focus. It just feels right when I’m behind the wheel of a mk1 Focus, so why not get the one I always wanted. Rare car, rare color, rare options. I’ll never get rid of this one. 2016 Ford Transit Connect XLT SWB - I sold the ST and needed a daily. The Transit Connect is based off of a Focus chassis, it’s turbo charged from the factory, and it’s got tons of room for me and my dog and friends on roadtrips. I also got it to drive for UBER in. After I had a drunk 40-something lady urinated in the car, I was over that. What are your dream cars and why? Most enthusiasts would name a supercar, but I’d love to have a true Ford rally car, like an RS200, Fiesta RSRX, Or the holy grail for me, a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 Martini Rally car like Colin McRea drove! When I was jet getting into the automotive scene, I watched a grainy video on a new website called “YouTube” of rally racing set to a song by Linkin Park, my favorite music group at the time. It stuck with me, and spurred my interest in Ford hatchbacks. How did you get into the arts? I guess I’ve always had an artistic side. It started when I was in elementary school when I joined the band. I continued with instrumental music through my freshman year of high school and I switched over to the choir. My first year, I won the California state vocal championships. After couple years later, 9/11 happened and I decided to join the military. I was accepted as a vocalist for the US Navy Band. I hated it. I felt unfulfilled, and I clashed with many of the personalities in my first command. After my first enlistment was complete, I changed military jobs and I became a Mass Communications Specialist (Media Specialist/Photojournalist) and it was the best choice I’ve ever made in my life. I had never really took photography, graphic design, and writing seriously before that. My first photos were terrible, and my first news article assignment received a -200 score. I’m forever indebted to the fantastic instructors at the Defense Information School as they help me find my stride in photography and journalism. Since then, I haven’t put my camera down and I continue to write regularly.

VFR LINCOLN MKC BLACK LABEL

Do you prefer to photograph or design or both and why? BOTH! There are many graphic designers that are fantastic with design, and many photographers that are fantastic photographers, but I truly enjoy mixing the two mediums. I think the two disciplines complement each other perfectly and overlap on so many levels. Did you go to school for the arts? How did you learn? I attended the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, MD, where I learned photography, journalism, videography, and basic graphic design. My last command was with Combat Camera where I learned quite a bit about action photography. After an honorable discharge from the US Military, I attended the Brooks Institute where I was working towards my degree in Graphic Design. I learned so much from the amazing staff there. Unfortunately, the school closed just before completing my degree. While the schools were both instrumental in teaching me the basics of each art form, working next to many great artists, of whom I look up to, has taught me to hone my skills and to continuously improve.

SN IAN CAMPBELL | US NAVY

What are the different roles you have played in the car world over the years? My life in the automotive industry is just getting started. My first break out of the enthusiast artist category into more of a professional roll was with a local 501c3 non-profit automotive after-school program for high school students. I was their social media content creator and when I was hired, they were just completing a SEMA vehicle build. This led to many great connections. I now work at Vista Ford Lincoln of Woodland Hills & Oxnard as their Digital Media Manager where I have a whole host of different artistic responsibilities related to the dealership and Vista Ford Racing (VFR). In addition to working at Vista, I am the art director for this Magazine where I have been blessed with an opportunity to rebrand an entire magazine carte blanche.

BOBS BIG BOY STATUE | SOMEWHERE WYOMIN

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FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING | USS PELELIU (LHA-5)

25 HOOVER DAM BRIDGE

Where do you see the car world going in the future? I don’t like where the car world is going. Manufacturers are moving towards autonomous vehicles, a new vehicle with a manual transmission that isn’t a high performance car is non-existent, and the costs of new cars with all the new technology is insane. Electronic steering, electronic throttle, electronic brakes, equals an electronic feel. Kids today will never know the feeling of being truly connected to the road in their car. I also see the automotive-aftermarket industry leaving California. It’s too expensive for business as well as its employees. Borla already high-tailed it out of California, who’s next? Me. Where do you see your craft going in the future? I am blessed to have had the opportunity to learn multiple artistic crafts and be able to play one off the other. I’d like to continue building on this. What types of tools do you use to do such great work? Photography Equipment: Nikon D300s, and a variety of lenses. There is one lens that I favor and use for about 95% of my images: 35mm 1.8. It’s just such a simple and fantastic lens. As for post processing, I use Adobe software including Bridge, Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, and AfterEffects. That’s about it. What would you tell someone who wanted to get into visual arts? Just because you have the tools, that doesn’t make you a great artist. Never stop learning, and never let your ego get in the way of standing back and learning from someone that is better than you. It’s not a competition. Find a style of photo or design, try to recreate it, then use what you learned and incorporate it into your own style. What is your favorite subject to shoot and why? As much as I enjoy photographing cars, and would consider it a passion, my favorite subject is still photographing military personnel doing their jobs. It’s what I was trained to do and will always be an honor to tell the military story. If you had unlimited time and funds, what would you focus on? I’d either go on a roadtrip around the country, photographing everything, and creating photo-story books for each state, or I’d open an automotive design studio where I would do renderings and designs of modified cars, then make the renderings come to reality. Do you have any goals that you would like to achieve pertaining to your passion for cars? I’d like to have one truck, one SUV for road trips with the dogs, one fun car, and one daily, all running, all paid off, and all incredibly fast. Is there something you have done that you are particularly proud of? Cars, not cars...just life? I’m proud of my military service. Growing up, I never wanted to be in the military. I experienced first hand what it was like to have a military father that was gone a lot, and I hated it. After serving for 13 years, I don’t regret a single moment, and I my only regret was not being able to complete my 20 years. I’m thankful to have served, and proud to call myself a US Military Veteran. Parting thought to our readers, one message, one last thought...anything you want, what is it? There are two people that need recognition that I owe a major debt of gratitude. The first is Dustin Troyan, for allowing me the opportunity to work on this magazine which has taught me so much in a short period of time and allowed me a creative outlet that I otherwise wouldn’t have. The other is Tony Fiori of Vista Ford. When my school closed, my G.I. bill came to an abrupt stop and I had very little income and it looked like I would have to move back home to San Diego with my parents. I was only a part-time third-party vendor of Vista at the time, and it looked like my time here was done. Tony created a full-time position for me at Vista that didn’t exist before. After having been at the company for a little more than a year now, I can see how difficult of a task this was to accomplish in such a short period of time. He didn’t have to do anything, and there are other companies that he could have contracted to do what I was doing and let me go. It’s nice to feel appreciated and wanted, and I’m thankful for the position I have been given. 27

ARTICLE BY BARRY KLUCZYK | PHOTOS BY KATECH

The Katech Legacy Champion racing engine builder is a performance leader on the street and track.

ven those who are familiar with the Detroit-area engine-building and engineering entity Katech probably don’t grasp the full scope of the company’s influence. From supporting factory racing efforts through engine development to manufacturing specialty parts for the street and track, Katech is involved with just about every form of motorsport — in nearly every corner of the globe. Founded in 1977 by Fritz Kayl and Warren Frieze, Katech quickly established a reputation for world-class engine building and engineering, drawing the attention of vehicle manufacturers and racing bodies through the championship-winning performance of its growing customer base. By the mid-1980s, Katech was building the spec engines for series such as the International Race of Champions (IROC) and more recently, the company’s engines powered the class-winning Performance Tech Motorsports Daytona Prototype at the 2017 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Katech powered the dominating, factory-backed Corvette Racing team during the C5-R and C6.R eras, which dominated the U.S. and global GT racing circuits by capturing six championships and won the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans six times. Additionally, Katech engines pushed racers to championships in Trans-Am, IRL, ALMS, SCCA Pro, Grand-Am, FIA GT, including winning the NASCAR Engine Builder of the Year title from 1995 to 1997 and the Global Motorsports Engine of the Year in 2006. “Katech was founded on the need to provide responsive service and skills to factory race efforts in all forms of racing,” says Steve Spurr, the new president of Katech. “In its 40 years, Katech has become synonymous with engineering excellence and that hard-earned reputation will only advance as we continue to lead the industry with innovative ideas that deliver race-winning performance.” Spurr succeeded co-founder Warren Frieze, who moved into a consultancy role earlier this year. Street and track Katech’s experience with racing engine development and related engineering is the foundation for a growing range of high-performance crate engines, engine components and supporting parts for street-based vehicles and hobby racers who participate in high-performance track day experiences. In fact, the company is a leader in high-performance engines and equipment for General Motors’ LS and newer LT families of engines powering late-model Corvettes, Camaros and more. “If the vehicle has an LS or LT engine in it, we’ve got engine packages and high-performance parts for it,” says Jason Harding, Katech’s director of aftermarket operations. “The engines range from street-based Street Attack to Track Attack dual-purpose street/track and all-out racing-only options, while our complementing performance parts were developed and tested in racing conditions, making them strong enough for the street and track. In fact, you’ll find that Katech is often the only manufacturer with necessary parts for certain upgrades.” Katech’s recently developed “sleeved” LT1 cylinder block is a great example of how the company relied on its engineering prowess and decades of experience into a new product for serious performance enthusiasts. It was de28

signed to support higher-horsepower builds of GM’s 6.2L LT1 engine without relying on power adders such as superchargers or turbochargers. “Many road racers insist on a naturally aspirated engine, because superchargers and turbochargers bring unwanted heat and extra weight,” says Harding. “The sleeved LT1 block allows us to build a more powerful engine without those compromises.” On Katech’s mills, the LT1’s factory aluminum cylinder block’s original grey cast iron cylinder liners are cut out, the bores themselves enlarged slightly and new cast ductile iron liners are installed. The result stretches the engine’s original 4.06-inch bores to 4.125 inches, enabling Katech to build a 7.0L version of the engine that mirrors the successful parameters of the previousgeneration LS7 engine. “We experimented with other bore/stroke combinations before many other builders and even cracked open the LT1 engine and this is the best solution,” said Jason Harding, Katech’s director of aftermarket operations. “It maintains an optimal bore/stroke ratio for high-revving performance and excellent durability.” The sleeved LT1 block is only one of a quickly expanding lineup of performance components and engines, which are available online at katechengines.com and through select distributors such as Anaheim, Calif.-based West Coast Corvettes. Additionally, Katech’s catalog has expanded to include exterior components for C6 and C7 Corvettes — downforce-enhancing parts, mostly, that high-power track cars stick to the Tarmac. They include splitters, air-venting hoods, wings and more. Customer connections More than simply supplying engines and parts, Katech is unique for the customer relationships it has forged over the years. Many bring their vehicles to the company’s facility in suburban Detroit to have the upgrades performed on site, while the semi-annual Track Attack high-performance driving event allows customers to make the most of their cars’ performance with Katech’s support at the track.

For some projects, such as installing and calibrating a new Track Attack engine, it’s imperative for customers to bring their cars to the shop, but Katech also works with customers who want comparatively minor parts installation to entire car builds. “Our customers make us what we are and we take that very seriously,” says Harding. “Establishing a personal relationship not only helps us learn more about what our customers need, but it builds trust and gives us a realworld perspective on how our engines and parts are being used.” Harding also points out that the same team of builders and technicians who supported a Daytona-winning racing program is same building and installing the Street Attack engine a customer may order for his new Corvette Grand Sport. “It’s a tight-knit team that contributes to everything we do,” says Harding. “Their experience is unparalleled, which translates into incomparable quality on and off the track.” Katech also maintains connections with customers and fans through Facebook and the newly launched Katech Network video series there. After 40 years, Katech remains part of the bedrock of motorsports engineering and a leader in aftermarket performance — and when the green flag drops, it’s a good bet they’ll be there when the checkered flag waves. Katech 24324 Sorrentino Ct. Clinton Twp., MI 48035 Phone: 586-791-4120 Toll-Free: 866-KATECH1 www.katechengines.com www.thekatechnetwork.com West Coast Corvettes 1210 N. Kraemer Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92806 Phone: 714-630-6396 Toll-Free: 888-737-8388 www.westcoastcorvette.com

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY TED LIGHTHIZER

CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE 31st Annual | 356 Club of Southern California

he 356 Club of Southern California was founded in 1985 and now has just over 1,000 members from all over the U.S., Canada and countries throughout the world. Membership is open to anyone; no Porsche 356 needed, just love of the car and marque required. The Porsche 356 was available here in the U.S. from 1955 to 1965 and came in a Coupe, Cabriolet or Speedster models. Engines all 4 cylinder and air-cooled boxster type. Transmissions all 4 speed manual, no automatic transmissions. The brakes on all the 356’s are drum type, no disc or ABS braking systems. Overall balance of the 356 is good, but they are a “handful” at speed when compared to the Porsches of today. This year’s Concours was held at Central Park in Huntington Beach, CA and I would estimate close to 300 Porsches were on display, mostly all vintage air-cooled models with the largest group being Porsche 356’s competing in 9 different judged classes. Three of the rarest Porsches on display were a Carrera GTS 904, 550 Spyder and a 356 Continental Coupe. Each year, the 356 Club sponsors many activities for members and friends that are interested in driving events, Touring, Concours, Racing, Restoration, or just plain socializing. Membership with the 356 Club of Southern California also includes the club’s quarterly magazine, 356 Club Magazine. To learn more about the 356 Club of Southern California or to become a member please visit http://356club.org/ There is no mistaking the iconic “bathtub” Porsche 356 and my favorite is the Speedster from 1957. Drive safe and I’ll see you down the road.

The Murphy Auto by Mark Llewellyn The Murphy Auto Museum celebrated their 5th annual ‘Vintage Trailer Show’ on June 24th. Over 1500 people attended the show. 48 vintage trailers adorned the parking lot and interior of the Murphy Auto Museum. The festivities began Friday the 23rd as all the vintage trailers gathered at the museum. The campers enjoyed a barbecue hosted by the museum. On Saturday, the party kicked off for the public. Music and food were available all day long. An added bonus…the guests had access to the vintage cars, Americana, and a huge H.O. train layout on display. A few of the vintage trailer folks actually ran a small business from their trailers. Vintage camping gear, clothing and custom jewelry were just some of the items available at the event. One of the highlights of the show was a 1952 Boles Aero Montecito. In 1939, Don Boles, a young Southern Californian, enrolled in a tool and die apprenticeship program at Lockheed in Burbank. There, he learned the skills to form and work with aluminum sheet. When the war broke out in 1941, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After the war, he returned home to Southern California and began making a small travel trailer in his garage using his acquired aircraft training. He built and sold his first trailer, and made another and sold it, and thus a business was born. Boles Aero ceased production in 1960. The Boles Aero on display was purposed to hold camping accessories and consumables that campers at National Parks and campgrounds would need. It is fully stocked with a variety of items and is a time capsule from the mid 50’s. This trailer is on permanent display so you don’t have to wait until next year’s show to view it. But make an effort next year to visit the Murphy Auto Museum’s ‘Vintage Trailer Show’ and see these fantastic relics from our past.

Museum 5th annual Vintage Trailer Show www.LeonsTransmission.com

Coupon good for discounted entry cost of just $5.00. Beautiful vintage automobiles and Americana. 35

2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard, California 93033

murphyautomuseum.org (805) 487-4333

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY RANDY COOPER

1958

A Year of Excess | Mercury Turnpike Cruiser n interesting year here in the United States was 1958. World War ll hero Dwight Eisenhower was president and there was a great recession. Phrases like “You Auto Buy Now” beckoned young families to purchase a new car. American automakers tried to bring people into the showrooms by designing their cars with such interesting features as large tail fins, pastel colors and as much chrome and stainless steel as the car could hold. One has only look at the “big three” (Ford, GM and Chrysler) to see this excess. One would the hard pressed to find a better example of this excess than the 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. They were equipped of the Breezeway electric rear window (first available on the 1957 Turnpike Cruiser) which would be used in Lincoln Continentals for 1958 through 1960. They boasted large engines with 383 up to 430 cubic inches. They had twin antennas coming out of the top of the windshield to give it a very futuristic look. They came standard with a Merc-O-Matic as well as the new MultiMatic transmission with push button controls. Another option was the Seat-O-Matic that was the first memory seat available with the power seat option. They discovered that all of these bell and whistle options are unreliable and very problematic. A total of 6407 Turnpike Cruisers were built in 1958. Many Turnpike Cruisers were used for “demolition derbies” which were very popular in the 50’s and 60’s.