D RIVENWORLD Event Calendar | Supercar Sunday | Car Culture
Feb 2014
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Contents
D RIVENWORLD ISSUE 50, February 2014
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Dustin Troyan
ART DIRECTOR
Connected Media Group LLC
COPY EDITOR Melena Gergen Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group WEB DESIGN
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Jeff Balbien
STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Brooks Smith Mark Llewlyn Scott Martin Mike Duval
PHOTOGRAPHY Greg Grudt Scott Martin Duane Steinter Casey Schendel Christan Welch Mike Duval
Advertising/Marketing: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
818-516-5053 www.drivenworld.com www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com Page 12
Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to high-net-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large. All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein. Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. 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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On the Cover: “XJ220� Photo: Greg Grudt Exoticcarfotos.com
From the Editor A few minutes ago, I ran into an old high school friend. It was the second time seeing him in a year. Prior to that, it was probably twenty years since last I saw him. The first time I saw him in twenty years was actually at Supercar Sunday. It was one of the Marque Days and I was walking the lot, and it just so happened that our eyes met. No, I am not getting romantic here, but, our eyes met and we both instantly grinned, at the same moment that we recognized each other. It was so good to see him and catch up. We took a brief trip down memory lane. A trip down memory lane… So I happened to see him tonight. We were again happy to see each other and caught up, chatted about the past. I suppose we were rascals in high school, like many were…teenagers pushing the envelope, trying to be tough guys, trying to out do each other and on and on and on. As I drove away, my subconscious slipped into another memory. Shortly after graduating high school, my very best friend in the whole wide world killed himself. It was the first challenging time that I ever had. I had skated through life up to that point with very rosy glasses on, with not a care in the world. I had a cool car, friends, no responsibility, and no concept of any real hardship and then…the world stopped. The old friend I ran into tonight, he knew my friend. We were all friends. Seeing him reminded me of, (God I don’t even want to write his name)…Rajesh. Rajesh was by best friend. Friends. I think that if you have a few good friends in this world, well, you are a very lucky person. And, if your friends love you for you, well, those are some good friends. Friends like that can be hard to find. Rajesh, I remember when I first met him. He was a high-energy, skinny Indian kid. Not Native-American Indian, but from the con-
By Dustin Troyan tinent of India. At El Camino, there weren’t too many Indian students. Rajesh, he would always say hello to me and I never really knew why. I guess he was just friendly. I think we became friends when he offered me a ride home from school. I think it was ninth grade. Neither of us drove, but his older brother had a truck and well, it beat walking. So, he offered, I jumped in and we became friends. Many a ride home in the back of that Isuzu pickup. I have really never spoken of him, let alone written anything about him. So, you will have to bear with me. Some wounds run deep and this is one of those. I had just gotten off of work, it was Aug. 17, 1993 and I called his home. Like I said before, we were rascals, my friends and I, so when his older brother started grilling me about his whereabouts the night before, I just kind of laughed. Although, I did note that there was a strange tone in his voice. After a while, I knew that something was serious, maybe he wrecked a car, maybe he got arrested for something…but then his brother told me in a very direct manner, that he was dead. Naturally, I did not believe him. There is no way, how dare he say something like that. His brother convinced me that he was and as I am the kind of guy that the proof is in the pudding, I wanted evidence. So, I picked up his brother and we went to the location where he killed himself, and…I got my evidence. Pretty much sucked. Old friends. So in high school, we all kind of want to fit in right. Well, this skinny Indian kid, he accepted me for me. Everything that was wrong with me, it just didn’t matter. He was the kind of guy that would stand up for the underdog, the smaller kid even if it meant he would get his ass kicked. Because, it was the right thing to do. I can remember going into his home and smelling those exotic spices and hearing a language that was so foreign to me. I can remember how my mom would light up when he would come over; he was such a kind soul. So there I was at Supercar Sunday and I see this guy I went to high school with. I want so badly to ask if he remembers my best friend. I know he does, I hope he does, and I want to ask so bad, but I don’t. Tonight when I saw him and then I was driving away, I almost turned around to ask him. Do you remember Rajesh? I do my best to be an optimist, truly I do. I think, hey at least I got to know him…at least I got to have a friend who loved me for me at a very challenging part of my life, those awkward high school years. I can remember talking to him and telling him my deepest secrets and frustrations, things I never told anyone else and I knew that he would not judge me. That is truly rare. He was a good friend. A very good friend. A brother. Part of me died when he died. For a long time I was cold to the world. I did not want to let anyone in. I could not really process the loss, the guilt, and the pain. It was a tough time. I actually cannot believe that I am writing this and
sharing it with you, but, maybe it was time that I said his name out loud, maybe his family will see this and they will know that people still think of, remember and love their son. I suppose time heals all wounds, at least that is what they say. I know that as time goes on, it gets a little easier to get by, but sometimes that too takes a bit of time. Here I am twenty years later writing about this. I don’t know if it gets easier or you acclimate to the pain of the loss or simply accept it. I know that on certain days I think of him, his birthday, the day he died. I know that the smell of a Marlboro Light or a canyon drive might make me think of him. I wonder if we would still be friends if he were alive. His death gave me a whole new perspective, well, truth be told, took me a few years to accept his death and start to move on. But, I chose to focus on the time we had together and that I got to have a friend like him. I know this letter from the editor thus far is not so cheerful, but I think that it is all in the perspective. I was so lucky to have a friend like Rajesh. He brought so much sunshine into my life, a whole new culture, a different perspective, understanding; it was such a blessing to know him, the joy of knowing him. The love far exceeds the pain and agony of the loss. I think that a life should be celebrated and remembering a friend and honoring him by living well and honest and true, well, I can do that for him. He can live on with me in spirit, in memory, in my heart for the rest of my life. I chose to celebrate him and our time. The take away? If you are reading this, celebrate life! Celebrate your family, celebrate your friends. Cherish each day. Make your world better. Take your wife some flowers, kiss your kids more. Take a vacation, do something different, be more spontaneous, smell those roses, jump in the ocean, go skydiving. But live, damnit, live while you have the chance and love the hell out of those that are worth loving. And, make this world better before you leave it. He made my world better and I was lucky to have a friend like Rajesh.
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ferrari 458 Speciale Unveiled at The Auto Gallery Ferrari
The Auto Gallery 458 Speciale Launch Party What a great event! Over 150 Ferrari owners and exotic car customers came out to get an in-person glimpse of the new 458 Speciale. The Auto Gallery Ferrari-Maserati dealership in Calabasas was packed with enthusiasts, young and old. The buzz of the new 458 Speciale brought guests from all over Southern California When compared with the Italia, which it’s based on, the Speciale has a re-worked body, engine, traction control system, and a multitude of other upgrades that refine and enhance the car’s already dynamic performance. The end result is that the 458 Speciale is able to lap the Fiorano test track almost 1.5 seconds faster than the legendary Ferrari Enzo. During the event, customers were introduced to the finer points of the Speciale’s features and aerodynamic package. At one point, the V8 engine came to life so guests could enjoy the car’s sound. The dealership erupted, not only with the fine song the Speciale played, but with cheers from the delighted guests If you are in the market for a Speciale, The Auto Gallery Ferrari is currently accepting names for the 458 Speciale list. As the list for this amazing vehicle will fill fast, you may just want to drive over to the showroom today and get your name on it.
Story & Photos By Dustin Troyan, Christan Welch, T.A.G.
Supercar Sunday The first Supercar Sunday of 2014 was…well, pretty darn super. Enthusiasts from all over Southern California rolled into the Westfield Promenade parking lot with their cars gleaming. One of the things that Supercar Sunday is known for is the diversity. On any given day you can see, something you have never seen before. For many of us that is hard to do since we have been car guys for decades. But, Supercar Sunday somehow brings out the rare, collectible and the unusual. The showstopper of the day was the Bugatti Veyron Vitesse Edition. The Bugatti Veyron Vitesse fetches about $2.4 million dollars and offers a top speed of over 250 mph. Zero to sixty time, 2.4 seconds. A rare and precious commodity indeed! When it rolled into Supercar Sunday, all eyes were on it and just about every camera was clicking. WOW! To the owner, thank you for sharing, we truly appreciate the opportunity to see such a rare specimen. The regulars were out… to think we have been meeting on Sundays for over twelve years, pretty awesome. The Row 12 Rascals were in full force. They are always the first to arrive at Supercar and are quick to offer a smile and a wave. Hey guys! Next time you are at Supercar Sunday, just look for the Row Twelve sign and you will know exactly whom I am talking about. Just remember, don’t get too close, they might bite! Classical masterpieces like the Mercedes 300sl and early Ferraris were literally everywhere. Oh the joy of being an auto
Story By Dustin Troyan, Photos By Duane Steiner
enthusiast in Southern California. Back to the variety…a Ford Gt next to Tesla next to a Cobra next to a 4x4. Then there were those two funny guys, Jeff Dunham and Jay Leno walking around just like the rest of us…car guys. So cool! A very special thank you to all those car guys and gals that make Supercar Sunday so special. We had been doing this for well over a decade and it just keeps getting better and better. Thank you.
Supercar Sunday 2014 Marque Schedule February 2nd March 2nd April 6th May 4th June 1st July 6th August 3rd September 7th October 5th November 2nd December 7th
Early BMW - E30 and earlier model years Hot Rods Lamborghini Porsche Ferrari Pre-1973 Muscle Cars Micro Cars Shelby- Cobra- Ford GT Corvette Electric Cars 11th Annual Motor4toys Charity Car Show & Toy Drive www.motor4toys.com
There will be other Marques featured as well, please check this schedule for updates. * Please visit www.drivenworld.com to join our forums. * If you would like to schedule a club/group marque day, please contact Dustin Troyan Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com
“Special Delivery” A Group of Off-Roaders Lends A Hand Story & Photos By Mike Duval
Cerro Gordo (Spanish for “Fat Hill”) is located east of Lone Pine, California in the Inyo Mountains at an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet, with a spectacular view of the Owens Valley and Eastern Sierras. From 1866 to 1957, Cerro Gordo mines produced somewhere in the neighborhood of $17,000,000.00 in lead and silver bullion but the residents of the town of Cerro Gordo left long ago when the mines played out. The town is now privately owned and overseen by a caretaker named Robert. He lives in one of the remaining structures and, in
The plaque at the beginning of the road to Cerro Gordo. between his regular maintenance and upkeep duties, he gives tours to those willing to make the drive up the steep eight mile road, which climbs vertically about a mile from the valley floor into the mountains. On a visit last summer, Robert shared a story with us (he has many). This story was not about history, but rather about someone stealing Winding down a canyon trail
Negotiating some rocks
the winch off of his truck while he was on one of his trips to the “big city”. Being isolated, Robert’s winch was a necessary tool in his regular maintenance duties, as well as occasionally getting him “un-stuck.” Well, that got the wheels turning for us. We set out to procure a used winch and portable cradle mount to replace Robert’s stolen one. Not an easy task, but we found one. This also made the perfect excuse (I mean “reason”) for another trip to Cerro Gordo. And, of course, we
always check out a few new trails on the way up! So the plans were laid, we’d leave with a small group (four Jeeps) on Saturday morning, explore some trails in the hills north of Mojave and have lunch in the old mining town of Randsburg. After lunch, two vehicles would head home for other commitments while two would proceed to Lone Pine via Death Valley and spend the night in one of the local hotels. Sunday, we would hit Cerro Gordo and deliver the winch. Saturday, we awoke to a pristine winter day and started our journey. After topping off our fuel tanks in Mojave, we made an easy 30-minute drive to our trailhead. We aired down the tires and off we went. Our goal was to map out a few new trails for an upcoming group run we were planning. We spent a few hours exploring canyons and washes in the El Paso Mountains. All went well on the trails and we hit Randsburg about 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Afterwards, we shared some of our usual BS about our awesome skills negotiating the trails and then went our separate ways. Sunday, we awoke to a crystal clear view of the Eastern Sierras and Mount Whitney from our hotel window (and chilly temperatures—24 degrees). Anxious to get on the road, we skipped the usual big breakfast and had the “complimentary” hotel version. Then we fueled up and hit the trailhead near the town of Keeler off Highway 190. The winding road to Cerro Gordo is dotted with remnants of the mining era. We even saw an ore bucket still hanging from its cable hundreds of feet above a canyon, a silent testament to days gone by. As we neared the end of the climb into town, the hills were dressed in
Mount Whitney as viewed from Hwy 395 in Lone Pine
Mining cabin with annex to mine shaft
Some of our group (L to R: Marshall, Shane & Karie) and Robert (on right w/new winch on truck) a light blanket of snow, evidence of the recent snowstorms. In fact, it turned out that the road had just become passable the week prior to our arrival. Robert greeted us with his usual grin and warm welcome. We chatted for a few hours and walked around exploring. We even took a short
hike down the backside of the hill to check out an old miner’s cabin that actually had a door to the mine entrance on the back wall! After our short trip back in time, we went over the winch functions with Robert and said our goodbyes. Unfortunately (for us), it was
time to leave. So we shifted into low gear and descended the road back to reality. We left Robert a little more secure and looked forward to another trip up sometime this summer. See you on the trail!
Car Guy Goes to Italy Part IV If you want to know what pure, exhilarating freedom feels like, picture yourself with the one that you love, driving through gently winding roads in the heart of the Italian wine country, windows down, breathing in the fresh air and witnessing an endless vista of mountains and vineyards ahead of you. The skies are cobalt blue, the clouds are the purest white and you have never seen quite that shade of pure green
Story & Photos By Scott Martin
leafs or bright purple grape clusters. Yes, this is the region they call Tuscany, and this is why we went to Italy. Before it was united, Italy was a patchwork of city-states, and you can still see the effects to this day. Although there are many villas and farms dotting the countryside, there are few cities along the road in the valleys and flatlands. Most populated towns are still at the top of the
mountains where they were originally built for protection against “marauders.” Because we had a vehicle we were able to easily visit the magnificent and still-walled cities of Montalchino, Montepulciano, and San Gimignano. We also planned in advance to tour small and mid-sized wineries in the region. Because these tours were set up by our Sommelier friend Matthew Kaner in Los Angeles, we really got a view of the inner workings of Italian vintners. At the smaller family owned and run Pieve de’ Pitti, we spent half a day with the amazingly gracious owner discussing his philosophy, techniques, and marketing views while sampling the wines and olive oil they produced, and touring the fields and production facilities. I felt like we could start a winery of our own after that education! Visiting San Gimignano, a walled hill town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, was like driving up to Disneyland but the walls are much, much taller! It is still amazing to imagine how they built these magnificent cities behind those behemoth walls so long ago, and they are all very highup in the mountains. Known as the “Town of Fine Towers,” the city is also famous for its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which we were able to sample there and on several other occasions during our travels. Montepulciano was just as amazing, with a view that seemed to stretch out to eternity and architecture that is beautiful wherever you look. We were able to eat lunch at a small restaurant overlooking the city’s wall and then cliffs that went 2,000 feet straight down to the vineyards below. In Montalchino, we were able to sample the other locally popular wine, this one red and based on the Sangiovese grape… the famous Brunello. Our entry into Siena will make for a good movie someday… Our hotel was in the heart of another UNESCO World Heritage Site, or city centre, where no vehicles except some taxis and law enforcement are allowed. Well, the front desk clerk kept telling us to park “by the soccer stadium “and then walk to the hotel but we could NOT find anything that resembled soccer stadium. After going in circles like in any good comedy for twenty minutes, we saw a promising road and all of a sudden, we were IN the old city! Imagine the American tourists driving in a little white Fiat 500 among all the strolling shoppers in the middle of small cobblestone medieval streets with nowhere to go but straight ahead… crazy, funny, embarrassing, and we thought we were going to be arrested. Luckily, 5 minutes later, there was an exit to the outlying streets without a barricade and we were out without an international incident. We found out the next day that the soccer stadium was below ground level and there was no way to see the entrances at night…that’ll teach us not to learn more Italian! Although we missed the major bi-annual event in Siena, the Palioor horserace, it had just taken place and we were lucky to be staying adjacent to the winning Contrade (ward or section) of the city. Flags with their mascot, an ancient, stylized dolphin, were draped along the streets. At midnight, on our way back to the hotel, we saw a procession of over 100 men marching through the enormous Piazza del Campo and chanting their victory song to the accompaniment of drums… very inspiring! The evening was also memorable for one of our best meals in Italy at La Taverna di San Giuseppe with seemingly endless portions of white truffles on the amazing grainy-surfaced spaghetti called “pici.” The meal was accompanied by the great local wine, Bolgheri Vermentino, from their picturesque cellar, which dated back to Etruscan times. Refreshed by our stay in historic Siena, we were back on the road
in the Tuscan countryside. After consulting Google Maps, Hertz Never Lost (we called it, “Always Lost”), and a printed map, we finally found our next winery appointment just in time to join the group on a hike through the ready-to-be-harvested fields. The mid-sized but very modern facility called La Spinetta was in its very own massive valley within the township of Casanova. The valley has several grape varieties, but is dominated by the famous Sangiovese, which this winery is trying to popularize as a Tuscan standalone. Their logo is a very famous etching of a rhinoceros, made by a German artist who had never seen a rhinoceros before. They too produce an amazing extra virgin olive oil which they let us sample along with most of their wines and some delicious bread and Parmagiano cheese. After a long day of wine education, we bid our new friends farewell and drove off into the sunset (literally) and back to our welcoming apartment in Florence. Using our flat as a “base of operations” worked out great, but this time we only had two days before we were off again to our next destina-
tion—the beach! Yes, we would finally get to go on a “vacation” during our “trip”. It sounds funny but a couple of days on the beach to relax after all the walking, driving, training, and sightseeing sounded good. So we took the slow train to Cinque Terre which means Five Villages. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of five cliff-towns, each on an alcove accessible only
by train or boat, not by motor vehicle. Within each town, no vehicles are allowed except at the bottom of the large stand where we stayed, Monterosso al Mare, and in Vernazza. Seafood was definitely the name of the game in this area, with every restaurant displaying their fresh fish up front including shrimp, scallops, hay tuna, and Dungeness crabs. We took our friends’ advice
and tried what turned out to be a very delicious local white wine, Pigato, made by several different vintners. Next time, we will do a round-trip to Venice from Florence on the 300-kph bullet train and indulge in the decadence of the Italian Riviera in Sorrento and Positano. Until then, arrivederci!
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Interview of the Month: William O. Fleischman Bill, I would like to first and foremost thank you for the tour of your collection. It is always good fun to be around so many amazing vehicles in a private setting. Both Greg and I enjoyed the morning we spent with you. I can recall when you first started coming to Supercar Sunday, you would casually pull up in a rare and collectable car, say hello and enjoy the show. It seemed like there was an ever-rotating stable of cars you would show up in. So much so, that many of us would ponder what you might be driving up in. From what we have seen at Supercar Sunday and at your collection, it is truly a great variety of notable cars. Some would say a dream collection. A little bit of this, a little bit of that and a whole lot of awesome.
Interview By Dustin Troyan Photos By Greg Grudt
rently in your stable? Is it purely desire or is it an investment...or both? WF: Currently I have 29 cars. They are all either post-war classics (with the exception of the hot rod) or modern exotics, such as the yellow LFA Nürburgring edition. Given the diversity, I’ve learned a lot about cars over the last 14 years and, luckily, most of the classic cars have appreciated
successful...what suggestions might you offer? WF: Pursue your passion. Spend your time doing what you really want to do, not what someone else has planned for you.
in value. That’s the way we select acquisitions now: cars that are both fun to drive and likely to appreciate.
The fact is in 1956 it was so far ahead of its time that even today it looks like a new car.
DT: Back to your collection, what is your all-time favorite car currently in the collection? WF: It would have to be the Gullwing. It is iconic.
DT: How did you get into cars? WF: Shortly after surviving Y2K I decided to go into semi-retirement, after having practiced law for more than 30 years. My wife was ok with this but told me I “could not stay home” and that I should “get a hobby”. She added, “and not girls”. That’s how I got into cars. My very first acquisition was a Ferrari Maranello 550 which I ordered at Beverly Hills Ferrari. We then went to the factory in Maranello to look at cars in production. Once there we saw a beautiful Maranello in a Rosso Fiorano and immediately changed my order choice from black to that color. It’s still one of my favorite cars. DT: When you were a kid, did you dream of having a car collection? WF: I never really had a dream of having a car collection as a kid although in the ‘50’s I could name every car on the road and every model and every year of that model. DT: When one says collection, to some it means more than two and to others it means a museum, would you care to share how many cars are cur-
DT: Bill, clearly you are successful, what would you tell young car enthusiasts about becoming
DT: Do you have a “dream car” that is currently not in your collection, a car that would instantly be your favorite? WF: A dream car I would like to add to the collection is the BMW 507. Also from the ‘50’s, it’s a contemporary of the Gullwing. DT: Will you ever stop collecting? WF: Probably not, although I may slow down a bit (when driving too). DT: Any final thoughts you would like to share on your collection, the car world, trends, or suggestions for those of us who would one day like to have a collection like yours? WF: I try to keep up on the current pricing/value of cars in my collection as well as those that I would like to acquire. When deciding to purchase a classic car, buy from a reputable company. Find out who has worked on it, knows what changes have been made and what it still needs. As much as I enjoy collecting cars, I recognize that I’m really just a custodian of these vehicles until the next generation takes over the job. I am grateful to be able to enjoy these cars while being their caretaker.
Car Culture
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Mark Llewellyn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stick It Where The Sun Does Shine! What better way is there to convey your emotions or beliefs than plastering a “bumper sticker” on your car? There it is, you can put it right out there for the world to see. Some are funny, some crude! Some religious, some political/ one thing for sure, there is one out there for you! Bumper Stickers came about in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Forest P. Gill, a screen printer from Kansas City Kansas is credited with the invention. They came about originally as souvenirs of travel and sporting events. It was not until the presidential election of 1952 between EisenhowerStevenson that they found their voice as a means of political expression. They even found their way into Hollywood movies, with a scene dedicated to a bumper sticker in the movie “Forrest Gump”! Remember the scene, a pick-up truck with a bumper sticker that says “S*** Happens” starts out into the intersection only to be ran into by another car. Early bumper stickers were printed on paper. They were screen printed and used daylight florescent inks so they would glow. Vinyl has replaced the paper sticker in most cases due to the fact it holds up so well against the elements. “Bumper Stickers” have found their way into the American persona. There are many libraries and institutions across the nation that has collections of them. There is no doubt they have become part of the American Pop Culture.
www.LeonsTransmission.com
Insulated Speed
By Brooks Smith
McLaren have never been a company to shy away from, well, anything really. Corporate tradition involves Ron Dennis making a statement about what a new car will do, and the engineers then making it happen. It’s an easy game to play if your computers can perform the necessary calculations. The public face of the company knows what claims can be backed up and emphasizes the boldest of them. It’s one of the reasons, along with emphasizing their engineering-led ethos, that McLaren cars are couched so totally in terms of numbers (Even the F1, designed to transcend performance figures, was in the end defined by the most incidental of them.). So the fact that the new P1’s Nordschleife lap-time isn’t being released (McLaren will only say that it’s “under seven minutes”) can only be taken as a rare and embarrassing misstep. Attempts to play the decision off as intentional, even more so. It all started out, business as usual. The production P1 was released at Geneva, with McLaren’s trademark straight-shooter bombast. All the insane figures were spoken in the usual low tones, with nary a hint of emphasis. Dennis quietly, and modestly, proclaimed the car would be the fastest road car ever, around any track. Well, it pretty clearly isn’t, at least not at the Nordschleife. McLaren are making excuses about not wanting to contribute to the unsafe and pointless exercise. It all rings (no pun intended) a little hollow; six months ago they
couldn’t wait to contribute. But have McLaren, in their embarrassment, stumbled onto the truth? Have we reached the point where a car’s time around a toll road in Germany just isn’t meaningful? It’s a more interesting question than it used to be, given the nature of the cars involved at this point. There are a number of competing theories as to why the Porsche is faster. Does the McLaren drain its battery too fast? Is the Porsche’s much-ignored 900+ lb-ft of torque compensating for its extra weight? The answer may actually be down to calibration. The 918 Spyder is quite possibly the most complicated car ever developed. Porsche have said that calibration (the job of making all the separate systems work seamlessly together) was the major development hurdle, and took more than double the time of any previous model. That level of work has paid off in terms of pure speed. However reviews suggest that Porsche also had to work hard to dial in feel. The car still possesses slightly synthetic sensations, especially the brakes, which use an automatic regenerative system, in addition to the traditional friction stoppers. Being able to deploy the car’s huge torque and power, through all four wheels, with constant vectoring of electrical energy, may explain the 918’s performance advantage, however slight. The McLaren, a simpler, lighter car possessed of huge downforce, is probably quicker on
most circuits (all to be proven, of course.). More importantly, feedback and feel should be more natural. I say should; McLaren have struggled with this on the 12C. The unknown quantity is Ferrari’s new LaFerrari (That name!). Its performance may eclipse both the 918, and the P1, but its predecessor, the Enzo, was arguably the beginning of this trend of emphasizing numbers over involvement. An incredibly fast lap time is within reach of all these cars, but driver enjoyment looks to be taking a back seat. The systems required to make the cars drivable at the speeds they can attain may introduce further layers of insulation between the driver and the road. The Ring time used to be an indicator of a well resolved chassis, allowing a talented driver to exploit the performance. Enjoyment and sense of accomplishment came from the involvement in the process. If it’s now an indicator of calibration of systems that remove that element, then I submit that it has indeed become irrelevant. McLaren, for whatever reason, are right to ignore it. The cars may have lost their relevance as well. How much fun is it, really, when the driver becomes more of a director? Can performance, however extreme, really make the difference? We’re about to find out. One thing seems assured; the analog supercar is finally and completely dead. This is the future. It’s going to take time to figure out if it’s one we really want.
Valley Indoor RV Storage www.valleyindoorrvstorage.com
818-STORE-RV Classic & Exotic Car Storage
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
Cars For Sale
1961 Ford F100 Unibody Rare CA black plate truck, only built from 1961-63. 460 Motor with 80,000 miles, c6 trans. Lowered with
adjustable air shocks in rear. New battery, radiator, tubbed in rear. Asking: $18,500. Contact: Dustin@connectedmediagroup
Offering this 1932 Chevrolet all steel Hi-Boy roadster built by Gene Vredenbergh, retired executive from General Motors. Featured in the Aug. 2002 Street Rodder Magazine. This is a full custom frame and chassis. Steel EMI body with rumble seat converted to trunk by Dick “Magoo” Megugorac. Custom hood by Magoo. The engine is a Chevy 4.3L V6 fitted with a B&M Blower, Holley 600CFM Carb, GM Splayed-Valve Covers (for Indianapolis competition), Crane Cam and Isky roller Rockers. Transmission is a ‘88 Chevy Camaro
5-speed. Cusotm interior and lift off top by Mike Harper Interiors. Custom Dash, VDO gauges, Ron Francis wiring. Budnik Wheels and Goodyear Tires. The undercarriage is as detailed as the rest of the Hi-boy. All records. Asking $60,000.00 Contact: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
This 1997 Ford Mustang was built right! Bored and stroked to over 300 CI by Nelson Racing, all forged internals, billet cams, Vortech V2 Supercharger, Art Carr transmission, upgraded brakes, suspension, Basani exhaust, heads ported and polished, all ARP studs, Cold air intake, Canton oil pan and windage tray, MEZ Water pump, Ford racing headers, BBK Valve Covers, back up camera, Carbon
hood and wing (currently off the car) and so much more. Receipts for all work on hand. Clean title. Tuned for street driving. Over $45k invested in build alone. This would be a great street/race car or pull the drivetrain for your own project. Great platform to your pro-touring Mustang swap. Asking $17,500.00 Contact: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
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www.drivenworld.com
Art Center Car Classic A Perfectly 2013 Porsche Day Story by Mike Grudt and Photos by Greg Grudt
One Porsche, two, three and four‌ the Los Angeles Porsche Club came to Supercar Sunday with a whole lot more! I ran into Maggie Garnett, Vice President of the Porsche Club of America Los Angeles Chapter, and we discussed putting together a little club day at Supercar Sunday. As we chatted, the idea of doing a leisure drive to brunch sounded so enticing. The event quickly took form and we planned a day. Meet at Supercar Sunday, share the Porsches with the other enthusiasts, and then head out for a tour of the Santa Monica Mountains. Well, as the ball quickly started rolling, we thought about getting our good friends at the Auto Gallery and Lavaggio involved. Both The Auto Gallery and Lavaggio quickly said yes to sponsoring brunch for the club and sharing the lovely location and atmosphere that Lavaggio has to offer. It was on! As the day began at Supercar Sunday, the Porsches kept coming in. What was meant to be about 30 Porsches of all vintages quickly turned to over a hundred. It was an unofficial Porsche Marque Day. The Auto Gallery offered a wonderful breakfast for the PCA Members and their staff were present with new models to share and to answer any questions about the cars. As the morning wore on, there was an electric buzz at Supercar Sunday as the Porsche enthusiasm was felt by all. Anything from a Carrera GT to a new GT3 RS, new 991s, 356s, modded turbos, and every other variation was present. The owners ran a full spectrum as well, from seasoned veterans to youngsters to MagnusWalker‌ it was a truly passionate group.
By Dustin Troyan Photos By Duane Steiner, Scott Martin, Casey Schendel
As the group headed off to for the Santa Monica Mountains, it was an amazing sight. About seventy Porsches left the Westfield Promenade toward Mulholland and the sound of finely tuned German engines was admired by all. It was more of a Porsche parade. Facebook was buzzing about the group of Porsches winding through the Santa Monicas. It just so happened that Jay Leno was cruising around in his Carrera GT and when the group passed the Rockstore Overlook, he decided to tag along on the drive to Lavaggio. As the group arrived at Lavaggio, it was more like a Porsche Convention. With the seventy Porsches, it was definitely a full house. The staff at Lavaggio offered a warm welcome and prepared a lovely lunch. The Auto Gallery team was also present on the drive and at Lavaggio to offer support to the club. As the afternoon wore on, it was all smiles and hugs. Jay Leno showing up at Lavaggio in his Carrera GT was a huge surprise because many of the club’s members did not know he had jumped on the run. It was a truly successful event based around friendship and Porsche passion. Thank you to the LA PCA, The Auto Gallery, and Lavaggio. It was an awesome day!
Sunday, May 4th, 2014
Save the Date for one of the Largest Car Shows in the Valley! Over 30 years and running. At Rancho San Antonio Boys Town in Chatsworth. All Makes and Models Welcome The 32nd Classic Chevy Show is to benefit Rancho San Antonio Boys Town. www.yesterdayschevrolet.com Show info: Jerome Real409@aol.com 818.259.1964
For sponsorship, vendor & booth space: Benn: 818.635.4142
February Calendar of Events
Sat 1 -Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 -Burbank - Bob’s Big Boy Trophy Night - 50’s Costume Theme - 4211 W. Riverside Dr. - 4PM - 8PM -Fullerton - Rotors, Wings & Wheels Fest - 4011. - Noon - 6PM Fullerton Municipal Airport 4011 W. Commonwealth Ave., 714-738-6323 -Huntington Beach - Donut Derelicts - Magnolia & Adams - 6AM - 9AM -Lakewood - Fuddrucker’s - 5229 Clark Ave - Noon - 4PM - Pre ‘78 Cars -Ontario - No Boundries Valentines Show - 725 N. Milliken Ave. - 1PM - 5PM -Palm Springs - Palm Spring Cruising Association Cruise Night - 72-840 Hwy. 111 - 1PM - 5PM -San Juan Capistrano - 11th Annual Rotary-Care Show - 25925 Camino Del Avion - 7:30AM - 3PM http://www.sjcrotary.org/carshow/ Sun 2 -Garden Grove - Super Cruise XI - Hillco Fastener Warehouse 7522 Park Ave. - 9AM - 1PM -Tustin - Million Dollar Breakfast Cruise - Enderle Center 17th & Yorba St. - 7AM - 11AM Sat 8 -Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 -Indian Wells - 12th Annual Dr. George Car Show - Indian Wells Tennis Garden - 9AM – 3PM www.palmspringscrusinassociation.com -Sun 9 -Long Beach–Cycle Show & Swap @ Veterans Stadium Motorcycles & bicycles. Buy/sell/trade.vintage/parts/bikes/accessories. www.toppingevents.com, or -Lakewood - Cadillac & LaSalle Club Meet - Lakewood Country Club 3101 Carson St. - 9AM - 2:30PM -Los Angeles - Enzo Ferrari Birthday Cruise-In at The Petersen - 6060 Wilshire Blvd. - 9AM - Noon Fri-Sun 14-16 -Sacramento-Autoroma-Cal Expo Cal Expo Fairgrounds - Sacramento 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815 www.rodshows.com -Sat-Sun 15-16 -Rosamond- AROSC Driving School, Streets of Willow Springs, www.arosc.org Sat 15 -Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 -Buena Park - Picker’s Paradise Automotive Swap Meet - Elks Lodge 7212 Melrose St. - 7AM - 1PM -Escondido - Cruisin’ Grand Fundraiser Run - Grand Ave. Downtown - 8AM - 1PM Fri-Sun 21-23 San Diego - 48th Annual Big 3 Auto Parts Exchange - Qualcomm Stadium Sat 22 -Burbank – Autobooks open 9AM! Free coffee and Donuts, 2900 W. Magnolia. 818-845-0707 -Whittier - 3rd Annual Whittier Area Classic Car Show - 8100 Colima Rd. - 9AM - 4PM www.whittierareaclassicarshow.com -Beaumont - Kalifornia Klassic Kars Restoration Grand Opening - 240 Maple Ave. - 8AM -Huntington Beach* - Donut Derelicts - Magnolia & Adams - 6AM - 9AM -Oxnard - Mullin Automotive Museum - 1421 Emerson Ave. - 10AM - 3PM -Whittier - 3rd Annual Whittier Area Classic Car Show - 8100 Colima Rd. - 9AM - 4PM www.WhittierAreaClassicCarShow.com Sun 23 -Palm Springs- Desert Classic Concours, Desert Princess Resort, http://www.desertconcours.com/ -Long Beach - 45th Annual Early Times Mid-Winter Rod Run - 1452 Caspian - Leaves at 8AM to Pechanga Casino -Los Angeles - Automotive Design Symposium & Cruise-In at The Petersen - 6060 Wilshire Blvd. - 9AM -Santa Ana - Gasoline Alley Customs & Classics Car Show - 100 South Main St. - 11AM - 2PM -Tustin- Million Dollar Breakfast Cruise - Enderle Center 17th & Yorba St. - 7AM - 11AM Tues 25 Los Angeles - Movies & $1 Milkshakes: Where They Raced at the Petersen - 6060 Wilshire Blvd. - 7PM - Info_
Supercar Sunday: Every Sunday 7-10am Supercarsunday.com