Driven World Jan/Feb 2023 Issue

drivenworld

BY DUSTIN TROYAN

I am done. No more cars. No really I mean that. No more cars. I cannot do any more cars, I don't want to do any more cars, cars drive me crazy. Old cars, new cars, I need to be done. I have a couple old cars. I love them. I am not a car collector, I am more of a dreamer I guess. I dream that I would have a cool collection and a big house with a barn to store my cars and I would have a bar and a coffee roaster in it. The bar would simply be to hang out with friends and have a beer or two while the bar-b-que is warming up and the coffee roaster is because I love good espresso and I have a history in coffee. If I had it my way, I would roast coffee and send it to my friends who appreciated great coffee. By no means am I a snob or that sophisticated, but, a nice double espresso in the morning or an Americano, well it is quite lovely.

I had one car left that I needed a motor for. I am a patient man as I cannot just throw money around. So, I have been scouring Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and talking to all my friends...who has a motor? I have gotten close a few times, but my gut told me to be more patient and maybe something cool would come around. I waited and waited and waited. I guess it goes back to being a man and the whole "hunter/ gatherer" thing. While I rock my sleeping kids at night, I search the Internet, where is that big block Chevy motor?

When I was a bit younger I was filled with vim and vigor. I have pushed cars for blocks that broke down on me. I have put transmissions in with floor jacks and pieces of wood. I have rattle canned cars in the driveway, I have done so many wacky things with old cars, but at the ripe old age of forty-four and with two kids, well, I need to make most of my time with my family. Also, and this is the biggest issue, I don't have anyone to help me push cars anymore! The neighbor kids that would help me in the past are now grown men and have moved or are in college. And, I simply don't want to push cars up my driveway anymore.

So I found a motor. I am hugely excited. I didn't want to rebuild one, I didn't want to have to put an intake or a carb or a starter and all the other stuff. I wanted something I could drop in and go. All there, complete, no hassle, path of least resistance. That is what I wanted. I had been watching a motor for a while and as I am told, it is a really good big block with all the nice parts, Aluminum heads, and go fast parts. The price got to something I can afford and I am picking it up tomorrow.

In my head it will be a simple install. Get the big block frame mounts, a couple grade eight bolds and drop that baby in. The motor is all there, the radiator too. I would need a MSD box, a clutch for the Muncie 4-speed and if the headers mate the exhaust, I am in really good shape. I mean really good shape! How hard can it be?

Right now, my friends who have helped me over the years are laughing out loud. When it comes to me and cars, nothing comes easy. I know just enough to get myself into trouble, I can turn wrenches, but my no means am I a mechanic. Better than your average guys I suppose I am no mechanic. Thank goodness for friends and Youtube. Between them, I can get the job done. And yes, I know, gas, fuel, spark and presto whammo you have a running engine.

Over the years I can tell you any type of story you want about me turning wrenches and following my dream of having some cool cars. Stories of success, stories of failure, stories of frustration and stories of people who have come to my aid and know everything about cars, engines, mechanics and engineering. To them it always seemed to come easy, but, over the years, I have followed their example and...I know a little about cars and what makes them work.

Why am I done with cars you ask? I told my friend Doug that the other day, he laughed and said "yeaaaaa!" Doug is the type of friend who is always there for you. I mean always. Over the years, he has come over and helped with so many electrical issues, I cannot tell you. He has helped me tow cars, push cars, pick up engines, return an engine, you name it, Doug has been there through it all. And always with a smile

and a laugh. Often times, he will sit back and let me try to fix things and as a good mentor, let me struggle, then make fun of me, then show me how it is done. And then we laugh. And laugh and laugh. When I go pick up the engine tomorrow, Doug will be going with me. Thank you Doug.

What is funny is that I met Doug when I was a kid. Twelve or thirteen I believe. It was Doug, Brian and a few other guys. Doug came down our block with a mini-truck with a hydraulic bed and a hell of a sound system. All the kids came running over the the truck as he made the truck bed dance. We were all mesmerized. We had never seen anything like that and Doug was probably the coolest guy that ever drove down the block. He lived a few blocks away as did Brian and they would always swing down our street and we would ask them to do the "thing with the truck." They would always smile and laugh. The cool older guys.

Brian had a house on the main boulevard and if you had a cool car, you would always stop by Brian's house. Monday through Sunday, if his garage door was open, it was fair game to stop by his house and annoy him. Something very easy to do. It was not uncommon to have muscle cars, sports cars and lowriders in front of Brian's house. We had a lot of good times. Fast forward, Doug is still into cars, Brian is in the car industry and I do car stuff too. We have had a lot of fun and after over thirty years, we are still helping each other, making fun of each other and annoying each other. Especially Brian. I love to annoy Brian.

So, I guess I was bitten by the car bug early. I was always drawn to 1967-69 Camaros. The bodylines, man, what a car. I always dreamed of having a 1969 Camaro. It had to be a four-speed and had to be a big block. A dream car. I remember my brother racing one once, I was probably fourteen and he was sixteen. I do not condone racing, we didn't get going that fast, but man, that guy in that 1969 Camaro seemed so cool. That same day I started looking in the Recycler to see what 1969 Camaros went for. Back then, they were CHEAP! Had I known what I know then, I would have bought one. The dream.

So fast forward almost two years ago I found a 1969 Camaro, factory big block car, SS/RS. It was all there other than the motor, raditor, MSD box and a clutch. I found it by chance and I had to get it. It was a dream car. Another project...I know. But, I had to buy it and I know that it will always be a desirable car. If I have to get rid of it, so be it, but, for right now, I am going to try to get it running. Sure I have some cars, I don't know if it makes sense or not. Sure they are projects, but, a 1969 Camaro, man, can't you just see it driving down PCH or my daughters driving it when they are sixteen. Or my wife. And the fact that it is a manual trans car, the kids of the future won't know what a standard transmission is. I guess I can always hope, I guess I can always dream I can do it little by little. Buying used parts, waiting for sales, doing as much as I can on my own and how lucky I am to have great friends. I hope I never have to sell it, but if I do, at least I tried and I followed my dream and I went for it.

Life is short....Dream big!

Ps. Anybody have a MSD box for sale?

- Dustin.

The 2023 Corvette Z06

The Corvette Z06, America’s answer to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and other supercars. America is back and in a big way, and the 2023 Corvette Z06 is coming to rock the sports car world.

When Chevrolet released the C8 Corvette, the new mid-engine design and totally new looks transformed the Corvette into the modern supercar era. Corvette and other sports car enthusiasts were tripping over themselves to be one of the first owners of the redesigned icon. That being said, everyone and I mean everyone was waiting to see what Chevrolet would do for the flagship Z06.

The Corvette Z06 is what the GT3 RS Porsche is to Porsche...every modern supercar has a big brother that is a bit faster, a bit lighter, a bit better handling, a bit rarer and naturally more expensive and desirable. Enter the Corvette Z06.

The Corvette Z06 has an all new and radical power plant which is a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 features a flat-plane crank that revs to a screaming 8600 rpm. The engine produces 670 horsepower and will sound more like a Ferrari or Lamborghini on steroids than a traditional American muscle car. The Z06 is both stiffer and a bit wider than the Stingray and if you so choose you can select the Z07 package which reduces weight a bit more, adds more aggressive aero features, better brakes and tires. If you are contemplating the Z06, you absolutely must get the Z07 Package. Also optional, are a set of OEM Carbon wheels which weigh an incredible 41lbs less than the standard wheels. Yea, you have to do that too. The eightspeed dual-clutch transmission puts all the power down to the rear tires and thank goodness you have a ton of race ready rubber. Hold on to dear life and be prepared for a mechanical symphony that no other Corvette has ever sounded like... this is the Corvette to own. And yes, pick every option you can, this car is another instant collectible that will only go up in value.

By Dustin Troyan Photography by Chevrolet

drivenworld

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTOR

COPY EDITOR

DESIGN

CONTRIBUTORS

Dustin Troyan

Staff

Heather Troyan

Connected Media Group

Dustin Troyan

Greg Grudt

Mike Grudt

Mark Llewellyn

Gwen Banta

Tory Herald

Steve Valline

Steve Geldman

Tommy Huth

Hot Rod Jay Santos

Doug Cambell

Scott Martin

Steve Valline

Steve Geldman

Tommy Huth

Hot Rod Jay Santos

Ken Latka

Richard Morey

Richard Kratz

ADVERTISING / MARKETING

dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

(818) 516-5053

www.drivenworld.com

www.connectedmediagroup.com

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

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

Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.

www.supercarsunday.com On

Photo by Dustin Troyan

“Imagine the perfect drinking water found in nature, tumbling down rocky mountain streams and rivers, flowing through pristine subterranean aquifers, chilled, pure and delicious.”

ROD

Even if it did take you a full hour to get the last bolt off that alternator, the feeling of satisfaction knowing that you conquered it is what brings you back to doing it again and again. Working on cars can be easy or a horrid endless battle. Sometimes things go together quickly and easily, when other times it fights you right to the bloody end.

Growing up, I was fortunate that my dad taught me how to do a lot of home-improvement repairs. I was also lucky that I grew up living next door to Jim and Steve Wagoner. They were both instrumental for my skills and patience

I developed working on cars. I learned at a very young age how to step back and look at the big picture when troubleshooting car repairs.

My first car was a 1975 Opel Sport wagon. On this jewel of import eye candy, I cut my teeth on auto repair. I had this car when I attended High School. I’m sure if the cars interior could talk, it would have more stories to tell than what I could ever write for this magazine! It had a rear seat that conveniently lowered flat to make a perfect area for surfing gear and… you get the picture.

One particular adventure, I was heading back from the beach (yes, the same beach my best friend Dave had his Baja Bug stolen from) after a day of bodysurfing with my two friends Jeff and Dave. We were driving up through Topanga Canyon just before Fernwood Market. As we hit the slight grade, I noticed that the temperature gauge was starting to read pretty high. I mentioned it to my friends, but they just joked and told me to continue to drive. I told them “that it’s still getting hotter!” They just laughed and told me to “shut up and drive!” As we continued up the canyon, the temperature gauge was pegging red. I knew we had to pull over soon for fear of doing major engine damage.

As we slowly rolled into the gas station that used to be in the middle of Topanga Canyon, I could see white plumes of steam creeping from under the engine hood. I looked at Dave and Jeff, and with a sly smile said, ”I told you”. Sure enough after an inspection, the water pump was leaking coolant. I ended up having the car towed home and there it sat until I could assess the damage.

At that time, I was working at an art gallery doing custom picture framing. I was making only $3.35 an hour, which was the minimum wage. This was my first major repair that I had to deal with so I was a little apprehensive. There wasn’t the Internet to look for repair tips, or Youtube to watch someone actually doing the replacement. I didn’t have a repair manual to help me out, so I was on my own. Now I could have waited for Steve to get home, but I wanted to try to figure it out on my own. After a thorough inspection, I was happy to see that the water pump could be replaced rather easily... so I thought. I headed in the house and started calling auto parts store to find the pump. Back then; there were only a few local parts store. U Save Auto parts were the closest but they didn’t carry a lot of import parts. If they had to special order, then it could be weeks. Luckily, I found a store in Reseda that could get me the part in two days. Some of you might remember it, Beck and Arnley. Someone once said, “If you don’t try, you’ll never know”. Ok, I just made that up, but you get my point!

I knew I had at least two days to pull the old water pump off before the new one came in. For someone that had never replaced a water pump before, I was quite shocked at how many bolts hold them on. I was able to get to all of them, but there was one that was giving me a problem. A socket wouldn’t fit in the tight space so I tried an open-end box-end (combo wrench) on it. Once again the area was too tight. I could just get the tip of the open-end on it, but not all the way. I had no idea what to do, so feeling defeated I cleaned up and went in the house. I’m not sure how a lot of you are but when I’m faced with a problem, I have to figure it out to the point of obsession. That night I couldn’t sleep and continued to go over in my head of how I could remove that bolt. It seemed that if I had an open-end wrench that had a thinner blade, than I might be able to remove it.

The next day after school, I headed back to my car and opened the hood. I grabbed my toolbox and shuffled through the tools to see what I had hiding in there. I grabbed the open-end wrench again, looked at it for a while but unfortunately it was just too big. Once again I was defeated, but as I threw the wrench back in the toolbox I noticed something I hadn’t seen before or that I hadn’t paid attention to. It was a flat file. Hmmm, I thought for a moment and came up with an idea. I could file down one side of the wrench blade and then maybe, just maybe I could get it fully around the bolt head and remove it! For the next 15 minutes I sat on the sidewalk and filed that wrench blade down. I was careful not to remove too much material because if I did, I would surely snap the thin blade off when I try to remove the bolt. As fate would have it, my idea worked perfectly. The blade of the wrench slid nicely in the tight space right around the bolt head. After 10 minutes of fifty ¼ turns of the wrench, the bolt released and the water pump fell to the ground! VICTORY!

Now that I’m older, I look back at the “bolt incident” as somewhat of an awakening. I know if I would have waited for my friend Steve to get home from work, he most likely would of had an assortment of wrenches that I could have used. When we’re young we tend to want or do things immediately. I could have easily stripped that bolt head and had a “real” problem on my hands. But, by really thinking about the situation I was able to come up with a solution. I guess that old saying “You can’t strip a bolt head without a wrench” is true. Ok, I just made that up…

California Car Cover Simi Valley

ARTICLE and PHOTOS by Tony De Frank

After 30 years in the San Fernando Valley, California Car Cover relocated to its new home in Simi Valley, Ca in January. The new headquarters has some improved office space for our employees, plus some space for a showroom and our distribution center. We had been seriously looking for a new location in Simi Valley the past two years, so when the opportunity came up on Voyager Ave we jumped at it. Over seven weeks at the end of 2019 we gradually transitioned the operations of both our companies, California Car Cover and California Car Duster, to the Simi Valley community. It was a few weeks of around the clock work, so our staff is definitely glad to be settled into the new location now. Our team did an amazing job to sort, stack and pack 25 years of stuff we had accumulated on De Soto Ave.

We chose Simi Valley based on its proximity to the San Fernando Valley for our long time customers and employees. We didn’t want to venture too far from our SFV roots. The new location is just off the Tapo Canyon Blvd. exit, so it is a 15 minute drive from our last location. It was tough to say goodbye to the West San Fernando Valley, but we are excited about the opportunity in Simi Valley. Simi is a close knit community filled with plenty of classic car and muscle car enthusiasts.

Quite a few of our regulars have made the drive to our new location. Our new showroom is smaller that our Chatsworth location, but we have still outfitted the store and offices with the California Car Cover flair. In the hallways you will find some of our vintage gas pumps and nostalgia. The offices are decorated with some of the original trade show signs that we used to take to car shows in the early 1990s. One wall is dedicated to the history of our companies and the DeFrank family, so there are plenty of funny and unique photos on display here.

Our monthly cars and coffee events, the Saturday Socials, will start up again in April. We will start to work with the city in the coming weeks to coordinate an open house/car show to let the Simi Valley community know more about us. Details for all of our events can be found on calcarcover.com or our Facebook page.

The Lamborghini Urus Performante

When Lamborhgini entered the SUV market, many purists were upset. They thought the brand known for being hyper-exotic was lessening the exclusivity it is known for and entering into a more “normal” segment that Lamborghini has simply never been in. Lamborghini is... Lamborghini. The brand known for being over the top, hard edges, pushing to the extreme in every possible way...what were they thinking?

The Lamborghini Urus was an over the top success. In 2021, Automobili Lamborghini recorded its best sales results ever, with 8,405 cars delivered worldwide with the Urus leading the deliveries. We purists were wrong and once again, Lamborhgini forged forward and elevated a segment to a new stratosphere...enter the Urus Performante.

The Urus Performante is the most exclusive model in the Urus line-up. With a whopping 667 horsepower, a 0-62 MPH in 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 190mph, this is definitely a supercar...er, a super SUV. Also contributing to the Performante’s incredible speed is a 104-pound weight reduction, utilizing more carbon fiber in the body panels and the new titanium exhaust that raises the sound level and also reduces weight. It is a symphony of Lamborghini engineering and fury at full throttle. Once again, Lamborhgini has raised the bar. Well done.

From Lamborghini:

“The Urus Performante takes the supreme performance and distinctive looks of Lamborghini’s ground-breaking Super SUV to the next level, retaining its luxurious versatility and delivering the most engaging driving experience: not only on road but in every environment, distinguished through an alluring design that denotes new benchmarks for driving dynamism in what is already a remarkable car,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO. “The Urus set a new standard at its launch, taking Lamborghini’s design DNA and technological talent and delivering the world’s first Super SUV for a new era: the Urus Performante sets the bar even higher for the SUV segment.”

For more info: www.lamborghini.com

By Dustin Troyan

Photographed by Lamborghini

RoadStr App

Article & Photos by Stephen Kneubuehl

We’ve all been there. You just purchased your long-awaited car, the one you’ve been dreaming of for years, that one you’ve been saving towards, that you’ve aligned your personal goals towards acquiring. You head to the dealer, or the private seller, or the auction where you’ve purchased it, or maybe the garage where you’ve built it. You take the keys and the excitement builds in your chest as you open the car door and get in. You grasp the steering wheel, turn on the engine, and drive off into the sun. You push it hard, or for some of us, gently care for it and not dare leave a scratch.

It’s a moment and feeling you don’t want to let go of. You want to drive that passion forward, share it with friends, and find others who held a similar feeling. But after a few congratulations from friends and some photos shared on Instagram, where do you turn to next?

The RoadStr app was built to drive that same passion and level of excitement forward. It creates genuine connections in local communities, bringing new ways of interacting that aren’t available on other apps or platforms. Spontaneous meetups, events and groups discovery, and high-quality car content come together in one unique place, on a social networking platform built 100% for car enthusiasts with a beautiful and simple design. And best of all, it enables real connections between real people like you and me.

One of the most exciting features of the app, called RoadSharing, allows users to share their vehicle and location information in real-time on an integrated map. With a simple notification or a quick glance, users can see whether their friends, fellow group members, or the local RoadStr community are willing to meetup or are going for a drive nearby. Ad-hoc meetups can be created through a simple RoadSharing request process, and more participants can join on the fly.

Cruising local routes, meeting club members, or making new friends who share a common passion was never so easy. The map feature is further enhanced with nearby events taking

place in the upcoming days, and with quality local automotive businesses waiting to be discovered.

RoadStr raises the standard even further through its high-quality content generated by its users, groups, and businesses, all packaged in an easily discoverable manner through automatic suggestions tailored to your interests and favorite car brands. And it’s all encapsulated in a beautiful, simple, and familiar design. The idea for the app stemmed from the lack of a robust and comprehensive social platform focused on the auto enthusiast community. Currently as auto enthusiasts, we have to visit multiple websites, check out YouTube videos, join chats on various platforms, find events by word-ofmouth, and post on complicated forums often without any local emphasis, making it difficult and time-consuming to follow your favorite auto topics or to meet other enthusiasts. Generic platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer plenty of methods to share, but they lack the depth of features like

groups, events, and spontaneous meetups that bring us together as auto enthusiasts in the real world.

“The auto enthusiast community is a very social group”, said Alberto Moreno, Co-Founder and CEO of RoadStr. “The best moments often occur in person, when randomly spotting your favorite car on the street, at local auto shows, or getting a coffee with your local car club”

RoadStr is free and was just launched for iPhone and Android devices. You can download the app today and start driving your passion forward.

Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play: RoadStr – For Car Enthusiasts

Website: www.roadstr.io

Email: hello@roadstr.io

Instagram: @roadstr_app

The recently announced drop top from Maranello, comes in this spider edition of the F8 Tributo.

The F8 Spider is the replacement for the 488 spider, bringing with it several updates over the outgoing model. Starting with a 710hp / 568 lb-ft tq, 3.9l

The Ferrari F8 Spider

twin turbo V8, which uses a lighter crankshaft, connecting rods, flywheel, and lighter exhaust manifolds. The drivetrain comes in 40 pounds lighter than the one used by the 488. The retractable hardtop can take you from enclosed to open air in a mere 14 seconds,

all while the car is driving up to 28 mph. Joining the F8 Spider's electronic gadgetry is Ferrari's own Dynamic Enhancer + and the Side Slip Control system. The Dynamic Enhancer + uses brake vectoring to increase control through a corner, while the Side Slip Control system makes sure that you don't kill your -

self when pushing the F8 through its paces.

The Ferrari F8 Spider is set to go on sale sometime in the near future. I'd imagine that it'll be available just in time for summer 2020.

by Steve Ellis of Behind the Wheel

Photos by Ferrari

Cars and Coffee at Lavaggio

Cars and Coffee at Lavaggio was hosted by Dustin Troyan and sponsored by Lavaggio and it was an incredible success. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and the Lavaggio parking lot was filled with some truly amazing cars and awesome people. The variety of cars on display was on par with any car show or concours for that matter. From members of the Classic Chevy Club of Southern California and the Television Motion Picture Car Club in attendance, to car community members in some of the rarest and most exotic of cars…the Lavaggio parking lot was awe inspiring.

If you are a Porsche fan we had some of Porsche’s finest in attendance, including: a 959, 918, GT3RS and the brand new GT4RS. There was literally millions of dollars in just a handful of Porsches, not that anyone is paying attention to that. There were a wide variety of classic Chevys, Ferraris, Hot Rods, classic and modern BMWs, Ford Mustangs and many other makes and models.

Car enthusiasts came from all over Southern California to attend the inaugural Cars and Coffee of 2023 and there everybody who attended was so happy for the event season to be back in full swing. If you are a car enthusiast you know how wonderful these events are and the perfect excuse to see your friends and exercise your vehicle.

Another interesting note about the event was that we had such a wide variety of cars on display from the attendees. From classic Americana to the best that the European manufacturers have to offer and even classic 4x4s. There was something for everyone and as they say, variety is the spice of life.

If you wish to attend the next Cars and Coffee at Lavaggio, please email: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

By Dustin Troyan

Photography by Ken Latka - TMPCC.ORG

TipsFor Maintaining & Protecting Your Ferrari

From the Mattioli Automotive Group

DETAILING

In addition to keeping a car looking its best, consistent detailing is an important step in protecting a vehicle’s finish. Contaminants such as dirt, pollen, tree sap, and bird droppings can scratch and deteriorate painted surfaces if left over long periods. Given the value of a Ferrari, It is important to ensure that “best practices” are followed when performing a car wash; here are just a few from Mattioli Automotive Group’s (MAG) very own detailing specialists.

• Use the proper products: Ensure that the soap and other cleaning products being used have been formulated specifically for automotive use. Excessively strong chemicals and detergents will not only strip the wax off but can also dull the finish on paint and trim.

• All Towels are not equal: Microfiber towels offer low friction and can absorb more than seven times their weight in water, making them less abrasive and more effective than other towels. It is best to use a separate towel for each function (i.e..washing, drying, applying chemicals, etc). Also, towels should never be used if they are contaminated or have fallen on the ground; washing your towels often will help ensure that they are free of debris.

• Two bucket Technique: To help prevent the re-introduction of dirt and contaminants It is best to employ the “two bucket technique” when washing your car. One bucket should contain the diluted soap and a second bucket should have clean water. After each pass with the soap, rinse contaminants off of the sponge in the clean water before re-introducing into the soap solution again.

• Nooks and Crannies: Dirt and water can gather in the seams of the doors, trunk, and hood. It is important to clean and dry these areas thoroughly to prevent dripping onto clean surfaces.

• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Water evaporates quickly in direct sunlight which can result in watermarks.

Is your Ferrari in need of a thorough and professional cleaning?

Feel free to reach out to one of the MAG’s four service centers to schedule a complete detailing service.

PROTECTIVE FILM

Stones, road debris, chemical stains, and UV damage are all potential dangers when exposing your prized Ferrari to the road and the elements. But owners can save themselves from headaches and costly refinishing bills simply by installing protective film over their immaculate finish. This nearly invisible film can be applied just to the most vulnerable surfaces or the entire vehicle depending on your needs and driving habits.

Protect your Ferrari against road hazards and the harsh elements before it's too late. The Mattioli Automotive Group contracts several of the top protective film installers to perform the service in our facility and can guarantee timely turnaround and flawless results. To learn more about protective film options for your Ferrari, or to schedule an appointment please contact one of the MAG’s four service centers.

CERAMIC COATING

Ceramic Coating is another popular option for protecting paint and other vehicle finishes. When compared to protective film, it can be a more comprehensive and economical alternative. Ceramic coating is a special chemical compound that is applied to various vehicle finishes to form a permanent bond with the surface. The result is a 9H+ hard coating that repels water and offers protection from UV rays, chemicals, oxidation, and corrosion. It can be applied to paint for protection against light scratches, wheels to prevent the build-up of brake dust, and glass for increased visibility in wet weather.

The MAG contracts several of the top ceramic coating specialists to perform the service in our facility and we can guarantee timely turnaround and flawless results. To learn more about ceramic coating, or to schedule an appointment please contact one of the MAG’s four service centers.

Keep your Ferrari ready for your next drive.

The most common dangers for Ferrari owners are steep driveways and parking curbs. Even with the optional lifter, which is available on newer models, there are still some obstacles that are too big to maneuver over unscathed. To add protection against marring the underside of the front bumper, many owners elect to install a skid plate.

This sacrificial piece of durable plastic polymer is precision cut to fit precisely on to the underside of the front bumper. The result is a nearly invisible layer of protection against costly paint and autobody repairs.

To learn more about skid plates for your Ferrari, or to schedule an appointment please contact one of the MAG’s four service centers. Each MAG location stocks an extensive inventory of skid plates for various models and can complete the installation in a matter of hours.

The phrase “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” has never been more accurate than with regards to automotive batteries. When a battery is in a discharged state for an extended period of time the lead sulfate crystals inside the battery begin to increase in size. The bigger the crystals get, the harder they are to dissolve which ultimately blocks the chemical reaction that allows the battery to charge, and eventually leads to battery failure.

For this reason, Genuine Ferrari offers Battery Re-conditioners which are designed to maintain a battery’s charge and combat the growth of sulfate crystals. A Battery Re-conditioner should be utilized any time a vehicle is parked for long periods of time. This is especially vital for new vehicles which contain more electrical components that put a drain the battery.

For specific questions regarding the use of the Ferrari Battery Re-conditioners or to order one for your vehicle, feel free to reach out to one of Mattioli Automotive Group’s four service centers.

Over time, environmental factors and harsh chemicals can take a toll on the interior components of a mature Ferrari resulting in sticky buttons, controls, and trim pieces. The only remedies to this condition are to replace the deteriorated components or have them re-finished. Either way, the process is very involved. Thankfully, the Mattioli Automotive Group’s service centers are very experienced with this issue and can help advise owners of their options when restoring their interior to like-new condition. If your Ferrari is in need of interior trim restoration, we invite you to reach out to one of MAG’s four service centers to learn more or schedule a service appointment.

Mattioli

Ferrari South Bay Service 23305 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA 90505

(877) 887-9183

service@ferrarisouthbay.com

www.ferrarisouthbay.com

M - F 8:00am - 5:00pm

Ferrari Beverly Hills Service 2110 Cotner Avenue. Los Angeles, CA 90025

(888) 849-9726

service@ferraribeverlyhills.com

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BATTERY MAINTINENCE

"STICKY INTERIOR TRIM"

Rare Among the Rare

ARTICLE BY Sandy Bettelman

Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was a British manufacturing company in Coventry from 1919 to 1967. Alvis cars were a quality build equivalent to a Bentley. In addition to automobiles designed for the civilian market, the company also produced racing cars, aircraft engines, armored cars and other armored fighting vehicles. In 1968, a buyout of the car operations was finalized and all the Alvis car design plans, customer records, stock of parts and remaining employees were transferred to Red Triangle of England (still in existence today).

The Alvis TB 21 was a two seater open car (right-hand drive) based on the running gear of the TA 21 saloon and made only in 1952. Alvis contracted AP Metalcraft, a Coventry coachbuilder, to produce the TB 21 body to fit on the TA 21 chassis. Alvis, records show that 31 TB 21 Sports Tourers were produced. Only 8 are in the USA.

This Alvis TB 21 chassis #25133 (one of the 31 built) was conceived as a factory prototype in order to have a left-hand drive, 4-seater roadster for the American market in the lineup of Alvis Cars. The project was discontinued because of the high cost of production (making this car a one off). In 1952 this car was sold to the Alvis dealer in New Zealand. Since early 2000s, this one of a kind car was in Southern Germany. In 2017 this prototype car came to America, as was originally intended.

SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL

Manufacturer

Alvis Car and Engineering Co. Ltd.

Location

Coventry, England

Model/Year

TB 21 Sport Tourer 1952

Production 30 (RHD, 2-Seater)

Prototype 1 (LHD, 4-Seater)

US IMPORT 8

Original MSRP

21 £1,598 = $4500

DIMENSIONS

Automotive Touchup

e Simple DIY Solution for Paint Repair

No driver is immune to the perils of chips, nicks or scratches to their vehicle’s paint. Rocks y up from o the highway, other drivers open their car doors and hit the car beside them or teenagers drive their parents’ car without their permission only to bump something. e list goes on and on.

As we get out the Corvettes, BMWs, Porsches, Lamborghinis or other toys from storage, we may notice the chips, dings or scratches more than we did when we put them away. Few drivers want to slow down long enough to take their car to a professional body shop or spend top-dollar to x minor paint chips or scratches; they would rather be out enjoying their vehicle. Few aspects of car repair are simple, quick or convenient. Fixing the vehicle’s paint, however, can be all three with the use of AutomotiveTouchup paint. From paint pens and bottles to aerosol spray cans and ready-to-spray products in pints, quarts and gallons, AutomotiveTouchup is the go-to source for any type of paint repair. e best part? With a database of more than 60,000 OEM colors, including colors going back to the muscle car era, the company produces each paint product individually in their New Orleansbased facility. is process guarantees that each color is specially formulated for each customer, rather than an o -the-shelf, pre-mixed standard color.

AutomotiveTouchup’s easy to navigate website explains how to locate the paint code as well as how to order the paint. Just enter the vehicle’s year, make and model and every paint code for that speci c vehicle will appear on a list. Find the paint code printed inside your speci c car and match it to the code on the website. It’s that easy.

To make the process even easier, the company’s website is designed as a one-stop-shop with a range of related products and supplies speci cally designed to use with the paint in order to x any paint problem. Simply add the nitrile gloves, sandpaper, sanding block, prep solvent, rubbing compound, protective eyewear, dust masks or any other equipment needed to x the particular paint problem to the online cart. Feel safe knowing that the color match will be precise and the repair can be performed at a fraction of the cost at the driver’s convenience. Everything arrives in one box, eliminating the need to make numerous trips to the auto parts store.

“We’ve had customers tell us that professional body shops wanted to charge them anywhere from $500 or more for basic paint repairs, but then they found our products and spent less than $100. At AutomotiveTouchup, our goal is to provide paint that blends seamlessly into the original paint while removing the hassle by making it convenient to do it yourself,” said AutomotiveTouchup General Manager Paul Fernandez. “We’re dedicated to making the process easy, so we have instructional videos on our website, and we make ourselves available to our customers should they have any questions.”

e company recommends using the products in a well-ventilated area within the temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Test the paint color on the enclosed test card prior to applying to the vehicle. Use prep solvent to remove wax or debris from the repair area and let it dry before applying the sandable primer to the vehicle. Some repairs will need to have the primer sanded down and reapplied, but most small xes do not require any sanding. Once the primer has dried, the paint color can be applied. Customers should make sure each layer is dry before adding another layer. Once the paint is dry, use glossy clear coat to achieve a good match and protect the base coat. Paint bottles and pens are best suited for the small nicks and chips, and the project can be completed in just a few hours. Aerosol spray cans work best on scratches or medium size projects such as mirrors or bumpers. e ready-to-spray applications can repair larger areas such as full body panels and are also great for complete restorations. Spray guns are required for ready-tospray applications and can be purchased directly through the website.

AutomotiveTouchup paint has also been successfully used to paint engine covers, matching brake calipers, model cars, bicycles and many other applications. Take the time in advance to x any paint issues so the vehicle is ready to drive on the next beautiful day lled with sunshine or to the next Super Car Sunday Show. For more information call 1.888.710.5192 or visit www.automotivetouchup.com/ or www.micro nish.com. Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/automotivetouchup Twitter: @atu_micro nish or Instagram: @ automotivetouchup.

A Knights Tale

A person's character is not defined by what they take, but by what they can give. As I stated in my last article, everybody has a story. This is one of them…11 years ago, a very meticulous man named Bob Knight was searching for a rust free 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The 57 is one of the most sought after of the Tri Five Chevy’s. Often referred to as “The Dream Car”, car enthusiasts can search for decades just to find the right one. Fortunately, after only one

decade of looking, Bob found just what he was after. Having one when he was 18, he’s definitely no stranger to them. His dream was to recreate the car used to drag race back in the day at Famoso Drag strip in Bakersfield where he was well known as “The Hawk”. For his 12th grade graduation, his dad gave him a 57 as a gift. His dad made him promise that if he did give him one, that after he graduated, he wouldn’t just take it and leave town. Well, needless

Article by Hot Rod Jay Santos

Photos by Hot Rod Jay Santos Instagram: 30_Rat

was he where dad one, needless

to say, Bob did exactly what his dad was hoping he wouldn’t do. In 1958, immediately after graduation, he left Austin Texas and moved to California. To say that Bob was a talented man would be a complete understatement. From playing football, weight lifting, being a gym trainer to working at Rockwell as an engineer, he somehow found time to develop multiple items that we still use today. As an engineer, not only did he invent parts

for multiple space shuttles, he also invented the tools to make the parts! Who does this? I’ll tell you who does this, The Hawk! Since Bob was into cars, it was a no brainer that he would start to develop parts for his dragster. On one particular day, he was trying to get into his dragster and discovered that because of his consistent joy of eating he gained some weight. After many attempts to slide into the driver’s seat, his frustration grew into curiosity. He realized that the steering wheel was too close to his stomach. “Did the steering wheel get larger, or was it just me?” Frustrated, he decided to invent what we now know as the “dragster” steering wheel. His original cardboard template turned into one made of magnesium and walnut grips in a pyramid shape. At the drag strip, the steering wheel became so popular, that he applied for a patent. Since then, he‘s sold over 600 of them all custom made. His most notable user was the Smirnoff Top Fuel Alcohol Dragster. Being a hobby bicyclist, he also developed many lightweight aluminum parts for the bikes he owned. Some of them were developed specifically for The U.S. Olympic Bicycle racing team. They tested his parts on the team’s bikes at the infamous Balboa bike-racing track. Now that I’ve given you a picture of Bob, lets get back to the 57 shall we? Once Bob found the car, he knew it would take a lot of work to get it to where it needed to be. Luckily, with all his knowledge and skills he developed as an engineer, he was able to fabricate a lot of the parts that he used on it. He spent countless hours working on it, but unfortunately in 2017 he passed away.

Now fate has a funny way of working out. Bobs family knew of the car but had no idea where all the paperwork was or the keys for it. Enter Bob’s good friend John. He had the box that contained everything about the car build, paperwork and keys. After some time trying to get a hold of Bob’s family members, John was able to get a hold of Bob’s son Brett. He gave Brett the box that contained everything about the car, and as Brett puts it, “This is what lit the fire!”

And now the story begins:

On one particular morning, I was with my good friend Barry “The Hat" Buchanan taking photos of a car we just finished building. It was a beautiful custom early 50's Chevy convertible that we called “The Gray Bomber”. I brought along my hot rod “The 30 Rat" for some background eye candy and we parked them near the Panavision building in Warner Center. As usual, a lot of the cars that were passing by either honked or slowed down to look at our hot rods. We were about 10 minutes in when all of a sudden this truck pulls up and parks by us. This guy gets out and starts talking to us about how cool the cars are. He introduces himself and tells us his name. “I’m Brett Knight but my friends call me Tigger, like the tiger in Winnie the Pooh!” Barry and I look at each other with a smile and say “ok”. We introduced ourselves and started talking about our cars. He then proceeds to tell us about his dad's 57 Chevy that he's just starting to rebuild. He asks us if we know where to find parts for it as well as a shop that could put it all together. He explains to us he’s already spent a large amount of money and how expensive it is to get it back together. Barry and I look at each other and without saying a single word we just smile. Muscle cars and hot rods are expensive to own and build. Not only that, we’ve just met this guy and he's telling us about this incredible build that he's taken on. How many times have all of us listened to someone you don't even know, tell you about this awesome car that they have and

you never ever see it? We’ve all been there, but there’s something about Tigger that I find interesting. He’s extremely intense to put it mildly, but his passion about his “Phantom” car is undeniable. We tell him about Supercar Sunday and that he should go and check it out. He says he will and before he gets into his truck and drives away, he notices that our cars have a “Rock n’ Roll Hot Rods” car club plaque mounted on them. He asks us about the plaques

and we tell him about the car club that were in. He announces proudly, “When I finish my Chevy, I want to be a member! Barry and I look at each other and both say, “ok!”

Since that first day we met him, Tigger started attending Supercar Sunday regularly. As we all know, the car community is a tight knit group and everybody pretty much knows everybody. Sure enough, Tigger would run into his dad's old friends at Supercar Sunday! Each time we would

see and talk to him, he would update us on what’s been done to the Chevy. On some occasions he would even bring a custom part to show us and tell us of all the research he had been doing on the paint or a specific engine part. As we got to know him better and better, we realized that Tigger is a cool guy, and he really is rebuilding his Dad's old Chevy!

With all his plans set, Tigger entrusted George of “G’s Collision and Restoration in Chatsworth with the complete build. A 383 Stroker mated to a Tremec 5 speed transmission powers the 57. Everything was powdercoated black to show off the incredible purple finish. It took 6 months to get the color just right. Custom parts and finishing are everywhere on the car. Every time you see it, something else pops out at you. With its wicked rear stance, you know that this 57

Chevy gasser is all business.

When Tigger first drove it to Supercar Sunday, everyone was flabbergasted. It was incredibly beautiful and the crowd around it was endless. Beaming and glowing like a kid with his first ice cream, Tigger finalized his dad’s dream of finishing the car. It was awesome! Of course I held up my promise and welcomed Tigger into Rock n’ Roll Hot Rods car club with a plaque and t-shirt. Well done Tigger, well done.

Now you would think that it’s a happy ending and I would love to end it here. Everyone hold on to your seats! Let me tell you what happened 2 months after the completion of the 57.

Tigger was hit by a guy making a u-turn on Mulholland. He was driving to a meeting for work to show off “The Hawk”. As he was cruising in the early morning a guy pulled out right in front of him trying to make a u turn. The front passenger side was destroyed and Brett sustained massive injuries such as a broken collarbone, chipped hip-bone, bulged disc and a shattered wrist. I remember seeing him for the first time after the accident. He had been a no show at

Supercar Sunday for months. It was devastating listening to him describe what had happened and hearing about his injuries. But even though he was hurting emotionally and physically, he vowed to rebuild “The Hawk”. Fortunately, the damage was isolated to the right front body as well as the frame. Presently, he’s in the process of working out the details to rebuild the damaged 57. To keep himself busy while he’s recovering and waiting for all the insurance money, he went out and bought another muscle car. It’s a beau-

tiful 1970 SS Chevy Chevelle with countless custom parts. I’m sure all of you that attend Supercar Sunday have seen and admired it.

As I stated earlier in the article, “everybody has a story”. Some people even have more than one story. Bob Knights story didn’t end when Tigger was involved in the accident; it’s just now beginning a new chapter with Tigger.

Life as Art

Living well is indeed an art. This is just one example of many luxury properties available in the Los Angeles area. Named an LA Times "Hot Property,” this residence offers the charm and history of an English manor house.

Nestled on over an acre of tree-studded grounds in prime Encino Hills,

this stately four bedroom home with optional bonus bedroom exudes architectural drama. Original features include outstanding craftsmanship with rich wood accents, intricate carving, vast fireplaces, towering ceilings, and stunning leaded glass windows. The home also boasts an exquisite mural-accented dining room, two studies, a spacious master with

huge dressing room and dual baths, tennis court, pool with spa, and serene views of the lush surroundings.

Grand homes call to mind lavish parties and holiday celebrations. The home highlighted today is asking $3,299,000; but luxury comes in all sizes and all price ranges. Luxury is an approach to life - a sense of de-

sign that satisfies one's soul, whether living in an apartment, a small condo or on a rambling estate. If you would like to preview any of the large and varied selection of Los Angeles homes of distinction, we invite you to treat yourself by joining us on one of our fabulous home tours. Experience the art of living well!

Panterapalooza DeTomaso

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JAMES STANLEY

May 6th, 2018 was the date that all Southwestern Pantera owners will remember for years. It was the date of the annual Panterapalooza gathering in Irvine, CA. More than two dozen incredibly rare DeTomaso Panteras and other DeTomaso models were on display for all to see. Car after car made its way up onto the park lawn and were carefully positioned to create a fantastic display. The owners and spectators alike crowded each vehicle as its made its way to its show spot to see it up close. There were several Panteras that were modified wildly, and others that were closer to stock that were still just as beautiful. Some were ready for a Concours event, and others looked like unrestored daily drivers, but all were incredibly impressive. It was really amazing to see the variations of these cars and how different they all looked from each other. Perhaps I should start saving my pennies now!