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FROM THE EDITOR A
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L E T T E R
B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N
h that Camaro. My first Camaro I bought to restore. I use that term loosely, restore. I have no business restoring a car, but, most people don’t. It is one of those things you start and then you wonder why the hell you are doing it. The time, money, energy, good grief ! But, something inside of you compels you do it. I think I have had that car fourteen years. It was running, if you could call it that when I got it. Then a blown motor. So I did an engine swap, a supercharger and bam, it was fast. A freshly used GM drivetrain and with that blower on top, I would say it was about 600 horsepower. The car was totally gutted other than seats, gauges and a cage. That car moved. Sadly, that car has not run for about four years. A combination of promises not kept from a body shop, frustration, time and money. Sometimes you feel like you are rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Sure, I have a few other cars and decided to focus on my wife’s Fastback, but that car has been sitting too long. The engine and trans is in, I need to buy some parts, run a bunch of wiring, fuel lines, redo all the brake components...all sorts of small stuff that just adds up in the time and money department. The car sits in the garage and has become somewhat of a shelf for all sorts of other parts for other cars, surfboards, etc. A very expensive shelf. Upside-down. That would be a good word for it. That car, I am totally underwater in. Over the years, the time and money spent, had I had all that cash at once, I could be driving a very nice Camaro today that someone else had done. Of course, I would not had have all the experience I have from working on it. I have really come a long way when it comes to turning wrenches. Many times I surprise myself, with the knowledge I have accumulated over the years. That Camaro. I believe I have written about it before. It is kind of an open wound. Every-time I open the garage, it just kills me. Part of me would love to sell it. Man, I would loose a lot. By the time I am done with it...good grief I can’t image how much money I will have into it! And, when will that ever be. To cut the cord now and sell it, part of me would feel like a failure and the other part would be relieved. Somebody would get a great platform to finish a really cool car. But, man, it would kill me to sell it. Feeling like a failure for not finishing something like that. If you took the emotion out of it and looked at it from a practical sense, it would probably be smarter to sell it. I know I would never get my money out of it... Interestingly, I heard about a 64 Chevelle Convertible that a guy has had for years. It was a project, further along than my Camaro. There was a lot there and a lot missing. The guy has had the car since high school and like me, he has a ton of money in a car that hasn’t moved in a very long time. A friend showed the car to me and I thought...well, if I could get it for a good price, why not? I called him and he thought the car was worth way more than I did. It is worth what he is asking for, if you throw the emotion in, but, when I buy cars, there is no emotion. So, we were way apart. We were both right about the value, he thinks a lot, I think not as much as he thinks. He said he would finish it, which is probably for the best. Then there is the part of me that would just love to pull the engine and transmission and take the body to the desert and shoot it till there was nothing left. That is the frustration part. I am sure some of you with ongoing projects know exactly what I am talking about. You are just over it. Some of you can let go, others cannot. You sell, others keep. I don’t know which is right. I guess whatever works best for you. But, part of me does not want to look back and think, I quit and I gave up. I don’t come from a family that quits, we are quite stubborn. And of course, my daughters. If I threw in the towel, what would I say to my kids? Or my wife. Or my friends that helped me work on the car. I know that they would totally understand. Many might say I did the right thing, others....I am a quitter. But, I never want to be a weak illustration to my kids. What to do? That Camaro. I had high hopes for it, now I just want to start it. Primered and all. No interior. And as I type this and think about it, I just think about how much more work that car needs. Work that I have already done, maybe more than once. How much time I have wasted if you chose to look at it in those terms. Having to buy the same parts over again. Such a waste of hard earned money. And now with kids, the priority is my children, my family. Would I be wise to just get rid of it and turn the car into a college fund or some other type of investment? I still have a few other old cars, so would one less really matter? Or, sell it and buy something done. And the kids and family can enjoy that car. Or sell it and
turn it into a trip to somewhere exotic. Education and traveling versus a bunch of metal and bolts which haven’t provided any fun or entertainment in half a decade I could really talk myself into it. And oddly, as I write this, I feel a sort of dread and stress coming over myself. It is quite sad that a car which brought so much to my life feels like a weight on my shoulders that I try to ignore. This isn’t a sob story nor do I want you to feel sorry for me, this is a letter from the editor that for days, I have had writer’s block. This is simply coming out. I think because it is spring time. Or that I helped with a car show at Rusnak Porsche a few days ago, and I do not have a fast, sporty car. It would have been fun to have a 700hp 1968 Camaro there with the hood up and those shiny big 14in Wilwood brakes. But, the car is just sitting as it has sat. One giant boat anchor. If I told my wife I was thinking of selling it, it would make her sad. I know what she would say...that I worked so hard for that car, sacrificed so much. That I learned so much from that car, that we have so many fond memories in it. That it will get done in time and I always finish what I start. And I would agree with her, but...one less thing. One less thing to worry about, to take up space. One less thing that takes up my time and money that should be directed to my children. Or for our retirement. What would a smart guy do? I could sell another car and put that money into it. Finish it off. That I could do. But, I know myself, if I sold another car, I would put some money away for the kids and then use the remainder for expenses. So, that really doesn’t matter. It is amazing the mixed emotions I have about this car. Writing this, I feel so many different things. It is amazing to me that an inanimate object can do that. I am not really attached anything I own. I care more about people than stuff, but this car, man...this car. It really gets to me. I told my wife the other day I was going to put a car into storage so I can start getting the Camaro back together and then I thought. Why? It needs so much and...I ALREADY DID ALL THAT DAMN WORK! I really don’t feel like digging through parts to find the right screws and bolts or nuts and to see the surface rust that is probably starting to creep back onto the body after it was blasted, body off. To smell all those “dirty body shop” smells that come with a car that has sat for years and parts stuck in boxes, primer dust from sanding getting into my eyes. Why even bother. But, then the other side of my brain kicks in and tells me I cannot let the car beat me. I will get it done, it is just time. I just need more time. But then again, to just get rid of it. I am sure that many of you have been where I am. Some of you saw the project through, others did not. I know the sense of completion must have been amazing. Or, the sense of relief and sorrow. At the end of the day, does it matter? When I am on my death bed, would I even care if I finished that car? If I did, would it become a family heirloom or something my kids sell at the first chance they get for some electric car with no soul? Does it matter? At the end of the day, does it matter? You can probably feel my frustration. All my fault. I will own up to it. Always go with your gut folks, which is the best advice I can give you. Had I gone with my gut...I would be driving the car today. But, the idea of a shortcut, the promise from someone who should not have promised, and trust that I knew better than to trust. And for one reason, a short cut. For going against my gut, I have paid the price and then some. A tough lesson in certain ways, an exercise in frustration for sure. A car that I love and hate at exactly the same time. That I would love to take to a crusher and bid my farewells, a car I long to drive. A motor that has been dormant for years, just begging to be brought back to life. It’s just time and money right...as I shake my head. That car. Man to just wash my hands of it. To see it become someone else’s challenge, problem, dream all at the same time. What a sense of relief. A weight off my shoulders. Bon Voyage. But. Dammit. But, I can’t. I can’t sell it. Because then, I would have quit, it would have beaten me, I would have given up. And God help me, I am not a quitter. And this country wasn’t made great by quitting. So, my dear Camaro, I ain’t done with you yet. You might not have run for four or five years, you may not have parts, interior, paint, fuels system, fuel lines, wiring, tires, and so many small little things that need to be done, but, I’ll get to you. I’ll get you done. You will be light, you will be fast and those other cars will not know what hit them when I hit the gas. Endeavor to persevere. 5
CONTENTS
drivenworld ISSUE 85, MAY 2017
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dustin Troyan ART DIRECTOR James R. Stanley Jr. COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan DESIGN Connected Media Group STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Mike Grudt Mark Llewellyn Gwen Banta Tory Herald Jay Santos Ted Lighthizer Scott Martin
Page 8 ALFA ROMEO At the Petersen Page 10 PORSCHE BOXTER Review Page 14 BORLA To the Rescue!
PHOTOGRAPHY Ted Lighthizer Dustin Troyan Denise Farrar Garey Martin David Rosenthal Scott Martin Tony DeFrank Jason Gelinas
Page 17 SPRINGFEST Car Show
ADVERTISING / MARKETING
Page 19 CONCORSO Ferrari
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Page 21 CENTERFOLD MAGStang Page 23 Q&A MAGStang Page 29 STILL SAVING LIVES Car Show Page 32 HOTROD JAY Never Forget Page 33 EURO 2017 Page 34 CAR CULTURE Fill ‘Er Up Page 36 SOTHEBYS Water Page 37 LBGP Long Beach Grand Prix
dustin@connectedmediagroup.com www.drivenworld.com
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Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to highnet-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large. All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein. Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.
On the Cover: Rolling shot of the MAGStang
Story and photos by Scott Martin
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uto Gallery Alfa Romeo drive at the Petersen Automotive Museum The Petersen Automotive Museum was a fitting backdrop to unveil the new Alfa Romeo Giulia. Known for an amazingly eclectic collection of vehicles but with a keen focus on the design of everything motorized, the classically sculpted Giulia fit right in. The event took place on the ground floor level of the garage near the museum entrance, plus there was
DJ entertainment, non-alcoholic specialty drinks and food presented by the on-site Drago Ristorante in the roof-top Penthouse area. Nice custom touches included pastries with full-color Alfa Romeo emblem and cappuccino’s with the Alfa logo in cocoa. Hosted by The Auto Gallery Alfa Romeo of Van Nuys and Santa Monica, the event allowed museum members and the public some of the first test drives of the new 4-door performance sedan. The Giulia comes in 3 configurations: Standard base model,
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Ti and Quadrifoglio. The base Giulia and Ti are both powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder with 280 horsepower. Quadrifoglio has a racing tradition going back to 1923 when the green cloverleaf on white background was introduced, and is currently the mark of the highest trim and performance level in each vehicle line. The displayed black Giulia Quadrifoglio was not available to drive, but the TI model was exciting in its performance. Limited by the small residential streets around the Petersen, it wasn’t easy to stretch
the car to its limits, but you could feel enough of the basics to get a good understanding of the car’s drivability. Very light on its feet but with a pretty good solid feel from the front end, the 306 ft lb of torque was definitely adequate to get it off the line quickly and the 280 horsepower 2.0 Liter 2 I4 Intercooled Turbo Engine was more than enough to keep her going when we had the chance to open it up a little on a main boulevard. Cornering was quick and agile with a little slide at higher speeds. Paddle shifters were spot-on and made the
driving experience even sportier. The new all-aluminum Alfa Link suspension seemed to allow a pretty good command of the road, even at higher speeds. The double wishbone front end system does what it says in keeping the wheels perfectly perpendicular to the road even in the tightest corners. Exclusive Alfa Romeo semi-virtual steering axis contributed to excellent overall control. To complete the picture, the Giulia Ti is equipped with an Alfa Link rear suspension design that definitely seemed to smooth out the most un-
even road surface we could find. The interior of the car was simple but very satisfying. The sporty seats in the Ti really felt like they were holding you stable from all directions but were also very comfortable. The 8.8inch color widescreen display featured a full set of driver-oriented options including radio, Bluetooth and steering wheel control… all within easy reach. Alfa Romeo has been back in America since the introduction of the limited-run 8C Competizione in 2007 but had been absent since
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1995. The debut of the 4C sports car in 2013 and now the Giulia sedan in 2017 are considered the opening shots to re-establish Alfa Romeo in the U.S. marketplace. The re-structured CFA (Chrysler Fiat Automobiles) is poised to widen the brand range with the debut of a new SUV later this year that will compete with the Jaguar F-Pace, BMW X3 and Porsche Macan. The Stelvio will arrive soon with the Base, Ti and Quadrifoglio trim levels. When travelling through Europe and especially Italy, a good percent-
age of vehicles you see are Alfa Romeo’s. With worldwide CEO Sergio Marchionnes’ marketing directives, the brand should begin seeing the same success as Fiat’s resurgence in the U.S. marketplace. Scott Martin is a frequent contributor to and long-time supporter of Driven World Magazine and Supercar Sunday. You can find Scott’s photos and articles at facebook.com/ sroscott and on Instagram and Twitter: @carshowaholic
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hen the team at Rusnak Porsche Westlake called me to “experience” the new Porsche Boxster S, I was hugely excited. A departure from the traditional flat-six engine that Porsche enthusiasts have grown to cherish, I really wanted to see what the new 4 cylinder-turbocharged motor would do. When Ron Giger handed me the keys he had a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles where you know that he knows something that you don’t. I have driven a lot of cars over the years, it is always fun, and usually you know what you are getting into. This time, a brand new platform from one of the most iconic brands...I had no idea what to expect. First and foremost, sitting in the driver’s seat, the Boxster is just dialed. Everything is where it should be and everything in the cabin references you to the do one thing, drive. The fit and finish is all about Porsche quality. The sound of the doors shutting, the glove box, the door handle sound, every aspect of this car has been examined and optimized to provide the very best experience. Porsche spends millions on sound. The sound of every movement the car makes, has been scientifically analyzed to be pleasing to the ear and
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to enhance the driving experience. Even the way the seat belts retract. Every sound. Amazing. Starting the Boxster S up, you hear the gurgle of the new engine. Fourcylinders and a turbo, how is this car going to perform? On paper, the smaller displacement motor offers more power and more torque. The 2.5L four-cylinder offers an astounding 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. Weighing in at just under 3,000 pounds, the Boxster S is a go-kart! The new engine screams, gurgles, yells, revs and feels more like a club racer than a daily drive or weekend car. Zero-to-sixty in under four seconds. Good grief ! This Boxster S is a wolf in sheeps clothing. A top speed of over 170mph, this Porsche gets you where you need to go and does it in an astoundingly efficient and comfortable way. Driving it on Mulholland Highway, the top down, air conditioning on and in “Sport Plus” setting, the engine sound and exhaust note is music to the ears. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode is awesome. It revs high, blips the throttle and keeps you in the power. Point it and it goes. The Boxster S loves to turn and it turns well. I would suggest that the Boxster S, driven by a highly competent driver, well, I do not think there is much that
could keep up with it. It is light, nimble and fast. Real fast. Porsche knows how to balance a car. What a better daily driver and weekend racer. Whether you are heading out to the track or a spirited drive, the Boxster S is the best of all worlds. On a hot day, with the top down, air conditioning on, music blasting, you are in your own world. Brings me back to my youth, not a care in the world driving the canyons to the beach. But, all these years later I am in a highly sophisticated machine that offers so much excitement that it does indeed make me feel like a kid again. A sophisticated kid wrapped in speed and luxury. The little brother to the 911, the Boxster S is to me is more of a 911. The performance the car offers it truly incredible. I was not ready for it. Truth be told, I hadn’t driven a Boxster in a few years. But, this drive I will remember. I was truly flabbergasted by the technology both in the drivetrain and in the supporting systems. As you expect from Porsche, all is as it should be. The new turbo motor, it is clearly the future and the future is fast. Should you buy the car? This car offers...A LOT! The comfort and reli-
ability of Porsche, off the charts performance, darn good fuel mileage (EPA city/highway driving: 22-24/31-35 mpg) and a fun factor that is a ten out of a ten. It is comfortable and luxurious while maintaining the “race car” feel. It is a sports car, true to form, but it is also a safe and comfortable vehicle that your wife will also enjoy. It may not be as extravagant as other sports cars in the category, but, if you are looking at the Boxster S, you probably are not looking for bling and flash. You are looking at form and function. The Boxster S is a tremendous value that checks off everything you are looking at in both a daily driver and a weekend racer. I would suggest visiting the team at Rusnak Porsche in Westlake and ask for Ron Giger and General Manager Keith Goldberg, tell them you want to take the new Boxster S for a test drive, it is worth it. You may leave with new Porsche! For more info: www.porschewestlake.com
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friend texted me and in the text he stated that I had to “buy” this truck. He said he was going to send pictures. I immediately responded that I was not interested. Then he sent the picture. The truck is a 1977 F250 4x4 with a big block 460 and an automatic trans. The truck was big, clean, a hot rod of sorts. It was stunning. Red and shiny. My wife grew up in Oregon, in the woods. Cool trucks in Oregon are a staple. When I showed her the picture of the truck, she got a big smile. I knew I was going to work my best negotiating skills and see if I could get my hands on it. As the story unfolds, I was able to get it at a good price. It was not running, it needed a few things. A new fuel pump, some fuel lines, a battery. I won’t go into how my hair was singed trying to start it. But, we got it started and we love the truck! You may have seen it at Supercar Sunday. After driving it for a few months the truck started to make some odd sounds. Ends up that one of the mufflers totally blew apart. I mean totally. Whether it was made cheaply or corroded or both, the muffler effectively died. The metal inside the muffler would rattle so badly when the truck was running. Imagine the worst exhaust leak you have ever heard and symbols crashing. The truck looked awesome and sounded horrible. I needed some new mufflers. Seeing how the mufflers on the truck basically disintegrated, I was not looking to replace them with the same ones. I had always chosen this brand of mufflers for my cars. But now, I was questioning the quality. Trying to figure out what brand to go with, it dawned on me that many of my friends, car builders and racers I know speak very highly of Borla Mufflers. So, I figured I would contact Borla, headquartered in Oxnard and inquire about their mufflers. Doing the car thing as long as I had, I was acquainted with a few of the Borla team members. When David Borla heard that I wanted to learn more about the brand, he invited me up for a tour and a “lesson” on mufflers. I was in. The older I get, the more I want to know. Also, the harder I work, the more I want to spend my money on quality. I headed up to Borla and they took a look at the truck. They explained that their mufflers are a different design and that the materials are the best. We did a side by side comparison of the mufflers on my truck and the Borla Mufflers. The mufflers that came with the truck were thin walled and the ma-
terial seemed cheap. In comparison, the Borla Mufflers and exhaust systems are made from austenitic stainless steel (superior to 409 or aluminized steel). The stainless steel looks, feels and performs well. The Borla mufflers utilize a straight-through design; They do not use chambers or baffles that slow down the flow of exhaust. Borla is also noted to have the least amount of “drone” of any muffler manufacturer in the market. The Borla team also educated me on their extensive use of technology and research and development. They are known for quality and innovation in their segment. They have their headquarters in Oxnard and production is done in Tennessee. Borla began three decades ago as a manufacturer of exhaust systems for such “concours classics” as Rolls-Royce and Ferrari cars and have evolved into the premier manufacturer of today’s performance vehicles for the street, off-road, and racing. I had no idea that Borla Industries was as big of an organization as it is or has been in the industry as long as they had. I had never really given much thought to mufflers or exhaust systems. When I was a kid everyone went with “brand x” because everyone went with “brand x.” My visit to Borla was a huge awakening to the technology that goes into exhaust and muffler systems as well as the difference in the quality of brands. While I was at Borla we decided to put their mufflers on the big F250. I had no idea what to expect. The Borla Team had the exhaust on in no time. When we fired it up, the truck sounded....INCREDIBLE. The Borla mufflers utilize a straight-through design and the exhaust note is clean. You hear more of the camshaft and less of the useless drone that on this truck, was giving me a headache on the highway. We revved the truck up and the exhaust seemed to breathe easier and again, the truck sounded awesome. The real test would be driving back to the San Fernando Valley and going up the Camarillo grade. Driving home on the highway, I could actually enjoy the drive. The drone was gone. GONE! I no longer felt like I was losing my hearing and could actually enjoy the drive and the stereo system. But, when you put your foot into it, the truck screams, all motor. The improvement that the Borla mufflers made was huge. I was sold on the brand, the quality, the Borla team and the dedication to what they do. They take it their job seriously and it shows! Thank you Borla Team for the awesome education, the tour and the experience. When I need exhaust systems or mufflers, Borla is where I am going! For more info: www.borla.com
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T
he 10th annual Spring Festival on April 15 was a huge success. The event was located at Shadow Ranch Park and thousands of families attended. The event, produced by the West Hills Neighborhood Council in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and Shadow Ranch Recreation Center. The event featured: Easter egg hunts for the kids, entertainment, and gourmet food trucks, vendors, LAPD Senior Lead Officers, a petting zoo, a climbing wall and a car show! The first ever car show was organized and presented by Coastline Motorsport in Woodland Hills. Jesse Kline, of Coastline Motorsport spearheaded the event with his amazing team and family. Coastline Motorsport is known for supporting the community and sponsoring great community events like Supercar Sunday, Motor4Toys and the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival Car Show. Jesse recently became a board member of the Topanga Area Police Foundation, which supports LAPD Topanga Division officers. Jesse and his team did an incredible job organizing, promoting and executing a phenomenal car show. The show was judged and trophies were given for different categories. Just under one hundred cars were on display. Judges included: Jeff Littman of Century Tow, Josh Villepigue of Coastline Motorsport and Dustin Troyan (that fellow who wears that bright orange hat). A very special THANK YOU to Vista Ford of Woodland Hills for being the Dealership Sponsor and bringing out so many amazing new models and your awesome staff ! The big winner for Best of Show and Best paint was George Yick with his red 57 Bel Air. George is a local Woodland Hills resident and he and his son Doug (D-to the Fresh as he is known to his friends) have been hot rodding for years. It just so happens that Doug polished the car for his dad a few days before...looks like Doug did a great job! Congrats to the Yick Family. Present were many car clubs including the Classic Chevy Club of SoCal, The Michael Axon Collection, Camaro Clubs, Meyers Buggy club and more. The show offered pre-war cars to current exotic cars like the Lamborghini Aventador SV. The show was about community supporting community and it was a HUGE success. We are hoping it will be a tradition as the show was so well received! Great job to the Neighborhood Council, Shadow Ranch, Parks and Recreation and Coastline Motorsport, JOB WELL DONE!
Story by Dustin Troyan photos by Ted LIghthizer
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O
ver 140 vintage and contemporary Ferrari’s filled Colorado Blvd. from Pasadena Ave to Raymond Ave for the 10th Annual Concorso Ferrari on Sunday April 23, 2017. Complementing the cars on display was a vast array of sponsors and partners displaying exceptional sports and luxury cars, offering quality accessories & fine apparel and introducing various automotive related services. A unique plus for this family friendly event, all the local gourmet restaurants along Colorado Blvd. opened to serve the many Concorso attendees. The Ferrari Club of America (FCA) Southwest Region was established in 1994 boasting over 600 members throughout Southern California and Hawaii. FCA Southwest Region is one of 16 FCA chapters throughout North America and has a full year round calendar of events. The Concorso Ferrari is hosted by the Ferrari Club of America Southwest Region and draws over 6,000 owners, enthusiasts and spectators each year as the club’s signature event. To learn more or join this outstanding car club visit www. fca-sw.org 18
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Q&A : Michael, when you came to Supercar Sunday you had a crowd around your car for the entire three hours, it was a huge hit, tell us about your car..... “Thank you for putting on such an excellent event. Luckily, when I arrived there was still space next to the rows of incredible Mustangs. The reason our car draws such attention is because at first glance people recognize something familiar, but on closer inspection they realize this is a completely unique approach to a
classic car. The car is a ‘67 fastbacklook carbon composite body shell that is overall 4” wider than the original to accommodate the brand new S197 Chassis that it is built on. We integrated every modern feature and technology into an iconic design. The classic car has all of a sudden become your safe daily driver with every creature comfort and convenience that a modern vehicle brings.” The MAGStang and MAG Motors, tell us what you do there? Tell us about the organization…..
“MAG Motors was created specifically to reimagine what a classic vehicle should be. There are countless classics these days with engine swaps, updated aftermarket suspension, custom one off builds, and so on. What we have achieved is a production run of one of the most iconic classic vehicle designs with the backbone of a modern day chassis, drivetrain and electrical system as it was designed and battle tested by the manufacturer. Every component of the modern tech is retained. The suspension geometry, the drivetrain, emissions system, the
computerized electrical system. This classic has an OBDII connection just as in any modern-day vehicle.” Is this the first vehicle you have created? Have you done other vehicles? “This particular car is our 00 Prototype that I drive on a regular basis. This car debuted last summer at the Rodeo Drive Concours D’elegance, and since then we have been part of multiple shows and more to come. We began our production of other vehicles
late last year. The beautiful part is our cars will even pass California emissions standards since we keep every component of the car and, therefore, these can truly be driven everywhere.” What motivated you to create the MAGStang? “This is my favorite subject, the why. I have restored and modded countless classics, I have owned a modified 1967 Shelby GT500, but no matter how much you try to update
and add the AC, coil over suspension and better brakes, it is still a very old car and behaves as such. They are sometimes finicky; and, yes, you come out smelling like exhaust or after a drive during traffic makes you remember why they are garage queens. I sold my ‘67, the new S197s did not really do anything for me in the looks department, so I gathered a team of techs and engineers to R&D what you see me driving to Supercar Sunday.”
muscle cars but wanted the amenities and refinements of a new car and you did not want to do a pro-touring car...did you accomplish your goal?
get from other car enthusiasts?
“I truly appreciate the Concours cars and the people that enjoy and cherish them, but for me and today’s generation the form and function is what really drives us. I believe we achieved a hybrid that remains true to form and exceeds function by almost 50 years.”
“I think by now I have heard it all. The classic purists ask why do this? The modern supercar driver asks why hasn’t anyone done this sooner?! Of course there is always “What? Really? I’m speechless.” In the end, I try to keep the ego out of it. I built the car of my dreams that I want to drive and feel safe bringing my family along for a vigorous drive, and I’m content with that.”
Clearly you are a fan of classic
What kind of feedback do you
Tell us about your professional
background, are you a designer? Engineer? “I would like to say I am smart enough to work with professional technicians and engineers and know my limitations. My minor is engineering and I wanted to design cars as long as I can remember. However, I pursued another passion of mine as a kid and became a professional airline pilot; becoming a Captain on Airbus 321. Now it’s time to fully pursue my original dream and build some cool cars.” How many of the MAGSTANGs are you going to produce? Do you have to order a car or is there a line of them coming out? “This will be a limited production. We will build about 100 cars and see where that takes us. Our cars are all built to order and to client spec starting from what frame and materials they want to use to what color and type of Alcantara and leather they want on their steering wheel or dash.” Are you going to do the same thing with other iconic muscle cars? Camaro? Challenger? “We are constantly asked about the Camaro, but at this stage we are concentrating on the Mustang. There was four years of R&D that went into our first prototype, it is not something you want just thrown together. For our Chevy and Mopar fans out there, I can say we will undertake those at some point in the future.” Tell us about the steps in creating the MAGStang....seems like a lot of work, is the car totally rebodied? “The process is two-fold. First, the complete disassembly of the S197 Mustang down to the frame. Then the removal of the frame parts we don’t need and welding our classic frame to our new chassis. At this point the classic style body panels are fitted, molded and seam sealed. Then the shell is painted and comes back for assembly. We update some components to work better with the new lighter body and for some clients tune the drivetrain to their spec. The car then goes to coachwork and gets its skins. The car is delivered to the client with a few miles on it, however, we do put it through a few spirited test drives to make sure everything works as intended.” Rumor is that the body is carbon fiber, is that correct?
“Well let’s put the rumors to rest. We created the first mock body to be scanned and 3D mapped in CAD so that molds can be created for carbon fiber panels. We did not want to keep hand molding fenders and flares among many other parts to every vehicle we build. The production cars have carbon fiber fenders, hood, front fascia, the roof, trunk lid and lower rear quarters, as well as, the tail light panel and lower diffuser. The A, B pillars and associated frame are still structural steel. The cowl is steel and is welded to the steel firewall. The doors are steel for safety and side impact protection.” What other technology or performance enhancements have you done to further add performance and refinement to your creation? “This is the fun part. Because the underlying vehicle is a new S197, all of the components are easily modified with a multitude of aftermarket performance parts. We try to keep to original Shelby components, but in some cases we update to Steeda, Baer or Wilwood. Engine performance is also readily tuned and adjusted via OBDII and computerized dyno tuning. If the client has a preference for a stiffer ride or louder exhaust note, it is all easily customizable with modern aftermarket components, specifically engineered and tested for the S197. As far as refinement, we have added some fun toys to our builds. OBDII allows for Mobileye collision alert and lane departure warning to be added. We have created classiclook power mirrors with turn signals, the steering wheel controls allow for seamless Bluetooth and music, as well as, cruise control operation. NAV may help you find that canyon road to hit and track apps will monitor your performance throughout the drive. We have added little things such as home-link for garage operation, and auto headlights so you never worry about leaving them on. Front and rear parking cameras, as well as, curb alert so you do not scratch that precious carbon and paint. For the pure audiophile the car has full Dynomat installed on all surfaces. Audio components, such as Focal, are added to rival any of today’s luxury vehicles. It adds weight yes, but who can argue with some great beats while hugging the curves.” Are you taking orders? If so, what is the base price to have a one built?
“We are accepting custom orders and our production base price is $209,000. This includes a stock S197 Shelby GT500 chassis. Some clients choose to bring us their Shelbys to be converted and this base is $159,000. Optional equipment and track packs are priced depending on client specification.” What does Ford and Shelby think about the car? I am sure they have seen it…. “We are taking the car to Vegas this summer for a little meet and greet. I will report back then. Galpin Autosports have seen our production and helped us source some Shelby components.” What are you most proud of and what was the biggest challenge in creating the MAGSTANG? “I would say by far the electrical portion of the build is the more difficult and time consuming part of the process. We have to make some classic parts, such as door locks and windows, work with modern electrical inputs from the computer. The alarms, the intrusion modules and sensors all have to remain and work together, the PATS system for anti-theft has to be operational. No easy task in achieving all of that. We also created custom LED headlights with turn signals and LED sequential tail-lights that plug into the new electrical system. Even the trunk lid is a push button lift and close. The keyless lock system and push to start is one of the coolest tech components we have. As you approach the car the key card is sensed and doors unlock, the car lights up and door handles illuminate. You simply push to start and drive. When you leave the vehicle it will lock automatically and a 20 second lighting delay will light your way home.” Can someone stop by a showroom and or see the production? “We invite potential clients to drive our car. I believe it is the most fun and essential part of the ordering process. Assembly facility is in Van Nuys, CA and bodies are produced by a carbon composite manufacturer locally in Los Angeles.” Where do you see MAG Motors going in the future? “We want to continue to refine and innovate our product and building process. It is essential that the brand
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is associated with a quality product. We wouldn’t want to grow too fast or delve into too many different projects just yet, but keep an eye on us, we may surprise you. What would you tell someone that wanted to create something similar about the car? Or is considering doing a pro-touring build… I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but a friend of mine is working on a similar idea based on the Fox Body. I will tell you what I told him. Do not let anyone tell you it can’t be done. We had many setbacks, but kept trying different approaches. Any experienced builder will tell you that nothing just fits as it should and no build goes to plan. Don’t get discouraged. Throughout the process we have found that CAD and 3D printing are essential tools in the modern world. We have multiple 3D
printed prototyped parts for our car, and it has saved hours of hand labor. Is this the future of classic cars, make them modern...all the way modern? Is it sacrilege or is it automotive evolution? What began with some simple brake and suspension upgrades to our tired classics has come to the iPhone age of modernization. 3D printed, carbon fiber, carbon ceramic, CAD designed works of pure functional art. Is it a slap in the face to the days of old? I say absolutely not, it is a tribute. We love and will always appreciate where we came from as far car lineage (wish we could skip the mid 80s though). We only strive to bring the good old days back with a mark of our own. What would you want our readers to know about you, the MAGStang and MAG Motors? 26
“Whether this becomes the production I dream or just my cool car to drive, show and talk about, it has been one rewarding experience. The MAGStang is my Reimagined Classic, and I truly hope the car enthusiasts appreciate it for what it is. The MAG Motors team is a hard-working group that spent countless hours to bring my dream to reality, and I could not have done it without them. For the initial prototyping and countless hours of R&D, thanks also goes to Gilbert at Bravo Customs, who has years of experience with classics and helped tremendously throughout the build.” Parting thought--something, anything……
tell
us
“Our phrase “we build functional works of art” should not only apply to cars. Anything anyone dreams to create is a form of art. If you have an idea on how you want something to
look different and/or function better; create it. Build your functional works of art and it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!” For more info: Please visit us at www.magstang. com and follow us on Instagram
@mag_motors.
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Story by Dustin Troyan photos by David Rosenthal
he 14th Annual LAPD\VTD “Still Saving Lives” Car Show will be on Saturday, June 3rd 2017. The show which benefits the LAPD Valley Traffic Division is always a huge success. Supported by so many great local businesses, car clubs and organizations, the community comes out to support our Heroes in Blue. The Valley Traffic Division of LAPD polices and responds to all traffic issues, accidents, concerns and needs in the entire San Fernando Valley. If you are driving and are in need of an traffic officer, they are the ones to respond. Keeping the community safe is their goal. They truly do a fine job! At this year’s show, the venue has changed to the Westfield Promenade. It will be held in the same general area as Supercar Sunday. Westfield has teamed up with the show to provide a wonderful location to help benefit the community and the VTAC. Expected the day of the show, over three hundred cars, anything from classics and exotics to motorcycles, off road vehicles, and more. The show will be judged and trophies will be given to the winners of each category, beautiful trophies. The event will have gourmet/specialty food trucks and plenty of vendors. There will be something for everyone. The LAPD will have an incredible presence with the following specialty teams attending: Bomb Squad, K-9, Off-road Unit, Dive Team, Helicopter, Motor Patrol and a few surprises. The LAPD Motor Drill Team will also be providing the attendees with a special display of motorcycle driving. It is always a huge hit. The purpose of the show is to generate much needed funds to help the Valley Traffic Division purchase equipment and supplies that the LAPD cannot provide. This equipment helps to keep the officers safe and up to date with current technology and safety standards. Valley Traffic also provides car seats and bicycle helmets for those who can’t afford them. The show has become an important part of the VTAC organization. There will also be raffles and silent auctions which the proceeds are to benefit VTAC. Please come out with your car or come out and enjoy the day with friends and family. The show is a great community event that supports our amazing LAPD VTD Officers. Everybody wins! The Show will be held on Sat. June 3, 2017 at the Westfield Promenade. Register by visiting: www.vtac-vtd.org Sponsors include: Vista Ford, Exotic Euro Cars, Coastline Motorsport, Century Towing and Transport, Bob Blumenfield and more. For more information about supporting VTAC please contact Jeff Littman 818974-4555
1972 Chevy 4x4 Truck K20 SHOW TRUCK 3/4 Ton - $29500 This truck has all the right parts. Built as a show truck or use it for 4x4. No expense spared. Everything works. Including the air conditioning. All the right parts. Spray in bed liner, engine bay painted. This truck is done and done right. - ZZ4 Crate Motor - Hdyro Boost Brakes - 37� Toyo Tires - 17in whhels - Eaton 3rd member with 411 gears and Factory Detroit Locker - Custom Deaver 10 Leaf Springs all around with front shackle extension - 8in Deaver lift - King Shocks and Steering stabilizer. - All Billet Accessories - New Brakes - New Transmission. - Fresh paint - Poly body mounts - Original Window Sticker and owners manuals - Every factory option as well as factory disc brakes. Over $40k into this truck. Ready for summer, for 4x4ing for shows! dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
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“She was long and curvy, had a foreign sounding name, and she was all mine!” Some might say it was fate how we met, and others might say it was a penance. A typical love/hate relationship that began long before I even realized it. Even though it was over three decades ago, I still have an occasional dream about her. I remember how she sounded, how she smelled, and how she acted. There are a few things within one’s life that you never forget. This is one of them. As a young boy, I often wonder what my first car would be. Would it be my sister’s friend’s truck, my Dad’s Buick, or maybe that cool looking RX7 that just came out? I was fortunate that my Dad taught me how to drive at a young age. He would take me to the huge parking lot at Litton Aerospace that was located right down the street from our home. I was about 12 years old and looked forward to those Sunday afternoons. Little did I know that my driving skills would soon be put to the test. My Mom didn’t drive often, so my Dad was the primary driver. My family would travel over the hill from Woodland Hills to Santa Monica to visit my Grandma, Aunts and Uncles. We would always end up at my Aunts house for a barbeque and fun. All my cousins would be there and we’d all play and just run around and be crazy. All the adults would be playing cards, as well as drinking and smoking. This particular time my Dad drank a little too much and didn’t think he could drive home. He came over to me and asked me if I thought I could drive our family home. I was quite shocked but told him, “Yes, I can”. Now, this was back in 1975 and things were a slight bit different back then. In my Dad’s eyes, he believed that I was a good enough driver to make it over Sepulveda pass. I felt pretty confident, but I was still scared out of my pants! Needless to say, we made it home safely, thank God! The first car that I really thought I’d get was a Baja Bug. It was one of
two that anyone had seen in the West Valley. It belonged to my brother’s friend Roger who was staying at our house. He was going through some rough times, so my Mom and Dad were helping him out. Roger decided that he wanted to sell it and offered it to my dad for $500.00. I begged and begged my Dad to buy it for me so I would have a car to drive when I got my license. My Dad thought about it for a few days but to my disappointment he didn’t buy it. I was crushed! Roger sold it to someone else. If you’ve read my past articles, then you would know my next door neighbor Steve was my mentor. He had a couple 1955 and 1956 Chevy 2 doors that he had been street racing. He was selling one of them and for a very short moment I thought that this might be my first car. Unfortunately, Steve had explained to my Dad and Roger that the cars motor was ok for driving under 40 on the street, but that was about it. My Dad once again passed on it, but to my surprise, Rodger bought it for a few hundred bucks instead! The weekend was coming up and Roger invited my two sisters, a few friends’ and me to go to Magic Mountain. He told us that he would drive us in the car that he had just bought from Steve. Now don’t forget, I was listening in on the conversation Steve had with my Dad and Roger. I knew that the motor wasn’t in the greatest shape, but I was too excited to care. Sure enough, as we hit the small grade at the 14 and 5 freeway interchange, from the back seat I noticed some smoke coming out of the dash. I told Roger and he pulled over to the side of the road. The Chevy’s engine took its last gasp, and died right there. Our Magic Mountain trip ended as soon as it started. Ironically, Roger worked at Litton where my Dad had been taking me to practice driving. On one particular weekday, Roger didn’t feel like going to work. While at a friends house, he allegedly called into work and told them there was a bomb planted somewhere on the premises. All around, I guess Roger ended up not being the brightest fellow. The FBI traced the call back to his friend’s house, and putting two and two together they knew exactly who called. A day later, Roger left our house and we never saw or heard from him again. We didn’t know why he left, until the police came knocking on our door and explained what had happened. While all these things were happening, my brother Ray was preparing to go overseas to the South Pacific in the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and was saving some money to buy a car so he could travel back and forth from his military base to home. About four months before he left on deployment, he bought a 1975 Opel Sportwagon. I remember when he drove it
home and I first saw it. It was orange and looked like a little station wagon. It was longer than a normal car and a little bit wider. It had a funny name that I’d never heard before. “Opel - what’s an Opel?” About a month after my brother left to go overseas, my Dad informed me that I was chosen to start up my brother’s car that was now parked on our driveway. My job was simple, start it up once a week to keep the battery charged and the engine lubed. Easy! I followed the instructions for a few weeks but my curiosity got the best of me. The Opel was a four speed manual which was foreign to me. Up to that point, my short driving experience was with an automatic. So one day I got the great idea to see if I could move the car a little forward on the driveway. I had no idea how to drive a stick and unfortunately I ended up popping the clutch and ramming the front bumper into and through the wooden garage door! Like I said, “I had a great idea”…. Fast forwarding a few months of being grounded later, I was back to just starting up my brothers car again. As I looked back and think about it now, my Dad sure had a lot of trust in me! After school once a week, I would start the car up. I would pretend I was driving as I sat there and let it idle and warm up in the driveway. As the saying goes - “curiosity killed the cat”, well in my case it certainly did. I had another great idea that I wanted to try to drive my brother’s car, or at least learn/try to drive my brother’s car around the block. I figured once a week or maybe even twice a week would be adequate for me to learn. My Mom didn’t get home until 4:00 and my Dad worked the 2nd shift so right after school I had a 45 minute window to drive. Well needless to say it didn’t quite work out the way I planned. It lasted for about a week and a half and on one fateful rainy day I decided to take the Opel out again. This time I invited my friend to join me for my around the block stint. I was getting fairly good at driving the stick shift, so I thought. As we made our way around my neighborhood we came to an infamous steep hill and curve that throughout the years had injured many would be daredevils on motorcycles, skateboards and bikes. The gas gauge didn’t work in the car so I thought I’d just put it in neutral while going down the hill to save gas. As we sped down the steep grade and curve the rear end pitched to the right and then to the left and right again before crashing into a Cadillac that was parked at the bottom of the hill. Luckily, neither one of us got hurt but I did do substantial damage to the Opel and Cadillac that ended up being owned by Heisman trophy nominee and pro football player Clint Jones!! What are the chances?! So let me just say, I wasn’t allowed
to leave the house for about a year after that. My Dad made me write my brother who was still overseas and explain to him what I did as well as send him pictures of the damaged cars. My brother wasn’t to happy and still talks about it! Fast forwarding four years later, and out of some weird twist of fate, yes you guessed it, I was given the Opel as my first car! Could this be some sick joke my brother was playing on me? Was my Dad in on it? Did my Mom know??? Regardless of the reasons, I was ecstatic to get it. I had just finished drivers training at summer school and had just gotten my license. I drove that Opel everywhere and started to learn how to work on import cars. But once again on one fateful night I was driving with friends on a dirt fire road up near Stunt road. For some unknown reason I thought I could drive over an 8 inch round boulder and I ended up smashing the steering rack and pinion. From that point on the car could only turn right and make left turns very slowly! I drove it like that for almost a year and had mapped out my driving route to school or wherever else I needed to go. I was finally able to get it fixed once I started working but luck would have it, while coming home one day the rear end locked up and she skidded to a stop. The Opel died in front of my house that day. Fortunately, my best friend Dave just got a car. And as we all know, when your best friend gets a car, it’s kind of like your car too! And once again, with a very, very wicked twist of ironic fate, it was a Baja Bug! Big tires, one piece fiberglass front end and a stinger exhaust. It was cool! We drove that bug everywhere and it gave me chance to learn how to work on VW’s. He had it for a couple years. But one day when we went to the beach, while we were in the water surfing, we heard the Bugs motor fire up. We ran up to PCH and watched as the Baja Bug was stolen and driven away by a guy probably around the same age as us. As it rounded the corner and headed towards Topanga Canyon, Dave and I looked at each other and we both just stood there staring. We both new she was gone and we’d never see her again. It was Dave’s first love. Although she was only a part of my life for a short time, every moment we were together I would learn something new about her. What she liked, what she hated, and how she liked to be handled. As I look back now, I wish I would have been a little bit more respectful because maybe, just maybe she’d still be around…
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EURO17
he 6th Annual European Car Show hosted by California Car Cover and dubNation took place on Saturday, April 15th 2017. The annual car show is a fundraiser for Rancho San Antonio in Chatsworth, Ca. This year’s show attracted over 300 European automobiles to the beautiful Rancho San Antonio campus. “Rancho San Antonio has been part of the Chatsworth community since 1938 and it’s been an honor to host our European Car Show there for the last three years,” said Tony DeFrank, event co-host and Executive Director of California Car Cover. “Our company has been in Chatsworth since 1992, so we have seen firsthand Rancho San Antonio’s impact on the local community.” For more information on Rancho San Antonio, please visit ranchosanantonio.org. This casual event attracts vehicles from all over California with some entrants even making the drive up from Mexico to enjoy a few hours in SoCal for a good cause. Highlights
of the show included Top 10 awards, a vendor midway, local food trucks and a prize raffle. #EURO17 hosts a charity prize raffle to raise money for Rancho San Antonio. 100% of the raffle’s proceeds are given to the organization. With an amazing group of sponsors and supporters this year, the show was able to raise $4200 for Rancho San Antonio. The prize raffle featured incredible donations from some of the most respected names in the aftermarket, like AccuAir, HRE Wheels, Solo Werks, Wagner Tuning, Rotiform, fifteen52 and many others. The annual event is open to all makes and models of European cars. “We were thrilled with the response this year and are already planning ways to make next year’s event even better,” said event co-host Bernie Chacon of dubNation Events. “The event gets better each year and we hope to continue that trend in 2018.” For additional information on #EURO17, please visit eurocarshow. us for latest event updates and photos.
Story and photos by Tony DeFrank
by Mark Llewellyn
Fill ’er Up Did you know that gasoline pumps were in existence before automobiles? In their beginning stages, gasoline pumps were referred to as Fuel Dispensers, by both the gasoline industry and the public. The first gas pump was invented and sold by Sylvanus Bowser of Fort Wayne, Indiana in September of 1885. Fuel dispensers at that time were used to sell gasoline and kerosene primarily used in lamps and stoves. Bowser had the foresight to capitalize on the new automotive craze. He improved his pump, making it safer, and installed a hose to deposit fuel into automobile fuel tanks. As a result of his ingenuity, gas pumps in the early 1900’s were referred to as “Bowser’s”. In some countries they still are.
www.LeonsTransmission.com
Gas Pump Facts: In the United States, gas pump flow is limited to a maximum of 10 gallons per minute Gas pump nozzles have a breakaway valve that will stop the flow of fuel in case a customer drives off with the nozzle still in the gas tank The large gasoline trucks seen on the highway carry up to 16,000 gallons of gasoline Large gasoline stations sell as much as 70,000 gallons of fuel per day
Early gas pumps had a calibrated glass top that allowed the customer to view the gasoline as it was being pumped to ensure the correct amount was flowing. It also allowed the customer to see that the gasoline was clean! Once the desired amount was purchased by the customer, it was gravityfed into the automobile fuel tank. When metering fuel pumps came into use, a small glass globe with an internal turbine replaced the measuring cylinder. Gasoline is difficult to sell in a fast and consistent manner. It expands and contracts significantly as its temperature changes. For instance, gasoline will change in thermal expansion 4.5 times the rate of water. The Department of Weights and Measures randomly checks gas pumps to be sure they are dispensing correct amounts of gasoline to consumers. Did you know that the accepted measure from a pump for 1 gallon of gasoline can range from 9.97 gal.us to 10.03 gal.us? The design of fuel dispensers (gas pumps) has changed over the years. Designs of early pumps through the 1960’s were strongly influenced by the artistic trends of their time. Unfortunately, the creativity once dedicated to the design of the pumps seems gone today.
Many styles of gasoline pumps can be seen at the “Murphy Auto Museum” in Oxnard, California.
Coupon good for discounted entry cost of just $5.00. Beautiful vintage automobiles and Americana. 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard, California 93033
murphyautomuseum.org (805) 487-4333
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If you are looking for decorating ideas, consider adding a fountain to your home. Fountains suggest life and energy, and most people find the sound of running water very soothing. A sparkling fountain is considered to be good feng shui, as water is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. As with all decorating ideas, consider the style of your home. Choose a fountain that complements the style and is appropriate in size. You don’t need something as large as The Trevi Fountain for your charming little bungalow anymore than you need Jethro Clampett’s ce-ment pond swallowing up your back yard. Use perspective, and consider different types of fountains: free standing, tabletop, poolside, or wall-mounted. Most people enjoy the natural musical elements of the fountain, so it’s best to choose a quiet motor that allows the sound of the water to be the audio focal point. There are many online sites that will ship easy-assembly fountains to your door. Be sure to keep your fountain clean to avoid accumulation of algae and debris. Running water is nature’s music, so turn up the volume and enjoy! Gwen Banta and Tory Herald - Connecting the Worlds of Real Estate
Gwen Banta
Tory Herald (323) 252 1700 (310) 985 2719 Connecting the Worlds of Real Estate 35 www.LosAngelesLuxuryHomesForSale.com
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nce a year, the beautiful and modern city of Long Beach, CA plays host to motorsports longest running race in North America, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Since 1975, race cars and drivers have been coming to race on the streets of Long Beach with its extremely challenging 1.9 mile 11 turn “street circuit”. Today’s race circuit has been reconfigured numerous times over the years since the first Formula 1 race in 1976 won by Clay Regazzoni in a Ferrari 312 T2. At race week this year, Emerson Fittipaldi, 2 time Formula 1 and 1989 Cart Champion and Tommy Kendall Sports Car Champion were inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame located on South Pine Ave in downtown Long Beach. A new lap record was set this year in IndyCar qualifying by Helio Castroneves with a lap time of 1:06.2254 seconds. Additional GPLB trivia: most wins, Al Unser Jr. (6) and a 3 day race weekend will normally have 200,000 attendees… lots of fans! This year, fans were treated to exciting wheel to wheel racing on Saturday and Sunday from IMSA WeatherTech DP, GTLM and GTD, Pirelli World Challenge GT and GTA, Stadium Super Trucks, CAN-AM Cars with HMSA, Motegi Super Drift Challenge and of course IndyCar. Automobile manufactures racing this weekend included Mazda, Cadillac, Nissan, Corvette, Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, Mercedes AMG, Acura, Audi, Lamborghini and Lexus. Fans also got pit access to all the race teams and cars competing in the weekend of racing. Two “Rock and Roar” concerts were added for Friday and Saturday nights for
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the fans; groups performing were the Kings of Chaos and Moderatto. The 2017 Winner of the Grand Prix of Long Beach is James Hinchcliffe, Canadian, driver of the number 5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda powered IndyCar. This win gives James (5) wins in IndyCar along with finishing 2nd in 2016 on “Dancing with the Stars� with pro dancer Sharna Burgess. Pirelli World Challenge GT Winner was Alvaro Parente in a McLaren 650 S. GTA Winner James Sofronas in a Porsche 911 GT3R. The 1st Place IMSA drivers; Prototype Jordan and Ricky Taylor in a Cadillac Dpi-V.R, GTLM winners Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner in a Corvette C7.R and GTD winners Gunar Jeanette and Cooper MacNeil in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. This Family-Friendly weekend racing event would not be possible without all the countless volunteers working Friday to Sunday helping with crowd management. The Committee of 300, a volunteer community service organization formed in 1975 at the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix, is still active today. Additionally, the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach has contributed more than $4 million to local Long Beach charities with race weekend fundraising, like Monte Carlo Night, held this year at the Renaissance Hotel Long Beach on Friday 4-7-17. Kudos to everyone who helped make the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach one of the best yet.
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