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NISSAN MARQUE DAY NOW THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH
sponsored by
A proud member of the SAGE Automotive Group
SUPERCAR SUNDAY IS LOCATED AT: Westfield Promenade Mall 6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (On the corners of Topanga Canyon Blvd and Erwin Street)
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FROM THE EDITOR A
L E T T E R
B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N
done guys, it is a lot easier. So in my garage right now, I have an engine and a transmission sitting in the corner out of the Fastback, a 68 Camaro with an incredible engine and engine bay and a 67 Chevelle slammed on 20in wheels that needs paint. The Chevelle starts, but beyond that and bolted on sheet metal it is totally apart. What am I doing to myself ? I wonder if this is how other car guys started and ended up with a cool collection. You tell people that you have a few cars and they think you are a car collector, more like a car hoarder or a junk yard owner. Perhaps I am being a bit too hard on myself. It is the vision right? To see the cars through to get them running and be proud of the time, energy and sacrifice. I forgot money in that one, but let’s not talk about the money. I don’t feel like suffering that much right now. Then there is the other side, sell all the old stuff and get something new or newer. Could I possibly sell all the old cars and get a 2011 Corvette ZR1 or a Ferrari F360 or F430? Hmm, that sounds enticing. The Corvette I could work on if needed, the Ferrari, different story. Hmmm, I don’t know that I am ready for a Ferrari quite yet. Did I mention that by the time you read this our second kid would be born? Yea, probably not a Ferrari this year. Am I crazy? Now I know a few of you are laughing reading this. Maybe thinking about your own projects, how you have broken down on the side of the road... how your friends or maybe your wife thinks that you are crazy. Maybe your project is covered with boxes in your garage and or on the side of the house. I have been there, heck, I am there. Truth be told for the last 14 years! Can’t I finish a car? The Chevelle. Man, it is a cool car. No post, gnarly motor, sounds just right. A solid-lifter car, it has the right rumpity-rump. Unfortunately, a body shop didn’t work out, so I pulled the car, got it back in pieces and then had to go through the car a little. Drain the gas, which turned into a new sending unit. I had a pair of roller wheels on it and had to put the 20s back on. I picked up some race gas, a new battery and the car fired right up. I forgot how much I loved that car. But, it is in pieces. I think I am going to put the dash back in and the gauges, just a front window and drive it like that for a while. That is the third in the queue. The queue. I need help!
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sold a few cars. I had to do it. I guess you can’t keep them all. Well, I could, but...it was just taking up too much energy. That seems like a funny thing to say. How does a car sitting someplace take energy. It’s just one more thing to do or get to. This car thing is meant to be fun, yes a challenge, but fun. As I do things completely out of order, I sold my truly reliable car. I swore I was going to keep this car forever, but, hey, why not get rid of it. My 2008 Subaru STI which was totally stock, well, it’s gone. Now my daily driver is a 1997 F-250 7.3L crewcab Ford 4x4 truck with 200,000 miles. Makes sense right? And then there was a car I tried to buy for ten years. A 1968 Camaro. It was a car that was “all there” but needed restoration. It had a small amount of rust behind the back window, rust under the vinyl top and a big 468 cu in engine that was 12.5 to 1. Had a great sound. It was a true Van Nuys Boulevard race car. It’s gone too. Took ten years to get.... Why sell them? Well, it was too much stuff. I have three other cars in pieces. They could be such cool cars. Get rid of a few to make the others better. Simplify a bit. Heck, I have two cars that have not run in almost four years. Bad decisions on my behalf and going against my gut instinct, but all my fault. A story for another day. As many of you know, I have got the greatest wife in the world. Man, she puts up with me. Not that I am a bad guy, but car parts all over, how many times has she had to help push cars, the house smells like gas... or did I break down somewhere. Doing a car show every Sunday...we love it, but man did I luck out. What a woman! Some years ago, we decided to build her a car. A 1969 Fastback. It was her dream car. I found a car, stole it and we got to work. I knew that the shock towers were an issue, which is common for Mustangs of that genre, but these were toast. I knew it and I just blocked it out of my mind. That is a big job. Pull the engine, trans, all the surrounding accoutrement. What a pain. Torch the old ones out and torch the new ones in and put everything back. A lot of work. So years later, after painting the car, her Fastback got bumped in a parking lot. Her dad was coming into town, so I had an extra set of hands, was it time to do the repair? I had my 68 Camaro in pieces, my 67 Chevelle at the paint shop, but that was going to be coming back unpainted, and now, to pull this car apart. To do it or not to do it? Three cars in pieces! An extra set of hands can go a long way. Her dad is a very handy guy. The guy can do just about anything. Where I ruff and trouble through something, he is a bit more reserved and wise with his approach. With the two of us on a project it would be fun and we would get it done in no time. It was on. So now I have three cars in pieces. That is a lot of pieces. People will ask, “Do you have any cars?” Then, how do you answer that? Well, yes I do proudly. Or, well yes, they don’t run, but they are cars.... or I have pieces, that if I put them together, they would be a car. Always sounds impressive to say, I have a few cars.... but then nobody has seen them because they haven’t run in years. Kind of like that guy in high school that claims he has a hot girlfriend, but she lives in another state....yea, I have some cars. I think it is an addiction. Cars in pieces and I still find myself looking at cars on Craigslist at night. It is kind of soothing and kind of insane. Cars. Buy them
Am I Crazy?
I suppose. I wonder what the neighbors think. I am some crazy redneck who spends his little spare time working on cars that never seem to finish or to run. They must wonder how my wife puts up with it as well as the neighbors. A car trailered here, a car towed there. Rounding up other neighbors to help push the car up the driveway or into the garage. The stained asphalt, old loud cars making tons of noise trying to start in the morning. I do wonder what they think. “That guy with those loud old cars....,” well I guess I am that guy. All these years. The cars still aren’t finished. Now with two kids, will the projects slow down? Can they slow down even more might be the better question? I think it will be a lot more fun. The kids can help! They can see what a lot of kids aren’t seeing anymore. The blood, sweat and tears that used to be commonplace. The determination to get a job done, even if it does take a really, really long time. That is my silver lining. They say that everything happens for a reason. I always try to find the positive. Hey, I might have some cars that some people have called junk, but, they won’t always be junk. And, yes, it is taking me awhile, but I am still moving, maybe not as fast as I would have liked, but I am changing the approach, modifying a little and let’s just hope that my daughter, Scarlett, can drive one of these cars proudly to school one day when she is sixteen. That gives me about thirteen years. Good grief, they better be done by then!
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CONTENTS
drivenworld ISSUE 80, NOVEMBER 2016
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 James Stanley Alan Smithee Mark Llewellyn Gwen Banta Tory Herald David Buchanan Jay Santos Mike Hodson
9 Motor 4 Toys 12th Annual
11 Corvettes
Invade Lavaggio
13 Bagels
& Burnouts
15 Supercar Sunday Corvette Marque
16 Supercar Sunday Porsche Marque
17 A Force of Nature Lisa Catara
21 Rock & Roll & Hot Rods Hot Rod Jay
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I Get it Now
Father | Daughter
American Hero George Neal
31 Fitness
Exercise when sick?
34 Realestate World Feng Shui
35 Car Culture
Bumper Stickers
Greg Grudt PHOTOGRAPHY James Stanley Ted Seven Lisa Catara David Rosenthal David Buchanan Duane Steiner Gabriel Gutierrez Jay Santos Mike Hodson
ADVERTISING / MARKETING dustin@connectedmediagroup.com (818) 516-5053
www.drivenworld.com
www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com
Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to highnet-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large. All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein. Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.
On the Cover: Photo By David Rosenthal
Corvette Marque Day at Supercar Sunday
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- Wheels & Tires - Wiring - Air Conditioning - High Performance - Appraisals
THE 13TH ANNUAL MOTOR4TOYS CHARITY CAR SHOW AND TOY DRIVE
S OT R Y B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N | P H OTO S B Y G R E G G R U DT
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he 13th Annual Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive is around the corner! On Sunday, December 4th, 2016 the entire car community will come together with one purpose in mind, to help children during the holiday season. It is that simple and it is truly magical. Just about every type of car imaginable will be present and will be loaded with toys to donate to the Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive. The car show kicks off the toy drive season for the Motor4Toys Charitable Foundation which over the last eleven years has collected over five million dollars of toys which have been distribute to needy children throughout the state of California. The Foundation revolves around the very kind motorsport community and over the last handful of years, has grown outside of the car world. Many schools, businesses, Chambers of Commerce and even city officials have gotten behind the toy drive and helped to collect toys during the holiday season. Every year, the Motor4Toys Charitable Foundation continues to grow with the kindness and support from so many kind people. Over the past eleven years, so many people have played such an important role in making the Foundation what it has become, that when you think of Motor4Toys, you think of the car community. Every single person that has ever given a toy is considered part of the Motor4Toys family.
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As the Foundation has grown, many people have asked how can they support the toy drive outside of the car realm? That is simple. First and foremost, we would love for you to do a toy drive at your school or business. Many people have actually done Motor4Toys holiday parties at their business or home and asked the guests to bring toys in lieu of wine or other gifts. It kind of changes the whole atmosphere of a holiday dinner. It has become a tradition for many. How long does Motor4Toys collect toys? All year round. We collect toys all the way through the month of December and have the ability to get the toys into the hands of children very effectively. Last minute toy donations are always appreciated. We receive toy donations throughout the year and have the ability to distribute toys all year long. Children always need something to know that people they may not know care about them. For more information, please visit the Motor4Toys website: www.motor4Toys.com You may also donate online as well. See you at the car show on Dec. 4th. It is going to be one for the record books! -Dustin & the Motor4Toys Family
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CORVETTES
S U P E R CA R S U N DAY CO R V E T T E M A R Q U E DAY A N D L AVAG G I O B R U N C H
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S TO R Y B Y D U S T I N TO R YA N A N D P H OTO S B Y D AV I D R O S E N T H A L A N D G A B R I E L G U T I E R R E Z
orvette Day at Supercar Sunday is always a huge hit. And with so many local Corvette clubs participating, I knew it would be a huge success. Then of course there is John Vega, who is in just about every corvette club and one of the most passionate car guys out there. John had personally selected the date of the Corvette Marque day and it is really hard to say “no” to John. He then added that he wanted to add a scenic drive for about forty-five of his closest Corvette friends. The drive was to end at Lavaggio- the art of auto detailing in Agoura Hills. There is something about Corvette owners or the clubs. They get up early and they are organized. It was so awesome to see all that American firepower on display at Supercar Sunday. And the clubs that rolled in. A list of a few: Redline Corvettes, Simi Valley Corvettes, Corvettes of Choice, Vintage Corvettes and Santa Clarita Corvettes. To name a few... I think every generation Vette was on display. Start to finish, front to back, they were all there and then some. As the morning rolled on, it was getting time for the “Vega Vette Run” to Lavaggio. At this point we didn’t have a lunch sponsor. Low and behold Mike Sage walks up. Mike is a long time friend and one of the owners of the Sage Automotive Group. Mike is one heck of a car guy himself, and one of the Sponsors of Supercar Sunday. Mike saw all the Corvettes and although he drove a Lotus Esprit in, he wanted to be a part of the “Vega Vette Run.”
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On the spot Mike said that his Sage Covina Chevrolet Dealership would sponsor the brunch at Lavaggio for almost a hundred people! And, we needed someone to lead the drive...well, Mike again stepped up and we were off ! The drive to Lavaggio was fantastic. Forty-five Vettes parading through the Santa Monica Mountains, it was a site to be seen. As the cars pulled into Lavaggio, it was another awesome site. The Corvette guys backed the cars into their spots and it was time for brunch. Mike and I both gave a little speech thanking the clubs and John Vega for putting the run together. It was such an incredible day with so many old friends and new friends. This marked the 2nd Annual John Vega Vette Run to Lavaggio. Until next year! John, you have some work to do! For more information on the event sponsors: Sage Covina Chevrolet: www.covinachevrolet.com Lavaggio: www.lavaggio.net
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BAGELS
A N D
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B U R N O U T S
S T O R Y B Y J A M E S S TA N L E Y | P H O T O S B Y T E D S E V E N
hat is there not to like about a vehicle doing a massive burnout? It’s loud, dangerous (even in a controlled environment), smelly, and completely unnecessary. These all on the surface sound like bad things, but to the kid inside us all that loves cars, there’s little that can top a
great burnout! Since the closing of Cars & Coffee in Irvine, many have attempted to capitalize on this hole in the OC market by creating their own version of the iconic event. This one put a bit of a twist on the standard morning cruise-in by holding a contest to see who could have the best burnout of the day, with the winner receiving a small cash prize. The amount of the prize isn’t enough to cover the lost tread on your tires, but people still did it! Why? Here’s my take on it. Look at this image, and the one on the previous page, what do you see? What emotions are stirred up when you see these images of tire smoke engulfing a muscle car? Excitement? A touch of disbelief ? Can you hear the engine roaring and the tires screeching just by looking at the im-
ages? How about the smell? We can all remember the first time we saw a great burnout up close as kids and how we were in awe of it. It’s that feeling that we are immediately brought back to whenever we see one. The smell, sounds, and sight of a burnout brings us back to when cars were still untouchable to us and the feeling of wonder and inspiration rushes through our bodies. It’s that feeling, and it feels good. This was the first time this event had taken place and the turnout was more than expected. A burnout in a controlled environment on private property is a great way to start a morning. Add bagels with a side of tire rubber, and you’ve got yourself a true car guy’s event. This event wasn’t just about the burnouts though. It was about the car community. You would think that the only vehicles to show up to a ‘burnout’ event would be muscle cars, but there were hotrods, custom classics, exotics, and even high end luxury cars that attended with a smattering of turners throughout. You could almost say that the burnout is a language that speaks across all types of auto enthusiasts, no matter the type of car, age, or background, and this event proved it.
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A FORCE OF NATURE L I S A C ATA R A
A R T I C L E B Y A L A N S M I T H E E | P H O T O S B Y L I S A C ATA R A
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ctress, artist, stunt woman, fashion designer, brand ambassador, singer and photographer Lisa Catara boasts a very diverse set of skills and talents. This includes having graduated from the Eastman School of Music where she studied classical voice. Her studies at the world renowned conservatory led her to New York City, where she began training for Broadway and simultaneously worked as a brand ambassador and event coordinator for a major fundraising event. The events on September 11, 2001 mandated a change and Lisa moved to Hollywood to pursue acting in television and film. Since moving to Los Angeles, Lisa has worked on and appeared in countless television shows, including: How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl, ‘Till Death, Matador, The Bridge, State of Affairs and many more. She has also appeared in films such as Charlie Valentine, Holy Water, Towelhead and others. Commercial work includes more than two dozen so far, in addition to appearances in print work, video games and industrials. Shortly after she began working in television and film, Catara commenced training with stunt professionals, as several of the roles she was playing required those abilities. Her work as a stuntwoman can be seen in episodes of: Dexter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Preacher, Fear the Walking Dead, Days of our Lives (she doubles series regular Kristian Alfonso on occasion), Major Crimes, Snowfall, and others, including stunt work in several motion pictures. Today, Lisa works as both an actress and stuntwoman and is happiest when those two worlds “collide”. Even better is when her “love of film-making” and “action in film-making” also includes her appreciation for automobiles. She has driven in Fiat 500, Toyota Camry, Yaris, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Audi commercials. Lisa’s love for automobiles and engines came at an early age. Born in Cleveland, her parents had many opportunities to immerse their daughter in historic culture. Mom worked at the Crawford Auto & Aviation Museum. Dad was a gear head, and her grandfather, an amateur photographer. So it seems that osmosis drew Lisa to purchase her first camera and start shooting… and it wasn’t long before people started to notice her work. Catara’s photographic style is unique. She has a strong eye for composition and constantly finds interesting ways to view her subject matter. Rather than show you the entire vehicle, Catara will often focus on a detail, up close. Like a glimpse into the life of each car. Her photos “breathe”. After seeing examples of her photographic skills, Lisa was hired to shoot the cover for the March 2016 issue of Mopar Max Magazine featuring Television Motion Picture Car Club (TMPCC) President Ken Latka and his custom Mr. Norm’s GSS Dodge Challenger. Her work also captured the attention of several other magazine editors, so much so, that one of her images was chosen the very next month as the cover of the April 2016 issue of Driven World, and yet another will be appearing on the cover of the Fall issue of Pentastar Power Magazine. She is grateful for these opportunities and the support of the TMPCC community of which she is a member. So as you can see, Lisa Catara is a multi-talented woman. Whether it is in front of the camera, behind the wheel stunt driving for television and film, or behind the lens shooting some of the most creative and eye popping automotive photography we’ve seen, she puts her heart and soul into everything she does... and she’s a darn nice lady as well! If you are interested in hiring Lisa for any automotive photography, she can be contacted at lisacatara@gmail.com
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ROCK N’ ROLL & HOT RODS THE SOUND OF MOTORS AND MUSIC S TO R Y A N D P H OTO S B Y H OT R O D J AY S A N TO S
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hen I was a young boy, I used to look forward to Saturdays. It wasn’t the fact that it was the weekend, it was because I knew my neighbors Jim and his son Steve would be in their garage working on cars. Jim was a master mechanic who worked at the Van Nuys GM plant. Jim taught Steve everything he learned, and in turn, Steve would become my future mentor. There were always two constants in their garage; Jim would always be drinking an Olympia beer, and they would always have the radio on playing music. The little radio was perched up on a shelf just above the scarred workbench. It appeared to have once been white, but now, it showed the years of mechanic hands that had been upon it. For some unknown reason, the antenna was still perfectly straight and intact. This scenario had an undeniable impact on me. There isn’t one day that when I enter my garage that I don’t first put on the radio. There’s just something that’s so natural to me about music and cars. Apparently, throughout history, many people felt the same way. The 50’s were a huge impact on how the public felt about cars and rock and roll music. The all time great movie “American Graffiti” was one of the first popular movies to show this. Rock and Roll music was looked down upon as was hot rods. Guys who drove these modified cars were considered hoodlums, a guy from the wrong side of the track or greasers. But thankfully, the girls didn’t care and were drawn to them often lying to their parents telling them they were going out with their girlfriends but were secretly meeting their boyfriends in their souped up cars around the corner. Rock and roll music was considered sin and was banned by a lot of radio stations. I believe that this was the beginning of a great and everlasting relationship. The parallel between cars and music is undeniable. The fact that there are thousands of songs that are written about cars is not by chance. In 1949, General Motors introduced the Oldsmobile 88. Dubbed “Futuramic” and
advertised as “the lowest priced car with a “rocket” engine. The sleek new vehicle epitomized an American fascination with speed, exploration, and space travel in the early 1950’s. The Oldsmobile’s appeal was so widespread, that in 1951, “Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats” recorded “Rocket 88” an ode to the fantasy of driving the stylish car. Many historians would argue that “Rocket 88” was the first Rock and Roll song, citing the tremendous raw energy the band brought to the music. Without question, it signaled a connection between car culture and Rock and Roll. Customizing or modifying cars allow us to express things we may or may not be able to express verbally. When you see a cool car, it promotes feelings. It might be excitement, wonder, fear or memories. Music is no different. How many times have you been driving in your car and a classic song comes on the radio that takes you back to some great memory of your past? A memory of when you were young, a girl or guy in your life or a special road trip. I remember the first time I heard the song “Radar Love” - do you? I started “Rock n’ Roll Hot Rods” Car Club because of my long time love and involvement with cars and music. Each member of the club is a musician, total car freak or both. I thought it would be interesting to get some input from a few of the car club members on why they think there is such a strong connection between cars and music. First up is member Doug Marhoffer. Doug is an incredibly gifted guitar player and songwriter. His decades of involvement in the music industry is to say the least, “very impressive”. I first met Doug at Super Car Sunday and we hit it off immediately. In my opinion, he drives one of the nicest 1967 Chevelle’s in California. He also rides a Harley motorcycle. Our interests are so similar that you would think we knew each other for most of our lives. What I find so interesting about Doug are his stories of the musicians that he’s been able to work with. My favorite is the story of when he met the lead singer of the band “Yes”, Jon Anderson. He went to Jon’s house and described him as very carefree, mystical,
and if you’re a “Yes” fan like myself, exactly as you would think Jon Anderson would be! Here’s what Doug had to say: “The connection to me is it’s just the two of the three triumphant of cool - Rock & Roll, Bikes and Cars. All three seem to share a similar attraction of wanting to be part of the scene. You can choose to be an observer or participant. We didn’t want to “just sit there” and listen to music, we wanted to create it. That same passion goes for cars and bikes. We didn’t want to “just look at them”, we wanted to build them and drive them until the tires fell off. Music to me has been the one absolute constant in my life. The moment I picked up guitar when I was 14, I never put it down (first instrument were drums at 10 years old). My youth up to pre teen years, we lived in the Detroit area. My dad would take me each year to the Autorama. This would have been the late ‘60’s early 70’s. I remember seeing all the show cars in person. They would be the same ones that I’d build the scale models of at home. It just became engrained into my soul. The same thing happened with the guitar. Once I picked it up I never put it down. I spend my days looking at car magazines as well as music magazines like Creem, Hit Parader, and Guitar Player. It’s never left. My 30+ year career has been within music equipment manufacturing. I still get to stare at guitars but now get paid for it. I’ve made sure to pass along the tradition to my two daughters. Since they were young I’ve taken them to the Grand Nationals each year or to the Mooneyes Xmas Drags and car show to watch the vintage drags. I wanted to make sure they met the original guard of hot rodding before they were all gone.” Second up we have member Eric Cohen. Eric and I grew up in the same neighborhood together. He lived almost directly behind me for all of our school years. We lost contact for almost 30 years and ironically, we found each other again at Super Car Sunday. Eric is also a guitar player and car/truck lover. When I’m in the garage working on my cars he can literally hear me and won’t hesitate to call me or come over to see what I’m working on so he can learn something new or help me! He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. This is his take on Rock n’ Roll and Hot Rods: “Good questions! I can tell you that Rock n’ Roll just has that same rumbling feeling as our Hot Rods when were stepping on the gas and feeling that shaking underneath us. The two go hand in hand! My truck always runs better when blasting some good old Rock n’ Roll with the volume on 10! Maybe it’s a coincidence that many of us are musicians as well, but you know what they say.....it’s all about that bass! And there’s nothing like blasting some tunes to the undertone of a good V-8 engine’s ground breaking roar! The next member Eric Rhodes, is a very unique individual. We first met once again, at Super Car Sunday. When I first saw Eric, he immediately reminded me of a Hot Rodder from the 50’s or James Dean. He had a short, slicked back haircut, glasses and was wearing a white tshirt. He drove a Hot Rodded 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Miller Meteor Duplex Hearst that showcased some of his fabricating skills. After getting to know him, I discovered how knowledgeable he is about cars. He’s an exceptional mechanic, fabricator and drummer and one of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet. Although he moved back to Iowa, we still call each other when were working on something to get each other’s opinion on ideas or troubleshooting. Here’s what Mr. Rhodes had to say: “In its incarnation, I would say that the word Rebel explains the relationship best. Both entities go against the standard and both produce amazing results that changed the style and face of the world’s they live in. They are like two best friends from different neighborhoods. Classic California surf music tickle’s me internally with joy. I love it. For me I associate Hot Rods, surfing, monsters/creatures all together because the music says so..... For me... I think that both are the extreme “Rowdy” version of their composition”. Last but not least is member Barry Buchanan. We met in the parking lot of Pep Boys auto parts store. I was driving my rat rod, pulled into the parking lot and went into the store. When I came out, Barry and his girlfriend Kat were standing next to my roadster and checking it out. I introduced myself and started talking to both of them. They asked if there were any local car shows in the area. I replied, “well yea, Super Car Sunday right down the street”. The rest is history….. Over the years we’ve developed quite the friendship and have worked on countless Hot Rods together. Barry is a guitar player, incredible mechanic, fabricator and owner of “The Hot Rod Shop”. Barry is “Hot Rodding”.
Although Barry is about 4 feet taller than me, I consider him my equal when it comes down to building cars. What I enjoy about working with him is that there is never a dull moment. Every time that we’ve worked on a car, he always shows me a cool way of doing something in a way that I would have never of thought of. He’s a very long winded fellow but got right to the point on this one: “Rock n’ Roll is the Hot Rod of the Music industry! Hot Rods are the Rock n’ Roll of the car industry! I have always mixed the two, whether it’s listening to Rock while you are driving to enhance the experience, or using Rock n’ Roll in my Hot Rod video’s to make the scenes more exciting ! That’s my 1 cent from 2 cents with inflation”. My personal belief is that Hot Rods encompass the rebel side of Rock music as Rock music captures the feeling of driving a Hot Rod down the highway. Each one represents freedom of expression and you can’t have one without the other. The creativity involved for each is only restricted by the imagination of each musician or car builder/ owner. The connection between the two are as natural as salt and pepper, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly…… you get the picture. So there you have it, four unique individuals from different backgrounds all with similar points of view. There isn’t a right or wrong answer. The rebel aspect of both is eternally intertwined with each other and you never know what to expect. That’s what’s so great about music and cars, there is always something new coming around the corner..
I GET IT NOW FAT H E R | D A U G H T E R
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE HODSON
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aughter Julie has always loved the Audi R8, so much so that she had a poster of it on her bedroom wall. When she found out one could be rented for track time in Las Vegas, the die was cast. During her USAF leave between Alaskan and Italian duty stations, the plan was to meet with friends in Vegas for some serious R & R . Always trying to be "the good Dad", I offered to join her. Reservations were made, accommodations were arranged, and away we went. Arriving at the Exotics Racing facility adjacent to the Las Vegas Speedway, our excitement continued to build. Poor Julie was too nervous to eat her lunch. We were welcomed and checked in by the very professional staff, then it was off to the pits to sit in and photograph every possible car. Next up was the drivers' meeting explaining the do's and don'ts, plus the obligatory pump video to crank up the adrenaline. Track orientation laps were in a base model Cayenne, where the instructor mentioned that his fourth fastest lap time was in the Cayenne, compared to all the exotics. Wow. Due mostly to brand familiarity, I had chosen the Porsche GT3 for my first 8 laps. Approaching the machine was like seeing a (very) attractive career woman in a business suit. Serious, sensible, superbly capable, understated (relatively) and intelligent, the uber-refined 911 contains nothing that is non-essential. Climbing in felt comfortable and reassuring, while at the same time exhilarating for what was to come. Onto the track we went, with the instructor calmly and patiently guiding me around the track, helping me with shift points, braking, and apex carving. Each lap of the 1.2 mile, 7 turn circuit takes approximately one minute, so the first 4 laps literally flew by. One cool down lap, both for the car and my brain, was welcome. Four very quick laps later, we pulled into the pits. My impression of the GT3 was very positive,
due to its unflappable character. Undoubtedly helped by the handling nannies, the car felt very stable and planted throughout the course, even over the sections where elevation changes affected the suspension balance. With the mantra "smooth is fast" firmly planted in my psyche, the Porsche inspires confidence. It gives back a lot, and let's you feel more skillful than you might be. After a short break, it was Ferrari time. Screaming yellow, the 458 Italia was everything an exotic should be. Sensationally gorgeous, very expensive, high maintenance, temperamental, high strung, difficult to please, but with a marvelous soundtrack. Like a supermodel in a slinky evening gown, the 458 is impossible to ignore, and demands attention. Your brain says no, but your heart doesn't care. The relationship might be difficult and painful but the potential rewards could be worth the cost. Driving the Ferarri was challenging, punishing my every mistake with squealing tires. Huge horsepower requires delicate throttle inputs, and with sensory overload happening quite often, it is easy to get behind the car, resulting in more embarrassment. Once again the 4-1-4 lap sequence was over WAY too quickly. Julie loved her time in the R8. Still her dream car, she could not say enough good things about the car, her instructor, and the overall experience. Later on that day, when my blood pressure, breathing and adrenaline levels had somewhat returned to normal, I realized a transformation had occurred. The legacy of Ferrari is unmatched in motor racing, however the passion of ownership and driving experience was lost on me prior to the hot laps. Intoxicating and addicting, the 458 changed my perspective forever. I get it now. Thank you Julie for sharing my automotive enthusiasm, and thank you for giving me a good reason to have one of the best days of my life, especially sharing it with you.
Over 30 years of award winning experience 22836 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364
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AN AMERICAN HERO G E O R G E M I LT O N N E A L
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S T O R Y D AV I D B U C H A N A N S TA F F W R I T E R A N D P H O T O S D AV I D B U C H A N A N + M I S C .
eteran’s Day, November 11th, is the day we set aside to honor and remember the men and women that have served our country. Every soldier, sailor and airmen has had their own unique experience in the military. Some had relatively light duties and some experienced all the perils of war. There are a few, relatively speaking, that have endured unimaginable hardships and cruelty at the hands of the enemy. I would like to acquaint you with a friend of mine, George Milton Neal. George is eighty-five years old and he just informed me that his time has come—he is no longer taking his medication or treatment for all his ailments. He is comfortable and his lovely wife Rosemary is taking good care of him. When he passes, George will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Most of you know that Arlington accepts only those service personnel KIA and those that have been awarded the very highest awards for Bravery— like the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Arlington is hallowed ground for the bravest of the brave. My friend George was awarded the Navy Cross during the Korean War. This is his story. George joined the Navy in 1948—seeking adventure and to see the world. By 1951 the Korean War had begun and George was a machinist’s mate 3rd class stationed aboard the Q009, a helicopter support ship in Wonsan Harbor area, North Korea, Sea of Japan. The ship, Q009 was itself unique. She had begun her life as a WWII LST. When the war ended—she was handed over to the Japanese and used as a cargo ship—then modified once again to become a Helicopter Support Ship. The ship’s crew—all Japanese and only seven Americans on board—two officer pilots and five enlisted sailors. It did not escape George that the Japanese crewmen were mortal enemies just six years earlier—but to a twenty-year-old this was ancient history. Everybody got along just fine. The Q009’s main function was to support U.S. Navy minesweepers—locating the mines via the helicopters as well as search and rescue. Late in the day on July 3, 1951, the ship got a distress call from a Marine Corps Air Squadron. One of their members, Captain Wilkins had been shot down deep in enemy territory. The rescue was set in motion—it was George’s turn to be the crewman. However, the pilot officer, Lieutenant John K. Koel-26
sch preferred another machinist’s mate over George. George appealed to the Commanding Officer [George had already flown with the C.O. on a successful extraction mission]. The C.O. said to Koelsch: it is Neal’s turn—off they flew. It was to be a dangerous mission—almost dark, no fighter support, no radio contact with the downed airman—what would be the chances of finding one person somewhere in hilly territory deep behind enemy lines? They made their way flying low using their terrain maps and compass. After about forty minutes, sure enough George spotted a parachute on the ground. The shot down pilot, Captain Wilkins made his way back to the chute. The enemy North Korean soldiers were already hot on his tail and he was under heavy fire. The helicopter, now under fire as well, positioned for the extraction— Wilkins tried to wave them off—too dangerous to hover here. Koelsch and George persisted and got Wilkins in the harness but he struggled to get on board—the enemy found their mark and knocked the chopper out of the sky. Wilkins had already been injured when he was shot down [severe burns and cuts to his legs]. They all managed to the make it out of the crash without any further injuries and made their way to the other side of the hill avoiding intense enemy machine gun fire. Thank God it was getting darker— they moved as quickly as they could, meanwhile assisting the injured airman. After several hours of moving they stopped to rest. Fortunately, so had the enemy—they could hear them talking—must have been within forty meters of their position. Before dawn the next day, they moved out along the ridge line and realized that the enemy had stopped pursuing them. At midday July 4th, a U.S. Navy Corsair flew low overhead—they waved frantically to get the pilot’s attention—sure enough, a wing wobble [the signal for recognition]. They were so happy—help would arrive soon. They waited in the area for one-and-a-half days—nothing—time to move toward the coast; find a small boat and make it out to sea. Captain Wilkins, despite his severely burned lower legs and cuts did not complain. His wounds were now infected and puss was oozing out—he needed urgent medical care.
Lieutenant Koelsch’s Sikorsky HO3-S-1 helicopter, Bu. No. 122715, aboard USS Philippine Sea )CV-47). )U.S. Navy) Crewman - George Neal Lieutenant Koelsch was an excellent navigator; he could pinpoint his location by reading the stars. Nine days on the run—now starving—they finally made it to the ocean. They noticed what was remaining of a small village—it had been bombed out [probably by the U.S. Navy] and looked completely abandoned. They watched it all day—nobody. At dusk, they decided to check it out hoping to find something to eat. As soon as they got there, the enemy opened up; it was a trap. Captured by the North Koreans and fortunately not hit. They were tied together and were marched for three days to the well known North Korean POW Camp, “Pak’s Palace”—so named by the inmates after the infamous Colonel Pak—a most cruel and sadistic individual. Upon arrival, Lieutenant Koelsch demanded immediate care for Wilkins— he was beaten severely for his efforts. The officers were separated and George never saw them again. Lieutenant Koelsch died within ninety days as a result of torture and malnutrition. Everyone contracted dysentery—what little rice they were given—went right through them. George went from 175lbs to less than 100lbs [by estimate]. More than half of Colonel Pak’s prisoners died in the camp. However, at one point, the Chinese intervened and taught the North Koreans the value of keeping the prisoners “just alive”—they were bargaining chips. After three months, George was marched to camp number 2. This one was run by the Chinese. Here, they got two small bowls of rice a day with some kind of grain mash on top—laced with worms and weevils. The dysentery stopped and George put on about 20lbs [he now weighed about 120lbs]. The
prisoners were subjected to brain washing—the virtues of Communism. This went on almost every day. They were issued one set of lightweight clothes in the Summer [shirt and pants] and then in October exchanged for slightly heavier versions—everyone had lice and in the winter they were all freezing and starving—some dying and all sick—no medical care ever given. After about another nine months—George was moved again to camp number 5—same as number 2 but much bigger. The conditions were the same: sick, starving, freezing and constant brain washing. After about one year, they were told the war was over and within five days were trucked to Panmunjom for their release. After two plus years in captivity George had survived—not without scars. Forty percent of his fellow American POWs died during imprisonment. Lieutenant Koelsch was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously and Captain Wilkins survived and he and George reunited in 1956 and remain in contact. George went on to enjoy a healthy, happy and productive life. Thank you for your service old buddy—you went through a lot. George Milton Neal’s Awards & Medals Navy Cross POW Air Medal 27
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FITNESS
EXERCISE WHEN SICK: IS IT A GOOD IDEA? A R T I C L E B Y E M I LY J E D E R L I N I C H
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sn’t fall beautiful? The leaves have started to turn to bright oranges or yellows. There’s a crisp refreshing feel to the air, and people are starting to sniffle and sneeze. Oh, no! That means the cold and flu season has also quickly approached us. Darn it! I recently taught a fitness class where almost everyone in the class had been sniffling, coughing up a lung or sneezing. Which had caused me to cover my face with my shirt, while shouting out commands and keeping a safe distance from them. Once the class was over, it seemed that everyone was starting to feel better. Their spirits were high, they were re-energized for the day, and what do you know their sinuses had cleared. Does that mean that exercise can help you get over the cold and flu a lot faster? I believe exercise is a great way to get over a cold. Any kind of movement helps with circulation, and rid your body of what your body is fighting. I do also think that it depends on what illness you have. If it is your normal “cold” with a sniffly nose and your throat feels like you swallowed sandpaper, exercise should be okay. That is only if you’re feeling up to it. On the other hand, if you are curled in fetal position with cold sweats and a fever that is where I’d suggest you stay! Exercise with a fever may actually be worse and weaken your immune system. It’s important to listen to your body when you are sick. If you are feeling under the weather, turn your exercise session into a walk in the forest or beach, or my favorite, yoga instead of a high intensity class. If you miss a few sessions of a class or a workout you love, it’s okay. It’s best to rest your body, instead of pushing yourself to the max and feel worse instead of better. If you are still unsure if you should go exercise, you can also do the “neck check.” I am sure you are probably thinking, “Emily, you’re talking crazy now.” I am being serious, the above the neck such as runny nose, sore throat, sneez-
ing and a cough, means that you are probably safe to exercise. If the symptoms are below the neck such as body aches, pains, stomach pains, nausea, chest pain, it’s probably best to rest than to work out. When you are healthy, your body is designed to cope with stress of a tough work out, or everyday life. When we are sick, our immune system has taken a beaten and has a challenging time coping with stress, even from a regular workout. This is where you need to take the time to listen to your body, and take it easy. Your body is telling you it needs to rest. Sometimes you need to lay around like a couch potato all day watching your favorite TV show. Some of my favorites when sick are: Chicken broth with garlic: I love this. To me, if I start feeling a scratchy throat coming on, I run to the store, grab some organic chicken broth and load it up with garlic. I sip on it throughout the day, like I am sipping on coffee. Ginger or Mint tea: depending on the symptom, ginger or mint tea does wonders to the digestion system. Especially if you are having an upset stomach kind of day. Garlic: I add garlic to everything. Like I stated above, I add garlic to my chicken broth. It has anti-microbial properties that are good for healing viruses. I hope these tips have helped you all, and remember if you are sick, rest that bod!
SUPERCAR SUNDAY PORSCHE MARQUE
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S TO R Y B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N
AND PHOTOS BY DUANE STEINER
orsche Marque day at Supercar Sunday is one of those days that you just can’t miss. When we say that we have a few Porsches attending, a few turns out to be about four hundred. And then there were a few other cars there as well... It was a good day, a really good day. The Santa Barbara Porsche Club and the Los Angeles Porsche Club who have been long time attendees to Supercar Sunday and Motor4Toys always come in strong. Many of the club members have been coming to Supercar Sunday since the inception, somewhere around sixteen years ago. Old friends indeed, heck, family. Like many others... we have had some fun all these years, haven’t we? Porsche Marque Day is always special. The sound of all those finely tuned machines pulling into the Supercar Sunday parking lot, it is simply incredible. Air cooled, water cooled, turbo, naturally aspirated and even Porsches modified with Chevy V8 motors. We had them all! The best of Germany dominated the event. Even race cars were on display, trailered in by their owners! The Auto Gallery, one of the largest Porsche Dealerships in the United States as well as the presenting sponsor of Supercar Sunday pulled out all the stops. Bringing every notable Porsche at the dealership, cars out of collections and calling collectors to share cars with the other enthusiasts, it was awesome. The Auto Gallery also provided food and beverages with their compliments for everyone at Supercar Sunday. That was a lot of people! They transformed a portion of the Westfield Promenade parking lot into a Porsche Boutique and provided a tremendous Porsche Ownership Experience. Also worth noting, The Auto Gallery had their full Porsche staff present at Supercar Sunday. The goal was to provide a great experience for all the attendees as well as to be able to answer any questions that a Supercar Sunday guest might have. Well, the team work, camaraderie and leadership at The Auto Gallery really shined through, adding so much value to the event. Thank you Team Auto Gallery! Back to Supercar Sunday. It was if a call was made to every enthusiast in California. The turnout of cars offered the full spectrum of automotive design and manufacturing. Ferraris, Lamboghini, McLarens, hot rods, rat rods, 4x4s, Mustangs, Camaros, old, new, totally restored and barely running, everybody was there. It was such a success on so many levels. I suppose next year we will really have to do something special. If we had four hundred Porsches there...good grief, what will next year be? A very special thank you to everyone who attended, the clubs, the groups, the individuals, the sponsors and the community. You all rock!
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by Mark Llewellyn
What better way is there to convey your emotions or beliefs than plastering a “bumper sticker” on your car? There it is, you can put it right out there for the world to see. Some are funny, some crude! Some religious, some political one thing for sure, there is one out there for you! Bumper Stickers came about in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Forest P. Gill, a screen printer from Kansas City Kansas is credited with the invention. They came about originally as souvenirs of travel and sporting events. It was not until the presidential election of 1952 between Eisenhower-Stevenson that they found their voice as a means of political expression. They even found their way into Hollywood movies, with a scene dedicated to a bumper sticker in the movie “Forrest Gump”! Remember the scene, a pick-up truck with a bumper sticker that says “S*** Happens” starts out into the intersection only to be ran into by another car. Early bumper stickers were printed on paper. They were screen printed and used daylight florescent inks so they would glow. Vinyl has replaced the paper sticker in most cases due to the fact it holds up so well against the elements. “Bumper Stickers” have found their way into the American persona. There are many libraries and institutions across the nation that have collections of them. There is no doubt they have become part of the American Pop Culture.
Coupon good for discounted entry cost of just $5.00. Beautiful vintage automobiles and Americana. 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard, California 93033
www.LeonsTransmission.com
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murphyautomuseum.org (805) 487-4333
REAL ESTATE WORLD T H E
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F E N G
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G W E N B A N TA & T O R Y H E R A L D | S O T H E B Y ’ S I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E A LT Y
eng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science based on the theory that land is alive and filled with “chi” or energy. The Feng Shui energy map of any space is The Bagua which shows what colors to use in specific rooms, the best images to use and where to place furniture for best energy flow. Yellow wakes up a room. Red symbolizes fire energy. Greens and blues are great in bathrooms as they embody tranquility. White works seamlessly with all colors. Orange is the “social color”. Brown is stable and grounding so great in a bed or living room. Pink is sedating and often used in prisons ~ really! Purple, grey and black are best used as accent colors. Try the Bagua here for yourself. The right Feng Shui color combination can be a wonderful and powerful way to create a harmonious home.
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Gwen Banta
Tory Herald
Gwen Banta and Tory Herald - Connecting the Worlds of Real Estate 323-252-1700 * 310-985-2719 EastWestRealEstateSpecialists.com
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S LEADER IN NEW & CLASSIC FERRARI SERVICE
Your FCA membership is now worth 20% off when you service your Ferrari with The Auto Gallery
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