Contents ISSUE 23, NOVEMBER 2011 EDITOR IN CHIEF ART DIRECTOR
Tim Cummings
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
Louis Berkman
DESIGN
Tim Cummings
WEB DESIGN
10
STORIES BY
PHOTO EDITOR ADVERTISING
20
Dustin Troyan
Jeff Balbien Louis Berkman Neil Kramer Mo Dustin Troyan Matthew Duclos 1080 Signs Auto Gallery Auto Trixx All Car Parts, LTD. Lavaggio Universal City Nissan Coastline Motorsport Valley Pacific Hangar CNC Motors Inc. Fred Staul-State Farm Maserati Eleven-Eleven Watches Blue Line Ammo Maserati Supercharger Connection Wades Wines Cafe 14 Printing Zone, Inc. Community Chiropractic Papa Jay’s Hot Rods Dent Mechanix Socal Shop Guy
Payments and Deadline Payments are made in advance of printing. Please submit payment with ad submission. Artwork due by the 1st of the month prior to publication month. Preferred payment method is check. We do accept credit cards. Please make checks payable to: Connected Media Group, LLC. 23907 Ventura Blvd., Calabasas, CA. 91302 Questions or comments: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com 818-516-5053 SIZING: Full Page 8.625” x 11.125” 1/2” Page 7.875” x 5” (if horizontal) and 3.875” x 10.375” (if vertical) 1/4” Page 3.875” x 5” Business Card 2” x 3.5” Artwork Specifications: HI-REZ PDF or PDF/X1-A / CMYK with all high resoulution graphics and fonts embedded Email artwork to: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com
24
Join our online Forum: www.Drivenworld.com
from the editor Happy Holidays! STORY BY DUSTIN TROYAN
T
o my car community family; Happy Holidays! I wish you the best in the New Year! During the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on those things for which I am grateful for. There are so many different things; my friends, my family, the cats, our health. I could go on and on and on. One thing I am grateful for is you. I would like to thank you for your years of support; for dedicating your Sunday mornings to a little thing that has turned into a big thing. I would like to thank you for Motor4toys, a small charitable foundation which has turned into one of the biggest toy drives around. I would like to thank you for not: speeding, peeling out, racing, turning on your radios or otherwise disrespecting
Supercar Sunday. THANK YOU. I would like to thank you for bringing in your rusty project car that barely runs and parking next to a multi-million dollar classic race car, and both owners sharing and having a great conversation. I would like to thank the fathers that bring their sons and daughters to Supercar Sunday and sharing their passion. I would like to thank them for explaining the etiquette and not letting them jump on cars. I would like to thank you for asking if we need assistance when we are setting up and tearing down and for bringing back a bagel or a coffee for us. I would like to thank all those people who help to politely explain the rules of the sport and inviting new guests.
I would like to thank the celebrities that come and walk around like regular car guys. I would like to thank you for introductions to new people and automotive legends. I would like to thank you for taking me for rides in some of the world’s most amazing vehicles. I would like to thank all the old timers for the sage advice and the great stories! Thank you for the foundation you laid and for still being a part of it! I would like to thank you for all of the fun we have had over the years and that we will continue to have. Thank you for always being there, for supporting, for helping, for suggestions and for your friendship. Thank you for Supercar Sunday and Motor4toys.
www.drivenworld.com 5
Timepiece Trends…
“It’s Simply Complicated”
Tucked Away Places STORY BY HAROLD OSMER
Breaking free of the impersonal internet/COSTCO/Walmart buying process takes some effort. Online and bulk-rate bargains abound. It’s no wonder we use them. But Mom and Pop stores gave way to economies of scale at the cost of personal service. Fortunately, there is a growing trend toward the return of independently operated retail outlets. Many displaced professional workers are following their dreams and we can all participate. One such dream is Guitar Merchant in Canoga Park. Owner Phil St. Germain spent 20 years as an electronics firm manager only to find himself tossed aside by factors beyond his control. Building on a lifelong passion for guitars, rock and roll, and the music scene in general, St. Germain established Guitar Merchant six years ago and hasn’t looked back. “I figured that if I could reach the five-year point, I’ll have made it,” he says, “Becoming an authorized Fender distributor earlier this year was a huge step forward.” Guitar Merchant carries guitars, basses, amplifiers, and all the associated equipment that goes along with them. Their edge comes from a three-fold business strategy. “We not only sell instruments here, but we have a variety of talented instructors available for each of them,” says St. Germain, “And as the students progress, we have a stage for them to perform on. We like to say that you can buy it, learn it, and perform with it all under one roof.” The performance venue is busy most nights of the week. Regular events include Wednesday’s Open Mic session and (mostly) teen-oriented bands on Friday and
Saturdays. Twice monthly ukulele jams take place on Sundays along with recitals, special events, and closed-door rehearsals. Sold out shows for 100 are not uncommon. Guitar Merchant’s greatest asset is St. Germain himself. His passion sets the tone, he knows his merchandise, and he’s the one who’ll greet you when you walk in. Though his selection is smaller through necessity than the big music outlets, his prices are competitive. The thought of small stores being higher priced is long outdated. “I know what a given item sells for at the other places,” he says, “In today’s information age, everyone knows. I have to price accordingly.” Where an independent store thrashes the outlets is in personalized service. Guitar Merchant provides straight talk, experience, and a great vibe. “I guarantee every guitar I sell beyond what the manufacturer does,” St. Germain says with a wry smile, “The guitar is just a physical thing. Making music changes a person from the inside and that’s what we’re all about.” We can bemoan the faceless electronic world we find ourselves in and whine about the lack of personal/respectful treatment prevalent today. Or we can demand better by frequenting those businesses that feature individualized service. Guitar Merchant is one of those tucked away places that you ought to know about. Guitar Merchant 7503 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-884-5905 www.GuitarMerchant.com
STORY BY CAROL LEVEY
To understand the trends that debuted at the recent BaselWorld Watch Fair for 2011, you have to understand that simple is complicated. Literally. The world’s most impressive watch brands have heeded the call of even the most sophisticated horological consumer by introducing timepieces that are stylish, yet simple…and complicated. Watchmakers have abandoned oversized cases and diamond-heavy bezels and are instead prying open their vaults to re-discover the clean dials, marker shapes and streamlined mainsprings of bygone eras. That means that while the styles might be subtle and unassuming, the complications that help tell time also reveal moments of history. Breitling (www.breitling.com) unveiled an updated version of its “Transocean” chronograph that first debuted in 1958. The 43 mm timepiece features Breitling’s own self-winding Caliber 01 movement and, on the dial, an 18-karat gold version of the “B” that served as Breitling’s logo for many years. Luxury conglomerate Swatch Group’s Longines (www.longines.com) brand redesigned and re-issued the watch it originally supplied to Swissair in the 1950s and dubbed it the “Longines Twenty-Four Hours,” for its distinctive 24-hour dial. And to commemorate 130 years of timekeeping excellence, Japanese watchmaker Seiko (www.seiko.com) crafted a limitededition version (130 each in yellow gold and platinum, as well as 1300 in stainless steel) of the first Grand Seiko from 1960. The timepiece features the new handwinding Caliber 9S64 movement with a 72-hour power reserve. Keeping time by today’s luxury watch standards has been made easier by the new consumer attitude of enjoying simplicity through the complicated efforts of past watchmakers and artisans. So the next time you harken back to memories of your father’s watch from the 1950s, remember that while time cannot stand still, it can make its presence simply through the complications of the past.
www.drivenworld.com 7
YOUR INVESTMENT DESERVES THE BEST
c Museum Quaility Storage c State-of-the-Art Video Surveillance c Climate Controlled c Concierge Automobile Services c Conveniently Located in beautiful, downtown Santa Barbara
Inquire about our services at 805.845.5000 or visit www.hangarsb.com. 201 W. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101
SHARE THE SENSATION.
SANTA BARBARA’S PREMIERE COLLECTIBLE AUTO STORAGE
EXPERIENCE THE MASERATI GRANTURISMO CONVERTIBLE FOR FOUR.
The GranTurismo Convertible advances the tradition of its iconic predecessors with a Maserati so beautiful—so remarkable—that it can be rightly regarded a modern classic. Pininfarina design is matched by a competition-proven V8 to create a convertible that establishes a new benchmark for style and performance. The GranTurismo Convertible continues the classic Maserati tradition of exclusive grand touring luxury with a twist, combining ample room for four adults with unfettered top-down freedom. The Maserati GranTurismo Convertible is all about sharing with friends. And chances are, you have more than you ever imagined.
Drive inspiration. PRICED FROM $136,300. LEARN MORE AND BUILD YOUR OWN. VISIT maserati.us OR CALL 877-my-Maserati GRANTURISMO CONVERTIBLE BASE MSRP $136,300, NOT INCLUDING GAS GUZZLER TAX, DEALER PREP AND TRANSPORTATION. DEALER PRICE MAY VARY. TAXES, TITLE AND REGISTRATION FEES NOT INCLUDED. ©2011 MASERATI NORTH AMERICA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MASERATI AND THE TRIDENT LOGO ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF MASERATI SPA. MASERATI URGES YOU TO OBEY ALL POSTED SPEED LIMITS.
2011 Equus Signature Sedan STORY BY HAROLD OSMER
O
h the joys of a well-done car. Imagine a luxury sedan that actually behaves like a luxury sedan instead of a wannabe race car limo. Equus evolved in the Korean market. It is a spot-on entry level luxury vehicle for American buyers looking for a stylish, comfortable, full-sized sedan capable of impressing your boss at half the price he paid for his car. FEATURES The Signature model comes with exactly zero added features, translating to a fully loaded vehicle and selection decision based solely upon which of the four exterior color options you prefer. Options that add up quickly with other luxury brands are included on Equus. For $58,000 Equus provides the award winning 4.6 liter V8 Tau engine (producing 385 horsepower) coupled to an electronically controlled ZF 6-speed automatic trans-
10 www.drivenworld.com
mission with Shiftronic mode available. And as the iPad owners manual says, “Front wheel drive is to a luxury car as clown paint is to the Mona Lisa.” You read that right. Equus is rear wheel drive. And the interactive owners manual comes in a supplied iPad that can be connected directly to the car. Most vehicle features can be explained and demonstrated through animations and videos. An appointment app is available that lets you reserve dealer service times. There is much to like about the Equus. All controls are where they should be and are easy to interpret. Switch response is positive, all interior surfaces are nicely finished with wood and leather, and the 12-way power massaging driver seat is delightful. The Equus Ultimate model provides all Signature features along with rear seat leg support and Massaging system, entertainment system with 8-inch monitor, and a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS). MSRP for the Equus Ultimate package is
$64,500. PET PEEVES Several of my personal pet automotive peeves have been addressed with Equus. First is the sheer complexity of many modern car interiors. I’m all for technological advances finding their way into my daily driver, but too much gets distracting enough to be dangerous. Equus delivers all the needed bells and whistles to entertain the lot of us, but has managed to avoid jet-fighter complexity. Next is a simple thing having to do with window controls. Why don’t all modern cars come with a partial + all-up/down window switch? Equus has this type of switch on all four doors. Such a simple, welcome item. One more item involving the windows. Why do all newer cars incur a wind buffeting effect when the windows are rolled down? This makes enjoying the outside air impossible when driving. Well, when you cruise Pacific Coast Highway in an Equus,
wood interior surfaces, acoustic laminated windshield, etc. Engine type: 4.6L V8 Tau, DOHC 32-valve, Multi-Point fuel injection Horsepower: 385@6500 rpm Torque: 333 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm Performance: 0-60 mph 6.7 seconds top speed NA Drive configuration: Front engine / rear wheel drive Transmission type: 6-speed ZF Automatic, Electronically Controlled, Shiftronic mode Suspension: Front: Electronically Controlled Air Suspension Rear: Electronically Controlled Air Suspension Wheels and tires: 19-inch 9-spoke alloy wheels 245/45R19 (front) 275/40R19 (rear) all you get is fresh ocean breezes. No buffeting. I don’t know how they did it, but every automaker should get with this program.
ship will come to you, take your car, leave a loaner Equus, and return when service is complete. Luxury.
DRIVING Equus is a passenger-oriented car. Air conditioning and audio controls for the entire vehicle can be changed from the rear seat, which are adjustable and recline to some degree. This is a carry over from the Asian market where many Equus owners enjoy the services of chauffeurs. Generous rear leg and head room attest to this. From the drivers seat, Equus’ 385 horsepower best responds when the throttle is rolled on. A solid mashing results in forward motion, but this is not an aggressive vehicle. Cornering is smooth and predictable, brakes are very good, and body roll is not noticeable. Switching to Sport Mode produced little changes in Equus’ manners. Cabin noise is minimal, wind noise is minimal, driver effort is minimal. When service time comes, the dealer-
SUMMATION I’ve not seen anything about Equus on television. Perhaps it’s because Equus’ eye catching design, wonderfully understated appointments, and quiet, comfortable interior makes it too cool for commercials. The drive is smooth, quiet, and positive. How does Equus do all this for $58,000? Answer is: it’s made by Hyundai. Very nicely done. Harold O. www.hyundaiusa.com/equus Name of vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature Price: Base $58,000 as tested $58,000 standard features include: Smart Cruise Control, Proximity keyless door unlock system, iPad owners manual, 60/40 power reclining rear seats, leather/
Brakes: Front Vented Disc Rear Vented Disc ABS Overall length/wheelbase: 203.1 inches/119.9 inches Overall width: 74.4 inches Overall height: 58.7 inches EPA mileage estimates City/ Highway: 16/24 5 Year/60,000 mile Bumper to Bumper 10 Year/100,000 mile Powertrain 7 Year, unlimited mileage corrosion perforation 24/7 Roadside Assistance, 5 years/unlimited miles
www.drivenworld.com 11
2011
november
7-‐10am
Vintage (Pre-‐1950)
SuperCar Sunday
27
SuperCar Sunday 7-‐10am
20
SuperCar Sunday 7-‐10am
13
SuperCar Sunday 7-‐10am
6
30
sunday
28
21
14
7
31
monday
29
22
15
8
1
tuesday
30
23
16
9
2
wednesday
1
24
17
10
3
thursday
2
25
18
11
4
friday
3
26
19
12
5
saturday
18
www.drivenworld.com
www.fusion4motorsports.com
info@fusion4motorsports.com
818.773.9636
" ! $ Fusion Motor Sports is the premier Independent Service center specializing in the highest level of service and repair for your exotic and luxury automobile
!
$3,995.00 plus tax (originally $4600.00)
t Genuine Ferrari clutch replacement t Includes Hill Engineering Throwout Bearing t Mobil 1 Oil/Genuine Ferrari oil filter Expires 03/31/2012. Special not valid on previous work. Must bring ad
# !
Ferrari F430 Racing Exhaust $4,500.00 plus tax (installed) Ferrari 360 Twin Sound Exhaust w/Valves $4,900.00 plus tax (installed) Free installation expires 03/31/2012. Specials not valid on previous work. Must bring ad.
! %
20835 Nordhoff Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
“Like� us on
Montery Classic Car Week:
Dollars and Sense
STORY BY FRANK FILIPPONIO
A
nother Monterey Classic Car Week is in the books and we are still basking in the memories of this year’s events. From Gordon McCall’s Jet Center Party on Wednesday night through the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, we got the chance to see - and hear in some cases - thousands of the finest classic and collector vehicles at some of the most beautiful venues in the world. Name a dream car from the past 100 years and chances are you would have seen one touring along 17-Mile Drive, blasting down Route 68, cruising up PCH or just parked at any one of hundreds of hotels and motels that were suddenly overflowing with some of the most valuable vehicles in the world. To get a sense of the value of the cars in Monterey last week, take a look at the 9 Bugatti Veyrons on display at The Quail on Friday. To be fair, there were actually ten, but one was set apart on a display stand that was carpeted in blue and required visitors to wear special Bugatti booties to approach it. It was a one-off that was covered in swirled white and blue porcelain and as far as we know it isn’t for sale. So let’s just look at the nine that were down on the ground with us peons. The original asking price for the Bugatti EB16.4 Veyron was $1.7MIL. The even faster Veyron Super Sport stickered for $2.4 MIL. Together the eight Veyrons and one SS represent $16MIL worth of automobiles. Meanwhile, over at the Gooding auction
20 www.drivenworld.com
on Saturday, a very special 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa prototype sold for a world record $16.39MIL. Take a close look at those numbers. Nine Veyrons = $16MIL vs One Ferrari = $16.39MIL. Yep, you could trade in all of those Veyrons and still not have enough to buy the Ferrari. If that isn’t mind-boggling enough, over at Laguna Seca they were running the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion where there was a class that included four Ferrari 250 GTOs. The last GTO that sold to a private party was rumored to have sold for $26MIL. That’s nearly twice the price of the auctioned Testa Rossa and there were four of them in just that one class. That’s over $100MIL worth of GTOs alone. Taking that one step further, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, those four GTOs were joined by 17 of their brothers in a line that stretched halfway down the 18th fairway of the Links at Pebble Beach. That’s $542MIL worth of Enzo’s finest if each is valued at $26MIL. Some are likely worth a little less, but others may well be worth a lot more too. So over half a billion dollars worth of GTOs were at Pebble. Besides the GTOs, there were another 200 or so exquisite and often one-of-a-kind classic vehicles entered in the concours too. While the value of some of the other vehicles may well surpass even the GTO, let’s stick with just the GTOs for a moment. If the average price of a new car is around $32,000, then those 21 GTOs could be traded for…wait for it…16,937 and-a-half daily drivers. That’s 3.7 cars for each of Pebble Beach’s 4,531 residents, plus an extra half as a conversation piece. To say that there was a ridiculous amount of money involved in this week of automotive extravagance would be an understatement. Not everyone understands the unworldly prices paid for these cars, but to those who got to see them up close, to hear the ghosts of the folks who made these iconic autos into the legends they have become…it all makes perfect sense. These cars are no different than paintings or sculptures are to art collectors. It is less about the materials or even the finished product than the artists behind them, the stories that captivate their owners and admirers and the passion to possess them that they instill in those fortunate enough to be able to afford them when they go up for sale. No other series of classic and collectible car events brings car lovers closer to their dreams than Monterey Classic Car Week.
www.drivenworld.com 21
www.drivenworld.com 23
Home Cookin Chapter:
Personal Recipes STORY BY LOUIS BERKMAN
Green Onion Sausage Poppers 12 -14 Jalapenos 8 ounces BLOCK cream cheese at room temperature
Over the past several months I have been dealing with the nuts and bolts of equipping a kitchen. Now that the hardware is out of the way, it is time to move onto the software; ingredients. There is an old adage that you only end up with what you start with. If you do not have the best reasonably obtainable ingredients, than whatever you prepare will simply not be as good as it could have been. If you rely solely on your local supermarket for supplies, the compromises begin there. It has always been somewhat amazing to me that in a city the size of Los Angeles, there are so few good specialty purveyors. On those rare occasions that I actually do find an exceptional supplier, I tend to guard this information like a state secret. As part of my new spirit of openness, I am going to begin by identifying my meat and fish purveyor; Jim’s Fallbrook Market in Woodland Hills (www.jimsfallbrookmarket.com). Jim’s is the most unique of meat purveyors, A small neighborhood market specializing in Harris Ranch Beef with – wait for it - REAL BUTCHERS! If it involves meat or fish and you can think of it, the experts at Jim’s can make it happen. From ground lamb for allergic dogs to USDA PRIME steaks, Jim’s has it all. Their ground beef is a religious experience; better than ground beef from just about anyone else. Jim’s has a large selection of ready to cook prepared foods. From six different marinated chicken breasts to Korean bulgogi to superb lamb, beef or fish kebabs, their prepared foods are just what you would expect – exceptional.
As a native Angelino and a Valley resident for more than 30 years, it has always surprised me how bad the selection and quality of fresh fish is in most places. I find Jim’s consistently has the best seafood in the Valley. If you need anything special, all you have to do is call and give them a day’s notice and they will procure anything you need if it is available in Southern California. Cleaning and deboning fish is NOT a problem. For the sandwich and deli crowd, Jim’s simply does it better. They supply Boar’s Head deli meats, their own in house roasted turkey breast and roast beef. All of these meats are available in made to order sandwiches. Jim’s also makes their own breakfast, Italian and Louisiana Green Onion Sausages in house. Their Louisiana Green Onion sausage is a real find. During my last trip to see family in Louisiana, I discovered Green Onion sausage and my life hasn’t been the same since. I was able to bring the spice recipe back to LA with me and now Jim’s has it daily. I am fairly certain Jim’s is the only place west of the Mississippi that has this available. To celebrate this, I have included a recipe for Green Onion Sausage Jalapeño Poppers. This easy recipe makes some of the best appetizers around. They may not be pretty, but they sure taste good! Jim's Fallbrook Market 5947 Fallbrook Ave , Woodland Hills, Ca 91367 Phone: 818.347.5525 Fax: 818.347.7220 www.jimsfallbrookmarket.com
2 pounds green onion sausage skinned and at room temperature Grated Parmesan cheese Sliced bacon (optional) Preheat oven to 400° F Cut stems from jalapenos. Cut jalapeno in half and using a small knife remove seeds and veins. USE GLOVES AND DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE WHILE DOING THIS. Be certain to wash your hands WELL before going to the next step. Bring a pan of water to a boil. Turn on exhaust fan to the highest setting. Add cut and cleaned jalapenos to boiling water and simmer for 3 - 5 minutes or until barely tender. Using a slotted spoon drop the cooked peppers into ice water to stop cooking. Drain and let stand till dry. Using a small butter knife, spread a layer of cream cheese into all of the half peppers. Using a spoon, stuff each pepper with green onion sausage. Place peppers on a baking sheet. When all of the peppers have been filled with cheese and sausage and are on the baking sheet, top each stuffed pepper with grated parmesan cheese. Place peppers into preheated oven and bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until sausage is cooked and Parmesan cheese has melted and lightly browned. If the poppers are going to be grilled, omit the Parmesan cheese and wrap each popper with a slice of bacon. Grill over medium heat until bacon is somewhat crisp. Servings: 24
24 www.drivenworld.com
www.drivenworld.com 25
12 www.drivenworld.com