Malamut

Photos as noted

For months ahead of this trip, we looked forward with enthusiasm and gratitude to Mike Malamut for his willingness to give us exclusive, Saturday morning access to his wide selection of fun cars, beautifully restored classics, and automobile lifestyle memorabilia. And, it turned out, Mike was on hand to offer some personal insights into how he came about acquiring such a collection and creating his large, unique museum.

But we had another treat ahead before that. Most club members started at our usual Cars & Coffee location with check in by Doreen Pankow and volunteers. That done, an iconic, southern California drive awaited.

Steve Geldman gave us his morning safety and route briefing and then led the way for our large fleet of Porsches of all models and years. Because the group was large, Art Shinn volunteered to lead the back half of the caravan on our way down the coast. Both lead autos are beautiful Sapphire Blue Porsches, a perfect color for a sunny, spring morning.

The route was one of our favorites: the Santa Monica Mountains. After an impressive parade down Pacific Coast Highway, as we approached Malibu we looked for the left turn onto Encinal Canyon Road, where the narrow canyon and ridge top twisties begin. The route continues onto Mulholland Highway, then to Decker and Potrero roads, and into the town of Newbury Park. Here is where the Malumut Auto Museum awaited, as did some of the group who didn’t do the mountain drive but agreed to meet us at the museum itself.

After access to his two major buildings and the “yard” out back, Mike assembled us all for remarks and anecdotes. He owns three buildings, and those used for the museum are packed with cars (some on lifts two high) and every square foot of wall space taken up with something auto related. He even leases out part of one building, noting, “If I didn’t lease it out I would just have more cars.”

Mike spoke to the crowd about his love for cars and particularly Porsches because they are so fun to drive. That must have been kind of a bummer to hear for the few Ferrari Club members he kindly let in that day. I hope the accompanying photos give you a taste of Mike’s extraordinary collection.

Some of my favorites, besides all the memorabilia, were the deep blue Alpha Romeo, the mini 3 wheelers, the classic old camper trailers out back, and every old 911 and 356 in his collection, of which you’d think he’s almost cornered the market.

Steve Doll has been a member of PCA since 2007. He is currently the vice president and board appointed activities chair for the region. Steve enjoys driving his old school 1968 911 L and his factory delivered 2016 GT4.