Zippomobile...Lost and Rebirth

Are you a believer in the ghosts of space and time? Do you ever hear a sound and it takes you back like a time machine? One of those sounds is the lite metallic sound of a Zippo Lighter as it snaps shut. I can still hear it as I did many years ago fishing with my father on a windy morning next to a stream.

A unique design to ward off the wind introduced to the GIs. Image © Zippo

Reutter - What's in a Name...

Well not "Body By Jack LaLanne" of the 50s and 60s, but "Body By Reutter." That's one of the body makers for old Porsche, another was Karman. But, did you know Reutter Karosserie, was founded in 1906 by Wilhelm Reutter? Renowned for their elegant coachwork, Reutter Karosserie's body plant in Zuffenhausen was making bodies for Porsche, and was eventually purchased by Porsche in 1963 to continue work on the 356. However, Reutter was not out of business, they went on to continue to manufacture seats. The new name was then a contraction of the original name, Re-Karo, or Recaro.

These little badges are found on the lower right front fender of 356 Porsches.
Image via, elevenparts

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I'm Waiting For You...

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Coronado Vintage Races 2011...Replay

Another "Runway Rumble" has come and passed. San Diego Fleetweek hosted the "Race at the Base," also called the Coronado Speed Festival. This is one of the premier vintage events held on the West Coast and the 14th edition. It featured 250 of the world's most pedigreed vintage racecars chosen to compete on the basis of their historic significance.

Also displayed this year at the entrance of the event were a multitude of current and historic Navy jets and helicopters celebrating the Centennial of Naval Aviation (1911-2011).

The San Diego Region of the Porsche Club of America again held a hospitality tent for it's members with a Porsche parking corral located next to the track. Over 275 Porsche parking passes were sent out with around 150 cars each day showing their best. The most overheard remark by Sunday afternoon was, "We can't wait till next year to do it all again." Two of our sponsors this year were "Hemmings Motor News" supplying the windshield profile cards and "Along For The Ride" supplying the ear plugs to muffle that wonderful sound.

San Diego Region's Porsche Corral and Tent. Image © Ingo

Some of the crew with Hemmings Motor News profile cards. Image © Ingo

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Pebble Beach...The Other Bad Boys

Most have heard of the ultimate of ultimate vintage car concours, Pebble Beach.

The location, perched on a cliffs edge of California coast-line between Carmel and Monterey. You say, "coast-line," and what comes to mind besides an awesome setting for a car show? How about pigeons, seagulls and crows, call them the dive bombing "Bad Boys." So what to do?...Read on.

The "Motorama" Display on the 18th fairway. Image via Corvette Fever.

What Are Friends For ?

The car may have been different...but...dream back.

Can you remember hanging out with your buddies oil staining the driveway at your parents house?  The rising mid-morning sun, clean, a good day ahead for you. Not a care in life, just girls, swapping lies and making the ride of your life faster, that's all that mattered.

Image via, H.A.M.B.

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"Immortalized: Rods and Customs of Distinction"

"Art and Rods", what a bitchin' way to spend a warm Friday evening, a band, beer, wine, food and cool people. It was the opening reception of a "Rod" inspired art exhibition in a downtown Escondido gallery called ArtHatch with artist Robert Williams.

The reception was held with wine from "Vinz Wine Bar," beer from "Stone Brewing Co.," and sounds from Gino and the Lone Gunmen. All a benefit for Cruisin' Grand and ArtHatch. Oh yeah, the event had plenty of badass car art hanging on the walls, with more of the same in machinery on the street. After hanging out inside with show curator and speaker, artist Robert Williams, we came out to a sky heavy with stars shining down on some of the coolest rides on the earth.

It was a delicious night...

Immortalized: Rods and Customs of Distinction © ArtHatch staff photographer

Paint Me A Line / Pinstriping Hood Art

Von Dutch, Dean Jeffries, 'Big Daddy' Roth among many others became "automotive tattooers" of the 50's. Armed with nothing more than tins of "1 Shot" enamel, thinner, some oil, a squirrel hair brush and a steady hand, they became artists that are now known the world over.

Today with so much art being computer generated, it may be worth a look at some of the current hand drawn art done by the young guns. These shots of "Hood Art" were taken at this years Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. This was such a bitchin' event...we're heading back.

Tools of the trade, pinstriping at Viva Las Vegas. Image © AFTR

Abandoned Dreams / Daniel J. Rice

While wandering around a local cruise night a few ago, came across this young guy with his vendor tent selling prints of his photographic work. Got to talkin' with him and picked up a smallish coffee table book he had published, called "Junkyard Reflections." Very cool images inside...

"For me photography has always been the means of remembering and sharing the beauty I find here on earth. I always even as a child was intrigued by the history behind abandon homesteads on the Oregon frontier. When I stumbled across the forgotten junkyard, on one of my many drives on the back-roads of Oregon, it was absolutely amazing. You could just feel the memories those cars provided for the individuals that drove them over time.

 

I have dedicated myself to the exploration of places in history. I look forward to visiting the Mayan ruins in Mexico next, which I am currently planning. And much more as time passes."---Daniel J. Rice

If you would like to see more of his book and some of his other awesome images, it's certainly worth the click here! You won't be disappointed! 

"Junkyard Reflections" © Daniel J Rice

America's First Racing School / Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving

Carroll Shelby’s racing career grew out of a trip to a drag race in 1952. Later that year Shelby got behind the wheel of an MG TC and raced in his first road race, determined to win, and that he did.
In November of 1954, while racing in the Carrera Pan Americana in Mexico, Shelby crashed, flipping his car four times. It was his first serious accident. In 1955, he raced with his arm in a cast due to follow-up surgeries as a result of the accident. Later that same year, at Torrey Pines, Carroll beat Phil Hill while driving a Ferrari. Nothing was to keep him down.

In 1956 and 1957 Shelby was named "Driver of the Year" by Sports Illustrated magazine. He entered Formula One Racing in 1958, and in 1959 went on to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with co-driver Ray Salvadori. His last race would be on October 23nd, 1960 at the Pacific Grand Prix for Sports cars at Laguna Seca. He finished 2nd for the day behind the wheel of a Tipo 61 Birdcage Maserati. He was in such chest pain due to a heart condition after the race, that he called it quits.

Retiring from racing in 1961, he decided to open a Goodyear Racing Tire Distributorship and a driving school at a young Riverside International Raceway, called "Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving." He also called upon his friend, Pete Brock, to manage to operation. This school later became the Bob Bondurant school in 1968 at a SoCal drag strip and small road course called Orange County Raceway. When the Ontario Motor Speedway in California was built the school was moved to a dedicated road race/oval track. However, when Ontario was to be demolished after several years, the school was moved to its present location in Phoenix, Arizona.

Blog follower, Cameron Kane send in most of these photos from his father, Clark. Here's the story.

His father was at Riverside Raceway a lot in those days, and raced a H Modified Renault. Being a Sheriff in Riverside he was able to work the safety crew at the track. Which led to him being able to hang around with Shelby and Pete Brock at the driving school and when they did the 24 hrs with  Corvairs at Riverside, also when the 1st Cobra was made.

PR. photo release for Driving School. Image Carroll Shelby Archives.

Hangar Rockin' 2011 / Only The Basic Best

A hot rod is motoring at the basic best...a body, chassis, minimal amenities, and hopped up engine. Radio, what radio?...Ya wanta' hear the mill. That's the way it's gotta be...even in Europe!

Hangar Rockin’ has grown more and more and this year was the tenth edition in the festivals history. It has become one of the biggest Hot Rod, Rock’n’Roll, Kustom Kulture, Classic Car and Vintage Motorbike Meetings in Europe! The gathering was on the 1st and 2nd of July, 2011 at Airfield St. Stephan in Switzerland. The venue was set in the awesome scenery of the mountains between Zweisimmen and Lenk. The weekend was filled with first class live music and DJ's from the world over, also included, 1/8 mile Hot Rod drags, motorcycle show and race! There were also vendor tents, and you can't leave out the Hawaiian Bamboo Cocktail Bar, plus much more!

Check out the photos, hard to belive it's happin' in Europe...taking a step back in time.

Hangar Rockin', image © Sebgaidin.

This Way Please / Zone 8 Porsche Concours

The morning was dark, clear and heavy with stars as I put fire to my ride. Making my way to Shelter Island the sun rose out of the hills behind me, warming the smooth water on the bay next to the show site. I was there early to help direct cars, and couldn't help to think, this was to be a nice day. As I saw it, every blade of grass was ready to accept the perfect Porsches directed onto the ramps.  Later on, not having a camera, and spotting Shannon Bowman with one in hand, I asked, "Will you take some photos for the blog?" Her face tightened, then her initial resistance broke way to a big smile. "Sure", was her response.

"I like to look for the beauty in the cars...

they're like art."--Shannon Bowman

The shutter in the camera clicked opened and closed with her creative blue eye looking through, carefully framing each image. So here they are, wonderful shots of Steve and Araceli Lopez's organized Zone 8 Porsche Club Concours. Enjoy.

San Diego Zone 8 Concours. Image © Shannon Bowman.