For the third straight year the Desert Concours has proven itself a real contender as one of the finest Concours de’ Elegance in these United States; if not the world. Paul and Holly Merrigan have again brought together some of the worlds finest automobiles in a setting that one can only describe as - perfect. Whispers of the venue being as good, if not better than Pebble or even Lake Como were heard often. We will have to admit that we have not yet had the good fortune to attend the event in Lake Como, though we have heard of its absolute splendor. It was those who have been, who were making the comparison; pretty darned impressive.
The event had a new location this year as it had been moved from the O’Donnell Golf course to the La Quinta Resort and Spa. The La Quinta Resort is nestled between the mountains just east of Palm Springs, California and is an absolute world class resort. The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful, a truly great place to stay. If you happen to play golf (or in our case, play at golf) even better!
This year’s entry list was simply fantastic and the theme was cars of the fifties. We were fortunate enough to have been able to provide two cars for the event, Marc Zurlinden’s tribute a2z 911 Porsche and a fantastic 1955 Imperial 2 door coupe owned by our good friends John and Christie Lazenby. Some of the other great cars to be brought out of their garages for the weekend were Tom Holfelders fantastic Maserati 450S, Frank Chirats’ unbelievable good and often driven (though it never looks like it) Shelby Mustang and the absolute jaw dropping Ghia bodied series 62 Cadillac once owned by silver screen star Greta Garbo.
Best of show went to a very deserving Cadillac V16 Convertible.
Though the cars are the show….we thought we would do something a bit different here and show you some of the faces of the Concours…
This Concours is simply one of the best anywhere. It is not pretentious or stuffy, like some, it is easy and comfortable, unlike most and the venue and cars are absolutely world class. We can’t wait for next year….you really should go.
O.C.C.E
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January 29th, 2010, Features
Better than Pebble? It certainly is good comptetion!
The 3rd annual Desert Concours de Elegance is just one month away. Make your reservations now for what very well maybe one of the finest Concours events anywhere.
Leave your elbow length gloves and tiaras at home….this is a great event…just not as- well- pretentious. Nor does one need the bank account of an AIG executive to attend.
O.C.C.E
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January 27th, 2010, Features
Photos: provided by Steve Knoll of www.laprecord.com
The saga of Porsche U27 continues, but, from the beginning. If you have been following the story, you have seen the end result of Marc’s monumental effort to build what is without question, one of the finest tribute cars ever.
Remember the car was built as a tribute to the 1968 Trans-Am under 2.0 liter championship winning Porsche- piloted by our good friend and Orange County resident Tony a2z. Unlike most tribute cars however, those who were involved in the original engineering, building and driving of the championship winning car, were involved in this car as well; pretty heady stuff when we think that it all happened over 40 years ago.
We have shown you the finished product, but, what did it take to get it there? A lot!!!!
This build is no - throw together - paint it nice so it only looks good effort. Marc wanted the car to represent the championship winning car in every possible way. It had to be as accurate to the original as possible and not only aesthetically, it had to perform too.
History would again prove that it does indeed repeat it-self. “When the project commenced, and much the way Tony’s second car of that season came to life, this car started out as sort of a junk yard dog” says Marc. A roller chassis came from Dave Bouzaglou at TRE. The balance of the needed parts came from where-ever they could be found.
Marc built a rotisserie for the chassis and then the work started. All of the cars undercoating and seam sealer was removed….pounds of it. The rotisserie was also used for all of the body work and paint prep. Marc states “as all of the work was being done, Tony and Mac were compiling mountains of detailed information as they recalled the car”. Marc also found the “blueprint” of the car intriguing as “these guys developed the car, many of the modifications were utilized for years to come, yet few people seem to know how many of these (modifications) came from this car”.
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January 2nd, 2010, Features
The first ever Trans-Am race was held at Sebring Florida, in 1966. The over 2.0 liter class winning car was the Group 44 Dodge Dart piloted by Bob Tullius and Tony Adamowicz. The Trans-Am series would go on to become one of America’s best racing series; some might argue perhaps one of the best racing series in the world. There were 2 classes of cars for the original Trans-Am series; over 2.0 liter engine displacement cars and under 2.0 liter cars. Our good friend Tony Adamowicz would go on to win the 1968 2.0 liter championship in a 911 Porsche. This Story will focus however, on that 1966 Group 44 Dodge…the class winning car of the first ever Trans-Am. It is perhaps important to point out that the Group 44 Dodge was not only triumphant at Sebring, but also at the 12 hours of Marlboro and at the Daytona Trans-Am race; making the car THE most successful Chrysler product ever in the history of Trans-Am racing!!!!
“We” called Tony a2z and asked him if the old Dart was still around. His opinion, and that of others, is that the car no longer exists. The car had been sold after the 1967 Trans-Am season, turned into a dragster and from there was most likely lost to the world. Hummm, “we” thought…..someone really ought to rebuild that car, it is pretty important….
“We” bounced the idea off a2z and a round table email discussion started. Before we knew it, we had most of the original Group 44 team members interested in the project; a2z, Steve Knoll, Don Breslauer and even Bob Tullius’s son Russel. There are others involved as well; Marc Zurlinden, an absolutely gifted driver/builder/mechanic who built a2z’s Porsche 911 tribute car and Alan Lewis. Alan is our living Mopar encyclopedia…there is not much that Alan does not know Mopar-wise…good guy to have when all involved insist on an authentic build.
The first hurdle was to determine if the original car did exist, rumor had it that the real car was in the South East somewhere. The second challenge was to find rust free, straight 1966 Dart donor car that could be built into this tribute project. It had to be a Dart, not a Dart GT, it had to be a 1966 as the ’65 and ’67 cars were different. It had to have a V8, yet most of them had slant 6’s. 4 Speed manual gear box…sure….an 8 ¾ inch rear end AND it had to be white…yeah we’ll find that one laying around…. we did…kind of.
“We” located a car in Nevada. It was white, had a V8, was indeed a 1966 model, was straight and rust free and had a 8 ¾ rear end….4 out of 5…not bad. At this point, we were into the project about 2 weeks. We were still not sure if the real car was out there somewhere. It would be pointless starting the project if the real car was still alive and could or would be resurrected and raced again. What to do? Do we pass on this car in Nevada? What are the chances of finding another- particularly this clean? Do we buy it with the hope that the car in the South East is NOT the real McCoy? Steve Knoll got in his Porsche and drove to Orange County from Northern California. Steve, a2z and I went to dinner and talked about…what else!!!
The next morning, we drove to Nevada. The car was a clean, straight and rust free, though it does have a few running condition issues; we drove the car home. Steve followed though he made a call to a friend of his who had a truck and trailer just in case the sum-bitch did not make it back. About half way home…smoke from under the dash…..oh S&^%!!!!! Stopped the car, unplugged my phone charger from the cigar lighter…no more smoke…Cool! We stopped at Bob’s Big Boy in Baker (you know…where that huge thermometer is)…seemed apropos with this car. J
The car made it. Last week we were informed that what was believed to be the “real” car on the East Coast is NOT the Group 44 Dodge Dart….excellent news, the project goes forward.
In the mean time, and as good fortune would have it, we were introduced to a couple of great guys from the marketing department at Chrysler. We were left with the distinct impression that they have a real interest in our project. Their involvement would be fantastic and most certainly a win-win for all involved.
The goal is to have the car built in time for the 2010 vintage race season…. the Group 44 /Quaker State/ Dodge Dart will have won the inaugural 1966 Trans-Am race 44 years ago. Coinidence or destiny? The Plan is that we put a2z back in the car and do well enough that an invitation to participate at this years Monterey Historic Races comes our way. This is a big project…and a very important car.
To be continued….
Should anyone have an interest in becoming involved with or participating in this project, (though not as a driver …we already have three J J J) please contact:
Klaus Kindor
kk@occarenthusiast.com
714-396-6688
O.C.C.E.
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December 31st, 2009, Features
Another decade has gone by….this one a bit more quickly, or so it seems. Or, does it only feel that way to those of us who have been around a little longer? Looking back over the last ten years we (of course) look at what happened in the car world.
What were the most significant cars over the last 10 years? A few come to mind, but only a few, really. First - the BMW Z8; fantastic. We are of the opinion that the Z8 is one of THE most handsome and perfectly proportioned cars built- ever! The Z8 is a great driving car and certainly a great Grand Touring car rather than a full blown sports car. It is a car that one can get a great looking lady and a set of golf clubs in; not having to give up either is a huge plus. This is a very competent car that will take enough luggage for a few days and is comfortable to drive for hours and hours. The car was also built in very limited numbers and for only three short years; a future collectable for sure and one of our favorites of all time.
Porsche Carrera GT; without question the best car we have ever had the opportunity to drive on a track. If we could only choose one car and money being no object, this is most likely the car….yeah, this is the car. Fast? OH MY GOD!!! The noise the car makes….GLORIOUS/ SYMPHONIC! Before we had the good fortune to drive the car at Cal. Speedway (it will always be Cal Speedway, rather like Sears Point will always be Sears Point) we were told that the GT was a handful, that it was tail happy; a “monster”. Not true. The car does exactly what is asked of it…it is simply far more capable than 99.99999% of the drivers who own one. If one checks his/her ego, leaving it in pit lane, and drives the car within ones ability, not the cars, the car is simply fantastic. Push it beyond what you as a driver are capable of…different story. This is where one must admit that he is not Schumacher…regardless of how much money you may have…..but, this is whole different subject. It is also a bloody great looking car!!! An absolute collectable - the price of admission steep, but, if you had an extra $300,000 -$400,000….……
The Ferrari 360 Modena is a fantastic car as well; a car with fantastic balance, great feedback and feel (compared to the earlier cars) and is a seemingly bullet-proof reliable car. The car is great looking and ergonomically friendly. It is also a fantastic track car. We certainly prefer the manual gearbox over the F1 paddle shifter, but, then again we think this true regardless of the manufacturer. Our opinion is that REAL sports cars have real gearboxes that involve the driver, allowing the driver the opportunity to heal-toe and double clutch- you know- drive the car! Paddle shifters…..rather like going to the whore-house to listen to the piano player. The Ferrari 360 is a great car.
What else? I –Pods and I -Pod connectors for cars….LOVE IT! Being music hounds as much as car hounds, this is one of THE best things to happen in the car world. Thousands of songs on tap, no more CD cases with hundreds of CD’s….NICE!!!! No more having to stop and change CD magazines….who would have thunk it? Some of us still remember when 8 tracks were the stuff…..fewer…FM radio!
Motor Sport – We witnessed the first and perhaps only time that a Formula One driver will have won 7 World Championships. Like him or not, Herr Schumacher has accomplished what no-one else had ever done what many thought could never be done. Fangio’s record of 5 world titles was a benchmark that many believed would last for ever, rather like Ruth’s homeruns. There have been many great race car drivers…Schumacher the greatest? Perhaps!
Another First in Formula One this decade….a fantastic new comer ……a certain Lewis Hamilton comes onto F1 as a …who the heck is that …never heard of him…kind of guy and takes F1 by storm. He misses winning the F1 Championship his rookie season by one point and then wins the championship in just his second season as an F1 driver; FANTASTIC!!!
Jimmy Johnson wins 4 consecutive NASAR titles! Ok, NASCAR is not normally our favorite form of motor sport, must of the time it is a 2/1/2 hour left hand turn, but, we will admit that it is THE most competitive form of auto racing – anywhere. What we do like about NASCAR is that any driver can win at any race, starting from any position- even from dead last. So, for a guy to win 4 consecutive championships…..great driver, great team, great team owner. HUGE!
Racing also witnessed a three time transition by one driver; Juan Pablo Montoya. From Indy cars, winning the Indy 500 to Formula One, to NASCAR; a winning driver in all 3 disciplines….is he perhaps the best?
Danica Patrick wins an Indy car race. Not real surprising, she can drive a car! Bernie Ecclestone must have about crapped himself….apparently she does belong in a race car Bernie and not in the kitchen with all the other appliances as you had suggested…what an A@@. Now she may move into NASCAR for the 2010 season as well….It will be tougher there m’dear….much tougher.
There have been a number of fantastic achievements in motor sports this last decade, but none…absolutely none (in our opinion) compare to this: In 1969 a young (if my math is right) 28 year old American driver by the name of Tony Adamowicz steps out of his 1968 Trans-Am championship winning 1850 lb 200 horsepower Porsche 911 and into a 1200 lb 500+ horsepower Formula 5000 Gurney Eagle; talk about a learning curve-kind of like going from a tricycle to a GSXR. Tony wins the F5000 Championship his first year out. Impressed? Flash forward 40 years….this year. Tony climbs back into the very same car that he wins his championship with in 1969- he is now 68. The car is just as fast…if not a bit quicker than it was back in the day, meaning the car is an absolute handful for a fearless 28 year old let alone a seasoned (68 year old) driver. Tony and his Eagle, now owned by Doug Magnon form the Riverside International Automotive Museum win their class in vintage racing this year. Consider this………..in over 100 years of auto racing, no-one has ever ….EVER…won a racing championship and come back 40 years later to do the same thing, with the same car…EVER!!
What is your most memorable car/car event of this decade?
O.C.C.E.
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November 15th, 2009, Features
The story of Porsche U27 continues;
On Sunday November 8th U27 was loaded onto the trailer for a trip up to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles; rather uneventful trip really – sorry, but there is just no- way that I can make this part of the cars journey any more juicy. Unless of course you count lighting off U27’s 2.0 liter motor in the parking structure of the museum and then driving up the circular ramp to the 3rd floor……the noise………….GLORIOUS J Damn I love this car !
We would like to thank some nice folks at this time…Jim Jaqua, who got us in touch with the right folks so that the car could be part of this magnificent display and of course Tom McIntyre at the Petersen; who has been nothing but gracious and helpful. Thanks guys!
Our good friend Tony a2z and I drove up to the Petersen last Thursday for the Trans-Am Tribute; what a day!
The original Trans-Am series was, in the opinion of most, THE best racing series that ever happened in the U.S. I can not think of a time in motor sport when manufacturer involvement was greater. How much they were involved and how strong their desire was to win was about to be revealed, and in an entirely new light……reality was that Chevrolet, Ford, Mercury, Pontiac and Mopar knew that winning in this series was going to sell cars….lots and lots of cars!
At 2:00 pm a panel discussion started and MC’ing the event - the ever popular Dave McClelland. Dave has been the voice of motor sport for some 50 years…this man digs cars and it is rather obvious that he knows his stuff and has done his homework. The topic for this panel was “The Golden years of Trans-Am and “creative thinking”. Rather quickly relabeled as “Cheetin’ in the hood”.
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Just a gentle reminder that on Thursday November 12, 2009 the Petersen automotive museum will be holding the Trans-Am reunion. If you are or were a racing fan of the late 1960′ and early 70’s THIS IS A MUST ATTEND EVENT!
Please visit the Petersen site for more information.
We will be taking Porsche U27……its gonna be great!
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October 26th, 2009, Features
Damn….getting up early…really early, for car shows is getting tougher. Used to be that 4:30 am wasn’t such a big deal even after a hard night of party….right Jones??? J!!! Now a-days…holy smokes…
Tony and I met at the shop and trailered Porsche U-2-7 to Palos Verdes for the Fabulous 50’s Concours d’ provenance. The Concours is held at the Palos Verdes Botanical gardens in Palos Verdes, Ca; a terrific setting. If you have not had the opportunity to see the gardens; please do.
The show would prove to be yet another milestone for the “Milestone Racing” Porsche 911. Davey Jordan had sent us an invitation to bring the car and it proved to be terrific day of significant cars and the wonderful people who are given the opportunity to care for them.
Davey Jordan and his wonderful wife Norma put on a fantastic event. Add other great drivers like; Tony a2z, Scooter Patrick, Jerry Grant and John Morton- and - well…..it is a very cool get together.
Porsche U-2-7 was positioned next to another significant car…another car that our friend a2z had driven to a championship just one year after his Trans-Am title in the Porsche; his 1969 Formula 5000 championship winning Gurney Eagle. The two cars had never been in one place and at one time. Tony said “I still can’t believe that I went from this (a 200 horse power Porsche) to THIS” (pointing at his monstrously fast F5000 car)…imagine going from a bicycle to GSXR…giddy-up! Now trust us here…..the Porsche is no slouch…the car goes very well indeed, but, by comparison…….WHOA!
There were some fantastic cars presented. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson drove their very rare alloy bodied Healey factory race car to the event from Orange County and received a well deserved class victory. The car is sensational……wonder if Greg would let us do a piece on the car??? Wadya say Greg? John Morton brought his great little Lotus 7 and the Petersen Museum brought their Troutman Barnes Special. A wonderful Shelby Daytona Coupe made its way to the show as well….and folks….this was no kit car.
All in all it was a tremendous event and we are looking very much forward to next year.
Today, more good news for U-2-7 was received. The Petersen museum has confirmed its invitation for the Porsche to take part in the Trans-Am reunion event. This is indeed a fantastic achievement and we look very much forward to bringing the car to the Petersen. The car will be on display at the museum from November 9th to December 13th.
More…….
O.C.C.E.
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October 15th, 2009, Features
We took advantage of our press pass this morning to pre-view the Orange County Car Show - opening tonight at the Anaheim Convention Center. If you are looking for something to do this weekend and cars are your gig…this year’s show is pretty darn nice.
A few manufacturers have brought some pretty interesting concepts cars and a few new production cars as well. Hyundai brought the very interesting looking Nuvis and Lincoln brought their “C” ….we are not sure if “C” stands for “concept” or Citroen….it is rather interesting and quite frankly it does look like something the French manufacturer would do…..it is just quirky enough…Hyundai also brought their new 7 series, S class competitor: the Equus…..careful guys….this car is pretty damn nice and for a whole lot less money. We must also admit that Buick has done something really nice with its Lacrosse…We hate to admit it, but, it is a damned nice looking car.
Cadillac had something interesting on a revolving table as well; something that they are calling the “Converj” It is a rather interesting looking concept. There are certain lines on the car that are actually quite good. We are still of the opinion however, that the Brand ought to consider making a more elegant statement. The angular design and sharp edges don’t work for us- Cadillac’s cars, in our opinion, simply look like the box they came out of. This is a Marque, that at one time, built some of the most luxurious automobiles in the world. Perhaps if they went back to those very roots, they may attract more buyers; our .02 cents.
Lotus bought a great looking new car called the Evora – loved it! The car has fantastic lines and though aesthetically “similar” to its current smaller brother, the Evora is a much bigger car. Its wheel base is nearly 11” longer and the car is much wider. The car is powered by Toyota’s 3.5 liter V6 with modifications made by Lotus. The car, according to the “man from Lotus” should be available in February or March of next year; brilliant! We really want to drive this car!!!
Not wanting to be out done by anyone, Gemballa brought what just may be the ultimate “Super Car”. We would have a difficult time believing that anyone could make a Porsche Carrera GT any better than it was to begin with…..but…..The guy from Gemballa says this thing will do 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds. Knowing that the clutch pack on this car is VERY light indeed…we’d wager good money that it would not accomplish that 0-60 more than a couple of times before someone would have to spend $30,000 plus for a new clutch… , but, then again of you have this kind of dough….it ain’t your last $30k is it J
Chevrolet is presenting a rather neat design study in the “Stingray”; neat car….in a Bruce Wayne kind of way…kind of cool actually…
We must make a comment here. Of all the displays, Audi did the best job if creating an inviting and absolutely elegant environment in which to view their product line. All of the cars are white and staged very nicely; it looks sensational. It also speaks volumes about just how serious they are about kicking butt. Audi, as a company, has proven itself to be one class act….what the hell happened to everyone else?
All in all a pretty nice show…and a special thanks to Uncle Don for the Coffee, Thanks Don!
O.C.C.E.
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