California Tips for Car Guy

[Dottore]

I'm meeting one of my best friends in California next month. He's German, lives near Munich, and is a very serious car guy whose main passion is racing vintage Alfas and Porsches.

We have two weeks to cruise around California doing car-guy things. He's always on the lookout for a nice 356 or Alfa - so we are planning to hit European Collectibles, and Fantasy Junction - but would very much appreciate any leads to similar kind of vintage car shops as well as to museums, tracks etc. (We're hoping to fit in a Skip Barber session at Laguna Seca for example)

My mate has also expressed a keen interest in seeing something of "ze Amerikan hot rod culture" - and there I'm at a complete loss. Anyone??

So any and all tips of things for a European car guy to see and do in California would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[id10t]

Is the Petersen museum still open in LA?

Also in LA, lots of car dealerships, all sorts of stuff. One nice one is in the 800 block of La Cienege (sp?) a block away from Alfred St. "Modena Motors" or similar name.... I've seen all sorts of cool stuff there (Grandma lived on N. Alfred, store was around the corner from her)

One more Also... check the 356 Registry's calendar for February...

FEBRUARY 2008

* February 23rd CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles, Saturday,, 25th Annual Porsche Literature,Toy/Model, and Memorabilia Swap Meet at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel, 5711 West Century Blvd.,9:00 A.M. - 2 P.M. Admission $5 at 9:00 A.M. or early bird $25 at 7:30 A.M. Over 225 tables of collectibles. 25th anniversary goodies. Vendor info: Wayne Callaway,1504 East Cedar Street, Ontario, CA 91761, phone 909-930-1999,or go to the website at www.LALitAndToyShow.com.
* February 24 Costa Mesa, California
The So Cal All Porsche Swap and Car Display, at 3001 Red Hill Avenue in Costa Mesa. Adjacent to the Orange County Airport, close to the intersection of the 405, 55 and 73 freeways. Plenty of swap space will be available. If you have a car for sale, bring it and put a sign and information sheet in the window and sell it. Cars coming in for display parking will make a donation of $20. Vendors will make a $40 donation per space taken; space must be reserved prior to February 1st. For Vendor display info and reservations, contact Bob Lee at Robert.b.lee@nsc.com or 858-414-3523. Proceeds will go to the Orange County School District's children's charity. Breakfast will be available, so plan to spend the day soaking in the glory that is Porsche.

For updates and more info contact
Jeff Trask NO911NV@aol.com or 949-697-4499 or
Pete McNulty pmcnulty98@aol.com or 949-400-9319.
RELATED EVENTS

Open Houses

* Willhoit Auto Restorations, 1360 Gladys Avenue, Long Beach. Friday, 562-439-3333.
* The Parts Shop, 15725 Chemical Lane, Huntington Beach. Friday, 10am - 3pm 714-894-3112
* West Coast Haus, 15564 Producer Lane, Huntington Beach. Thursday, Noon-4pm. Friday, 10am - 2pm.
* GT Werk, 3841 Catalina Street, Suites K & M, Los Alamitos. Friday, 10:30am-4pm. 562-431-1523 or 562-598-7102
* European Collectibles, 1665 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa. Saturday, 5-8pm, after the swap meet.

[Rikao4]

well you will have to explain our cellphones usage while driving, minivans and, why you think $3.50 for gas is expensive
My uncle was here last yr. from Berlin.
As I gave him the keys to go and have fun..I said "if you think he's not going to make that stupid move..he will, & yes they talk on phones / read / do their nails while driving "
Rika

[ikarcuaso]

Bay Area? Not really a museum, but I see 356s at EASY in Emeryville all the time. I believe there's an early 911 gathering there on the 1st Saturday each month (OK, it's R Gruppe).

[Rikao4]

Take him to a Dragrace..up close....theres is nothing like it in Europe...
Rika

[Tobra]

find out when and where the local 356 or Alfa clubs get together, local car shows are always a hoot, drag race would be good too, for a bit of American color. Take him out on some nice driving roads in the Sierras in the North or along Angels Crest down south.

[fxeditor]

If you're around during the last Sunday of the month check out "Supercar Sunday". www.supercarsunday.com It is held in the San Fernando Valley at the village coffee Roasters in Woodland Hills. Here is the website: http://tinyurl.com/3xgb2j

There are always a wide variety of cool vehicles that show up for it!

[BeyGon]

Saturday morning, early, for American Muscle and Hot Rods,
Corner of Adams and Magnolia in Huntington Beach

Saturday morning for everything, Alton Pky and the 5, Ford Design Center, Irvine.

[Dottore]

Great tips guys.

So where, in the vicinity of LA, would be a good place to see some drag racing???

[Steve Viegas]

The Blackhawk auto museum in Danville (East of SF) is a nice place to check out cars. I believe a good portion of the Harrah's auto museum ended up there.

[Hugh R]

NHRA.com

Pomona has the Winter Nationals February 7-10, about 40 miles East of Los Angeles

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

NHRA.com

Pomona has the Winter Nationals February 7-10, about 40 miles East of Los Angeles

might be more fun to see door slammers, locally Wednesday night is when you can go to Sacramento Raceway, and see what she will do, so to speak. I saw a BIG FORD(at least 3/4 ton) 4 WD diesel truck running low 12's last time I went.

[Hugh R]

If you've never been to a NHRA event, you should do it once in your lifetime. The amount of raw horsepower there is something that you can't imagine. 12 seconds huh?? try 3 and something seconds! Seriously, check it out at least once in your lifetime. Its like NOTHING that you have ever experienced. And I'm not even a fan.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

def go to Pomona..

You might also want to check out Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. They have a hot rod night there. Think on Friday nights...

[Rikao4]

Like they said,
there is nothing like it..
me,go to a Drag race ? so I went...close as possible, nitro burns your eyes, noise amazing!
Had a blast.
he is sure to say 'ach du lieber' & 'mensch'
you cannot go wrong with this.
Rika

[rcooled]

If your plans include being at Laguna Seca, you might consider checking out Bruce Canepa's facility in Scotts Valley, about an hour's drive up the coast from the track. The accent is on Porsches here, with a restoration facility, race shop and museum. There's usually a number of exotics, American muscle & hot rods to be seen as well. Here's a link: http://www.canepa.com/

[Jim Bremner]

take him to Ventura for the sprint car class

[Brillo]

Originally Posted by id10t

Is the Petersen museum still open in LA?

Alive and well: http://www.petersen.org/

The Nethercutt Collection is worthwhile: http://www.nethercuttcollection.org/index2.html

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

If you've never been to a NHRA event, you should do it once in your lifetime. The amount of raw horsepower there is something that you can't imagine. 12 seconds huh?? try 3 and something seconds! Seriously, check it out at least once in your lifetime. Its like NOTHING that you have ever experienced. And I'm not even a fan.

I have been to one of those deals, nitromethane has a very distinctive smell, they even ran the jet cars, which is cool when it starts getting dark.

I like the local drag nights though because you get more of a chance to do the car guy thing, walk up and down the line seeing what people have put together and chat with them. Nothing like watching a top fuel car become a dot in 5 seconds. Pretty impressive to watch a two and a half ton truck that the guy used to tow his race car there run away and hide froma Z06 corvette too...

[nostatic]

when is the trip?

27Jan08 - POC STS #1, Streets of Willow
16-17Feb08 POC Cup Races 1/2, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (not CA but close)
29-30Mar08 POC Cup Races, Willow Springs
26-27Apr08 POC Cup Races, Willow Springs
16-18May08 POC Cup Races, California Speedway

Tons of Porsches moving at high speeds.