Irvine Cars & Coffee - Questions - Anyone going?

[aigel]

I may have to break down and get up early tomorrow. After a long down time with the trans rebuild, the 993 is running great and needs to get those steel synchros broken in and stretch its legs, going on a nice road trip.

What's a good time to show up and still get to see 90% of the cars without going there at O-dark-30?

Where does one park? Can a 993 be put in the lot with all the super-duper cars or will I embarrass myself? (not that I really care )

Any of you going? Is there an unofficial Porsche corner of the event?

Cheers,

George

[G50]

It's an amazing event.

You need to get there surprisingly early. People are already piling in at sunrise. By 8:00 many cars will be gone, by 8:30 a big number will be gone, by 9 it's kinda over.

You're waking up early anyways, so might at well be a little earlier so you get the full effect. Try being there no later than 7, for sure.

They have a "show" lot that is off to the right, and a lot that is off to the left that isn't really, but some nice cars will park there, and a parking structure down the block that most daily driver type cars park in.

You're 993 will be in good stead there. Yeah, there's always a lot of "super duper" $500,000+ cars (McLarens, Enzos, 356 Carrera 4 cams, crazy customs, etc), but there are also a lot of "regular" 911s, BMWs, etc, too.

If you get there at 7, you probably won't find a spot in the main show lot. There's no designated Porsche spot, but it seems like a lot of the porsche guys get there really early (like, when it's still dark!) and park together in one of the "prime" areas. If you really want to "do it right" you should probably try to get there by 6.

Let me know if you are going for sure. I might try to make it. Even though I'm 5 minutes from there, it's still hard for me to get my lazy self there by 8. I haven't been in 6 months or so, so it's about time to go again.

[Rick Lee]

I've only ever ridden a motorcycle there. Getting a car in there is a PITA.

[Laneco]

Clean the 993 up and park it there like you own the place. Definately get there early, like 7am.

angela

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I've only ever ridden a motorcycle there. Getting a car in there is a PITA.

Not really. Traffic at that time of day is the way it should be. Now leaving and going back to L.A. can be PITA.


Check CalTrans for 405 closure at the 605.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Not really. Traffic at that time of day is the way it should be. Now leaving and going back to L.A. can be PITA.


Check CalTrans for 405 closure at the 605.

I mean getting into the parking lot. I always stay in Irvine, so it's a short ride. But there can be a traffic jam getting in and out of the lot.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by aigel

or will I embarrass myself? (not that I really care )

You'll be top dog having a '97 993.

[speeder]

That is one of those things that I'll never do in this lifetime, just because it's in OC @ 7am on a Sat. The pictures are awesome, though.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

You'll be top dog having a '97 993.

Bill,

Is there a joke or some ribbing here that I didn't catch? What do you drive?

G

[aigel]

Definitely going. Planning on being there at 6:30 am. I am the one with the dirty 993 that has a really clean engine.

G

[aigel]

Got there at 6:30 and 80% of the lot was full already. I parked it way in the back in good company. I thought there may be less, as we had a little rain over night - at least in the SF valley.



The cleanest part of the car:


And off I went looking at cars. The selection really is everything from a 40s Fiat, a whole family of woody surfmobiles, serious classics like gulwings (several of them!) to any current supercars.

I did not take pictures of the woodies, but the guys owning them sure don't look like they'd even fit a wetsuit.

Still had the dealer sticker license plate - certainly used - wonder if it comes with a CPO warranty!?

[aigel]

This new (fairly new, right - I haven't seen one in person) lotus looks a lot better in pictures. In real life it is a bit of a pig (big!)





I have a soft spot for these early non-body mod Panteras. Definitely affordable to own. Bring the fire suit though, you can cook your lunch in the back on the headers!

[aigel]

Factory 5 gtm - for sale. Guy says it is too crazy for him. Also can cook your lunch in this one.

Note the choice of transmission. No wonder I couldn't find a good used trans to swap into my 993. Any G50 6 speed is >$5k core these days thanks to these cars!





This one was fun. I'd like one in black some day, but they are really picking up in price.



Rad interior for sure - and it had a manual trans!

[aigel]

What not to do with your Pantera.



I give credit for effort though. I found it "AWESOME" in the old fashioned sense! Nice touch on the personalized plate ... however, points taken away for not having gold rimz.



I like flat heads. This one was a little over the top for my taste. Sure drew a crowd though!

[aigel]

Posted without comment!





More crude than the coupe I had seen before. These should be cheap to pick up used? Sure has that "death trap" look my wife will appreciate!


Another lost Porsche transaxle.

[aigel]

[aigel]

Soon people started leaving. You are right, it began at 7:30 and by 8 everyone was pulling out



Anyone brought cheese? Amazing how plain and dated this car looks next to today's supercars. (There was a brand new Aventador that I somehow did not get on camera).



And there I found my car again next to the TR ... notice the CROWDS it pulled!

[aigel]

So back home I went too. Took the long way though through Santa Monica and Malibu on PCH and then a right on Mul. It was a great drive, had to take it easy though - there were a lot of bicycles and law enforcement with most of the way 35 mph posted.

[aigel]

The above route also includes "the snake" and I stopped in this infamous turn in hopes of catching some action. Nothing to report - there was an Asian lady in her mini cooper tearing it up pretty good - I was impressed. Otherwise a lot of bad drivers - but none crashed - another reason to take it easy.



Here some videos from this turn ...









As posted in the "my buddy is hiding a new motorcycle from his wife at my house thread"

[aigel]

One more stop on the ridge crest.



Then off home ... not without passing the photo guy.
http://www.rockstorephotos.com/photos.htm

He was hiding on the outside of a turn in the ditch. Probably trying to get killed. Maybe there is a drainage tube he can jump into? I didn't notice him until it was too late to go real fast and crash. But I will definitely check for my pic on his website!

Overall a great day, aside from getting up early. Time for some lunch and a NAP!

Hope you long-sleepers and non-locals enjoyed my random selection of pictures.

George