The Hunter and the Hunted

A reflection from McKeel Hagerty-

This photo was taken last week in a farmer's field in South Dakota. The truck is an International and it won't be moving under its own power ever again. The hunter is a guy who seems to shoot with his eyes completely closed…but that is another story.
As I reflect on this truck I wonder how many cool old vehicles like this are sinking into the ground in farmer's fields. They are not valuable "barn finds" or hidden gems but rather the detritus of another time, a utility vehicle that lost its utility. This one probably spent its years of use hauling light loads around the fields of Kennebec, SD. It was probably inexpensive, it had no creature comforts and it served its purpose. Maybe it hauled blind shooters like me around on hunts of yesteryear but it never drove in a parade. As I drove around from farmstead to farmstead over a few days, I think I answered my own question; there are tens and likely hundreds of thousands of lost vehicles like this. Evidently, their only use these days is target practice.
It makes me realize that the vehicles we insure are truly an elite group, each with an elevated purpose. Even if a collector car of today was originally a utility vehicle like this International truck or a salesman's sedan or a plain-Jane four-door hard top, it is now a cherished object for someone and it made the cut. There is, after all, a kind of natural selection with the cars we drive. In their days of active use, the first ones are likely lost to traffic accidents or acts of God. The ones that make it a few more years are repaired and maintained and then slowly retired or traded in or scrapped. Only a few are saved from the scrap heaps and fields of South Dakota to be preserved or restored and then elevated to a new use of providing smiles, fueling egos, getting girls, winning races and trophies or just putting in a few scenic miles on a Sunday afternoon. There are likely only single-digit millions of these rare machines left in the entire world and their kind will likely never be made again. We at Hagerty are the trustees of the most cherished vehicles ever built and I, for one, promise never accidentally to shoot one again.

The Hunter and the Hunted - McKeel Hagerty

A reflection from McKeel Hagerty -

"This photo was taken last week in a farmer's field in South Dakota. The truck is an International and it won't be moving under its own power ever again. The hunter is a guy who seems to shoot with his eyes completely closed…but that is another story.

As I reflect on this truck I wonder how many cool old vehicles like this are sinking into the ground in farmer's fields. They are not valuable "barn finds" or hidden gems but rather the detritus of another time, a utility vehicle that lost its utility. This one probably spent its years of use hauling light loads around the fields of Kennebec, SD. It was probably inexpensive, it had no creature comforts and it served its purpose. Maybe it hauled blind shooters like me around on hunts of yesteryear but it never drove in a parade. As I drove around from farmstead to farmstead over a few days, I think I answered my own question; there are tens and likely hundreds of thousands of lost vehicles like this. Evidently, their only use these days is target practice.

It makes me realize that the vehicles we insure are truly an elite group, each with an elevated purpose. Even if a collector car of today was originally a utility vehicle like this International truck or a salesman's sedan or a plain-Jane four-door hard top, it is now a cherished object for someone and it made the cut. There is, after all, a kind of natural selection with the cars we drive. In their days of active use, the first ones are likely lost to traffic accidents or acts of God. The ones that make it a few more years are repaired and maintained and then slowly retired or traded in or scrapped. Only a few are saved from the scrap heaps and fields of South Dakota to be preserved or restored and then elevated to a new use of providing smiles, fueling egos, getting girls, winning races and trophies or just putting in a few scenic miles on a Sunday afternoon. There are likely only single-digit millions of these rare machines left in the entire world and their kind will likely never be made again. We at Hagerty are the trustees of the most cherished vehicles ever built and I, for one, promise never accidentally to shoot one again."

McKeel Hagerty wrote this blog to the employees of Hagerty Insurance on his recent experience. Thank you, for sharing your reflection with other collectors in classic car hobby.

www.Hagerty.com

After attending the Japanese Classic Car Show. Hagerty asked if I would write an article on the show to put on www.hagerty.com. Click on the link to read the article that both James Russell from Hagerty and I worked on http://www.hagerty.com/lifestyle/hobby_article.aspx?id=58172.

Fun in the Sun

Tamara, Adam and I enjoyed the start of our summer weather here in Southern California on Saturday. We started our morning at Cars & Coffee in style with Nate and Mike from the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 4d Sedan 936 and 170H 2d Convertible rear-engine. There we passed out the latest of the Hagerty's Magazine - The Camaro Craze. If you haven't seen a Hagerty's Magazine check it out online http://www.hagerty.com/lifestyle/hobby_article.aspx?id=42288.

Nate driving the ladies in the 170H 2d Convertible rear-engine to Cars & Coffee.

Reeves Callaway and his friend in front of the Callaway Coupe.


2010 Lotus Evora makes a stop at Cars & Coffee. I really like the new body style. It is much bigger.

2010 Lotus Evora in red, I think this one better than the black. What do you think?

Our next stop for the day was the Fontana Speedway. This was my first time to any race track, so I was excited. It was very cool to walk around the pits full of race cars, drivers and pit crews. The energy was in full force and the smell of tires burning was in the air.

Looking good LA office!

I think you had to have a Mustang to be in this pit.

Can you say fast? That is what they look like to me.

The final stop of the day was Michelle Herrera's automotive photography exhibit at the Bistango Restaurant in Irvine. Bistango has been displaying international artists there for over 20 years. Michelle said she was honored to have her work featured in their beautiful gallery. There was a large crowd of enthusiasts to honor Michelle's amazing work.

My favorite of Michelle's work on display that day. I wonder how much she would sell it to me for?

Pismo Beach Classic

After the short road trip and a flat tire Tamara and I finally made it to the Pismo Beach Classic for father's day weekend. For those of you who have never attended, it is a 3 day car show on Price Street and the pier in Pismo Beach. Since it is a central location in California, it attracted people from all over the state. This is the largest car show I have been to for some time now. All weekend there were wall to wall people and amazing show cars. They had over 1,000 cars and 100,000 people in attendance this weekend. The cold beach air and strong winds didn't keep people away. We had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people and see some really cool cars. Be sure to add this show to your calendar for next year.


Taking a stroll down Price Street on Saturday. I could barely walk there were so many people.

200 of the 1,000 cars cruised the corner of Price and Pomeroy on Saturday night to show off!

A view from the top of Price Street on Sunday.

Tamara and I taking a cruise in the Peterbilt....I mean dreaming about getting to drive this beast!

I think someone likes Elvis...


Our neighbors with Insta Finish let Tamara and I rest our feet after a long 3 day weekend.

As quoted from the man above "my doctor doesn't approve of this message"

Check out the rest of my pictures from this past weekend...

San Clemete Car Show

Sunday, June 14 the city of San Clemente hosted their annual car show. The roads were blocked off allowing space for over 300 cars. It brought out the sunny summer weather (finally) and people from LA and San Diego. San Clemente is a great community for a car show, I think the whole city came out to support it.

This picture was taken at 8am two hours before the show started. This is just the North half of the street.

The corner of the street where my booth was.

I pretended to take this Ferrari out for a cruise. I am too scared to actually drive it!

The owner of this Corvair has been at every show in San Clemente. She was passing out beads and candy. She had a lot of fun and was my favorite for the day.

Abused and Battered Business Person Party

Saturday afternoon Robert Escalante owner of Custom Auto www.customautoservice.com/ hosted a party for the abused and battered business person to honor his clients, fellow car enthusiasts, and life long friends. Tamara, Adam and I were all there to represent Hagerty's new LA office. We had a great opportunity to meet a lot of current and potential Hagerty clients. It was a great party to end a car crazy day with.

Host Robert Escalante handing out awards to the most abused and battered business person. I didn't make the cut.

Every guest left with their own bottle of pills aka M&Ms. We were advised to take 1 when excited.


The awards for the evening - a box from the OC food bank full of canned goods and toilet paper. He thinks of everything.

I took a cruise around the shop in a one of a kind motor cycle made for Mike Harrah. I think it was really made for me but don't tell Mike!

Huntington Beach Concours

Another busy weekend here in Southern California and it was full of amazing cars, interesting people and tons of fun! I spent Saturday and Sunday at the Huntington Beach Concours in Central Park. Cars were sprinkled all over the park as far as the eye could see and the weather ended up being perfect. I think all car manufacturers were represented this weekend. Which made for some serious eye candy.

There were cars everywhere! I couldn't get all of them. Just imagine cars all around this picture too.

Dave Kunz Automotive Reporter for Channel 7 news was the master of ceremonies on Sunday. That is his green mustang on the Hagerty backdrop!

Genevieve Chappell Queen of Cars was there signing autographs all day.
http://www.genevievechappell.com/

My booth was next to Hemmings. Terry and Carson were my comic relief for the weekend!
Subscribe to Hemmings http://www.hemmings.com/

Laura's choice award is given to this 1931 Cadillac Convertible Coupe

Winner Winner! Jeff from Big Bear, CA won first place in the pre 1921 Brass Era with his 1911 Ford Model T.

Family Classics

The first Friday of the month Family Classics opens up their amazing showroom in San Juan Capistrano for any car enthusiast around from 6pm to 8pm. The front parking lot is reserved for any collector to show off the prize vehicle. Come hungry they provide free food, drinks and entertainment. www.familyclassiccars.com/

World Class Motoring just opened a boutique in the showroom. They sell apparel, car care products and much more. For more locations and what they offer go to http://www.worldclassmotoring.com/

Jeff a proud Hagerty client in front of his 1969 Mustang GT Convertible

Mercedes Benz Classic Center

Friday I went to the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in Lake Forest. All Mercedes fans you need to check this place out immediately. They have all the history of the Mercedes Benz there and you can also pick up another Mercedes to add to your growing collections. After this tour I have a great appreciations for Mercedes Benz now, they have made some amazing cars. For more information go to http://www.mercedes-benz-classic.com/content/classic/retailer/classic/en/home/home/home/classic/oldtimer_service.html

Below are the ones that you may see in my collection...SOMEDAY!

I would love to see what this 1914 Mercedes can do on the streets.

Can you guess what this is?

That's right a McLaren straight from my dream garage.

I can see myself being chauffeured in this.

I saved the best for last. A 300SL 1961 Roadster. At $575,000 it fits perfectly in my budget.

Old Car Men's Breakfast Club

I am officially a member of the Old Car - Men's Breakfast Club. They clearly don't discriminate against women, so please don't be fooled by the name. This is a club that started 20 years ago by a group of retired friends that were looking for something to do during the week. I hear it started with golf and evolved into a car club. The first Tuesday of the month at 9:30 anywhere from 50 to 200 gather with their old cars for breakfast. All old cars are welcomed, so you never know what you are going to get. Which I think is exciting. After breakfast you take a tour of a restoration shop or car collection as a group. The location changes each month to keep everyone on their toes. For example last month they met in Costa Mesa for breakfast and toured Crevier Classics. This month it was in Glendora and we toured the R&R Rotary Shop. The next meeting spot is mailed to you on a postcard prior to the event. If anyone is interested in more information on the Old Car - Men's Breakfast Club, please contact me by leaving a comment.

John Force Cruise Night

Calling all models of Ford and Chevy. Race fans and car enthusiasts rev those engines over to the John Force Cruise Night on the last Saturday of the month in Yorba Linda, CA. The parking lots are overflowing with cars, people, entertainment and food. Both the show room and race station are open for all the John Force fans. For more information go to http://www.johnforceracing.com/newCruiseNights-event-w.htm

Can you believe how many cars they can get into this parking lot?

Fuddrucker's in Lake Forest

This was my first time at Fuddrucker's in Lake Forest and I was blown away by the cars, the people and the hospitality of Fuddrucker's. I hear the summer months pull in their largest crowds. I bought a milkshake and cruised around the parking lot for hours. Check it out each Tuesday night after work!! Hope to see you there.