Long Beach Swap Meet

Last Sunday I had a very early wake-up call to attend the Long Beach Hi Performance Swap Meet https://toppingevents.com/carswap.asp. To be exact it was a 3:45am wake-up call. I will say each time I work a swap meet it gets a little easier than the last and especially now because the sun comes out earlier. If you have never attended a parts swap meet you really need to go for the experience. I personally love it. People are dedicated to finding parts and random things. Men pulling wagons and other crazy contraptions to hold the treasures they find. Others cruising the aisles on bikes and rollerblades shinning their flashlights in your face to see what you have at your booth at 5am. Men actually wear shirts with the part they are looking for or a sign around their neck with the car that they have for sale on it. I didn’t take a picture of anyone doing any of these things because I want all of you to check it out for yourself. Sunday was a busy day because the weather was so perfect so I didn't get any great pictures but I tried. Check out the view from my booth.

Let's Talk Cars!

The sun was shining during the Let's Talk Cars car show in High Point, NC! The event included many unique classics, with great stories!

Click on the video to view this gorgeous '59 Porsche 356 1600! The paint job, two tone interior and detailing makes this classic my favorite during the High Point event!

This is a video clip of a 1956 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible! This is a stylish restoration with shinning chrome and two tone paint with the white wall tires really complete the character of this classic!

Click on the video to catch a glimpse of this ghost flamed streetrod! The detial of the chrome and imaging of the flames are amazing!

It was great to have the opportunity to view a wide range of classics during the show event. Congratulations to the organizers for having a successful car show! The gathering of classics continues every Thursday evening in High Point!

See you at the next show!

Significant Cars Open House!

Have you ever been on http://www.significantcars.com/ ? If you haven't, you should check it out! Better yet, if you want to see some of the inventory in person, go to their newly opened showroom! Here's their address and phone number:

2225 E 54th St. Suite B
Indianapolis IN 46220
317-636-9900

They'll be having an open house this Saturday, November 14th, from 12-4 p.m. Significant Cars has everything from 'Classic Era' cars to 'Future Classics'! Below is just a taste of what you will see in the showroom!

1976 Austin Mini

1993 Dhenp Russion BMW Replica

A very rare 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C2500 SS Cabriolet

A 1926 Stutz 4 Passenger Speedster

Twilight Cruise - Pomona

The Twilight Cruise in Pomona is held on the first Wednesday of the month in the NHRA Museum parking lot from April - December. The Cal-Rods car clubs puts on the event on behalf of the Museum. check out the website http://museum.nhra.com/cruise.asp.

The Twilight Cruise starts at 4pm but to get a good spot I have been told that you should be there by 3pm. Don't miss the last Twilight Cruise of the year on December 2nd. See you there.

Scary!!! Elvis in a trunk!

A WIN for the hobby!!

We did it!! On November 4th, 2009, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Pollution Control Board passed the revised ruling of the Antique Vehicle Definition for the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program in Lake and Porter Counties of Indiana (326 IAC 13-1.1 -1). With the amazing efforts of the Auto Clubs Council of Indiana (ACCI), Hagerty Insurance Agency, and SEMA, we were able to sit down with the IDEM and help them 'define' an antique vehicle.
Whew!!! Let me put that in words that I would understand: On November 4th, 2009, the collector car hobby and antique vehicles are no longer subject to emmissions testing in Lake and Porter Counties if they have: A) Collector Car Insurance or B) the vehicle has been driven a maximum of three thousand miles per calendar year and has Federally required pollution control equipment in place. The easiest thing to do is to get Collector Car Insurance!! I know just the place: http://www.hagerty.com/ Wouldn't you want to be insured by a company that cares about the hobby and protecting enthusiasts rights?
Hat's off to the ACCI http://www.acc-indiana.org/ for spearheading this movement and taking the time to make sure there's a future for this hobby!
You may ask yourself: Why do I care about this? I'm not in Lake or Porter Counties? Here's my response: It's only a matter of time until emmissions testing is expanded to a county near you. Get on board and help curb these issues BEFORE they are issues. What can you do to help? Join the ACCI, join SEMA, insure your collector car(s) with Hagerty. These are all entities that give back to the hobby and who genuinely care about your rights as a collector car owner!
Check out these links to view the details on what was accomplished yesterday:

http://www.in.gov/idem/files/apcb_2009_nov_08-674_factsheet.pdf
http://www.in.gov/idem/files/apcb_2009_nov_08-674_prop_rule_changes.pdf
http://www.in.gov/idem/files/apcb_2009_nov_08-674_prapa.pdf
http://www.in.gov/idem/files/apcb_2009_nov_08-674_rtc_1st_hearing.pdf

Cars & Coffee

Saturday I attend the world famous Cars & Coffee in Irvine, CA. This is my favorite weekly event in Southern California. You never know what you are going to see which makes each week exciting. I have noticed that the parking lot is always full of Corvettes and Porsches. For more information on Cars & Coffee and other weekly car cruises go to http://www.socalcarculture.com/.

8th Annual Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival

The warmth southern hospitality was on display during the 8th Annual Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance (www.hhiconcours.com)!

The event displayed four wonderful events including the Savannah/Hilton Head Speed Classic, Motoring Midway, Car Club Jamboree and the Concours d'Elegance. There was always something to admire during this four day event!

It was amazing listening to the stories behind each vintage vehicle. The gentleman in the photograph told the story of how he purchased his 1930 Essex, 53 years ago for $45 dollars! The original price for the 1930 Essex was approximately $685. The event had a relaxing atmosphere and enthusiasts were encouraged to interact with both the owners and vintage vehicles.

The honored Marque for the event was Mercedes-Benz. Please click on the video below to view this gorgeous 1953 Mercedes-Benz 500 K.

This is a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 Spyder! This is the only 246 Dino Spyder with a fuel injected engine.

This is a beautiful 1931 Mercer Convertible Roadster, and was the only car completed by Mercer Company for 1931. The Factory guaranteed 100 mph for it's 140 hp engine! Only 150 miles on the engine!

This is a remarkable 1920 Stutz H. This classic accommondated 6-7 passengers, and had a sticker price of $3,500!

The 8th Annual Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival also hosts other exhibits including several beautiful classic wooden Chris Crafts, Test and Drive from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti and Jaguar and the ultra sleek Infiniti Essence concept vehicle. The event attracted thousands of car enthusiast to Hilton Head Island, and it was exciting to see all the enthusiasts enjoying show.

Congratulations to Carolyn Vanagel, Executive Director, and further event organizers in making this event a success! Please click on http://www.hhiconcours.com/ for additional information this wonderful event!

See you in 2010!