Exotics galore.
As is usual, the second Thursday of August finds me taking the 2 hour jaunt south to the Laguna Seca race track to enjoy the 500 or so exotic race cars in the paddock with none of the crazy crowds encountered during the weekend. Admission was up to $25 this year but at 5 cents per car viewed that remains a bargain as does the free parking and the absence of crowds.
There were old friends and some new entrants, all with the common belief that these old cars are meant to be driven hard, not parked and polished in some nouveau riche‘s Silicon Valley garage bought with the proceeds of the latest tedious social app.
My interest is mostly in the pre-electronic period racers as they come from a purely mechanical era – no wind tunnels, no electronics, no anti-lock brakes, skinny tires and great skill required to drive. That’s what racing should be about.
Redefining patina. An old 911.
Pininfarina’s Ferrari 288 – a styling peak.
Demure split window ‘Vette.
Pre-war Maserati. Italian, so why not make it beautiful?
1934 Alfa with famous provenance. The team was managed by Enzo Ferrari back then.
The owner/driver is John Shirley, former president of Microsoft.
Here’s the story of that famous Alfa. It made a wonderful noise, starting right up.
1937 Delahaye 145 – French engineering at its best.
Vive La France!
The Delahaye was perfect in every way and, mercifully, was also driven in anger.
Cobra. Driver wanted.
A trio of 356s – Porsche was well represented, as always.
American butt. Muscle cars get the drivers they deserve.
Big business. Pit boss instructs mechanics in this turnkey ‘rent-a-car-and-crew’ operation.
1950s factory transporter – a simpler world.
Consumables.
Uh huh!
More patina. 1935 Bugatti, well worn, $1mm.
Mustangs were featured this year – last moment adjustments here.
Well used Gullwing.
The Porsche factory brought one of its three 919 Le Mans winners – why do the Germans
make such ugly cars? Check those comical headlights.
The original 917 behind the 919. The body must have been designed by an Italian.
Le Mans winner in 1970.
The last Ferrari to win at Le Mans – 1965. One just sold this weekend for $17.6mm.
Another French confection – the Talbot Lago of the 1930s.
Mmmm. Ending on a high note. The GTO.
All snapped on two Panny GX7 bodies with Oly 17mm and 45mm lenses.