The first Cars&Coffee gathering of 2013 dawned cool, crisp and clear, and finally without the threat of rain. Obviously a very welcomed sight for those in attendance Saturday morning.  And gauging by the sheer number of cars in attendance, all were eager to start the new year off in grand style.

So with camera in hand, I headed out in search of my first photographic subject for the new year.  And the clock was ticking; due to a family commitment, I needed to leave early (by 8 am), so I needed to get busy. The cool, clear morning air, combined with the rising sun, made for some incredible lighting conditions, so what better way to kick off the new year than with a shot of a bright shiny red Speedster…

Porsche row illuminated by the dawning light (above, above and below)…

Nick’s always impressive, silver European spec Porsche 911S, reflected above and in person below…

It seemed that in order to park in this particular section of Porsche row, your car had to be either black or silver, and be parked in an alternating pattern… did anyone else notice  this?

Even the black Ford Thunderbird convertible, and silver Nissan 370 Z that were parked alongside the silver Speedster, adhered to the Porsche row parking protocol…

Parked directly across the aisle from Porsche row, was this rare black, 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, configured for right hand drive.

Flawless, mirror – like early morning reflections, and right hand drive…

Located several rows over and positioned perpendicular to Porsche row, was one of several  2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4’s ringing in the new year; this one in Arancio Argos (orange)…

Detail of the rear glass louvers, for heat evacuation and protection of the V-12 motor seen lurking below…

Parked at the opposite end of the row, was one of several Audi R8’s in attendance; this particular model in Daytona Gray Pearl, was one of several V10 variants, and wearing a set of custom wheels by Stasis (above and below).

Another of the Audi R8’s in attendance, this one however parked alongside a brilliant red Porsche 911SC, adding a punch of color in contrast to the R8’s matte gray finish…

As I made my way through the parking lot, there parked under the tress, and just across from Porsche row, were these two rare Porsche 911s (both of which have graced my previous blog posts individually, but never together until now). First up was the Grand Prix white 1991 Porsche 964 Turbo, and parked immediately behind in Riviera blue, was a true, European model 1996 Porsche 993 Carrera RS Club Sport.

The 993 Carrera RS Club Sport…  one of only 57 built by Porsche in 1996. For more details and photos of this Porsche 993 Carrera RS Club Sport model, please refer to my previous post via the following link.

The newly established Lotus row (below), rapidly establishing itself over that past several weeks, with an ever-increasing number of Evora’s and Elise in attendance each week…

Parked amidst it German brethren, was this beautifully restored, early 1960s vintage Gray Mercedes-Benz 300 D Automatic, 4 door Cabriolet as seen below.

Early morning reflections captured in flawless paint and chrome trim (above and below).

Even the motor and engine compartment were showroom fresh, and as highly detailed as the rest of the car.

The convertible top and its external chrome plated hinge with reflections…

Nothing like a whirlwind tour of Cars&Coffee in less than two hours, to start off the new year and answer the challenge of trying to capture a good cross-section of vehicles present for the first show of 2013. So here’s to recording and sharing the next 51 weeks worth of Southern California-based automotive events…

(All photos by the author)