Christmas Porsches, a McLaren MP4-12C, Lamborghini LP 700-4 Aventador, and a chance encounter with two of Southern California’s car culture giants…

Posted on December 18, 2011 by digitaldtour

A week before Christmas and all through the lot, the Porsches were searching for that ideal parking spot… I arrived this week at Cars and Coffee a little earlier than usual, and was able to watch under the cover of darkness, the assortment of multi hued Porsches, and the other makes and models of cars arrive. The Porsche faithful were queued up in their usual row, with these two beauties positioned towards the middle of the row, in holiday color thus the title “Christmas Porsches”…

And assembled on each side, were a variety of other Porsche present for the mornings event…

The folks from Truspeed were once again in attendance, this week sharing their red Outlaw 356A coupe.

And a few more Porsches parked along the row…

Also on display was this low slung, hip high example of a Factory Five, GTM coupe, with a highly modified appearing big block motor…

Located several rows over, was this beautifully restored, silver right hand drive Bentley, complete with pristine red leather interior, burl wood dash and stunning chrome trim. My friend Dave had passed this car coming off the freeway, and had mentioned seeing a pristine, right hand drive silver coupe, possibly a Rolls Royce. Now we had located that very car, which turned out instead to be a classic Bentley…

In close proximity, just up the row from the silver Bentley was this stunning green on green, Jaguar XK 150 roadster…

Then several more rows over, located towards the back of the parking lot, was this beautiful, curvaceous slate blue Morgan coupe.

Surprisingly, each of the rear windows opens up towards the centerline of the car, similar to the opening and closing movements of a butterfly wing.

This beautiful two toned, Tri-5 Chevrolet Bel Air ( below), is part of the K&N Filters show car fleet, and another beautifully prepared car. The attention to detail, and fit and finish on this car were spectacular…

Parked immediately behind the Bel-Air, was this brand new, Volcano Orange McLaren MP4-12C, courtesy of the local dealership, Newport Beach McLaren. And parked right next to the McLaren, was a brand new pearlescent satin white Lamborghini LP 700-4 Aventador, on display for the morning courtesy of Newport Beach Lamborghini.

As the event began to wind down, and the cars began thinning out, we came across this very cool black, full fendered 1932 Ford Roadster.

As I was shooting the car, the owner walked over and introduced himself as ” Bruce” to my friend Dave and I. I suddenly realized that “Bruce” was in fact Bruce Meyer, the renowned Los Angeles based car collector and active participant on the classic, hot rod and sports car scenes. He shared with us that he had come to Cars& Coffee that morning with his friend, Barry Meguiar. Yes, that Barry Meguiar, of Meguiar’s car care product fame, and the host of the cable TV show Meguiar’s Car Crazy.

Bruce proceeded to tell us a little about his car, and our discussion then shifted over to the custom wheels. If you look closely, you will note that they are in fact a center lock set up, complete with safety wired knock-offs. We learned that these wheels and hubs were period correct, and just happened to be vintage Indy car racing parts from back in the day.

Our conversation then shifted focus to the car’s power plant, and with the release of two spring-loaded latches, Bruce opened the louvered hood, revealing a 350 c.i. small block.

Bruce then mentioned someone from his group that morning making a comment that he and Barry Meguiar were like” two peas in a pod”, to which they responded saying they were more like “two B’s in a Rod” (Bruce and Barry and the ’32 Ford). With that, a photo opportunity was warranted, to document the two friends enjoying the mornings car show and Bruce’s ’32 Ford roadster…

This encounter was the epitome of what the car hobby and the Cars&Coffee event is all about; the opportunity to share ones passion for cars with friends, and the making of new friends along the way. With our impromptu photo session completed, Bruce and Barry wished everyone a Merry Christmas, the roadster was fired up, and off they rumbled to continue on their morning drive.

“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays” to all from digitaldtour…

(All photos by the author)

Porsche GT3 cup cars, the elusive White GT3 RS4.0, a Scion FR-S and more…

Posted on December 13, 2011 by digitaldtour

Saturday morning as I pulled into the parking lot at Cars and Coffee / Irvine, and made my way towards the row where I usually park, I was greeted by the lunar eclipse bathed, silhouettes of two Truspeed Porsche GT3 cup cars parked diagonally in formation, anchoring an all Porsche row. Mixed in amongst the row were several Porsche 356’s , a couple early 1960’s short wheelbase 911’s, a Porsche 924, 914-6, and a handful of 911’s from the 1970’s, ’80’s and 90’s. And aligned like bookends, opposite the cup cars were two matching speed yellow Porsche 996’s: one a tricked-out 996 GT3 and the other, a 2003 GT2.

Now back to the two GT3 cup cars…

Car # 45 (below), the Truspeed / Privacy Star Porsche GT3 cup car, is the 2011 World Challenge cup series winner, as driven by Patrick Long, the only American driver with Porsche factory driver status…

The car below, the # 29 Porsche GT3 cup car, was fresh from its second place finish at the 25 hours of Thunderhill race the previous weekend. It still wore its acquired patina of race rubber, bugs and dust across its exterior, as evidence of the previous weekends battle. The strange luggage rack looking devices spanning the front hood as I found out, and as were demonstrated, were high output LED light bars, perfect for lighting up a racetrack in the dead of night. These two light bars combined with the headlights and dual sets of driving and cornering lights recessed into the front nose, were more than sufficient for lighting up a dark racetrack, and getting the attention of the driver immediately ahead on the track.

After I finished shooting the Porsches, I noticed a crowd gathered around a low black coupe parked in the end space of the smaller perpendicular parking lot. As I made my way through the crowd, I saw a badge on the nose of the car that read Scion. As I got closer, I recognized the car as the new collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, with the Scion being Toyota’s version. It also wore some subtle Greddy graphics displayed about the car. The badge on the back identified this car as an FR-S model, although the Subaru model will wear BRZ badging. Out back, the blue tipped, dual titanium exhaust dominated the view, framing the rear diffuser panel. After a few minutes, the hood was opened up to reveal a Subaru boxer motor, and a few go fast parts, such as the purple anodized, front shock strut adjustment plates. The car appeared to have been lowered, and was riding on a set of silver Rays wheels, wrapped in 245/35ZR-19 rubber. Given the crowd around this car and the buzz it was generating, it sure looks like Toyota has a hit on its hands…

As I was walking away from the Scion, I caught a glimpse of a white Porsche moving through the parking lot. As I got closer, I realized this was the elusive white Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 that I had heard about the previous week, making its way out of the parking lot.

So far I have been lucky enough to have seen three GT3 RS 4.0’s since October, out of a total of 600 produced. Now only 597 to go…

(All photos by the author)

Close encounters with a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Posted on November 28, 2011 by digitaldtour

My Saturday mornings usually begin with my attending a weekly car show located in Irvine, California called Cars&Coffee. Participants begin showing up as early as 5:30 am (I usually try to arrive by 6 am) with the show lasting until 9-9:30 am. Because of the popularity of this event, and to get a good parking spot for the display of ones car, you need to arrive early. Getting there late can result in either being directed to the overflow parking area, or even worse, not being able to find any parking and being turned away.

My worst fear however, was realized this past Saturday morning, as I overslept, and did not arrive at the show until 6:45. Fortunately, I was able to find a spot towards the back of the parking area, but well away from the row that I usually park in with my friends. Given the summer like weather that we experienced here in Southern California over the Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday morning delivered a very diverse collection of cars for viewing. Parked just across the row in front of me were the following three cars: a Volcano Orange McLaren MP4-12C, a Matt Black Lamborghini Aventador, and a Red Lamborghini Gallardo. And further down the row at the end of the aisle were two more cars, both Ferrari’s; a red 458 Italia, and a black Enzo…

Of the many Porsches in attendance that morning, there was one in particular that caught my eye… a black, 2011 GT3RS 4.0. This particular car represents one of only 600 produced for worldwide consumption by Porsche, and which according to reports sold out within 14 days. So given the rarity of this particular model, seeing one in person was pretty amazing. However, I consider myself fortunate to count this as my second encounter with a GT3 RS 4.0, since my first sighting was of a white RS 4.0 model, that had been on display at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV event back in October (see photos below).

And so now I was face to face with my second GT3 RS 4.0, and this time it was the evil twin. This particular car, dressed in black right down to its centerlock wheels, was much more sinister looking than its white-painted sibling, shimmering in its flawless, reflective black mirror- like finish.

As part of Porsches weight savings endeavors with the RS 4.0, several very subtle measures were taken to reduce the vehicles overall weight. At the front of the car, the hood has been manufactured from carbon fiber (very similar to the hood found on the Porsche GT2RS). However in this case, to save additional weight Porsche paints the RS 4.0 ‘s carbon fiber hood to match the car, instead of finishing the hood using the clear resin coating found on the GT2RS ( which ironically turns out to be a heavier production process). Another weight savings effort is the use of a decal for the Porsche hood crest, instead of using the traditional metal Porsche hood emblem.

Moving to the back of the car, located beneath the massive rear wing, resides the 4.0 liter, 500 horsepower engine, able to propel the car from 0-60 in a neck snapping 3.9 seconds, driven through a six speed manual transmission.

The rear wing also holds several secrets to this cars enhanced performance; the rear wing end plates have been modified over those found on the 2011 3.8 liter GT3RS, and the angle of attack for the GT3 RS 4.0 rear wing has been increased to 9 degrees, instead of running the stock setting of 6.8 degrees as found on the 3.8 GT3RS, for even greater downforce.

And just as quickly as the RS 4.0 had arrived that morning, the owner returned, jumped in, fired it up and drove away. As I watched the car drive off, a couple of guys came over and asked me if I had seen the white GT3 RS 4.0 that was parked in the overflow area. I asked if they were serious, and they assured me that it was in fact another GT3 RS 4.0. Off I went in search of the White GT3 RS 4.0. Unfortunately I was too late, and the car was nowhere to be found. Oh well, only 598 to go. And there is always next weeks show…

(All photos by the author)

Reflections of the day – Mercedes Benz 300SL

Posted on October 9, 2011 by digitaldtour

With the cancellation of this weeks Cars &Coffee / Irvine event (due to facility maintenance being performed on one of the site buildings), I had the opportunity to sit back and reflect on the many different makes and models of cars that frequent the event, and that I have had the pleasure of shooting. Next to photographing Porsches, another favorite subject of mine over my past three years of attendance has been the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

I first became aware of the Mercedes 300SL back in the early 1960’s. A friend of my fathers owned a 300SL roadster, and I remember seeing him out driving it around town always with the top down. But it was the 300SL gullwing coupe that made an even greater impression. Here was a beautifully styled coupe, abounding in detail, and with the most magical doors I had ever seen. Several other details had also made a lasting impression; a steering wheel that hinged down to allow easier access into the driver’s seat, the wide side sills that required sliding over in order to sit in the bucket seats, and an interior design that was stark by today’s standards, yet purpose-built for performance. I realized that the attention to detail found throughout the 300SL was genetic, and could also be seen in the earlier models, such as my grandfather’s Mercedes 220 A cabriolet. Thus the 300SL gullwing quickly became one of my favorite Mercedes-Benz models, and still is to this day.

So imagine my surprise when I encountered my first 300SL at Cars & Coffee, knowing the rarity of this particular model. Due in part to this events location, and combined with good sunny Southern California weather, there is a strong possibility of seeing at least one 300SL, be it a Gullwing or a Roadster, almost on a weekly basis.

The following photos were taken from my ongoing “reflection study” series, and highlights the Mercedes 300SL gullwing and roadster models.

(All photos by the author)

Every day you’ll see the dust (too much, the magic bus)

Posted on October 6, 2011 by digitaldtour

Yes, the Type 2 transporters (VW buses) in all of their permutations can be magic. From the Split Screens, Bay Window buses, panel vans, single cabs, dual cabs, Kombi’s, and every other model in between, there is literally something for everyone.

To witness this magic firsthand, one simply needs to locate one of the local VW bus clubs and attend one of their shows. You can be guaranteed of seeing an amazing cross-section of models in just above every condition; the recently discovered “barn -finds”, or the solid, original buses with OG paint (with just the right amount patina), to the fully restored, factory correct time capsules ( accurate representations with the proper paint color / combinations), period correct interiors, with the proper upholstery materials and trim, right down to the bone stock, original motor. Then there are the two remaining groups that may be frowned upon by the purists; owners of the fully customized, personal interpretation of what a transporter can be, or the owners of the borderline “OG / I found it in a field after 40 years, rusting away” transporters. Personally, I have a hard time understanding the latter groups philosophy of not restoring and preserving (if possible) these older rusty transporters.

Regardless of your personal preferences towards type 2 transporters, you are assured of finding an example that will meet or exceed your expectations at any of the local shows in your area. These photos are just a small representation of the type 2 transporters found here in Southern California. Now it’s your turn to look for your magic bus…

(All photos by the author)

Porsche de- ja vu…

Posted on September 29, 2011 by digitaldtour

I received the latest issue of Excellence magazine in the mail late last week, and after taking it out of its plastic wrapper, I began skimming through it as I usually do from the back to the front (to preview the contents). As I got towards the middle, I noticed several photos of a car that looked familiar. So I stopped and opened up the magazine to get a better look at the article. That’s when it hit me, I had seen this same Porsche at Cars & Coffee in Irvine, California.

I remember the buzz it created the first time it showed up back in April. One of my friends had chased me down, and said I had to go check out the really cool, gray Porsche 911 RSR parked out on the back row. That was enough to get my attention, so I headed off towards the crowd gathered around what I assumed to be the mysterious gray 911 RSR. And I was correct; there in the middle of this sea of people was this amazing Porsche. I stood back and waited for the crowd to thin, and when it did, I moved in for a closer look. I walked around the car a couple of times, taking in the details and shooting pictures as I went. I then circled several more times, quietly studying the RSR flares, the 17″ alloy wheels, the ducktail spoiler, and admiring its beautiful gray paint job. I then focused in closer on other subtle details; the lack of a hood emblem, the shaved cowl (no windshield wipers or washer nozzles), the LARGE red brembo brakes, and the dual, highly customized exhaust system.

That was when the owner walked over and lifted up the duck tail spoiler, revealing a motor that would be right at home in any purpose-built Porsche 911 race car. Rumor was that the motor was a 3.8 liter, built up from a 997 RSR core, for street and track use. The amber-colored, fiberglass fan shroud and light golden fan, red anodized intake trumpets, combined with the black anodized, slide valve fuel injection, and braided stainless fuel lines, all combined to create the visually stunning impact delivered by this motor.

But the payoff came when the owner climbed into the car and fired it up to leave. The motor settled into a quick idle, with an occasional blip of the throttle used to get the car rolling. The sound was incredible; if you closed your eyes it sounded like being in the pits at Laguna Seca, listening to the exhaust note from the latest 911GT3 RSR.

The car returned again several weeks later, with a few subtle changes. It now sported a rather telling custom license plate, and with its windows lowered, offered up a view of its stunning interior, with red leather clad RSR racing bucket seats, 380 mm RSR steering wheel, and a pair of dual, vintage dash mounted chronographs. Centered between the seats and topping off the gear shift lever, was a Porsche 917 inspired, balsa shift knob. The front trunk was also opened to reveal the purpose-built front strut brace, RSR carpet, and two remote, front shock reservoirs.

Upon its next Saturday morning return, the Porsche wore racer taped- over headlights, apparently from a recent track day event. I once again had to wait for the crowds to thin, so I could gain clear access to photograph the car. The weather that morning also cooperated, producing some very interesting lighting and reflections, which magnified and accentuated the contours and lines of the car.

The Porsche RSR’s most recent appearance showcased further visual modifications that had been made; yellow european (French) glass headlight lenses had been added, and the red leather RSR seats had made way for a set of carbon fiber racing seats. I guess this speaks to the serious nature of the owner and his focus on performance at the track.

This is an absolutely amazing car, and one that should be seen and heard in person, to fully appreciate its impact on the early Porsche 911 community.

I received the latest issue of Excellence magazine in the mail late last week… whoa, de-ja vu…

(All photos by the author)

digitaldtour

A photographic journey through the Southern California car culture

Category Archives: Cars&Coffee / Irvine

Christmas Porsches, a McLaren MP4-12C, Lamborghini LP 700-4 Aventador, and a chance encounter with two of Southern California’s car culture giants…

Porsche GT3 cup cars, the elusive White GT3 RS4.0, a Scion FR-S and more…

Close encounters with a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Reflections of the day – Mercedes Benz 300SL

Every day you’ll see the dust (too much, the magic bus)

Porsche de- ja vu…