2010 Laguna Seca Monterey Historics parking lot photos

Paddock photos here.

I stand by my assertion that at car shows, the cars of the spectators are just as interesting as what's in the event.

This Porsche 928S with a Nurburgring sticker was the first cool car I saw parked.

Ford GT with Gulf Oil livery in dirt lot.

Exhibit 1: Evidence of hoonage.

Lotus Esprit.

This is the first Opel Monza I have ever seen in my life.

Aston Martin V8.

Aston Martin DB5.

Sunbeam Tiger.  The reason why I came.  More later.

This specific Mercedes 500E I spotted inspired this piece back in 2007.  The giveaway was the license plate frame.

Ferrari F40.

F40 exhaust.

This Fiat 124 coupe certainly was not the fanciest at the lot, but I was drawn to it.

Ferrari 288 GTO.  I rest my case.

Rally driving lights galore: Cibie, PIAA, Hella, and Viceroy!

If there is one thing I love more than vintage rally cars, it's the arrays of frisbee-sized driving lights up front.  These are from a guy named Ariel on Flickr.

Matchbox Tow Trucks

In my make-belief town, cars broke down. Fortunately, everyone had AAA tow coverage and I had three tow trucks on-call.

My favorite of the three was this Matchbox Freightliner.

Here it is towing a temperamental Matchbox Citroen CX.

This Matchbox Foden tilt cab was an odd duck. As its name states, the blue cab tilts forward 90 degrees.

Foden carrying a Tomica Fix It Again Tony X 1/9.

This Matchbox Leyland truck was a mystery to me. I never knew what the two holes on the bed were for. I used to get those toothpicks from club sandwiches with the colorful plastic on one end and stick them in the holes. Kids.

Going back to the unreliable French theme, here is a Matchbox Renault 5 getting a ride to the shop. I understand the scales are way out of proportion, but hey, I was eight!

2009 The Best of France And Italy: Photos of My Favorite Cars

I just got back from The Best of France And Italy, held in Van Nuys, California. It was an awesome experience, despite the 93 degree baking heat (in November, mind you). My only disappointment was the lack of Alfa Romeo Montreals (there was only one). I had intended on making a collage using shots of Montreal B-pillars. Oh well.

I went with my step-dad. He knows nothing about cars. Nothing. That's why I was shocked to learn that he used to own a Fiat 600 Multipla (!) and a Renault Dauphine (!!). Oh, and he turned down a chance to buy a Merc Gullwing for $2,000 (!!!). W. T. F.

Renault Alpine. First Alpine I've ever seen. The rear reminds me of a first generation RX7 or a Porsche 944.

Renault Caravelle. A fellow admirer told me he remembered TV commercials for the Caravelle in which Renault touted the front trunk's ability to act as an ice chest for beach parties.

There were lots of Citroens, especially SMs.

A lot of Facel Vegas also.
Lancia Fulvia Sport 1600.
Rear end of Lancia reminds me of a Toyota 2000GT.

Tatra T87. There was a constant crowd around this beast. I was not able to take a clean shot. How is this French or Italian?

Fiat X1/9 with Martini livery.

Fiat 130 Coupe.

This Fiat 124 Abarth coupe looks very Japanese.
Yellow Ghibli.

Quattroporte III.

Another Tatra, this one is a newer Tatra 603. Cool old school Grundig head unit inside.