CGC’s Jim Palam hits four Fall CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST CAR SHOWS, resulting in this colorful Car Guy sampler!
Car Guys love zipping along in their cool rides, and metaphorically, on the road of life. We abhor road blocks, detours and obstacles that impede our progress. When my sister and her husband who live up a narrow holler road in the mountains of North Carolina couldn’t be reached for over a week during Hurricane Helene, I felt like the gods had ripped the wheels off all of my fun machines. Nothing mattered – including this car shows report – until I found out what their situation was. The good news is that a neighbor rescued them and they were ultimately able to return to their little mountain home.
Ah, but there was yet another hitch to my free-wheeling car show times in California and that was Hurricane Milton – which was heading directly to CarGuyChronicles publisher Martyn Schorr’s home in Sarasota, FL. WTF! First my sister and now my long-time friend Martyn and his wife in harm’s way – and all I could do was pray.
Which bring us to the beautiful 1956 Porsche 356 A 1600, above. Note that it is heading into a beautiful sunrise over the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains in Santa Barbara, CA. I chose this image not just because it truly represents the magnificence of the Porsche 356 Registry’s 2024 West Coast Holiday gathering on the manicured lawns of Santa Barbara City College – but also because it is a reminder that no matter how dark the night, there is always the promise of light and a chance for transformation. My sister and her husband, and Martyn and his wife are all OK and doing well! So, what do you say we fire things up and take a look at a sampling of some of the cool cars I discovered covering four Fall CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST CAR SHOWS.
I have to thank Porsche 356 owner John Lawrence for sending me a heads-up about the Porsche 356 Registry’s 2024 West Coast Holiday gathering which took place October 19th on the coastal campus of Santa Barbara City College. Over 200 sorted 356s drove from points near and far to celebrate the history and legacy of Porsche’s first production car. I grabbed this photo of early arrivals lining up in designated show field areas for specific models. What a beautiful sight!
World-famous Emory Motorsports brought four of its 356 Porsche restoration projects to 2024 West Coast Holiday. First and foremost was the silver ‘51 Le Mans 24 car #46 356/2-063 “Gmund SL.” This historic 356 won its class at Le Mans and is considered by many to be the most significant car in Porsche’s racing history. The Emory 356s occupied the highest, ocean view hilltop at the gathering.
A mustard yellow Emory Motorsports “Outlaw” 356 Porsche added some spice to an idyllic Santa Barbara sunrise. Members of the Porsche 356 Registry started arriving just after 6 AM. Rod and Amy Emory started Emory Motorsports in 1996 and have restored and customized over 180 356s. Their approach is to preserve as much of a car’s original DNA as possible while individualizing the “Outlaws” to meet their client’s dreams.
This pristine ‘47 MG TC was one of the many head-turning show cars on display at the 2024 Automotive Classic at Trilogy Monarch Dunes car show in Nipomo, CA on September 22nd. Over $20 million of vintage automobiles were on display at this “Invitation Only” automotive event. Proceeds from the event benefited the Nipomo Food Basket.
This history-rich ‘49 Kurtis sports car was brought to the Trilogy show by family heir Carol Kurtis of Bakersfield, CA. The Kurtis was literally the “Cover Car” for automotive creativity that occurred in California after World War II – having been featured on the cover of Motor Trend in 1949. Originally conceived by master racecar builder Frank Kurtis, this car is powered by a Flathead Ford V-8 on suspension parts sourced from Studebaker. The Kurtis featured engineering and styling that far exceeded 1949 standards. Only 16 were ever made. This yellow car was a 1950 graduation gift to Frank’s son Arlen, Carol’s husband.
The 2024 Automotive Classic at Trilogy Monarch Dunes car show was a pleasure to attend. Held on September 22nd in Nipomo, CA, it was carefully spread out on the spotless streets and parking areas of the 31,000 square foot Resort Club – which features a golf course, spa, pool, wellness & fitness center, bar & restaurant, market place and art studio. Right at home at Trilogy was this concours level ‘51 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe. Hornets were manufactured by the Hudson Motor Company of Detroit, MI from 1951 until 1954. Its stepped-down floor pan gave it a low center of gravity and, with its streamlined body, a racing advantage.
This is John Lawrence’s beautiful ‘64 Porsche 356 C Sunroof Coupe on the show field at Trilogy. John was the buddy who let me know about the 356 Registry’s Santa Barbara gathering. John is the third owner of this California 356. The second owner’s wife requested that it be painted her favorite color Alpine White, which is actually a 911 color. The premium red leather interior was crafted by 356 and 900 series Porsche specialists, Autos International Inc. of Escondido, CA. John sourced and added the vintage wood skis and leather luggage. 
I couldn’t walk by this pristine British Racing Green 1974 Triumph TR6 Roadster without grabbing some photos and chatting with the owner who lives in San Luis Obispo (SLO). For 15 years I owned and drove a white ’74 with the same drivetrain: 2.5 liter, in-line Six with dual Stromberg carbs, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. I had to laugh when I saw the car’s license plate: SLOLEAK. Vintage British sports car owners will get it!
I met Ken and Twila Arritt of Arroyo Grande about five years ago when they were participating in a Pierce-Arrow owners gathering in Buellton, CA. It was fun to run into them again at the Trilogy show and get another look at their wonderful “Gatsby” ‘25 Pierce-Arrow Series 80, Five Passenger Sedan Deluxe. This historic vehicle was a crowd pleaser and took the Stephan James Painting Sponsor Award. 
Eric Widmar brought two very unique musclecars to the Trilogy show in Nipomo. His orange ‘69 440 Magnum powered Dodge Charger Daytona is a Goodguys 2024 Muscle Car of the Year finalist. Sitting mean and long right next to it is Eric’s equally audacious blue ‘70 Plymouth Superbird. Both of these rare competition cars were developed for NASCAR racing. They featured aerodynamic, wind tunnel designed noses and tails. To meet NASCAR homologation requirements, both cars were made available to the public and sold through dealerships. Eric’s Daytona won the Steering Committee’s 2nd Place Award at the Trilogy show.
Almost every Car Guy would love to own and drive a Shelby Cobra, and that’s why there are over a dozen companies making Shelby Cobra kit cars. This tire-shredder SC is an authorized ’65 “Continuation” car, not a kit car. It features an aluminum body and a 427 side-oiler engine. Details of this brutish SC are impeccable. It was another ‘Invitation Only’ classic that wowed the spectators and participants at the Trilogy Show.
By car show standards, the Cars & Cowboys Car Show and fund- raiser in Los Olivos, CA is a small show. But what it lacks in size it more than makes up in quality and uniqueness. I was invited to cover the Third Annual C&C Show for Car Guy Chronicles. Organizers were very pleased with the boost our coverage gave them in 2023, so there were lots of back slaps when I arrived at the Red River Ranch which was hosting the event on September 28th. This ‘31 Ringling & Henning “Wonder Bread Special” immediately caught my eye. It’s a two-seater that was an Indianapolis-built, sponsored and raced car. It competed in the Indy 500 through 1937!
One of the cool things about local car shows is that you get a chance to see some of the surprises that your neighbors have tucked away here on the Central Coast of California. This Bonneville Salt Flats racer is a modified ‘71 Datsun LSR 1200 Coupe that has clocked speeds over 225 mph on the salt. Thanks go out to Team McLeish Bros. for bringing this swift and stealth JDM racer to the Cars & Cowboys fund raiser in Los Olivos.
The “Superior Special” is a 1920s-era street speedster that was built with Ford Model A parts. Its OHV Ford-Frontenac racing motor was built by the Chevrolet Brothers. It utilizes a Model A block and features a Frontenac OHV head and deep-finned aluminum oil pan. The torpedo-shaped speedster body is essentially a 1920s mail order kit from PACO (Peoria Accessory Company of Illinois) that sits on a Model A frame. This historic racecar was beautifully restored in Orcutt, CA, and on display at Cars & Cowboys 2024.
I caught a fleeting glimpse of this extremely rare Cadillac in Monterey during Car Week back in August. So, what a BIG surprise to see it again, up-close at the Cars & Cowboys show in Los Olivos on September 28th! Presented as one of only two examples ever built, this ‘53 Series 62 2-Door Coupe is essentially a Cadillac chassis that was shipped to coachbuilder Ghia in Turin, Italy for its unique and modern body. While the owner didn’t pop the hood at C&C, my research shows that power comes from a 210 horsepower, 331 cubic-inch Caddy V-8.
We leave the small show in Los Olivos for a look at this small ‘49 Fordson van at the Viking Classic Car Show in Solvang, CA on October 19th. The Fordson was manufactured by Ford of Britain at its Dagenham assembly plant. This 1/4-ton light-duty van has a 90-inch wheelbase, powered by a 933-cc engine and weighs approximately 1,200 pounds. Top speed was barely 40 mph. It offered a whopping 55 cubic feet of cargo space.
Rats invade Solvang, CA! OK, there were only 5 of them and they were SoCal 5150 Rat Rods participating in the Viking Classic Car Show in Solvang on October 19th. Car and Body Builder Mark Goodacre brought his chopped/slammed/fuel-injected 1920s Chevy Sedan to nibble-away at Solvang’s tranquility. The Rat Rod style incorporates elements of art, engineering, 1940s – 1950s Hot Rod culture, music and wry humor. Fast & Fun, why not?
CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST CAR SHOWS: Words & Photos ©Jim Palam, https://www.jimpalamphotos.com/
Since 1912 the small seaside city of Carpinteria on California’s Central Coast has promoted its designation as the location of the “World’s Safest Beach” – and since 1997 the city has also been touting its Car Guy credentials as the home of the rad Rods & Roses car show. This popular community event has never been the biggest or baddest California car show, but it has always delivered a soothing blend of chilled vibes and head-turning stock and modified show cars.
This was one of the sweetest hot rods I saw at Rods & Roses. It’s Jerry Friedrich’s Flathead-powered ’30 Ford Roadster and it’s sitting poised for action on Linden Avenue. You might have to be a bit of a fabrication geek to truly appreciate all the masterfully built components and details – like the rare ELCO finned aluminum Twin-Plug Heads, and numerous examples of engineering perfection. But even the average show-goer in Carpinteria appreciated its esthetic appeal. Well done, Jerry!
La Bestioni No. 8 is Gary Wales’ reimagined 1920 American LaFrance fire truck. This magnificent machine is Gary’s 8th Beast – and like No. 1, it’s a tribute to the famous 1910 Fiat S76 Beast of Turin racecar. No. 8 features a fully restored chassis and a 14-liter, water-cooled 6-cylinder motor. One of Gary’s biggest joys is watching his creations bring smiles to those lucky to encounter his Beasts. Sitting up high on La Bestioni is Gary’s constant companion and spokesperson, Kyra. Nice shirt Gary!
BREAKING NEWS!: Surf shop employees spot powerful Cyclone near Carpinteria State Beach! Larry Schuss’ 427-powered ’65 Mercury Comet Cyclone charged the atmosphere out in front of Rincon Designs Surf Shop during RODS & ROSES BLOOMS AGAIN IN CARPINTERIA, CA! This meticulously crafted, hi-performance Merc took the Crown Classics Choice Award!
This pristine ’67 Porsche 911 may look like a nice stock survivor, but owners Mark & Brett Lyons were kind enough to send me a few of their recently completed 911’s specs. Its original 2.0 engine case is fitted with higher compression 2.2 pistons and heads are ported and polished. Plus, high-lift “E” cams, 123 electronic distributor and MSD box, PMO carbs and intakes, and an M&K Stainless steel muffler. Other upgrades include a 901 five-speed trans with J West short shifter, Tarett adjustable front and rear sway bars, MOMO steering wheel, and Scheel-Mann seats.
I wasn’t surprised to discover a Woody within walking distance of the World’s Safest Beach, but I was very impressed with the quality restoration of this stately ’48 Oldsmobile Deluxe Series 68 Station Wagon. Owner Greg Metzgus personally restored his Woody, using his master sheet metal and wood crafter skills to take the pile of weathered original wood parts crammed into the cargo bay of the unrestored wagon and turn it back into the shiny driver that it is today. Olds manufactured only 1,314 of the Deluxe Series 68, eight-cylinder, metal and wood wagons in 1948.
This Sassy Grass Green (1970 Barracuda FJ6 color) Plymouth Barracuda underwent a rotisserie restoration with the apparent goal of capturing the sex appeal and “street brute” swagger of a legendary 426 Hemi Cuda. This car is a 1973 model with a high-performance, dual quad 472 cubic-inch motor producing 550 horsepower. Matte black fender and door graphics and a Shaker hood provide “Look at Me” contrast to the electric paint scheme. Wheels are noticeably not stock. The car is currently offered for sale in Ventura, CA with an asking price of $179,999.
Bill Pitruzzelli’s low and racy ’56 Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster got a lot of love from showgoers at RODS & ROSES BLOOMS AGAIN IN CARPINTERIA, CA! – as well as the Classic Award from the judges. Bill’s Outlaw 356 features an aftermarket hard tonneau with an integrated, sweptback headrest fairing.
I had to do a double-take and then a triple-take when I spotted this classic ’55 Corvette adorned with a rare Bubble Top. As the story goes, GM styling chief Harley Earl commissioned approximately 20 plastic bubble canopy tops for the ‘54 Corvette, most of which went to special customers and dealers. A handful of aftermarket companies produced Bubble Tops and, while pretty cool looking, almost all had fitment problems – allowing water and wind to enter the cockpit. Another “small problem” was that the bubble top raised interior temperatures. Not cool!
This Satellite is not from the gang at Space X but rather it’s a mid-size model from our friends at Plymouth. Finished in Snakeskin Green this ’69 Plymouth Satellite gets its propulsion from a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 crate engine mated to a Tremec TKO 600 5-Speed transmission. This car and the ’73 Hemi Cuda were brought to RODS & ROSES BLOOMS AGAIN IN CARPINTERIA, CA! by the same seller. $119,995 is the Take It Home number.
By today’s standards, Ronald Root’s ’58 Corvette looks somewhat tame and reserved. No carbon fiber chassis, no rear wing, no 800 horsepower motor, and mercifully, no $1,000,000 price tag. Still, 66 years since its appearance on the showroom floors, this C1 Corvette still quickens my pulse, still makes me wonder “Is it for sale?” So, thanks Ronald, and thanks to all of you Car Guys for being the custodians and proponents for these automotive gems!
I want to close this Car Guy Chronicles West Coast report with a little challenge. Now I’m sure many of our readers will get the answer right away – but I’m willing to bet some of us will have to take a minute or two to decode our memorization process and retrieve our stored enthusiast minutiae from behind those massive memory banks of passwords, cousin’s names and mixology formulas. OK, so the question is, “What car’s interior is this a photo of?” Bonus brainiac points if you get the year, make and model correct!
