SANTA BARBARA DRAGS: THE RACE OF GENTLEMEN (WEST)!

Posted on March 20, 2019March 22, 2019 by MartynL

Revisiting the way it was in 1949 when modified Ford Flatheads and Fours ruled the roost at the Goleta Drags – only updated to include later-model cars and OHV V8s. Our intrepid reporter and consummate carguy, Jim Palam, brings us coverage of TROG (WEST). It took some doing, but after 70 years drag racing returned to its American birthplace – Santa Barbara, CA. It was back in 1949 that the first planned and permitted drag race took place on an access road at what is now Santa Barbara Airport. T...

ZIPPY BRITS: CALIFORNIA HEALEY WEEK!

Posted on October 23, 2018October 23, 2018 by MartynL

Zippy Brits beautify Solvang during California Healey Week 2018. British car and bike enthusiast Jim Palam was on the scene. It was just a green dot when I first spotted it moving rapidly towards me, flickering in and out of the Cedar shadows along Highway 246 in Solvang. As the throaty British roadster whooshed by me the driver shot me a big smile and I in-turn shot him a thumb’s-up. “Nice!” I thought, “…an early Healey 100, maybe ’57 or ’58. Man, I wish I had bought one of these beauties w...

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS!

Posted on May 30, 2018 by MartynL

Map your course for a Concours d’Elegance then head 180° in the opposite direction. That’s how you get to a car show like 35th Annual West Coast Kustoms’ Cruisin' Nationals, blogs Jim Palam. It’s the multifariousness of Car Culture that makes it so appealing to so many people. And it’s the people as much as the cars that make the 2018 Cruisin Nationals such a fun three-day event. There’s the Santa Maria City Cruise on Friday night, the Show-n-Shine on Saturday and Sunday – plus a swap meet, ven...

SAN MARINO MOTOR CLASSIC: NEWMAN’S OWN!

Posted on April 6, 2018April 6, 2018 by MartynL

Ten of Paul Newman’s racecars will be showcased at the San Marino Motor Classic concours, benefiting local Southern California charities. A collection of cars raced by Paul Newman will highlight the more than 350 classic and collector cars to be displayed at the eighth annual San Marino Motor Classic. Southern California’s premier Concours d’Elegance will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at beautiful Lacy Park in San Marino, CA. Owned by television and podcast host Adam Carolla, the Newman ...

MONTECITO MOTOR CLASSIC: LESS IS MORE!

Posted on September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 by MartynL

The Montecito Motor Classic is not a big car show – but it is a great show, blogs our West Coast photojournalist, Jim Palam. What better way to salute Ferrari than a lineup of fabulous Ferrari Classics on Coast Village Road – starting with Ron Hein's sexy and swift '62 250 SWB. There's the beauty of its coastal location in magnificent Montecito, CA, the allure of featured marques like this year's salute to Ferrari and Camaro, and its relaxed style and pace – perhaps best represented by its hon...

WILD-EYED & REVVED-UP: RODS AND ROSES!

Posted on July 6, 2017July 6, 2017 by MartynL

It's become a tradition: The High Noon Engine Rev at the Rods & Roses Car Show in Carpinteria, CA. The show celebrated its 20 Anniversary on July 1st – and the roar of the engines this year was a loud salute to local automotive legend, Andy Granetelli. There were over 150 wicked, wonderful and wild-eyed customs, classics and musclecars lining Linden Avenue, Carpinteria's main thoroughfare that delivers you to the "World's Safest Beach" on the Pacific. Proceeds from this always-enjoyable sho...

QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING: BEST OF THE BEST!

Posted on May 11, 2017May 15, 2017 by MartynL

Cool temperatures fail to lower motorcycle fever at the Quail and keep Jim Palam from delivering this photo report. Low temperatures, brisk winds and overcast skies did nothing to dampen the spirits of over 3,000 visitors to the 2017 Quail Motorcycle Gathering on May 6 at the beautiful Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, CA. Gordon McCall, motorsports director for the Quail Lodge, was once again the perfect ringleader for this 9th Annual gathering. It featured over 300 rare and historic b...