PEBBLE BEACH: JAPANESE AUTOMOTIVE INVITATIONAL!

Posted on September 4, 2018September 4, 2018 by MartynL

A new event this year was the Japanese Automotive Invitational held on the grounds adjacent to the Pebble Beach Concours; the Matunes were on-site representing the Chronicles. A cooperative effort between Infiniti and Motor Trend Group, the JAI showcased significant milestones in the history of Japanese cars. Among them was Caroline & Tommy Kendall’s 1982 Malibu Grand Prix Mazda RX-7 racecar. In its competitive lifespan, it would garner five season championships for three different drivers ...

2018 PEBBLE BEACH: CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE!

Posted on September 3, 2018 by MartynL

You could publish a lavish book about the cars displayed this year at Pebble Beach. Since we don’t have the space, here are some of the highlights from Mike & Maureen Matune, our shooters ‘on the green.’ Best of Show: David & Ginny Sydorick Beverly Hills, CA, Copyright Kimball Studios / Courtesy of Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was about sunrise when this photo was taken, hours before the Concours would officially open. As the cars are moving onto the show field, crowds are alre...

ROLEX MOTORSPORTS REUNION: LAGUNA SECA!

Posted on September 2, 2018September 2, 2018 by MartynL

Historic racecars come out of the woodwork worldwide once a year to challenge each other and the legendary Corkscrew at Rolex Motorsports Reunion: Laguna Seca. It’s the most important vintage-racing event in the US. Mike and Maureen Matune captured highlights for us. If it’s August, it must be time for the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca! An annual pilgrimage for many of the automotive faithful, the event serves as one bookend for the extravaganza know...

HISTORIC RACING: PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX!

Posted on July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 by MartynL

Almost 1,400 volunteers, city officials, law enforcement and local merchants turn out to showcase vintage racing at its best at Schenley Park, and welcome locals as well as visitors, blogs Mike Matune. On Labor Day 1983, a group of enthusiasts brought their dream to fruition by staging a vintage race through the streets of Schenley Park in downtown Pittsburgh. Thirty-five years later it has grown to incorporate two race weekends with a dizzying array of car events stretched out in between. O...

FATHER’S DAY: SHOWTIME AT SULLY!

Posted on June 24, 2018 by MartynL

Maureen and Mike Matune bring us highlights from the Sully Antique Car Show, one of the oldest car shows in Virginia. For 45 years the George Washington Chapter of the Model A Club in cooperation with the Fairfax County Park Authority (Chantilly, VA) have sponsored a car show to coincide with Father’s Day. Held on the lush green tree lined grounds of the Sully Historic Site, it features something for everyone. In addition to countless classic and antique cars, crowds are treated to antique, car...

VDCA @ VIR: WILD HARE RUN!

Posted on April 12, 2018 by MartynL

The start to our vintage racing coverage schedule this year was, as in the past, the Wild Hare Run put on by VDCA (Vintage Drivers Club of America) at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) in Alton, VA. Our Mike Matune was trackside at VIR. Vintage racing can be as competitive as any other type of competition as showcased here by this tightly spaced group attacking the “Snake”. Leading the pack is Dean Tetterton (Triumph TR4) followed closely by John Fontanella (MGB) and Hervey Parke (Ginett...

2018 AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS: THE BEST GETS BETTER!

Posted on March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 by MartynL

Bill Warner and his team continue to raise the bar; the 23rd annual Concours d’Elegance does not disappoint…even when rain is in the forecast. In a world that appears dedicated to instant gratification, for anything to endure 23 years, let alone thrive and prosper, is unusual to say the least. But such is the case with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. For nearly a quarter century it has been treating aficionados to all forms of automotive wonderment in a beautiful setting. This year was n...

ST. MICHAELS: CONCOURS ON THE BAY!

Posted on October 5, 2017 by MartynL

As Summer fades into Fall, the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance stands as a closing bookend to the 2017 automotive show season. The Concours stretched across the manicured grounds of the Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, under sun filled skies. This year’s event welcomed participants, spectators, judges and volunteers alike to the start of its second decade; its show field and docks were packed with automotive and marine finery. Every time you look at Eric...

RADNOR HUNT CONCOURS: ELEGANCE AT ITS BEST!

Posted on September 14, 2017 by MartynL

The Matunes – Maureen & Mike – were on the field of 100 antiques, classics and sports cars to bring us highlights of one of the country’s top Concours. The Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance limits itself to 100 motorcars each year while recognizing automotive legends. This year four were honored including Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg. Exemplifying those once mighty marques were Dave Markel’s ‘31 Cord L-29 Cabriolet and Sue & Mark Lankford’s ‘37 Cord 812SC Phaeton. Team Penske’s ‘73 Porsche 9...

BOOK REVIEW: KENSINGTON MD’S GASOLINE ALLEY!

Posted on July 1, 2017 by MartynL

Our Mike Matune reviews Cynthia Lee Monroe’s unique historical book about the car culture in suburban Washington, D.C. Cindy Monroe’s impressive volume, KENSINGTON MARYLAND’S GASOLINE ALLEY, began life, as of all things, a crime novel. Fortunately for historic motorsports aficionados, Monroe changed direction after a trip to a local historical society revealed there was a story even more intriguing. The book is about a place on the map in suburban Washington, D.C. that hid behind its humble app...