RODS & ROSES BLOOMS AGAIN IN CARPINTERIA, CA!

Posted on July 18, 2024July 18, 2024 by MartynL

Showcasing classic American hot rods, sports cars and Musclecars, and supporting local charities and non-profit support groups, RODS & ROSES BLOOMS AGAIN IN CARPINTERIA, CA! 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 t...

CRUISIN’ NATIONALS

Posted on June 4, 2024June 4, 2024 by MartynL

The 43rd Annual West Coast Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals rolls cool rides and party vibes into Santa Maria for a moto-fun Memorial Day weekend! For its first 25 years the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals was held in Paso Robles, CA. But then an elixir of politics and pride forced a move of the popular car show from "Paso" down the coast to the city of Santa Maria’s Fairpark event center. With West Coast Kustoms founders Rich and Penny Pichette's indefatigable energy and dedication, the show h...

2024 QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING

Posted on May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 by MartynL

Umbrellas and spirits were up and the ‘Rain Gods’ failed to dampen the fun and excitement at the 2024 QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING. It's not surprising that folks with a passion for motorcycles are a pretty rugged and optimistic breed. Sure, rain was predicted to start falling at around 10 AM on May 4th, the Saturday that the 14th annual 2024 QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING would kick-start in beautiful Carmel, CA – on the manicured lawns of The Quail Golf Club. And rain it did, throughout mos...

PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION 7

Posted on October 12, 2023October 13, 2023 by MartynL

Pizazz, performance & provenance at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION 7. How do you know if a niche motorsports event is successful? Well for one, it's 6 AM and you're seeing cars parked all over the hills that surround the event location – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey County, California. And then you begin to see signs along the entry roads stating "General Admission and Paddock SOLD OUT." After reading that I stared down at the media pass and...

MOTORSPORT MAGIC: MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2023

Posted on August 31, 2023 by MartynL

CGC’s Jim Palam presents highlights from events that fill the most exciting week on the concours and historic racing calendar, MOTORSPORT MAGIC: MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2023. "Suddenly, as if by magic, the cars appeared!" I have to admit that I was like a kid at a magic show when I took in the sights, sounds, pomp and pizazz of MOTORSPORT MAGIC: MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2023. How the organizers, presenters, participants and attendees managed to all come together to revel, rejoice, race and reward i...

2023 CLASSICS WITH THE CARDINALS SHOW

Posted on July 5, 2023 by MartynL

Inaugural 2023 CLASSICS WITH THE CARDINALS SHOW in Santa Barbara, CA met and beat all expectations. CGC’s Jim Palam showcases the highlights. Local car shows sure took a hit when Covid kicked-in back in 2020. Already a challenge to organize and produce with limited resources, the future for these Car Guy celebrations was looking somewhat bleak – even for shows in famous destination cities like Santa Barbara, CA. When I got an invitation to attend a new car show there, I almost took a pass – and...

WEST COAST KUSTOMS CRUISIN’ NATIONALS!

Posted on June 7, 2023 by MartynL

42nd Annual WEST COAST KUSTOMS CRUISIN' NATIONALS! slams another ‘homerun’ at the Fairpark in Santa Maria, CA. Over the decades that I've been traveling the highways and byways of America to participate in or report on motorsports events and gatherings, it's become more and more obvious that us Car Guys are all on a seemingly endless and sometimes unpredictable journey. Whether it's setting the clock for 4 AM so you can beat the show traffic to an event, or building a Best of Show cust...

35TH ANNUAL SOLVANG DATSUN ROADSTER CLASSIC

Posted on May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 by MartynL

Vintage Japanese vehicles shine at the 35TH ANNUAL SOLVANG DATSUN ROADSTER CLASSIC, held in the Danish capital of America! You could say that the 35TH ANNUAL SOLVANG DATSUN ROADSTER CLASSIC organizers and participants have a cozy relationship with their host city, Solvang, CA. Allocated just one street in the heart of The Danish Capital of America, 75 vintage Datsun roadsters, sedans, coupes, trucks and Zs performed an early morning ballet of parking precision as they snugged-into their assi...

THE QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING 2023

Posted on May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 by MartynL

Once again, a great show – with some special surprises - at THE QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING 2023! Sometimes you just have to trust that the Motorcycle Gods will smile upon you and that the predicted rain showers wouldn't materialize over the emerald green show field for THE QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING 2023 on May 6th at The Quail Lodge & Golf Club in beautiful Carmel Valley, CA. I arrived extra early and had to wear my motorcycle jacket to keep warm for the first 2 hours. By the 10 AM sho...

NOJOQUI FALLS FUN RUN 2022

Posted on November 12, 2022November 13, 2022 by MartynL

50-Year car club tradition brings hot rods, classics, customs and cruisers to scenic Nojoqui Falls County Park in California for the NOJOQUI FALLS FUN RUN 2022. Our man Jim Palam captures the fun for Car Guy Chronicles' viewers. Nojoqui Falls was originally named for a Chumash village named Naxuwi, which means meadow. It is a Santa Barbara County Park located on Alisal Road, 2.6 miles southwest from Solvang, CA. An old legend has it that a Chumash Indian chief held an all-night prayer...