PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - The Palo Alto Concours: I came, I saw . . .

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The Palo Alto Concours: I came, I saw . . .

. . I took pitchers.

What an embarrassment of riches. Well, I wasn't embarrassed, certainly. I would have liked it a whole lot more if I could have driven my choice of any 5 cars. Maybe in the next lifetime.

The million dollar barn find Ferrari was prominently featured -- it wasn't too far from the gate. I spotted the owner from the newspaper article and asked him if people had been begging him to pop the hood. He was keen to show off the car but didn't seem all that wild about showing the engine, saying, "well I guess so," kind of wearily. Oh well.

I took two photos but for some reason, the first one didn't record, it was a better shot than the one posted here but oh well. He shut the hood pretty quick and I didn't want to ask him again.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0334.jpg

I'm not trying to diss the guy, he was cool, answered my questions like we were chewing the fat. He said the reason the original US owner sat it for so many years was a broken rear leaf spring. Amazing. Then again, lucky for us. Might have been wrapped around a tree or over-restored if he hadn't sat it. The new owner decided to keep it as close to 'as is' as possible. He said the engine needed the crank polished and new pistons but that was about it.

The article implied that it sat in the sun for decades after the original covering of some rugs and black plastic was removed. Not to impugn anyone's honesty, but I'm wondering if some of that was journalistic exaggeration. These two shots of the seats don't fit with that:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0338.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0337.jpg

I wish I'd asked him if he's had the seats recovered but it doesn't look like he did. And if those had sat in the Arizona sun for 10 - 20 years, even 5, I can easily imagine that they'd be serious trash -- the kind of stuff that you rip by sitting on it.

I got there sorta late in the show -- the meet up failed to materialize -- and I was there when he started it and drove away. Damn, it sounded sweet. I'd asked him earlier if he drove it on the streets. He said "all the time." I said, "Brave man," and when he shrugged, I felt a bit sheepish and added, "Well why not -- life is short," to which he gave the sideways head cock, the you-betcha gesture.

That's him holding the spacious boot open.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0336.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0383.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0449.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0450.jpg

As you can see, there was a similar model in the hardtop edition, kinda odd looking all in all. Nice, certainly, but I looked the more au natural red one a lot better.

There were over 100 Ferraris there. I saw not only my first 330 GTC (the Ferrari I lust for) but my first three.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0429.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0378.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0428.jpg

I hope I'm not posting too many pics here. I know the limit is 10 per post. Am I cheating if I go for more posts with more pics?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012 (Post 1549564)

I hope I'm not posting too many pics here. I know the limit is 10 per post. Am I cheating if I go for more posts with more pics?

No, please, post more.

If you insist. Now I expect to see you at the next one, Chris. Oh my Ghod, I took in so much eye candy I got a sugar rush.

James Bond put in an appearance:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0401.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0402.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0454.jpg

This is a police car I haven't seen in my rear view mirror, lights a flashin,' knock on wood. It's stationed in my neighborhood and provided by Carlsen Porsche, just about 100 yards away from my warehouse space.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0440.jpg

Oh man, I got more, but it's getting late.

Keep them coming, they are great shots, and it was like being there.
I could have sworn I saw a 1937 Coffin Nose Cord among the cars in one picture of yours...

Carl I apologize sincerely for not responding to the invite for a meet up to go there, I simply could not make it then, but ordinarily I would have loved to have gone there, and hope to meet up with you one day, you are a good guy.
Please accept my apology. With luck, next time a meet could happen, there are sometimes really interesting things going on in the bay area, like at Silverado Blackhawk and other such events.

I haven't been down there for quite awhile.

Wow. Houston has the Keels N Wheels Concours, but other than that we get nada. Cali has the best car shows.

Thanks for the pics - loved to see them.

Awesome pics, thanks cmac!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B. (Post 1549586)

Oh man, I know how it can get, trying to make time for something you really want to do but don't have to do. After the meetup fell through, I almost didn't make it myself. I got there at 2, thing ended at 4. Oh well, I saw most everything.

Speaking of which . . .

Another Maserati. Wish I could tell you what's next to it:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0349.jpg

I've always liked this Alpha, sort of a poor man's Ferrari:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0390.jpg

Another Alpha:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0398.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0399.jpg

Le Jag:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0350.jpg

More from Britain:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0395.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0385.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0397.jpg

This was some kind of Triumph racer, IIRC:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0384.jpg

The real deal:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/PDR_0396.jpg

Man, that looked like a HUGE show!!!! Like a Hemmings Motor News come to life! Lots of really interesting stuff there, from all over the place. This was really something. I believe a gtg would have worked with more time and publicity....

(my email today said your PM to me bounced, I cleared out the MS mailbox a little, here is another apology to you!!)

The pictures are really high quality, thank you for them...