by Wallace Wyss –
Photos by Richard Bartholomew –
Remember the film comedy Groundhog Day where Bill Murray is an emcee at the annual re-appearance of a groundhog named Phil who whether he sees or doesn’t see his shadow predicts whether there’s going to be six more weeks of winter (I thought of having to explain that belief to a foreigner who thought we Americans we were a high tech nation).
Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
Well, in the movie, he goes to be bed at night but when he wakes up each morning it’s the same day all over again, same ceremony, same people, and he tries to do it differently. That’s how I feel about the Malibu event that takes place in a shopping center in Malibu across the street from the Malibu Colony, a famous enclave of actors, produces and directors.
Ghia 450SS
It’s the same event I went to the week before and the week before that and the week before that ad infinitum. Why do I still go? Because the pandemic has shut down one show after another, including the Biggie, Monterey Car Week.
Lamborghini
Since this one has no organizer, no sponsor, no entry fee, no spectator fee and is hard by the blue Pacific with temperatures of 75 degrees F I go.
Wyss Jacket Art
And fortunately there’s always about 20% of the cars that I haven’t seen before. I go with photographer Richrd Bartholomeww but he’s a maverick who goes his own way so it’s only on the way back I quiz him which cars he shot.
The Highway Patrol was more prevalent this time, writing tickets around the perimeter, but one was on account of me, when the owner of a black Aston Martin decided to run the crosswalk with me in it. It might have also been because he has his doors painted white, looking like a police car if you don’t know what an Aston Martin is.
Rolls Royce
So there she be–the show that isn’t a show. While at the same time, same day, same time, in West Los Angeles rioters were blocking major streets, setting things on fire, in Malibu all that seemed 1000 miles away.
More photos are in the slide show below.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss is seeking a publisher for FULL DRIFT, a short story anthology set in the world of collector cars. He can be reached at photojournalistpro2@gmail.com.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Richard Bartholomew is an artist and photographer based in Southern California. Visit his YouTube channel here. He is open to interesting consignments and can be reached at zeroagenow@aol.com
Ford GT
FUN FACTS;
1. THERE WERE 50 OF GHIA 450SS CARS MADE.
2. ALL BUT THE BODY, AND GAUGES, WAS LATE 60s, PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA.
3. THE LATE DAVE ROBERTSON HAD 6 OF THESE IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS. I DID EXTENSIVE METAL REPAIR ON ONE USING BODY PARTS FROM ANOTHER THAT WAS HIGHLY DISTRESSED.
4. THESE ALSO CAME WITH, A HARD, REMOVABLE TOP
Hey skip
Wow that’s great information.
What part of the world are you in?
I was about to take mine in for a complete paint and refreshing of chrome etc..
Thanks
Mike
Jippiejake @mac.com