At least as of November 15…
by Wallace Wyss –
I wish I could report from Concorso Italiano, Pebble Beach etc. But no, this is a parking lot report. The New Normal.
But the parking lot is in a shopping center in Malibu, with the closest neighborhood across Pacific Coast Highway a little village called Malibu Colony. This is the Malibu Car Show.
The Karmann Ghia had a non stock paint scheme and 914 engine but I loved it.
Karmann Ghia Engine
Lots of famous people live there but the only famous one I see regularly at this shopping center is Jay Leno, who always arrives in something different. Today it was a McLaren F1 which he bought 30 some years ago. It looked new but probably because of wanting to exercise all of his 250 plus cars he doesn’t get around to it much.
One great thing about this Alfa Romeo was the racing record was right on the side of the car.
Among the most exciting cars this time (but maybe only for me) was a Karmann Ghia convertible just like the one I sold cheap after a t-bone. But of the cars people came to see, I guess the Fifties Cadillacs and the newer McLarens were drawing comment.
A Porsche Speedster–I saw a group of six 356s arrive, mostly coupes but the surprising thing was the ’30-ish age range of owners–there must be a changeover in demographics on these.
The reason this show thrives is because:
-no organizer – if there was he’d be refused a permit
-no ads – thus no expense
-no Sheriffs – they were there a couple months ago but not today
When Jay Leno arrives he is The Magnet – this time in his McLaren F1.
So apparently if a lot of people agree to meet somewhere but there’s no one to blame, it can happen. But don’t take my word for it–they could wall this show off anytime (and the restaurants there will lose thousands)…it’s not a question of IF but WHEN?
Let us know what you think in the Comments. Is this happening where you live?
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss is the author of 18 car books, all car histories. Right now he is writing a fiction anthology where at least no one is charging for pictures.
2020 Corvettes are now stepping up shoulder to shoulder with exotics that cost six times as much.
Since the Meyers Manx is coming back I was pleased to see they can hold four. But this is an old one not their new prototype.
Old Cadillacs
I really like that Karmann Ghia.