chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 22, 2013 10:37:25 GMT
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Still haven`t sorted the photos but I will crack on. Re this thread I am putting a short story of the journey together and when finished will post as it is quite emotional. Anyways back to the plot - On Sat 3rd Aug my friend Brendan asked if I was stopping over anywhere en-route to Bonneville. I told him I was staying at Reno overnight and he started to laugh. He then said "Do you know what is happening in Reno ?" I was stunned when he said "This" - www.hotaugustnights.net/ only one of the biggest car meets in the USA ! "Hello, Circus Circus you want to book an extra night ?" You bet I do ! The following day (Sunday) Brendan had family and church duties to attend to but he gave me a ticket he had won in an auction to visit the Blackhawk Museum about an hour away. As we were having breakfast he received a text asking if he was attending "Cars and Coffee" at the Blackhawk. He forgot about this and within 10 minutes I was on the road as the meet finished early. En-route it seemed strangely familiar - Other nearby places were Newcastle and Stockton ! As I arrived some cars were already leaving but still a good few were still waiting my attention - This belonged to an English guy Peter and I am keeping in touch with him - After a bit natter with some of the owners I wandered off to the museum itself which is stunning ! - www.blackhawkmuseum.org/On entering the foyer you are met by these beauties - Due to the lighting I wasn`t able to take any decent pics inside but all I can say is "Awesome" a word I used on many occasions to come on my journey. TBC
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Last Edit: Oct 10, 2013 7:28:43 GMT by chevazon
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 22, 2013 17:40:28 GMT
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After a pleasant lunch at the shopping mall I returned to Brendan`s house to hatch more plans... The following day I had a ride over the Highway 17 to Canepa Racing, Scotts Valley which is a superb mountain road with fast bends but lots of CHP so sticking to the speed limits I went over the top and down again and it was one of the few roads that gave me a smile after dropping into the valley. I needed a coffee so stopped at a doughnut shop just going into Scotts Valley and saw this which was being used by the local PD as a conversation (conservation ?) piece - I had a chat to the officer who was using it and he said I must visit Canepa just down the road which was where I was heading. As I entered the Canepa premises I knew I was in for something special. The first floor everything was for sale, the second was race cars and bikes and then there was the workshop - wow ! - Last Cobra made - After being given a tour of the workshop by the head sales honcho he introduced me to the owner Bruce Canepa - www.canepa.com/ and - I then headed back over toward San Jose after another great day and sped off over the tops just in time to see a CHP cruiser reversing into his trapping spot so just kept on pushing the Toyota Corolla hire car a bit harder on the return journey which I must admit was a bit over the speed limit.
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Last Edit: Sept 22, 2013 18:37:23 GMT by chevazon
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 22, 2013 17:58:41 GMT
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I must admit I had never seen the youtube clip of Canepa but after having watched it you get the feeling for the place so another tick off the bucket list.
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,714
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Sept 22, 2013 21:57:07 GMT
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Never mind the Veyron that Galaxie police car is fantastic!
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 22, 2013 22:07:40 GMT
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What really got me about Canepa was there were so many cars I have seen in magazines such as Street Rodder etc. Legends abound
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,513
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Sept 22, 2013 22:27:54 GMT
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This trip really does look like it was amazing. Looking forward to reading/seeing more.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 23, 2013 11:09:36 GMT
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Last Edit: Sept 23, 2013 11:11:04 GMT by chevazon
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 23, 2013 11:53:21 GMT
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As I pulled in to the car park at Circus Circus a whole floor was dedicated to all the classics and rods that were attending the various events in the city. Another view out of my window - I had a bite to eat and a wander around the area near the hotel to get my bearings. There were quite a few nice cars knocking around but the start of the shows was the following day. As I wandered around I came a cross a guy with a 52 ? Chevy which was overheating. I had a bit crack with Craig - and within 5 mins was cruising the streets with him and headed off to the Pepper Mill Hotel where there was a show on. (I know realise this set of pics is missing !!) So after another cruise around I bid Craig farewell and headed off to my room.
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 23, 2013 19:06:30 GMT
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 23, 2013 19:14:01 GMT
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,832
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Sept 24, 2013 0:45:51 GMT
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Looks like an amazing trip.
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 24, 2013 6:58:21 GMT
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Last Edit: Sept 24, 2013 7:00:32 GMT by chevazon
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 24, 2013 10:05:44 GMT
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I was up early the next morning knowing I had a 400 mile drive to come. It was a cool 60F and there were still cars cruising the streets at 5.30 am ! - The roads were quiet and the sun was rising - I realised I had not put the radio on so tuned in to 105.7 KOZZ the local classic rock station and the most apt song by ZZ TOP was playing - "La Grange" a driving sound if ever there was one. The road was long - and longer - and longer - needed a stop at the Golden Arches for food and a bit wifi theft - and the road just got longer and longer until I saw the sign - Started to get worried about this truck remember DUEL ? - Still only 109 miles to go ! After another quick stop the landscape changed again and I knew I was close - closer - and closer - and finally there - It was at this point I stopped the car as tears were flooding down my face (I am emotional now !) as this had been a hard journey. I will explain. As a kid I remember getting a book about America and I saw pictures that fascinated me. The book was printed in the 50`s and had pictures of famous landmarks such as the Flat Iron building, Empire State building, Grand Canyon, Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park, the Golden Gate bridge and numerous others but 2 pictures caught my imagination. The first was of a model T Ford driving through the centre of a giant Redwood and the second was a picture of the Salt Flats and ever since seeing those pictures I wanted to go to the Salt. Having watched films such as The World`s Fastest Indian, the BBC documentary Speed Dreams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnJNQIXMYv0) and various other documentaries I was so excited when last year our trip was planned. This year has been difficult as I found out I had Thyroid Cancer and it was a rush to remove the gland prior to my trip. Also earlier this year I tore something in my left knee so leaving me somewhat debilitated and in pain but I was determined to get out there on the Salt. The trip was further thrown in to doubt when on the 18th July whilst in Orlando my mother-In-law Allison had a major stroke so Carole my wife flew back home but insisted I stay on and complete my trip. You never know I may not be here next year if things go wrong....... As I drove on to the road that leads to the Salt the song playing on the radio was "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. As I surveyed the landscape before me I just broke down and cried my heart out as I was missing my wife, my family and my dog Mr.Kooky. TBC
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Last Edit: Sept 24, 2013 10:08:26 GMT by chevazon
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,714
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Sept 24, 2013 11:59:31 GMT
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Loving this thread and I am genuinely touch by it. Sending out a reassuring shoulder grab! Can't wait for the next instalment. You can't beat a bit of Floyd to set the mood.
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 24, 2013 16:42:43 GMT
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Thanks for the support feller. Sometimes things happen by accident, sometimes it may be destiny but sometimes it is down to some initial planning. Before I set off for the USA I joined a forum called Landracing.com and started asking a few questions about where to stay, what to do etc. I could not get a hotel in Wendover but that didn`t matter as now Carole was not with me so I decided to take a tent to the Salt and see what appertained. I got several people recommending what to do etc. but one guy stood out - "Big Tim" Boyle. After a few PM`s it turned out Tim was running a Dodge diesel truck #622 Salty Box Racing and was also one of the Tech Inspectors for the SCTA. He lives in Colorado but is from NEWCASTLE !! I was looking forward to meeting him as he seemed a fascinating character. On arrival at the Tech area on Thursday afternoon I saw someone who could have only been Tim scratching his ar$e - after a brief introduction as he was busy I wandered off around the tech area taking in my initial impression of the Salt. TBC
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Sinky
Posted a lot
Run Baby Run......Please!
Posts: 1,395
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Sept 24, 2013 17:00:28 GMT
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Wow!! That's some trip! Great write up and pics. Keep em coming!
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2001 Volvo XC70 wagon
2003 Piaggio X9 Evo
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wodge
Part of things
Posts: 455
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Sept 24, 2013 21:09:39 GMT
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Epic trip man love every minute. None of us know what's round the corner good or bad so we make the most of everyday. That's why we come to this great site to embrace our passions. I reckon as long as you keep that spirit things have a habit of working themselves out. Looking forward to the next instalment!
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Sept 24, 2013 22:53:28 GMT
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What a trip, what a story. Keep it going fella.
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chevazon
Posted a lot
1939 Chevrolet 2 door coupe, `67 `Zon estate, `87 Ragtop Cavalier, 4 x 800 Drifters,(!) 1500 Drifter
Posts: 2,259
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Sept 25, 2013 7:47:21 GMT
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