Every year for the past twenty years or so (except last year) I have spend almost a full week, Car Week, in Monterey, California. This year I've changed my schedule to down and back on a few different days. I am being selective about what I take in mostly because the last time I did a whole week I just about wore myself out. This year I decided my first outing would be the Monterey Pre-Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Pre-Reunion is, as the name implies, before the Rolex Monterey Mostorsports Reunion. Some see it as a lesser event, and there are fewer entrants (but more than 300), but the action is just as exciting and fulfilling.
On the way to the track I passed a local Cars & Coffee at Chili's in Seaside, CA. So I made a quick u-turn and had a look. Here's some pics I took.
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| There were two early Celicas, this is one. I don't know what the engine is but it sounded darn healthy when the owner fired it up. |
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| Nice looking 120 Series Volvo. |
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| This Alfa Romeo Montreal didn't seem to be part of the show as it was off to the side. It looked like it had its original paint. |
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| Cute 2-door Ford (Vicky?) and a late '40s Ford with a hot rodded flattie. |
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| '36 Ford Coupe with a bit of a tail-dragger stance. |
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| There's always gotta be a Bug. |
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| A trio of Porsches. The 356 looked all original. |
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Morris Woody.
And then it was out to the track. |
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| A.J. Foyt's '65 Indy car. |
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| '35 Ford tastefully modified. |
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| '65 Mustang GT Coupe |
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| Sometimes old race cars were pretty basic. This is the front suspension of the Cooper-Porsche, aka Pooper. |
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| The engine has been turned 180 degrees and the rear suspension is as basic as the front. |
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| Ferrari 250 GT |
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| Mercedes CLK-GTR. Historic is relative isn't it? |
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| 1962 Cooper Monaco w/3.0-liter Ferrari V8. |
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| 1940 Ford pickup with a supercharged Cadillac V8. |
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| Dekon Monza |
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| Nice, clean, modified T-Bird. You can't see it in the pic but it has 'lake pipes.' |
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| Another Dekon Monza. |
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| The number 19 University of Pittsburgh Camaro was one of most recognized and well known non-factory cars to compete during the heyday of the Trans-Am era. That's my kind of university! |
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| Daimler SP250 with 2.5-liter, Hemi V8. |
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| I didn't see any identification of this car. Interesting supercharged flathead 4-cylinder. |
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| Maserati Ghilbi |
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| Sorrell-Larkin SR-200, a recreation. |
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| Ford Escort w/Twin Cam Lotus engine. |
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| 1962 Santee Roadster with 215 cid Buick aluminum V8. |
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| Ford Anglia w/modified Kent engine. |
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| Siata 208S w/2.0-liter Fiat 8V. |
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| I had a '65 Coupe and this is what I was aiming for but never finished. |
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| '34 Ford Coupe, chopped w/Flattie |
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| 1930 Bucciali TAV La Marie Torpedo Type Cannes, 4-wheel independent suspension, and FWD. |
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Bizzarrini 5300 GT. 5.3-liter (327 c.i.d.) Chevrolet V8
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My videos are not very good but here's one just to give you an idea of what it's likel
All in all it was a very good day. As usual although the coast is often cool just a few miles inland it warms up and the sun is intense. I highly recommend attending next years Pre-Reunion. It's fun and it's less expensive than the Motorsports Reunion.
One funny little side note: Around 11:15 a.m. I was hungry so I lined up at one of the food vendors that looked interesting. I wasn't alone, I guess a few others got up early. A lady taking orders said, "This line is for meat only. Anything else is the other line." Now I was going to get a hot link, which to my mind is meat. But when I ordered she said "This line is only for meat. You need the other line." Maybe the hot link was a soy dog?
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