Driven World December 2015

D RIVENWORLD

Dec 2015

After all... It’s a driven world!

DRIVENWORLD.COM

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From the Editor Thank you. Thank you for another amazing year.

The fact of the matter is that I cannot do anything I do without all of you. I have come to realize in my old age that life is really about people. It is the people that make your life colorful and fun.

Sure there are always challenges with people, but such is life. And, to sound like my mother... life is what you make of it.

Parking lots. I suppose I am an expert on parking lots. I love parking lots. My guess is so do you. Have you ever thought about it?

For the last 14 years we have spent about three hours every Sunday in a parking lot. Let’s do the math... Fourteen years every Sunday is equal to 728 Sundays at three hours each is 2184 hours divide by 24 hours in a day is equal to 91 days.

We have been standing in a parking lot for 91 days over all of these Supercar Sundays. WOW! And some of you have been doing this forever... so you must really love parking lots.

It is funny the things we love. I love my wife, my kid, my family, my friends, my life, my country, my cars, surfing, riding bikes, work, hmmm seems like I have a lot of things that I love. And now that I think about it, I must be very lucky because, it appears, after putting pen to paper, that my life is filled with love. And yes, parking lots.

Love. I just love this time of year.

There is that “love” word again. Funny thing is that when I grew up, I never really heard the word love a lot. From my mom I did, but not so much from my dad. Dad gave us that old school pat on the back and the look in the eye.

Talking about all this love, geeze I sound like a hippie or something. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I am just not partial to Patchouli oil.

I love this time of year, yeah I said that. I think the reason is that this time of year gives me hope. People seem to be a little bit more kind. The generosity of all of you for the Motor4Toys Toy Drive fills my heart and soul.

Puts wind in my sails and gives me so much faith in people. Thank you for that.

A grown man talking about love in a car magazine, how crazy is that?! Like I said earlier, in my old age (Forty), things are getting a bit more clear for me. And the one thing I realize is that we could all use a bit more love in our lives. Sure, as human beings, but love for everything. Often we use the word passion to describe what we enjoy doing, but I am now wondering if the right word is love. I wonder what our day would be like if we loved our day. I mean, woke up and jumped for joy that we woke up. Kissed our loved ones, made an awesome cup of coffee and ran out the door to do the best damn job we could. To love every ounce of that day that we could squeeze out of 24 hours.

To love life to the fullest, in everything we do. I wonder what would happen.

We were walking down the block with our daughter and she stops to smell the daises.

Not just one, but a whole lot of them. She examines them, smells them and then moves on the next. To me they look identical, but, I am not really looking at them am I? She is. The same plant I have walked by a million times and never stopped to look at, she finds wonderful, and I like that. A lesson I can learn from my two year old, I am sure there are more lessons to come.

Ill tell you what, I try to hug and kiss my daughter as much as possible. Talk about love, I love that little girl so much. I cannot explain the emotion I have toward her. Nothing matters. A bad day, no problem. A hurt back, no problem; my daughter is healthy. A funny thing is that I find myself hugging and kissing my wife more. I believe I have always been a compassionate person, but in just two short years, life has opened my eyes up even more and I have found more things to love and ways to love. Another gift from my daughter. Thank you darling.

So, here we are with another year

almost to our backs. I hope it was a glorious year for you. Truly I do. I hope that next year is even better. But I would ask you to think about something. I would ask you to think about love.

Think about it outside of the context that we are accustomed to. How much love could you add to your life just by loving a little bit more. Loving yourself, those around you, what you do, every breath you take, the air you breath. Trying to find love and enjoyment out of all that you do.

Sure I don’t love cleaning the toilet, but I love the fact that I have a toilet. So I guess it is all in the perspective, perhaps I should love cleaning that toilet.

My new year’s wish to all of you, my friends, my family, is that your life may be filled with love. Every second, every moment, every breath, every memory, every struggle, every day.

May you love your life and live to love it. I think we would all be better for it.

Love, Dustin.

D RIVENWORLD ISSUE 72, Dec 2015

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dustin Troyan

ART DIRECTOR Connected Media Group LLC

contents

COPY EDITOR Heather Troyan

DESIGN Connected Media Group STORIES BY Dustin Troyan Mark Llewellyn Brooks Smith Tommy Mansuwan Mark Llewellyn Jim Hunter

Benoit Boninque

PHOTOGRAPHY

Greg Grudt Christan Welch Duane Steiner Tommy Mansuwan

Dustin Troyan Jim Hunter Tommy Huth

Curtis Liew David Rosenthal

Advertising / Marketing Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com (818) 516-5053 www.drivenworld.com www.connectedmediagroup.com www.supercarsunday.com Driven World Magazine is published twelve times per year by Connected Media Group LLC. It is distributed at upscale locations and events all over California. It is also available online and distributed electronically to high-net-worth individuals as well as members of the car community at large.

All rights reserved. Driven World and Supercar Sunday are registered trademarks of Connected Media Group LLC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other materials or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. Driven World Magazine and Connected Media Group LLC, do not take responsibility for the claims provided herein.

Connected Media Group LLC, Driven World Magazine, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for the errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. Connected Media Group LLC does not assume liability for any products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or editorial information.

On the Cover: ‘56 Bel Air Photo: David Rosenthal

Southern California’s Largest Aircooled Porsche Dealer The Nation’s Largest Porsche Inventory 21301 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 autogallery.porschedealer.com 844.866.6762

Hamilton Takes 3rd Title in Soggy, Sensational Austin Story + Photos // JIm Hunter

As I staked early claim to my position just inside The Circuit of The Americas pit lane, I could not help but notice the faces of those around me. And as the drivers exited past me to prepare for the race, I saw little more than weariness in their eyes.

Indeed, it had been a long weekend.

The rain came as predicted, and came it did.

Although the extended heavy downpours energized my efforts, it was clear that the more

sensible were ready to get this one over with.

The deluge that washed out Friday and Saturday afternoon sessions carried into Sunday morning and intensified still, such to bring cancellation to the 3rd and final session of Saturday’s re-scheduled Qualifying. It was only now, scantly over an hour before the lights would go out, that the rain slowed to an occasional, relatively imperceptible spit.

And as those who endured might have hoped for the unpredictability of a wet race, the visibly drying track probably felt sadly ironic.

Little might many have considered that if nothing sweeps as clean as an F1 car at speed, so too nothing extracts invisible moisture from deeply soaked asphalt like those same astonishing machines.

So, as the lights went out and the grid rushed up the hill into the first corner, that deeply soaked asphalt, that rain, would still have a say in the absolutely sensational 45th running of the United States Grand Prix.

The F1 circus arrived in Austin for the 16th round of the 2015 Championship from Russia, where Mercedes claimed their second consecutive Constructor’s Title. Largely a formality, the clincher came on Kimi Räikkönen’s questionable penalty for his failed last lap attempt to overtake Williams’ driver, Valtteri Bottas, for the third step of the Sochi podium. The points demotion eliminated Ferrari from contention with four rounds remaining, hardly a disappointment given that no one expected Maranello to even figure in the title to begin with.

Räikkönen faced harsh criticism, but in the same unflappable manner that has endeared so many fans worldwide, he dismissed the matter in Austin. “It’s an unfortunate thing but it’s a part of racing. You get penalized sometimes, sometimes not. We are here to race; it’s pointless to cry afterwards.

I’m sure that people like it more like that than just following each other.”

Austin would potentially provide the crowning stage for Lewis Hamilton’s third World Driving Title.

Merely another mathematical formality, there was at least some intrigue in the fact that this could be the first USGP to crown a world champion since Niki Lauda wrapped up his Ferrari career at Watkins Glen in 1977.

The USGP would also play host to the first American F1 driver since Californian Scott Speed. Alexander Rossi, another California native, had previously logged Friday test duties at CoTA for Caterham in 2013’s USGP, but was back now as a race driver. Such is the ways of sponsorship in today’s F1, Rossi had only recently found his way into a race seat at ManorMarussia. Success will not come quickly nor easily in F1’s highly competitive vacuum, but Rossi has managed to impress many with his mature and cool approach on track.

Considering how his presence might grow F1’s audience in America, Rossi remarked, “Its been a very positive reception, but its a fine balance, and we need to put a bit of emphasis on the off-track stuff . . . an American in America.

People are starting to pay attention but it’s a long process and not something that’s going to change overnight. We saw what Lance was able to do in cycling and when he started to dominate

the sport everyone wanted to pay attention and we’ve seen the same thing with soccer. It just takes someone promoting the sport from within to their home nation, and if they’re successful . . .”

Hamilton and Rossi’s stories, however, looked to be eclipsed by the weather and to no one’s surprise, Friday morning’s FP1 commenced in wet conditions. The session ran complete, but

with little activity. With more weather coming, only a few sets of allocated tires, and the meat of the weekend still to play for, the resulting lack of cars on track re-iterated a central problem with today’s over-bearing regulations.

F1 needs more cars on track, but less there would be as heavier rain moved in for FP2.

Tried as they might to keep the session live, it was eventually called once conditions prevented

the medical helicopter from taking off.

Saturday morning’s FP3 did run under slightly lighter rainfall, but before empty stands as CoTA management oddly chose to delay opening the gates until Noon. Word that this was done for safety reasons begged question. Would paying customers stranded and stretching their necks on high ground actually be any safer, with more severe weather still coming? It certainly seemed to have proven yet another miscalculation by the historically misguided CoTA management.

Unfortunately for the spectators who patiently braved the conditions, the rain did come stronger. Scheduled for 1 PM, no less than

four half-hour delays were implemented before officials gave up and rescheduled Qualifying to Sunday morning. To Bernie’s credit, he opened the pit lane to the fans who had seen nothing but rain. As the drivers graciously signed autographs and posed for photos across CoTA’s sopping wet pit lane, their efforts managed to partially brighten what had otherwise been a very dark and frustrating day.

Sunday’s more promising forecast proved optimistic as Qualifying came early under the same dark skies and heavy rainfall.

Once again, the conditions grew bad enough to abbreviate the session and Q2 set the grid. To

complicate matters, the rain only then began to subside. Ready or not, the Grand Prix would be a guessing game.

Pole sitter Rosberg did not have the best of starts, which allowed his championship rival teammate Hamilton to draw alongside on the climb up to Turn 1. Whether Lewis miscalculated the available grip or acted intentionally, he shoved Nico over the outside curbing and onto the slick, painted run-off. Hamilton shot down the hill into the lead, while Rosberg floundered to rejoin in fourth. Down the order, Massa lost the back end of his Williams on entry, spinning his former teammate Alonso, leaving the Spaniard pointing the wrong way and grumbling with a left rear puncture. Pity for Fernando as he’d made another stellar start.

Alonso’ misfortune benefitted both Ferraris, who made notable starts after having been relegated down the grid with engine change penalties. Within half a lap they were mid-field and already in the points.

Everyone started on intermediates, thinking the switch to slicks would come far sooner than it did. Bottas, taking a page from Kimi’s Silverstone playbook, was one of the first to try the switch but that decision proved dreadful.

Those who persevered ran close through the top ten and provided for some exciting racing. The jousting for position was frequent, serious, and seriously entertaining.

The plot thickened, however, as the intermediates began to tatter on a track that

just would not dry out. Although it looked dry, the cars were drawing moisture from below the surface, especially on the long, high speed run to Turn 12. The leaders were tasked with preserving their tires while maintaining competitive pace, and this was no easy task. Further, a significant number of minor incidents and attrition resulted in safety car periods that helped keep the field tight throughout the race.

Räikkönen and Kvyat both found themselves in the barriers. Kimi managed to extract his Ferrari’s snag on an advertising billboard in off-road rally fashion, but Kvyat’s rather hard contact with the inside Armco exiting Turn 19 resulted in a lengthy, marshal-assisted extraction. This gifted Hamilton a chance to pit from the lead for fresh rubber.

Hamilton, who had not pitted on the prior VSC and was now struggling on well-worn tires, could not have been luckier. Rosberg, who had pitted, was flying having just overtaken Vettel for second. With a dozen plus laps remaining, the race was looking to fall to Nico. However, the safety car not only allowed Hamilton to change tires, but also placed him right behind and well within touch of Rosberg with less than ten laps remaining.

Thus the Title stage was set, and consistent with the manner this tense intra-team fight has played out before, Nico made a critical error on exit to Turn 15, handing the lead, and Championship, to his teammate. Lewis swept past Rosberg’s wayward Mercedes around the tower through Turns 16-18.

Hamilton came home with his 2nd consecutive and 4th USGP win in 5 starts (the first, Indy 2007). His victory assured Lewis his

2nd consecutive and 3rd World Driving Title.

The controversial star of modern F1 was visibly moved, his faithful supporters ecstatic. Rosberg, who initially congratulated his opponent, grew less charitable through the post race media routine–no doubt he had had enough. Vettel secured the third and final step of the podium with another display of heads-up race craft.

It was a fantastic Grand Prix; perhaps the best CoTA has delivered yet.

It is cruelly ironic that CoTA, a misguided operation that has made many tactical errors from the outset, soon decried the wet weekend

to be a financial disaster, only to face heavier, more damaging rains a week later. Since his ouster, Tavo Hellmund’s noble endeavor has descended into chaos, and the fate of the USGP now appears subject to storms of the political variety in the halls of Texas legislature.

Should this exciting race prove to be the last USGP held in Austin, the real losers would not be the scheming moneymen, but US F1 fans. Hopefully common sense will prevail and The Circuit of The Americas will somehow remain a fixture on the F1 calendar, and if it does . . . you owe it to yourself to get there.

Set Your Car Free

Story by Brooks Smith

Recently, I made an exciting discovery, and was forced to come to a difficult decision. At the annual French/Italian car show in Woodley Park, I was offered the opportunity to try out the driver’s seat in a Matra Djet. I fit. This would not have been the case a year earlier. Djets are tiny cars, with a space wasting mid-engine layout.

Nevertheless, fit I did. And suddenly, I wanted one. The cars are rare, historically significant (the first production, mid-engine road car), beautiful, and driver-focused. However, Djets are, even by French standards, impractical, fragile devices. As day-to-day transportation, the Matra is a nonstarter.

And so, I’ve decided I can’t have one as primary transport. The problem is, my life doesn’t really fit more than one car. Interestingly, the same factor that made the Djet a possibility in the first place, may be the one to make it a reality.

Last year, I almost died. And a bicycle saved my life. The hows and whys of the illness aren’t for this piece, but you should know that, for about six weeks, I couldn’t walk. My weight had ballooned in recent years, to the point where I was feeling relatively light at 300lbs. I needed a way out of the life I was leading. The condition I have, requires that I move my legs more, to keep the blood vessels clear. Being a gearhead, a bicycle was the obvious choice. It was unpleasant at first, and there are still days I struggle. But a year out of the hos-

pital, I’m lighter by about 80lbs., I’m still falling, and a lot more of it is muscle. I fit in a Matra Djet, and I was around to try.

What I didn’t see coming, was the effect cycling would have on my lifestyle. More and more, I see that bike as part of a tiered transportation system. Far from damaging my love of, and relationship with automobiles, it has instead opened doors that had been closed, by years of seeing cars as the only way to get around.

My current car is not one most consider reliable transportation. But these days, it fills that role, less and less. Keeping miles off the car, using it regularly, but sparingly, is making a difference.

I’m on the cusp of taking the next step, riding to work consistently. If I can make that happen, the Matra becomes a realistic proposition.

I realize this isn’t practical for everyone.

But if you can make it work, the benefits of cycling are greater for car enthusiasts, than for just about anyone else. Who among us actually enjoys commuting? Sure, you get some thinking done, maybe listen to some morning radio, but it’s basically using a car for its least interesting purpose.

Commuting by bike can be exciting in all the wrong ways. Drivers can be aggressive, and some of them will take risks with your safety. Still others will simply be blind to your existence. For all that, I haven’t found it to be less enjoyable than taking the car.

On the plus side, you’ll fit in a small sports car, and you can keep it nicer, longer. You need not depend on it, and the chances are, it will be in more usable shape when you do need it. Beyond that, you’ll be in better shape when it comes time to enjoy the car on the kind of road it was made for. You’ll be a better driver, with quicker reflexes, and better situational awareness. Of course, you’ll also pay less for fuel and insurance.

I bring this up because I feel like both cars and bikes are getting a bad rap at the moment, from entrenched camps, in a political fight that doesn’t reflect the real situation. Most cyclists aren’t road-hogging car haters, anymore than most car enthusiasts are aggressive, or antienvironmental. Sure, there are some on both sides who fit those descriptions, but most of us are just trying to get where we’re going, while enjoying our passions.

Yet somehow, this has become a great divide between people who are, after all, gearheads. And who should enjoy a natural affinity.

We all love machines that move us, through emotion, as well as through space. I can tell you that, while the experience is different from a car, a bicycle can still accomplish both goals.

We all started off on bikes. Most of us enjoyed them. There’s no reason we can’t again.

And doing so just might set your car free.

Over 30 years of award winning experience 22836 Ventura Blvd.

Woodland Hills, CA 91364

(818) 222-8881

www.coastlinemotorsport.com

Car Culture

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Mark Llewellyn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tin Can Toys!

If you were a child in the 50’s or 60’s, the chances are you owned some type of battery operated tin toy.

There were character toys, holiday toys, and vehicle toys! Most of these toys were produced in Japan. After World War II ended, the treaty with the Japanese limited the type of items that the country could produce. With a strong sense of ingenuity and work ethic, they became the premier manufacturer of inexpensive toys after the war. Soon the toys they produced had multi functions. They would move, make sounds, and have flashing lights. The majority of components used were tin. Since resources in Japan were very limited after the war, much of the tin used was from old food cans. Many of these toys if taken apart reveal names like “Hunt’s” or “Dole”. These toys were fragile to say the least. They had multi colored lithographics, plastic parts, and rubber tires. It did not take long for plastic parts to break off and batteries to wear down. A toy left in the rain was “rust” the next day. Not a lot of these toys survived.

Japan has a tin toy museum, which preserves and restores these classic toys. Many books can be found on these and there is a high cash value on many. Have you been good this year?

Maybe Santa will leave one of these under your tree!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at Leon’s Transmissions!

www.LeonsTransmission.com

Supercar Sunday Marque Schedule

Supercar Sunday is presented by: THE AUTO GALLERY

Dec 6 Motor4Toys

The 2nd Sunday is Nissan Marque Day with Universal Nissan

The 2016 Schedule will be available online at www.supercarsunday.com

Supporting Sponsors include: Coastline Motorsport SuperchargersOnline.com Century Specialized Towing & Transport

MASERATI / McLAREN 24050 West Ventura Blvd. Calabasas, CA 91302 | LAMBORGHINI 21326 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 PORSCHE / AUDI 21301 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 | MASERATI / McLAREN BEVERLY HILLS 9022 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211 McLAREN SCOTTSDALE 8355 E. Raintree Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 | SANTA MONICA FIAT 1820 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 VAN NUYS FIAT / MASERATI 5711 Van Nuys Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91401

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818.884.4411

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Photographer of the month David Rosenthal

David how long have you been coming to Supercar Sunday and how long have you been a "Car guy" I've been coming to Supercar Sunday for over 2 years but have been a car guy since I was a teenager. My 15 year old nephew actually got me turned on to Supercar Sunday. Now I go almost every weekend and meet up with my dad and nephew there.

Are you a photographer for a living? Or is it a hobby? Photography has always been a hobby for me. Mostly I would photograph wildlife

but I started shooting cars a few years ago. Now they are one of my favorite things to shoot. Every car seems to have many appealing details to me that I want to capture.

Your pictures are a little different then other photographers, what is it that you are trying to capture?

I am a huge fan of saturation & contrast with el-

ements of the surreal.

When I started shooting cars I felt my pics were OK but I wanted something a little more detailed and interesting.

I starting playing with different camera settings and image processing. I am always trying new capture and processing techniques.

To me, classics, hot rods and supercars should jump out at you.

Every detail should be exposed.

Tools...what are you shooting with? I'm shooting with a Canon 60D and a few different lenses. I tend to keep the details of my image processing techniques to myself but I use a mix of Photoshop & ImageMagick to render the final image.

Ok, so you are a car guy...what do you drive and what cars have you owned? What is your favorite?

My first car was a 1982 Firebird then moved on to a 1987 Camaro RS when I was 18. The Camaro came with a V6 but I managed to blow that up within 6 months. I found an IROC-Z that was totaled from behind so I had an engine & tranny swap done to the RS. It was a pretty good sleeper

1957 Corvette.

What is your favorite thing about the car community? I would have to say my favorite thing is the community itself. The people from all backgrounds getting together day & night for a shared passion. I have met many wonderful people through the car community and will have lasting friendships with them. I like waking up at the crack of dawn for a car show. The only things that get me up that early are fishing & car shows. since a V8 engine never came in that car for that year. A few years later I got a great deal on a 1990 Mustang GT Convertible. Work eventually sidetracked me from cars for a several years and I ended up selling the Mustang and bought an Explorer followed by a Silverado 1500.

I have always loved Corvettes and figured that I would get one when I felt the time was right. About 4 years ago my mom got sick & my life changed forever. I realized that life is too short and could be gone in the blink of an eye.

This made me think, what the hell am I waiting for? I looked for months to find the right Corvette and ended up with a velocity yellow 2007 Corvette.

My Corvette is the best car I have ever owned and I get a smile on my face every time I hit that start button. I still have the Silverado but the Corvette is my daily driver.

If money were no option, what car would you own? That's easy, a Koenigsegg Agera R, it's one the most amazing cars ever engineered. I can't even imagine how incredible it would be to drive.

Since money is an object, I will end up owning a 1957 Bel-Air and hopefully a

I understand you are the ring leader of a motley crue of car guys that like to drive together, what's the story there? That would be the Crazy 8's Car & Social Club. I am one of the founding members but the true ring leader is JD Butter and his 1969 convertible Stingray, the "Sil-

ver Shark". A few years ago several of us met up through a car forum for a cruise and we all ended up hitting it off. We are just a bunch of car guys & gals that like to drive through the city, up and down the coast, through the canyons, going to car shows and socialize at some of LA's hot spots. There are no dues & no meetings except for our social outings.

We have kinda branded ourselves as "The cure for your daddy's car club". We invite all American muscle cars, old and new, to join us.

It's a pretty cool sight seeing us cruising 20+ cars deep through the city. It's all about having a good time and we seem to pick up new members every time we go out.

Do you have a favorite memory from your years of

being a car guy? Am I allowed to talk about my days of street racing & all the tickets I acquired?

There was a lot of that and those when I was in my late teens & early twenties. Lot's of very fun and sometimes very stupid times. My favorite memory is having the dealer hand me the keys to my Corvette and driving it home for the first time.

I was scared of it for the first few months.

Since I spend most Supercar Sunday's with my dad and nephew, more great memories are made all the time.

Where do you see your photography going in the future?

I have always taken pictures for me but now with social media it's a lot easier to get feedback on your work and push yourself to try new things. I have never really thought about where it would go in the future. I was surprised when you first asked for some of my pics to publish.

Sunday, I may see a lot of the same cars but I seem to always notice an element about them that I have missed before.

Someday I will take the time to travel the states and photograph some of the amazing things this country has to offer. I have been working on some ideas for a website for the entire car community and plan to launch sometime in the first half of 2016.

You can learn so much in such a short period of time. Most car people like to talk about their cars and there is a plethora of information to be absorbed.

What is your day job?

I spent 12 years in visual effects and for the last 14 years I have been working in post production.

Currently, I am Director of Technical Operations for FotoKem, a post production company.

My specialties are digital imaging, data management, archive & preservation.

What would you tell someone new to the car community?

There is so much to tell. One of the main things is to take your time at car shows.

Spend time really looking at every car and talk with the owners. Every weekend at Supercar

Parting thought: What advise, suggestion or thought do you have for our readers? Your call?

Be good to one another, respect the community and be safe.

David Rosenthal E-Mail: torquemobphotos@gmail.com Instagram: @TorqueMob Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/torquemob Web: http://www.torquemob.com

Family owned and operated in Southern California for over 45 years.

888-798-3915

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Universal City Nissan • Glendale Nissan • West Covina Nissan Kia of Downtown LA • Glendale Infiniti • Sage Covina Chevrolet Mercedes-Benz of Valencia • Lotus of West Covina • Lotus of the Desert

McLaren 675LT

The “LT” other wise known as the “Longtail” was inspired from the 1997 F1 GT car.

The 2016 675 LT is pure perfomance.

The 675 LT offers a carbon fibre bodywork that increases downforce by 40 per cent over any other model in the Super Series. An exercise in race car technology for the road. Possibly one of the most advanced and race inspired vehicles available today!

The 675 LT is a step up from the 650s series which I have driven. I put about 200 miles on a 2015 650s and was blown away by the performance, technology and comfort. In a nutshell, that review suggested that if you could buy one, go buy it. The car is simply radical.

The 675 LT is the what I would consider

Story Dustin Troyan // Photos McLaren

the race car version of the 650s. That in and of itself is incredible as the 650s is fast. Greased lighting fast. The 675 has the same twinturbocharged 3.8 liter V-8, but it has been tuned a bit more and offers an additional 25 horsepower and 16 lb-ft of torque. Boasting a demonic 666 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, the McLaren 675 LT goes from standing to 62mph in under three seconds. With a top speed of just over 205 mph, the 675LT has raised the bar.

What the Stradale or Scuderia is to Ferrari the 675 LT is to McLaren. A stripped down road car that is track prepped. A focus on weight savings and horsepower, McLaren updated about thirty percent of the parts to achieve their performance goals. The 675 ends up being about 220 pounds lighter than the 650s.

This was achieved by a redesigned exhaust more carbon fiber and a plastic rear window. Race

ready!

McLaren is scheduled to produce only 500 examples making this a limited edition, not unlike the P1 and the P1 GTR. With a price tag just around $345,000.00, it is on par with many of the other supercars out there. The question becomes, is it for you and what is the future value of the car?

Being a limited edition supercar, odds are the price will go up in value. The F1, P1 and P1 GTR, are ultra-rare McLarens and have increased in value exponentially. Rumors had it that when the P1 was on order, those who had deposits on cars were offered a million dollars over what they paid for it. WOW. And, if the F1 is any example of the future value, well, this might be a car to get, put some miles on it and keep it for posterity.

Benoit’s Review

Story Benoit Boninque // Photos Curtis Liew

Before I start, I have to confess to being a big Gallardo fan. It is one of the first exotic cars I had driven since back in the day, and it’s the one I’ve had the most seat time in. I love its design, its sound, its handling, its manual gearbox. It is what anyone would want in an exotic car: obnoxious, loud, fun and fast!

“It’s growl turns heads even doing 25 mph!”

This particular car being the last year of production of the Gallardo, Lamborghini changed the design of the body a little bit. I have to say, looking at pictures when it came out, I wasn’t a fan. These triangular shapes were not to my taste. In person, however, the front looks a lot nicer. I actually think I like it even more than the 2nd generation. I’m still unsure about the back, but the front definitely works with this design. It doesn’t hurt that all the openings actually serve a purpose and send even more air down the car for cooling! If anything, this design makes it stand out against the scores of Gen 1 and Gen 2 Gallardos out there!

As far as sound goes, this is everything I remembered it to be. That V10 sounds amazing. I just wish the exhaust valves were always open, but this is something that is easily remedied. Its growl turns heads even doing 25 mph through the small downtowns of Marin County.

Handling too is all very familiar. As an

Audi guy for the past 15 years, the steering and handling of the Gallardo has always felt (to me) as it should be. The front wheels are planted and answer my steering input as they should. There is very little under-steer at turn in, and a very neutral feeling throughout the rest of the corner.

It is a car that inspires confidence. I consider myself a decent driver, but I’ve never mastered the art of doing donuts and drifting. I can drive fast, but I don’t want a car that slides or oversteers too much. That would mean I can’t drive this car to my limits, but have to drive it to its limits. A car with limits beyond mine is PARA-

MOUNT in my enjoying it and having fun with it. And the Gallardo has ALWAYS delivered. This one is no exception.

The ONE thing I was actually worried about with this car was its transmission. I have heard SO MANY horror stories on the eGear that I was ready for the worst. “Do not park too close to a wall, as it can lurch forward when you engage the first gear”, they said. “It doesn’t know how to inch forward slowly”, they said. “It will break your neck when you upshift”, they said.

This is BAR NONE the best single clutch transmission I’ve driven!

Well, I don’t know if it is because this

was the eGear’s final year of production and they finally got it right after fine tuning it for a decade, but this car got none of that. I will go as far as saying this: this is BAR NONE the best single clutch transmission I’ve driven. In Street mode, even when you do the shifting with the paddles, it behaves like an automatic: smooth upshift with barely any break in traction (propulsion? both, I guess). It was the biggest surprise when I drove it. In Sport and Corsa modes, sure it will have that break, but again, a whole lot less than I would expect. It is a very livable transmission and makes this particular Gallardo a car worth purchasing.

Getting this less than two year old Lamborghini V10 car, with only 4,500 miles on it will cost you half the price of a current new Lamborghini V10 car. That’s right, at $159,900, this Lamborghini Gallardo is a steal. It will get you on your way to automotive bliss just about the same, for half the cost!

Based on the cars driven so far, this 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo therefore joins the shelf of “Starter Exotic Car recommended by 100|OCT” alongside the 2015 Aston Martin Vantage V12 S and the 2015 Maserati GranTurismo MC. Three very different cars, but you can’t go wrong with any of them!

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Supercar Sunday 2016

Story // Dustin Troyan Photos // Tommy Huth

We have been doing this for quite some time. Another year is about gone. Just about fifteen years! Can you believe it. I have to say that the thing I am most proud of Supercar Sunday is all of you. I am so proud of this community. Thank you.

Yes, I know there was a car community before, but I guess I am just so pleased to be a part of something so amazing. The smiles, handshakes, hugs on Sunday mornings. What a pleasure it is indeed. So many friends, so many good times. It is just awesome.

Boy time goes fast. I can remember the day we had four Ferraris come into the show. In fact, I called my mom and told her!

It seemed a miracle. Wow, four Ferrraris, that was something!

The day that a car was trailered from out-of-state for our little Supercar Sunday. Or the first Motor4Toys event. Fourteen years. We

have had some fun haven’t we.

The question is why do we all do this?

Sure it is the cars, but to me, it goes beyond that. It is the people. I love what we have created. All of us. And I do believe that. We are a community and a strong one at that.

Another aspect of Supercar Sunday which many people love is the variety. As the event has grown, so many more people come with some pretty different vehicles. You never know what is going to come in or who! I have to say I appreciate ever single person that comes and helps to make this event so incredible.

Over the fourteenish years, we have made a lot of friends. The car community has evolved. We have gotten older and seen younger and younger car enthusiasts. The full spectrum of car lovers on display. From the kids and grand kids, to women to all you old timers

who set the stage for all of us...

For three hours on a Sunday, we are living the dream. We are sharing our passion and it does not matter if you are rich or poor.

Young or old. This color or that color. You are simply a car person. That is my kind of person.

So, as this year comes to an end, I just want to thank you for all of the years, memories, friendships and Sunday mornings.

I look forward to another couple decades, more memories, new friends and of course all of the old ones. You all have shaped our community into something truly beautiful. Thank you!

And thank you to Tommy Huth for these photos. We met at a secret Saturday car meet and then at Supercar Sunday. The magic of friendship and sharing never ends....

For more information on Supercar Sunday, please visit: www.supercarsunday.com

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S LEADER IN NEW & CLASSIC FERRARI SERVICE

Your FCA membership is now worth 20% off when you service your Ferrari with The Auto Gallery

We pride ourselves in the best of Ferrari service, facility, and technical expertise 21344 Deering Ct. Canoga Park, CA 91304 | 818.932.1707 theautogallery.com

Story // Dustin Troyan // Photos Scott Fortier

A Motor4toys Donation...

Hand built HRE wheels bar set

Win this amazing, hand built, bar set made by Scott Frotier of Mike’s Chevy with wheels donated from HRE WHEELS. This is the only HRE WHEELS bar set in the world.

This one of a kind bar set is expected

to bring in over $5,000.00 dollars to the Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive.

Scott, along with HRE Wheels and many other sponsors, partnered on this amazing work of art to help bring more joy to the holiday season and to support the Motor4Toys Charity Toy Drive. Many of you know Scott from Mike’s Classic Chevy in Canoga Park. He has been part of the car community forever!

Another really cool part of the bar-set build is that his son assisted him on the project. From start to finish he was there helping “dad,” every step of the way. Learning a bit about how to fabricate and a bit about charity and holiday spirit. What a cool thing to do!

So, if you are interested in owning this

one of a kind piece, you better not hesitate.

And remember all donations are tax deductible.

Contact Dustin to place your bid!

Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

Lavaggio-the art of auto detailing located in Agoura Hills has become a focal point for automotive events in Southern California. Car clubs from all over the state have been holding events at this now world famous auto-detailing center. La-

An Invitation to Lavaggio

vaggio would like to extend an invitation to your car club to meet at Lavaggio!

Lavaggio, which is an entirely new dynamic in Auto Detailing offers, beyond the state of the art facility, a luxury experience second to

none. What does that mean for your car club? It means that your club can meet at or end a drive at Lavaggio and enjoy a five star experience and relax in the lap of luxury; while being nestled oh so close to our favorite driving roads in the Santa Monica

mountain range.

What about food you ask? Can we have lunch? Lavaggio’s own Bellini Bistro located across the street caters all events at Lavaggio.

Only the finest ingredients are used in preparation for your event. The Bellini Staff and Lavaggio Concierge will attend to you and your clubs every need and ensure that your club enjoys aworld-class experience.

Who is welcome at Lavaggio? Everyone is! Lavaggio has held events with just about every car club and car dealership in the surrounding area. From the Lamborghini Aventador Launch Party with the Auto Gallery, to the Viper Club day with Shaver Automotive Group, to Mustang day with Vista Ford, and Aston Martin Day with Aston Martin North America and so on and so forth. Lavaggio has truly embraced the California car community.

The Santa Barbara Porsche Club has held their annual concours detailing clinic at Lavaggio for over four years now! Would your club like to experience a Lavaggio Detail Clinic?

Lavaggio would also like to extend an invitation to have your club meetings in the Lavaggio Board Room. This state of the art Boardroom is on the second floor and offers all of the amenities of a true business office. If you wish to have it catered, again, Lavaggio can offer that as well!

How can you schedule a club meeting or event? Contact Dustin Troyan, Lavaggio’s Director of Marketing and let’s get your event calendared. As the 2016 season is filling fast, the sooner you schedule the event, the better.

For more information on Lavaggio or planning an event, please visit: www.lavaggio.net or contact Dustin Troyan Dustin@connectedmediagrouip.com

The Gearhead Diaries

Brooks Smith

As I sit here writing this, real car create a quicker turning car by steering the journalists have recently begin publishing their rear wheels in a direction opposed to that of initial impressions of Ferrari’s newest GT car, the fronts, thus bringing the rear of the car the F12TDF. This follow on to the 599 GTO, around, but Ferrari have steered them in a is in many ways, exactly what was expected, direction parallel to the fronts, holding the lighter, more powerful, and edgier. It rear in 1 line.

This let’s Ferrari DrivenWorld Qtr Pgfaster, v1•2015-10-02.qxp_Layout 10/5/15 2:36 PM quell Pageundersteer 1

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is also brimming over with the most advance technology Ferrari could throw at it. The most interesting feature is probably the “Virtual Short Wheelbase” rear wheel steering feature, which Ferrari has employed to stabilize the car in quick transitions, allowing them to then build in even more steering response than that possessed the already hyperactive F12 Berlinetta. Normally, rear steer is used to

at the front, without generating oversteer.

All of this is very interesting, but the results so far have been even more interesting.

Everyone who has driven the car has come away impressed, but also be mused at what Ferrari have wrought. The car apparently never feels settled, and takes a bit of learning and familiarity before the driver builds trust.

This is a marked contrast to most new high

performance cars, and would usually be seen as the result of under development. What’s different here, though I’ve yet to read an open claim by the company, is that Ferrari seems to have actively sought this result.

If this proves true, it marks a new era for the sports car. For nearly a century, driver focussed machinery has seen development in two key areas, performance and control.

Almost all the energy of the engineers who design and develop performance cars has been about making them faster and easier to control. It makes sense. When a car has transparent, faithful controls, the driver can exploit more of the performance more of the time. And from the earliest Mercer Raceabouts and Stutz Bearcats, to the latest 488 GTB, that’s been seen as the point.

But with the F12, Ferrari already has the fastest car in its segment; one that had already scared more than one driver with its incredible displays of acceleration and speed. Of course, a special version of the car would need incrementally more of that, if only to display on paper. But would the driver feels that extra? The F12 was already fast enough that exploiting the full performance envelope was an exceedingly rare event. If the car was to become more exciting, something else was needed.

And so Ferrari have, in a calculated move, shifted the character of their new diadem away from controllability, making the car sharper, but also twitchier. It’s something I can’t remember being done deliberately before now, and it’ll be interesting to see if anyone else follows their lead. It’s interesting to note that modern driver aides are probably both the cause of, and facilitator of this new development. Without them, the risk in building a car this fast and this reactive would probably be too great, and Ferrari would have backed off the response in search of some stability. Equally, without the safety net of modern stability control, the car would probably feel exciting enough on a purely psychological level.

It may end up being little more than a footnote in this era of rapidly shifting sports car development, but I can’t help feeling that we’ve somehow crossed a line. That sports cars are now being engineered for excitement by deliberately sacrificing driver confidence is something entirely new, and the extent to which Ferrari seem to have been able to tune the personality of the car while preserving exploitability for more capable drivers, along with a huge safety margin for those whose reach may exceed their grasp, is amazing.

From a philosophical standpoint, it’s huge.

Golf Tips with Tommy Mansuwan Through the Gate Every now and then you may get into a putting funk where the ball rolls nowhere near your intended line. Well, is that a result of a poorly read line? Maybe it was a push or a pull stroke?

What if your path was good but the face

just wasn’t square? Whether you are a straight back and through putter or one with an arcing stroke, the important thing is impact. No matter how you do it, getting the club face squared at impact remains the most important thing you can do as a golfer.

I’ve talked about various drills in the past with putting to ensure that the ball rolls straight off the face. Now we have to find a way to make sure the face is where we want it at impact. If you have ever been to a PGA Tour event and watched the guys practice on the green you may have come across a player putting through a gate of tees. This is to ensure that the club head goes through the gate without touching the tees, therefore confirming that the face is square to the intended line.

To start off, find a three to five foot straight putt (the length can be changed later).

Hit a few putts and mark your spot. Align the putter face so that it is square to the hole and put a tee down on both sides of the putter head. Don’t let the tees touch the club but also don’t allow too much room between the two. Once this is set up, make as many putts as you feel comfortable without touching the tees. If you do happen to touch it, then you will know that your face is not where it needs to be.

After awhile of hitting the short putts, move your mark back to the 10 foot range. Repeat

the drill until you get 10 in a row that does not touch either tee. From that point, move back to 15 and then 20 feet with the same drill. Remember that the goal here is not to make the putts, but rather clear the “goal posts”. You should start to immediately feel a more solid strike on the ball, as well as a much better roll on your putts. Feel confident that you will now be hitting putts on the line you are aimed at and free up your stroke. Hopefully, the positive feel will lead to other parts of your game in addition to you making more putts.

Valley Indoor RV Storage www.valleyindoorrvstorage.com

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34th Annual

Sunday, May 1st, 2016

Save the Date for one of the Largest Car Shows in the Valley!

Benefitting and Located at Rancho San Antonio Boys Town in Chatsworth.

All Makes and Models Welcome www.classicchevysofsocal.com 50/50• Adult & Kid Raffle • 350 Engine Raffle Bake Sale • Silent Auction • Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast Show info: Jerome Real409@aol.com 818.259.1964

Sponsorship and Vendor Space Benn 818.635.4142

Classic Chevys of Socal Car Show Do not miss!

Story by Mike Grudt Photos by Greg Grudt

The 34th Annual Classic Chevy Show is an event not to miss! This show, which is open to all makes and models, not only brings a variety classic and hot rods, but late model street cars as

well.

If you are unfamiliar with the Classic Chevy Club of SoCal, there might not be a more energetic and passionate group of car owners out there.

The Club has chosen Rancho San Antonio Boys Town not only as their location, but the beneficiary of the show. Proceeds from the show will be donated to Rancho, which helps to provide underprivileged youth a safe home and learning environment to help secure their futures.

Over the last dozen years,

the Club has donated over $110,000.00 to Rancho.

The boys at Rancho will also be present to assist with the show and provide an amazing bar-b-que.

This show is one of the largest car shows in the valley and also one of the longest running.

According to Crazy Al aka Big Al, this is in fact the largest show around!

What many people do know is that this show is open to all makes and models. Everyone is welcome to the show and the more the merrier.

Beyond having a great show, it is a huge goal of the Chevy Club to generate as much revenue as possible for Rancho. The club has a strong connection with Ranch and Brother John who operates Rancho and they do their best to raise the bar each year and put on the best show possible.

If you do not have a car to enter into the show that is also ok, the club welcomes you to come by and enjoy the show, bid on auction items and have a wonderful meal. The show is on Sunday May 3rd and you can see the flyer on the next page.

See you there! For More Info: www.classicchevysofsocal.com

Cars For Sale

1961 Ford F100 Unibody Rare CA black plate truck, only built from 1961-63. 460 Motor with 80,000 miles, c6 trans. Lowered with

Offering this 1932 Chevrolet all steel Hi-Boy roadster built by Gene Vredenbergh, retired executive from General Motors. Featured in the Aug. 2002 Street Rodder Magazine. This is a full custom frame and chassis. Steel EMI body with rumble seat converted to trunk by Dick “Magoo” Megugorac.

Custom hood by Magoo.

The engine is a Chevy 4.3L V6 fitted with a B&M Blower, Holley 600CFM Carb, GM Splayed-Valve Covers (for Indianapolis competition), Crane Cam and Isky roller Rockers. Transmission is a ‘88 Chevy Camaro 5-speed. Custom interior

adjustable air shocks in rear. New battery, radiator, tubbed in rear.

Asking: $18,500. Contact: Dustin@connectedmediagroup

and lift off top by Mike Harper Interiors. Custom Dash, VDO gauges, Ron Francis wiring. Budnik Wheels and Goodyear Tires. The undercarriage is as detailed as the rest of the Hi-boy.

All records.

Asking $50,000.00 Contact: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

1957 Ford T-Bird. Full Custom.

No expense spared. Pro-Touring inspired, the very best parts, the best paint and bodywork. This supercharged T-Brid is a ready for

weekend trip or a visit to your favorite car show. Asking $75,000.

2005 Lamborhgini Murcielago

If you have ever dreamed of owning a Lamborhgini, here is your chance. Offered at $160,000.00, this is the cleanest example on the market.

Offered by original owner. This Lamborhgini has never been abused. Always serviced at the dealer, all documents are available. This car has never been on the race track. The sound system has been upgraded as well as the exhaust. A full custom interior to match the paint and wheels.

For more info: Dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

For more information, please contact: dustin@connectedmediagroup.com

Bring a ToyGet a Picture in a New Lamborghini Supercar

Who doesn’t want to take a picture in a new Lamborhini Supercar? Well here is your chance...bring in a new unwrapped toy valued at $10. or more to Lamborghini North Los Angeles in Woodland Hills and you can take a picture in a new Lambroghini Supercar. That easy.

I remember when I was young, we used to go by the Ogner Motorcars. My brother and I were too intimidated to get out of the car, let alone walk in. We would stare in at the newest Ferrari, and just dream. Sure we had the posters on our bedroom walls, but to see one in person, that was just a dream.

If we ever had the opportunity to sit in an exotic car back then, we would have done just about anything. So, one day I was at Lamborghini North Los Angeles and I got to talk to the team and we all kind of came up with this fun idea. Bring a toy in for the Motor4Toys Charity Toy Drive and get to sit in a brand new Lamborghini Supercar! Had I had that opportunity when I was a kid, I would have cut a lot of lawns to buy some toys!

And, it is not just for your kids! Could be for you, your wife, your neighbor, anybody! Come celebrate the holiday season and have some fun with us Lamborhgini North Los Angeles and let’s make this world a little bit better! We all win!

Lamborhgini North Los Angeles is located in Woodland Hills on Ventura Blvd, across from Whole Foods and the Auto Gallery Porsche Dealership. For more info: www.lamborghininorthlosangeles.com

NISSAN MARQUE DAY NOW THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

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SUPERCAR SUNDAY IS LOCATED AT: Westfield Promenade Mall 6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (On the corners of Topanga Canyon Blvd and Erwin Street)

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