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Photography by Afshin Behnia, Chris Gonzalez, Jonathan W.C. Mills
Above all else, Petrolicious is a celebration of driving—and on Saturday, the Drive Tastefully: Barker Hangar Rally was the place for enthusiasts to explore some of the most exciting roads in California.
The third Petrolicious driving event (and my first), the rally featured more than 80 vehicles, with some participants traveling as far as seven hours away, from Arizona. Beginning in Malibu, the lineup of cars was spectacular—and soon filled the start line with jaw-dropping classics.
As I was to be riding shotgun for the duration of the event, it was soon apparent it’d be difficult to choose which driver and car to run with. Right away, it was evident that everyone was at the event to appreciate each others’ cars, with many both surprised and delighted at what had shown up.
From heavy-hitters like a Ferrari 250 GT “Lusso”, Lancia Flaminia Super Sport by Zagato, and Magnus Walker in his #277 Porsche 911 Carrera, it was also a chance to get up close and personal with some oddball vehicles. The Petersen Museum brought two atypical selections, the Volkswagen Bus from Little Miss Sunshine, as well as Steve McQueen’s daily-driven Hudson Wasp!
In the cars-you-don’t-see-often category, look out for photos of a beautiful orange Lancia Fulvia Rallye 1.6 HF (with a number of ex-Works parts!), two Morgan 3-Wheelers (one of which was driven by Alex Roy), and three Facels!
Which one sounded the best, you ask? I was partial to a stripped out, rally-prepared Lincoln Capri that not only sounded incredible but was—amazingly, considering the narrow roads—one of the quickest cars on the event. Equally cool, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, was a stunning green Austin Mini Cooper S that looked like it’d just been rolled out of a Manchester showroom.
So who did I ride with first? With Jurgen, who’d driven all the way from Arizona in his daily driver, a 1978 Porsche 911 Targa. With the flat-6 behind our heads and period classics in front, it felt for a few hours like we were taking part in some sort of game of cat-and-mouse on the thrilling canyon roads.
After the first rest stop, I realized that Edward’s Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF lacked a passenger—and so I hopped in for both a thrilling drive and a great conversation that, inevitably, quickly turned to the world of cars.
Once underway, I think many would describe it as either the most tasteful moving concours in California or a car show that stretched across exciting ribbons of asphalt for miles. Many cyclists on the route stopped to stare and take pictures, fellow motorists were amazed at being caught up with a seemingly endless line of interesting vehicles.
Most importantly, for a few hours, at least, Petrolisti were able to share an enthusiasm for the classic car hobby among friends, both new and old.
We’d like to extend special thanks to all of our participants, as well as our event sponsors, Auctions America, Classics & Exotics, and Classic Car Capital.
Great event Team Petrolicious. I put my photos here… https://www.flickr.com/photos/nathanleland/sets/72157655099199436
Sure, I have no problem and will describe it as I saw it. To begin with, on PCH he blocked both lanes because as he was speeding past everyone he missed the turn and simply stopped in the middle of the two lanes until the group of cyclists passed. Once on the canyon road, he seemed determined to be ahead of everyone and was passing in the oncoming traffic lane around blind corners. He put himself, his occupant and the whole event at risk had someone been coming in the opposite direction. With someone as well known as himself, you’d think he ought to be a little more restrained, and careful.
Simon, the episode on PCH does seem reckless. I’m sure he was trying to pass as many cars on the 2 lane to avoid passing in the canyon. Certainly backfired. The passing on blind corners is reckless also, but with most the Rallys I’ve been on it seems to have become an accepted practice. I’ll pass on a solid double line as long as I can see far enough ahead, but try to refrain from the blind corners. Not that it matters, but did this passing happen before or after Paramount Ranch and here’s why I ask.
After the drivers meeting, my wife and I walked to the car, sorted some things, belted up and left out the back to PCH. Once on the road the only car I noticed was a brown widebody 911. We both turned up Latigo and I throttled up expecting to see the 911/930 close behind but it wasn’t. Before the little community on Latigo I came up on a white 356 meandering along, wouldn’t pull over, wouldn’t move to the right, wouldn’t wave us by, nothing. I looked in the mirror and there is Magnus. I moved to the right and when it looked like a clear spot I waved him by and he passed both myself and the 356. A little further up Latigo I got a spot to get around the 356 and took it. After that magnus and I pretty much ran alone until Paramount Ranch.
After Paramount Magnus pulled out with 8 or 10 911’s behind him. I rolled out after them, my wife reading the directions. I knew they were wrong as soon as she read them so I pulled over to look at them for myself. Sure enough, should have been a right out of Paramount, not a left. I made a u-turn and got back on coarse. I did not see another car until the bottom of Tuna Canyon.
Not to make excuses, but some times when your running hard and you get behind a cruiser that won’t give you a little “courtesy” we make bad judgements. maybe we get upset because of a bad direction on the chart and we make bad judgements. At this point nobody got hurt, we had a pretty good time and it’s over. What if next drive we shake hands, laugh about it a bit, and have another good drive? Mike.
Well I gotta tell you , for all the wonderful exotics , ex-competition cars , American muscle , Resto-Mods etc that showed up the one that gets my vote is the one you’re not showing that although from the movie ” Little Miss Sunshine ” inadvertently paid tribute to a slightly more significant event going on right up the road from y’alls little get together .
Of course I’m talking about the VW Bus the Peterson brought over and the ” Fare Thee Well ” concert happening up Santa Clara way .
So two thumbs up to the Peterson for having the blatant audacity to bring a Beetle Bus to the party and another two for the unintentional tribute they were paying [ or was it ? ]
And as great a day as this looks to of been three guesses which one I was attending : remembering a little something those of us of a certain age have been saying lately ; ” What a strange trip is been ” … and what an even stranger and perhaps more dangerous trip its all promising to be .
As a request , a photo or two of the Bus if you please gentlemen ?
Rock On – Drive On – Remain Calm ( despite it all ) and please for goodness sake … Carry On ..
… my wayward sons [ sorry .. couldn’t resist the cultural reference ]
I’ll bet you’re being a bit sarcastic and already know this but just in case : even in The Peoples Republic of California you can get a temporary guest permit for the Daytona . Trust me our smog regs in CO are almost as severe yet everything from Ferrari GTO’s [ largest gathering of GTO’s in the world ] right on down has come across the pond for the Colorado Grand so I’m sure the GTB/4’d be welcome as well
Yeah but not from the National Safety Gestapo regs Afshin . Remembering that the regs for import vs temporary stay are somewhat different and regardless of CA’s rules he would need to get it thru US Customs . Which errr … at this moment in history may be more difficult than any of us can imagine even for a classic Ferrari coming from the UK seeing as how customs of late has become less than friendly .Unless of course the good Mr Lange’s family is ‘ connected ‘ politically in which case maybe it might be ok . Maybe .