First '16 Blackhawk Cars & Coffee

[John Z Goriup]

Following Jim Braezeale's 1st-Saturday-of-each-month get-together at EASY, the next day, Sunday, it's off to the Blackhawk C&C in the parking lot in front of the famed Blackhawk Automotive Museum. In the summer months this event draws upward of 650 cars of every year, type, persuasion and financial ability of the owner to practice fantasy-fullfilment and individualize their projects, with attandance naturally down to maybe half of that, but remarkable nevertheless for an event on a Sunday morning in the middle of winter.

From my personal viewpoint, just being able to get out of the house and driving on clean, dry roads had a lot to do with good turnout and the general enjoyment of our cars as well. We're still waiting for the full brunt of the elusive El Nino here in northern California, and God knows we need the rain, but I can't remember the last stretch of five days in a row that I drove Ruprecht for a meaningful length of time and milage just for the sheer pleasure of it.

If I can answer specific questions please let me know and I'll try to get the information.

All the Best,

JZG

[John Z Goriup]

……on to the next set of 10, with a few shots of the first i8 I've seen in the flesh / metal / plastic……..whatever - shocking what seems to have happened to BMW and their uncanny ability to hit their target markrt with perfect sport-sedans to motoring enthusiasts hungry for fun-to-drive cars. I'd wager, that if you were blindfolded and given as robust a drive as that electric abomination could possibly muster, you'd never, ever guess that you were even in a BMW, utterly unlike the '70 and '80s when they built & sold 2002 Tiis, M3s, M5s, M6s, all with a common, delightful personality and capabilities that made you happy, made one want to celebrate internal combustion, play hookie and just head for the horizon at ridiculous speeds……..and well and truly and genuinely enjoy doing it.

Just like no SLS, or any of its porcine derivatives should ever be parked anywhere near a classic 300SL Gullwing or Roadster, setting up a comparison the modern, heavyweight monstrosities cannot possibly win, no modern / current BMW should ever be seen near one of the classic Munich products, for they really do not stand up very well in a direct 'driver's cars' comparison ( see photo # 7 ). Sorry…...got carried away - returning to regular programming.

JZG

[John Z Goriup]

The next set………..this one mainly concentrating on older, more classic Hot Rods, which, I humbly submit, add so much charm, personality and interest to these events…….brings out the 'car guy' fervor more than any new Lamborghini or McLaren possibly can, because it reflects the personal involvement and engagement of the owners / builders, while focusing less on the check-writing willingness / ability of the owner / lessee.

[John Z Goriup]

Another set, this one featuring mainly the Porsche contingent that showed up.

Re photos #6 & 7, the only question that pops into my old, traditional mind is "WHY", although kudos to whoever performed the surgery and handled the conversion, for preserveing the extrerior integrity of the classis 911 lines, without modifying the body to accomodate that cast-iron lump.

Phot #8 I presume is a re-enactment of the Eddy Murphy - 'Beverly Hills Cop' scene……….but I'm not sure whether it was the owner's wit or some passer-by who may have had the idea.

[John Z Goriup]

The final set of various miscellaneous iron, starting off with one of the finest reproduction Cobras I've ver seen. The owner had built this kit some years ago, but was displeased with the original fiberglass body and consequently purchased a Kirkham hand-formed aluminum 'wide-body' to replace the glass-body. The Kirkham effort is produced entirely by hand in Poland to the highest standards I've yet seen in a reproduction aluminum Cobra body, and he then went on to modify the inside interior panels & dash and seats to make it as close to an original as possible. Displaying outstanding workmanship and a brilliant choice of power train, this jewel is powered by a heavily modified 289 motor in lieu of the 427 lump which the owner simply deemed excessive for what he expects from this car. A complete success, I'd say.

Thanks for looking, see you all next month.

JZG