Monterey Pre-Historics ( or whatever it's call it these days)

[John Z Goriup]

Drove to Laguna Seca bright & early Sasturday morning with a friend for the Pre-Reunion event. Sorry to be a little tardy with this posting, but this is the first event I decided to shoot in RAW and in addition, I downloaded a brand-new Photo software program, "Lightroom" onto my computer last week and am learning to use it as I'm going along. Had no idea digital photography could be so much fun, but it does take a little longer.

The "new" Historics certainly seem to have gotten off on the right foot. Well organized, clean, but it's the selection of invited cars that was simply outstanding with every group, nationality and interest in sports / racing cars well represented. The weather was perfect for photography with a coastal overcast early on which gave way to the usual blazing sunshine later in the day. No matter where in the world you go to vintage events, I've never heard thoroughbred racing engines sound as visceral and stir the blood as deeply as a well tuned machine warming up on a moist, foggy morning at Laguna Seca. Pure Magic !

I could go on rhapsodizing ( as I frequently do ) but I won't. Suffice it to say that it was one of the best vintage car days I ever spent.......anywhere ! And that's just the Pre-Reunion weekend, can't wait until next weekend.

Enjoy the pics.

The first group of shots is of the "find of the year" for me. I'm sure many of us have heard & read about one of the most famous of early Porsches, the "Grossmutter" (Grandmother), but how many of us have actually seen it in the metal and heard it run. I was sure I would die without ever having laid eyes on this unique, historic masterpiece, but there it was, subtle and almost overlooked by most who walked past. What an experience.

JZG

[John Z Goriup]

.....many more ( thought I'd arrange the photos in order by nationality, with the noble machines from the Vaterland in the first group starting with Porsches in chronological order, the wonderfully diverse & for once novel English contingent ( not just endless XK-120s ), then the Italian machinery and last but not least, novelties, curiosities and miscellaneous at the end.

If I don't finish now, I'll continue later today.....I got things to do.

[John Z Goriup]

and more.....

[John Z Goriup]

and five more

[John Z Goriup]

and another batch. BTW, please forgive the occasional attempt at some "Art" photography ( the set of Weber carbs, for instance....I happen to believe that few things in the automotive realm are as beautiful as a well turned out 911 motor )

JZG

[bob tilton]

Really solid stuff Goriup! Love the amber cast. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the batch and your future work.

[John Straub]

Great photos John!...I'll see you this next weekend.

John

[John Z Goriup]

Right,...... as I was saying, here are some more from last weekend. This group comprises part of the Amalfitano Collection, to be auctioned off at Bonham's at the Historics later this week, ( as is the 906 posted above).

[John Z Goriup]

it was a particular pleasure being allowed access to Bruce Canepa's ex-Pedro Rodriguez #002 917. What a magnificent specimen.

[John Z Goriup]

and more....even the latch holding down the rear engine cover is so appropriate. I recall when I saw my first 917 close up ( please don't ask how long ago that was ), I noticed those latches and asked the mechanics working on them where I could score a pair. I found out they were made for period mass-market cross country skis, just like the ones I had when I was a kid growing up in Austria.