2012, Gathering of Friends, SLO

[LongRanger]

Got up early --- well, ~4:30 . . . took SMMTaG, fired-up my trusty/krusty ol' 1059 . . . . drove up to San Luis Obispo for The Gathering of Friends, All European Car Show, at Laguna Lake Park

I love the CA Central Coast, and I've even been to this particular venue several times --- a coupla North/South 356 things, maybe one other show-or-two that I can't recall just now . . . and a good choice/place. Just down the street from the Madonna Inn --- so even I can't miss it --- and not far from the local Denny's --- which I definitely can't miss . . . even a Grocery w/ATM across the street --- etc

Show opened at 7:30, but we didn't get there 'till ~8:30 (?). No problem. Plenty of show-space, not at all crowded, cooler weather to start, warming, touch breezy at times --- SMMTaG got chilled a coupla times/not me . . . . but still pleasant. SPF/Big Hat recommended

Tons o' cars, too --- and all kinds . . . relaxed, kids running around, couple Frisbees even, dogs, $25-buck-a-car admission + $20/per-benefits-a-charity barbeque --- beef + chicken + chile + garlic bread + salad + drink = filled me up (---burp). Not a blazer or pair-o'-funky-pants to be seen . . . my kinda show . . .


1) Sunny Southern Alask---- er, California. Think it was warmer back in February. Climate change . . . . we're all going to hell

2) No cracks --- SMMTaG is six-foot . . . and yes --- she fits

3) and 4) Goin' up Hwy 154, Lake Cachuma cut-off

5) Over the hill --- lake's down yonder

[LongRanger]

First up? . . . . motor cycles

Cotton, huh? . . . What the heck's a 'Cotton'?

Looks tough --- to ride, stay on, survive. Before plastic/fairings/The Japanese/passengers goofed up riding

Gorgeous details --- total Guy Stuff . . . in show-off black

[LongRanger]

That Flying M = Matchless . . . but I see the 'Rickman' name on there, as well, so . . . . no idea

But another Gorgeous Thing

[Chuck Miller]

Great pics Rick...

Know that park, and I'm pretty sure that white Lotus Cortina belongs to the owner of the British Auto service right down the road on west side of Monterey St.

[LongRanger]

. . . Know that park, and I'm pretty sure that white Lotus Cortina belongs to the owner of the British Auto service . . .

Thanks, Chuck --- I really REALLY liked this show

Low-key atmo, lots of different kindsa cars --- Porsches comin', Porsches comin' --- and great locale. Not a long drive from North or South

As for that Lotus Cortina? . . . . despite appearances? ---- soooooo not stock . . .

[Bill Simmeth]

That Flying M = Matchless . . . but I see the 'Rickman' name on there, as well, so . . . . no idea

Rick, Rickman built frame kits as 'upgrades' to the major bike brands of the day. Buyers would take the drivetrain off a stock Matchless for example, and place it on the Rickman frame which generally had superior features such as improved suspension, reduced weight and disc brakes.

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

[LongRanger]

Hey, Bill ---thanks for those details on the Matchless. Love bikes --- know next to nothing about them

Here's my kinda Healey. Looks like a runner, eh? Several turned-up --- this was my favorite . . . doors actually close/fit. Mostly. In this kinda shape, not gonna worry much about numbers, miles, scratches, dog hair, food in the car, feets on the seats . . . and when I get home --- just put 'er right back in the barn where I found it

Reminds me of my first few Porsche shows, Way Back . . . back when most of the cars that turned-up, 356s --- looked a lot like this

[LongRanger]

Abarth Double-(Trouble)-Bubble Coupe . . . maybe?

Looks like some serious semi-Group 4/5 body mods, going on here . . . courtesy of Bob's Boat & Tackle. Yeah - yeah . . . mangy, OK --- but sorta cute, too . . . in a frisky-girl-w/bubbly-laugh-but-I've-got Herpes kinda way. Some pretty Soviet-looking layers of plastic laid down, about a 1/4-inch thick on the hood, so who knows What Lies Beneath . . . then again --- no one's gonna mind (or notice?) any shopping carts bouncing off this rig . . .

Low-calorie + guilt-free fun

[LongRanger]

Porsche's SLR . . . minus McLaren to blame anything on

Aka type 980

I'm sure this thing is sphincter-tighteningly quick/fast/choose-your-superlative . . . but I never see these break cover, any more



Then again --- 600 hp, zero-to-100 mph = 6.8 sec . . . I mighta missed it . . .

[Jim Garfield]

Rick, I always enjoy reading your posts. You have a way with words, and I was choking trying to avoid spewing my after work beer onto the computer screen when I read this - "Yeah - yeah . . . mangy, OK --- but sorta cute, too . . . in a frisky-girl-w/bubbly-laugh-but-I've-got Herpes kinda way." Very funny! Thanks for the pictures, I enjoy the rough around the edges cars that get driven instead of towed too.

The Rickman Matchless is one of their Metisse (mongrel) scrambler kits I believe.