Burt Reynolds Personal "Bandit" Trans Am sells for $480,000.00 at auction - Actor, Burt Reynolds, sold his personal Trans Am at Julien's Auction in Las Vegas. Reynolds once commanded box office power like no other in his day, but rumors of financial troubles or downsizing has caused him to relinquish many of his prize memorabilia. As the price of the 70's iconic Pontiac Trans Am have risen in recent years, a little south of a half a million seem a tad steep to me. Yet, it would be cool to have in my garage! It was his daily driver, so maybe I could go fetch some Maine lobsters for Paul Williams? Bandit fans will know what I mean.

GM Boss, Mark Reuss, unveils a custom built, NASCAR champion Jimmy Johnson, 1969 Corvette complete with a factory fresh crate LS6 motor!

2014 LA Auto Show - To sum up the 2014 LA Auto Show -- Baby Utes, Alternative Fuel and Sporty Flare! LA is the home of the car culture, so no wonder the manufacturers choose the November auto show to show-off the like of the Mini Cooper Superleggera, VW GTI, and the Lexus LF-C2. Small cross-over SUV's seemed to be all the rage as the OEM's chase the CAFE Standards and younger buyers. On the flip side of that, horsepower is still on the rise long with hydrogen powered cars of the future. From Green to Mean, LA Auto Show has something for the car side of you!

Cars and Coffee - Irvine California - If you have never attended a Cars and Coffee event, it's a Saturday morning early get together for gear heads and spectators alike. Taken the financial demographic of South Orange County, the cars you will see match the neighborhood. Tuck quietly (at least they hope) between the corporate Mazda and Ford building, Cars and Coffee is the place to see some of the most exotic cars on the road today. Sadly, like all good things, it will soon come to an end. The area that was once all commercial buildings off of the freeway, now sport a hotel and luxury apartments. So, unless you enjoy the rev of a high horsepower engine early in the morning, Cars and Coffee may be a nuisance. We'll keep our eye open for a new location.

 Mecum Auction - Anaheim California - The Mecum Auction rolled into town this past weekend offering 900 classic and collectible cars over a three day period. Located at the Anaheim Convention Center, President and Founder of Mecum Auction, Dana Mecum, has figured out a way to create a successful collector car auction in Southern California, something that many have tried and failed at in the past. I've have the pleasure of knowing Dana for over 25 years know, and all of his success has not changed his soft spoken personality, friendly smile and all around ease-of-use to do business with. As his circus travels the country, do yourself a favor, and spend some time at the Mecum Auctions -- you will not be disappointed!

2014 SEMA - SEMA is short for Specialty Equipment Marketing Association -- is the biggest aftermarket auto event in the world, held in Las Vegas each fall. The show fills multiple convention halls and shows off everything from high-performance OEM specials to custom wheels and graphics from local shops. To get the full rundown on what automakers and suppliers are up to at the industry's biggest trade show at the SEMA Show -- go to www.semashow.com

The Thermal Club- I recently had the opportunity to preview The Thermal Club race track. Located just outside of Palm Springs near PGA West, this private community will on day be the vacation home to a select few. A total of 250 homes are planned at a starting price of only $1.2 million. BMW will soon offer their Owner's Driving Experience at this location.

2014 Orange County International Auto Show -The Orange County International Auto Show officially kicks-off the auto show season -- the back up band if you will. Well organized, fun event. Void of anything never seen before, but a great way to see the latest in the auto industry up close.

NASCAR - Chicagoland Speedway - So the NASCAR Chase for the Cup is underway and series points leader, Brad Keseloweski ,driving the #2 Miller Lite Penske Racing Ford Fusion wasted no time jumping into the lead with a win at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet Illinois. The path to his fifth win of the season was rocky, as a disappointing 25th qualifying position left him deep in the back of the field. Keselowski and Jeff Gordon were the fast cars in the final practice session on Sunday morning, and Keselowski wasted no time charging to the lead during the race. A loose right tire  during a caution forced him to return to the pits, sending him back in the field once again. But, this was Keselowski's day, as he made the pass of the season between Kevin Harvick and rookie Kyle Larson, threading the needle and never looking back. "I just saw a hole and I went for it," he said. "I didn't know if my car would stick or not, but I knew I'd regret it if I didn't try it."

September Motor Press Guild: Special thanks to Honda for opening their museum in Torrance California for the Motor Press Guild monthly meeting. Over 40 years of history from cars, motorcycles, race cars, machinery and robots are on display.

2014 Pebble Beach Concours -- Excited cheers echoed across the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links Sunday when a 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe was named Best of Show at the 64th annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The car, owned by Jon Shirley of Medina, Washington, was the first postwar car to take the top award at the prestigious event in nearly five decades. It was also the first Ferrari to win.

"This is a road-going Ferrari, and it has had quite the famous life having been designed by Sergio Scaglietti for Roberto Rossellini," said Chairman Sandra Button. "Its design was also trend-setting. So it is fitting that this is our first postwar winner in many years." The last postwar car to be named Best of Show was a 1964 Maserati Mistral Coupé, which topped contenders back in 1968.

When asked about the significance of the win by his postwar car, Shirley said, "I just hope it means that some more will have the chance to do the same thing. There are some wonderful coachbuilt postwar cars, and I think the owners should bring them here and try for the Best. I've won Best of Show before but this was really a special thrill to do it with this car." Shirley, the former president of Microsoft, previously won in 2008 with a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta.

The 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance showcased 216 cars and motorcycles, 35 of which came from outside of the United States. It also raised $1,677,445 for charity, bringing total charitable donations from the Concours to more than $19 million over time.

2014 Concours d' Lemons - As is the case with many joyful things in life, the "Concours d' Lemons" started out as somewhat of a joke, a way to turn their noses up at the display of wealth that had infiltrated the Monterey Peninsula. So, a group of car enthusiast, long on passion for the love of the automobile, yet, financially challenged, displayed their Pintos, Vegas, Pacers and LTD's, some even dressing the part just as you will witness down the coast at The Lodge in Pebble Beach. This event has taken on a life of its own, including sponsorship from no other than Hagerty Insurance! Located just past the Embassy Suites in Seaside nest to the Chili's, this free event is a must-see during Monterey Car Week and mark this one my personal favorites for putting a smile on your face.

Legends of the Autobahn 2014 - The first annual "Legends of the Autobahn" is in the books. Located at the Jack Nicholson Golf Resort in Monterey, for a first-time event it was very well organized, and there is no doubt this will become a popular event in the future,

2014 Concorso Italiano - Once again, the Concorso Italiano was located at the scenic "Black Horse Golf Course" in Seaside California, just outside of Monterey. For those who have attended the event for many years, it was like a homecoming of sort. Nestled on top of the hills of Seaside, with the cool ocean breezes from the west, the Black Horse Golf Course is the perfect setting to celebrate the passion of Italian automobiles!

2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion - The centerpiece of the Monterey Car Week has always been the "Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion", which originated in 1974 by creator "Steve Earle" back in 1974. Each year, enthusiasts bring out their vintage race cars and run them around the scenic track once known as "Laguna Seca" (now Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca). Everywhere you look as you stroll through the paddock area is another piece of history or a favorite memory. Not to be left out, many of the current automobile manufacturers are on display, showing off their future classics!

2014 Russo and Steele Auction - Monterey - Always entertaining, and a bit irreverent, Drew Alcazar and Staff brought 300 + collector cars for sale in their "theater-style" auction setting. Although at the time of this post, final numbers were not yet in, Russo PR claim they we up over 10% in total sale from 2013. Could this be an economic trend, as just up the street, billionaires were raising there hands like there was endless funds, yet the lower dollar cars see to be a little soft. Your thought?

2014 RM Auction - Monterey - Each year, the group from RM Auctions continue to display and sell some of the finest collector cars in the world, and 2014 was no exception. Once again, a Ferrari stoled the show with a 1964 275GTB/C Speciale, selling for @26,400,000 adding to the reported sales totals of $1.43 Million Dollars in sales!

Motor Press Guild - Irwindale Speedway - July 31, 2014
A special thanks goes out to Motor Press Guild President "Joni Gray" for putting together a very special event at the Irwindale Event Center. What better way for car guys and gals to watch the open 1/8th mile drag strip as the locals duke it out in side-by-side drag racing action. Then, turn to your right, and watch the weekend warriors tune-up for the coming Saturday night action on the 1/2 mile Irwindale Oval,

Italian Wheels - On a recent trip to Florence Italy, we stumbled upon a pleasant adventure that turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. While studying the back of a promotional map to get a handle on the local landscape, we noticed an ad for "Walkabout Florence", a sightseeing company that lets you drive their nicely prepared 1960's Fiat 500L's or Vespa motor scooter through the scenic region of Florence and Tuscany. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a gentleman named Chris Pace, and a after a few signatures and a swipe of my credit card we were on our way. Our tour guide was Chris' younger brother, Julian Pace, a charming young man who like his brother had the opportunity to grow up in Seattle Washington while spending their summers in Florence, which is no doubt how he learned his way around the backroads of Florence and Tuscany. 

Our Fiat performed flawlessly and was the perfect mode of transformation through the parsimonious paths of the region where we visited ancient churches, scenic paths along with a drive through a local olive garden (not the all-you-can-eat salad and breadsticks place). 

At the end of our 4 hour journey we visited a local wine shop to enjoy a fabulous array of Italian meats and cheeses -- oh yeah, let's not forget a nice glass of Chianti too! 

                             For additional information: http://www.walkaboutflorence.com

27th Seal Beach Classic Car Show - 2014 / The Seal Beach Classic Car Show is promoted as being the largest beach car show in the country. In addition to the 650+ classic cars on display, the charm of Main Street in Seal Beach make this a much visit event. As a judge this year I was assigned to sort out the best of show in the 1970-1985 category, which was a difficult challenge as the competition was fierce this year. In the end, I latched onto this 1975 Porsche 914 in original condition.

April 17, 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. On display in Las Vegas at the Mustang Birthday Bash were the original concept prototype sitting next to the Shelby Green Hornet.

Galpin Auto Sports " Ford Transit Skyliner" There's something to be said for luxed-out vans. They're cool, and as a means of getting chauffeured about, they're extremely comfortable and far more low key than your typical executive luxury sedan. For the 2014 New York Auto Show, Galpin Auto Sports has shown the potential of the new-for-the-US Ford Transit as an ultra-luxurious people hauler.

The Transit Skyliner Concept, sports four finely crafted captain's buckets that can be moved into different formations based on need. Want to watch a movie? The seats can be swung around to face a 52-inch screen. Riding along with some business associates? A table can be popped up. There's even a configuration for tailgating.The materials are, unsurprisingly, pretty plush. The leather seats and wood floors (yes, wood floors look great, while the trunk and its customized luggage are a nice touch, as well. 

MPG Power Trip - Toyota Automotive Museum - The group at Motor Press Guild took a Sunday Drive to Torrance California to visit the newly upgraded Toyota Museum. Filled with the rich history of the once sewing machine manufacturer who clawed its way to the top of the industry in sales world-wide. As rumors are flying about Toyota leaving there California headquarters for Plano Texas, it will be interesting to see what happens to the museum in the future. 

Coker Tire California Grand Opening 

2013 LA Auto Show

SEMA Show 2013

2014 Barrett-Jackson Auction

2013 Quail Lodge Concours 

2013 Pebble Beach Concours

Shelby Auto Club @ California Speedway

Keith McCormick's Palm Springs Auction February 2014

                                Corky Coker cutting the ribbon at his new California location