Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A Sunday Morning Drive

It started off innocently enough at breakfast.

So Spanky and I decided that we needed to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and jet off to the countryside for an overnight trip.  We had a lovely dinner with friends, got to enjoy watching a few snow flurries fall from the sky, and then awoke in the morning with anticipation as to where the day might take us.  Blue skies...clear air...the whole day to ourselves.

And no freakin' idea as to what to do.

So there we were, noshing on eggs and waffles when inspiration suddenly appeared through the window.

Inspiration on 4 wheels.  Gorgeously painted inspiration......with chrome...shiny chrome.  And power trains. 

Cars.  Lots and lots of cars.  But not just any cars.  These were classic cars.  Old Plymouths, Chryslers, Delahayes, Packards, Studebakers....all driving past the window.  Cars of every year, body style and color.  They were gorgeous.  They were dream cars.  And they were driving away......from the restaurant......to parts unknown. 

Now first, let me interject here by saying that you can have all the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos and body styles and fiberglass you want in cars today.  And yes, there are quite a few that are awe inspiring, day-dream-of-owning, drool worthy machines.  But can you really say a 2010 CTS-V Coupe looks better against a '58 Coupe Deville?  Or that an '09 Impala can really hold its own against a '59?  Or how about trying to compare a 2011 Mustang GT against a 1957 convertible with.............oh.....wait.  There are still ongoing discussions in regard to that particular match up.   Speed and safety features aside, these classic machines just radiate class and engineering marvel.  They've stood the test of time.  I mean, don't get me wrong....newer makes and models definitely have a sexy factor about them.  But the classics...well....they just never go out of style.

Back to the story:
So anyway.....there we sat, forks in hand, mouths wide open and in utter awe.  And yet, we were trapped....food on the plate and an unpaid check on the table.  There was no way to get out the door fast enough to try and chase after them.  Hoping there was perhaps a car show somewhere in the general area, we asked our server with anticipation if he knew of any such event.

Nope.

So after inhaling the last of the food, we held out a random hope that we'd be able to track down the parade of steel just on hope and luck alone. 

Nope. 

We got to the last intersection where they were seen and......nothing.  No signs of those beautiful machines...no lingering scent of gasoline penetrating the air....no heavy engine rumblings to be heard.  We had missed our window of opportunity.   Dejected, but still considering the possibilities of the whole day ahead of us, we decided that a bit of caffeine was in order.... 


Better hope you drive up the right lane or you'll be in for a bit of a shock.

So as we were getting ready to leave the Starbucks, what to our wondering eyes should cruise right past us...??


HOLY CRAP!!!  They found us.  We found them.  Whatever...don't care.  Follow that car!!!

And so follow we did.  All across Santa Clarita.



No seriously.  We followed 3 classic cars randomly across town with no idea where we were going or what these cars would lead us to.  But let me tell you....we were not disappointed.  Turns out, the three vehicles we followed were the lead in some type of Sunday morning rally.  They lead us right to a restoration shop.  And though at first we thought we were only going to have the initial three to admire...well...lets just say that our adventurous spirit was generously rewarded....









We were treated to a history lesson in automotive engineering as cars of all makes and models drove into the area.  And then if that wasn't enough.  We were also able to tour the shop and look at even more vehicles!




There's a bullet in the windshield.  Do I want to know?  Nope...just let that one pass...






We spent nearly two hours just wandering around, peeking in the windows, talking with owners and other "chasers".  And although I may not be a complete gear head, I know just enough to appreciate the engineering, admire their beauty and hope for the day when I'll be lucky enough to buy one of these classics, fix it up and join a Sunday rally just like this one.  Although I do have to admit that, in a moment of complete stupidity, I actually referred to a Corvette as a Camero.  Oye!

Oh well...in the meantime, I guess we'll just have to hang back and drool from afar.  So many beautiful cars to enjoy.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of cruising along the highway, wind in my hair, radio cranked, looking up and seeing one of those beauties in my rear view mirror.

Oh, wait....




Crap.