Cars and Coffee, Southern California Alfa Club, LA Motor Show

[aggie57]

So these last few days I've been lucky enough to spend some time on a hobby, not just work while on a trip.  As things panned out I was able to combine a visit to Cars and Coffee in Irvine CA, some social time with the Southern California Alfa Club, and a day at the LA Motor Show. 

I know several forum members have been to Cars and Coffee before and will know how variable the turn out can be.  Unfortunately last week the forecast was for run so numbers were very low, even though the rain stayed away.  A number of interesting cars nonetheless, including a VW show car called the XL1.  The 1 stands for 1 l/100km (that's 220mpg in the US dialect), delivered from a slippery shape, low weight, and a diesel hybrid power train.  The VW guys reckoned it was going on sale during 2014 in several European countries.

Another interesting one was what we know as a Datsun 240K, complete with RHD.  Of course there were the expected McLaren MP4-12C's and a few Aventadors, but really whats great is the people.  example - the head of Nissan's design bureau in California turned up in the delightful little blue number below.

After C&C Jim Barrett, of the local Alfa Club, had invited me to join them for a tour of the USS Iowa, berthed in San Pedro and now open to the public.  Great people, interesting event, and a good casual lunch afterwards at "Joe and Jost's" in Long Beach.  Complete with the reserved table for the "Alfa Romero Club".  Spanish influence showing up!

Yesterday it was off to the Motor Show.   No 4C but the new Jaguar F-Type Coupe was there; sex on wheels!   Wow, it looks great.  Everything the E-Type was in 1961 in terms of style at least.  But how may custom Aventadors, 458's and C7's do we really need!

Got to jump on the plane home now.  Some photo's below to paint the picture.  Enjoy.

[aggie57]

Tucked away at the back of the Chev stand overshadowed by the C7, but with a good deal of interest nonetheless.  Our very own Commodore. 

[aggie57]

Porsche Tractor, the little blue car (what is it), and the 240K mentioned previously

[aggie57]

I was surprised at how smart this looked from the front, much better in person than you'd expect from pictures.  But apparently it doesn't drive nearly as well as the Giulietta on which its based.  Can't say much about that - although you could drive it in the car park if you wanted to bother.  I didn't.

[Ricky Ricardo]

Tucked away at the back of the Chev stand overshadowed by the C7, but with a good deal of interest nonetheless.  Our very own Commodore.

As long as there still trying to flog em off to american's I think there bluffing about closing here for more government money.