If you read last week’s blog about “Macchinissima” (of course you did), you knew that I was out in Los Angeles for several days last week. We northeast car collectors have long envied the advantages that southwest collectors have, with cars that avoid the ravages of rust (although their hot and sunny climate can wreak havoc on paint and upholstery). My first visit to L.A. was in 1977 as a twenty-three-year-old, and I never got over the sensation of having stepped into a time warp, seeing fifteen-year-old Chevys and Fords still on the road, which was definitely not something I saw on the streets of New York City.

But just because the sheetmetal lasts longer doesn’t mean that Los Angelenos keep their cars forever.  We still live in a car-obsessed culture and the desire for the newest, flashiest, fastest vehicle that fits the budget pulls people into showrooms like bait on a hook. California is no exception and most cars and trucks on the road are newer. Still, when an older car makes an appearance, it sticks out, and I managed to snap a few interesting ones on this trip.

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