NOR CAL: This Week is HOT ROD WEEK.......Cool Tours!!

OK, I rarely pump any upcoming Goodguys stuff on here but this week in the Bay Area is Hot Rod Week. It is a chance to check out some amazing shops and collections.

This Week is Hot Rod Week 2008 - A Supercharged Week of Northern California Tour Stops!Hot Rod Week is a free and fun driving tour in and around Northern California to hot rods shops, car collections and points of interest to car buffs. All rodders are welcome to participate. Hot Rod Week departs daily from the Pleasanton Hilton at 8:30am sharp.


MONDAY 8/18 - North Bay Area
Kick off Hot Rod Week 2008 with a drive north to the historic Napa Valley region. We’ll visit the exquisite collection and home of car collector **** Long. Then it’s down to the docks in Richmond to see the simply mind boggling collection at Al Engle’s Hobby Shop. You won’t believe the size and scope of Al’s collection. There’s memorabilia from around the world!


TUESDAY 8/19 - South Bay Area
Take a trip South to Dennis Varni’s world famous “Speed Nymph” Garage. Then it’s up historic highway 101 to the peninsula town of San Carlos for two afternoon stops. We’ll visit **** DeLuna’s all-encomp***ing collection of automobiles described as the “Ultimate Toy Box.” From DeLuna’s place it’s over to “Sparky’s Hot Rod Garage” – the private collection of Joe Bullock. This pristine collection has everything from Indy cars to hot rods and customs displayed in a beautiful setting with lots of memorabilia and even a built-in diner!


WEDNESDAY 8/20 - Monterey Area
Wednesday we’ll take a drive down Highway 101 to the scenic Monterey peninsula for a stop at two landmark “car guy” spots. First we’ll visit Canepa Design. Bruce Canepa (best known for buzzing diesel trucks up Pikes Peak) will take us on a tour of his giant complex specializing in vintage race car restoration, maintenance and service. If you like European performance automobiles – you’ll love his private museum! From there it’s on to Don Orosco’s shop for a trip down memory lane. Orosco has won Pebble Beach numerous times over the years with his pristine restorations. End the day at Tommy T’s Comedy Club Parking Lot Party in Pleasanton from 4:30-7:30. 2 for 1 tickets available to see comedian Mark Curry - “Hanging with Mr. Cooper”.


THURSDAY 8/21 - Oakland Area
The fourth and final day of Hot Rod Week 2008 visits two major league shops in the Oakland/Alameda district. First up is a visit to Moal’s Auto Metal Works. Moal and his talented staff are some of the best coach builders in the world and you’ll get an inside look at what’s going on in the shop. Then it’s over to **********. Then you have a choice of evening activities – The Goodguys Kick Off Party at the Pleasanton Sheraton or you can cruise up to Danville’s downtown “Hot Summer Nights” party.


I should have posted this earlier, but I just got home from Spokane.

Looks like the Gambino crew may hit the Tuesday tour of Dennis Varni's collection. It is freakin' AMAZING. He's a huge collector of vintage race cars and Bonneville vehicles!

 

"Then it’s over to **********. Then you have a choice of evening activities".

Now that part sounds fun, but my wife would probably not be too happy about it.

 

Is that all that's going on? Jeesh, I'm glad I get to go to work tomorrow!

 

what time at Orosco's?

-Juan

 

There's no "set" times. The group just goes from place to place. I wish I had a more specific answer.

Orosco's collection is breathtaking. His collection of vintage SW gages is second to none!

 

Hope I can make it...

-Juan

 

I hope so. He has some very historically important hot rods.

 

He had his FIAT GP Transporter & 3!! Scarabs at Pebble Beach Sunday...Check out his "Before" pic's of the FIAT...

 

Last time I was at his shop he was restoring that whole setup. Just *****IN"!!!! I'm sure that whole rig will be there.

 

Kirk,
Thanks for the info. I am down from Washington to do Hot Rod Week this year. Today was great. You just don't get the opportunity to see these collections. Kudos to Goodguys for setting this up.
Thanks,
Rich

 

Today was a killer one too. ****'s and Al's collections are very cool!

 

Makes you kind of feel like a peasant...unbelievable that these guys would open their stuff up to the public...real treat

 

where exactly is Dennis Varni’s world famous “Speed Nymph” Garage and can i meet you guys there?

 

George,
Looks like its on Tait Ave in Los Gatos, a coupe blocks away from Santa Cruz Ave. I may cruz there too. If they leave Pleasanton at 8:30, figure they are there about 9:30.

Brian

 

Real close to Alex's. If you can make it, you really should. I' know you'll dig it.

 

i've never been to Alex's,and what time is this happening,or maybe you should just call me?

 

I think Brian's info is right, but I'll give you a buzz when I have the address in my hand. Probably about 8:15 this morning.

 

Kirk, you got a PM...I know exactly where it is, the house is a "Historic Los Gatos Residence"

Mind if I tag along? Just need a time

 

Oakland st and Heading st is where the Speed Garage is. The Los Gatos address is the personal house/musuem. So yes its near Gambinos. Thanks to HEMI32.

Brian

 

I saw the Caravan on my way to work this morning, it made my day to see a bunch of hot rods cruising down 680. Good work.

Jake

 

darn, I missed your lay over in the ritz'mon. i am only a few blocks from there.

 

sounds like a good week- even danvile sounds like it will be good i heard they are only having 2 thursdays than 4 this year.

 

WOW.....what a GREAT place Dennis has, thanks to Kirk for allowing us to tag along this morning....

Pictures at 11

 

What's a good guess for the ETA at Canepa's? I'm fairly close but I'll probably have to share the freeway with commuters, don't want to miss it!

 

does anyone wanna carpool to Canepa and Orosco from San Jose tomorrow morning?
send me a PM,i'll provide gas money and/or cigars and/or lunch.

 

KIRK!
Any address for Canepa Design? The web site says Scotts Valley , is that correct? Trying to go tomorrow.
Will be a last minute thing, sorry George.

Today was amazing. And my girlfriend thinks I need to throw some stuff away. Next time I need to take her. Dennis' place was unbelieveable. Then about 15 of the 50 of us cruzed up 101, people were trippin.

Brian

 

I won't have the address until tomorrow morning at the Hilton.

 

http://www.canepa.com/about/location.html

I will be @ Moals shop. Our waterjet guy make lots of miscellaneous things for them.

 

Some pictures. I know KIRK and Dave's will be better but I wanted to give a preview.

These are from "Speed Nymph” Garage in SJ.

Brian

 

A few more from DeLuna’s and “Sparky’s Hot Rod Garage”.

Sparky had 9 Blackie Fresno Autorama Awards on display from 2003 - 2008. wow

Oh yea, and in the previous post, that is a train coming through.

Brian