“Couture Collection” of Cars

The 7th Annual Montecito Motor Classic (MMC) rolls onto Coast Village Road this Sunday, September 23. The show opens promptly at 9 am with an eye-popping stroll of historic and super-cars that will stay on display until 3 pm.

Dolores Morelli Johnson, founder and chair of the Montecito Motor Classic, says “This is one gorgeous car show. We have created a standard of expectation,” she boasts, that has attracted the attention and participation of Petersen Automotive Museum and other top collectors in the state.

“As the lead sponsor since it inception seven years ago,” Michael Hammer adds, ” I am extremely grateful how the community, PAL, SBPF, the Dragg Program, merchants, and vendors have come together to help the children of our community. My wife, Misty, and I,” he adds “have to give special thanks to the amazing leadership, and truly to all of our volunteers of the Montecito Motor Classic.”

Some of the cars creating buzz include:

1972 Porsche 911 RSR

Hammer has entered a 1972 Porsche 911 RSR in the Classic Car division. In 2001, this Porsche underwent a complete restoration, in which it was stripped to the bare chassis, and then carefully upgraded to RSR factory specifications. This 911 now has a 3.6 liter RS motor with 247hp, which is plenty of solidly engineered German muscle. The 911 has participated in the 2016 CF 200 Santa Barbara Rally, 2017 Copperstate 1000, the 2017 Boys and Girls club Rally, and the 2018 Copperstate 1000.

1957 Porsche 356 Outlaw

For those who love fast cars, Mark Alfano has one in the Classic division to admire: the 1957 Porsche 356 Outlaw.

Recently finishing The 1 Rally and being shown at 2018 Quail Motorsport Gathering is this 1957 Porsche 356 Outlaw.

The interior was restored by Harry Derohanessian using Euro Autolux leather with square weave and German carpets to keep as close to original as possible. This car being finished in Sterling Silver over red is true elegance; the car is not, however, just built for show – but mainly go!

To give it the get-up-and-go, the car was restored by Hot Rod and Hobbies in 2013. It was upgraded with drivetrain and rear suspension from a 1983 911 SC. The transaxle had to be redone, and the firewall had to be moved slightly and custom shrouds made to get the seal around the engine. The brakes are front disc from 1978 911 SC front and rear calipers also with GT wheels. (One of the comfort features that was added to the car was the largest A/C systems that would fit in the truck.) 

Ol’ Yaller Mark IX

Ol’ Yaller Mark IX was built in 1963 by Max Balchowsky from scratch, after drawing up the plans on the floor of his garage. It has a custom chassis and custom body work, all designed and fabricated by Max and his wife, Ina. It was fitted with a 401 Buick V-8 “Nailhead” engine producing 310 horsepower, enabling the car to reach 0-60 in under four seconds thanks to its low weight. Max famously bragged about spending only $1,456.72 on Ol’ Yaller II, a car in which he was able to outrace some of the best Ferraris.

Balchowsky built several cars known as “Ol’ Yaller,” a name derived from the junkyard dog in the 1957 Disney film Old Yeller. The car was restored, and under the ownership of Peter and Lynda Shea was raced extensively in historic competitions, including at the Monterey Historics.

The car came to the Petersen Automotive Museum as a gift of Peter and Lynda Shea after years of successful vintage racing, including a first-place finish at Petrini’s Wine Country Classic. It currently resides in the vault, clothed in its requisite yellow livery, where it catches the eyes of thousands of visitors a year. Just nine Ol’ Yaller variants were built by Balchowsky, one in the Mark IX specification, so don’t miss your chance to check the car out in person.

1963 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso

Orwin Middleton remembers buying this car, a 1963 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso, in November 1986 for the same amount as a new Corvette. Only 350 of this model were ever made between late 1962 and mid-1964 and the final model of the highly acclaimed 250GT series made between 1957 and 1964. The 250 GT Lusso and the iconic 250 GTO race car were the revisions following the 250GT SWB (Short Wheelbase Berlinetta) in its two forms of street car and race car versions. “Growing up, I always considered the 12-cylinder Ferrari as the epitome of all things automotive in beauty, performance, and general provenance,” Orwin says. “I hardly saw one except in Road and Track magazine or during a trip to places like Beverly Hills or Bel Air. Owning and driving a car like this are what dreams are made of to a car junkie like myself, and having it setting in my garage is a total treat.”

The General

“The General” has a fantastic place in history. It was one of 11 “Command Cars” modified for General Patton. Built by Chrysler in 1942, it was shipped for use in his North African campaign. “The General” is much larger and heavier than a jeep and has a gross weight of 7,475 pounds.

After WWII, it was purchased from Army surplus by an Idaho farming family who converted it to a farm flatbed truck. Later the family was contacted by restorers, who found the original back-end of the vehicle in the family barn. Rusted out, the components were shipped by rail to the West Coast for restoration and remounted on the original car. Because of its rarity, it took seven years to collect missing parts found in military shows and outings across the country.

“The General” is believed to have been for Patton’s personal use and was mounted with a 30-caliber machine gun on the “shotgun” side of the front seat. That is where Patton normally sat as he preferred to actively stand on the floor of the front seat, hands on the windscreen and highly visible by the troops. It was also military-parade equipped with siren, red light, flags, and the stars of his rank. Patton’s greatest moment was with the 3^rd Army – thus the steel powder-coated flags on the hood commemorate that period of his successful leadership.

First Responder Vehicles

Kids will love inspecting and investigating these vehicles. It will be a great experience for everyone. This year – as a salute to the first responders – there will be a special display of fire, police, and military vehicles, including:

Montecito Fire Protection District: Type 6 Patrol: This agile engine is used for quick access. It holds approximately 250 gallons of water, and its chassis is built on a Ford F450 pickup truck.

City of Santa Barbara Fire Department: Brush Rig – used for vegetation fires due to its ability to pump water while driving.

Santa Barbara Police Department: 2010 Lenco BearCat: Although it weighs in at nine tons, the Bearcat can respond quickly and safely to high-risk scenarios. Its four-wheel drive and high clearance allows it to go through thick mud and over boulders. (Kids, especially, will love getting up inside of the tank-like vehicle and exploring this piece of machinery.)

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department: 1927 Vintage Dodge Brothers Paddy Wagon. Last seen hauling away the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Those sheriffs have a great sense of humor.

California Highway Patrol: Challenger: This was the patrol vehicle temporarily caught up in the debris flow on Olive Mill Road seen by thousands on a video that went viral.

The Montecito Motor Classic will be flying the flags of all five branches of the military. “It’s important to honor those who serve our country so bravely,” says Johnson.

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Sunday Schedule:

11 am: Judges convene to decide the winner of the children’s model car contest. 

Noon: Teen Star finalists lead the singing of the national anthem; immediately followed by Monte Wilson‘s interview with the Motor Classic honoree Dana Newquist. Wilson is founder of Santa Barbara Cars & Coffee and hosted the TV show Car Life on the 101. Dana, aficionado of all things automotive, is currently president of the Santa Barbara Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and a board member of both the Murphy Auto Museum and the Barker Foundation. Over the years, Dana has been involved in numerous local car shows, including the Montecito Motor Classic and the Father’s Day Show at the Santa Barbara Club.

12:45 pm: The parade of show trophy winners 

1:30 pm: Monte Wilson and Dolores Morelli Johnson present the trophies.

Among the awards, one will be named in memory of Archie McLaren, a committee member who passed this year. It will be presented by MMC members Dana Newquist and Andy Tymkiw, who noted, “We were immensely fortunate to have Archie’s enthusiastic participation in the Montecito Motor Classic. Beyond his incredible knowledge and appreciation of art and design, fine motor classics, and a passion for central coast wines… Archie McLaren was a man that understood ‘community.’ We will present this award in commemoration of his friendship and spirit.”