2016 Steve McQueen Car And Motorcycle Show

2016 Steve McQueen Car And Motorcycle Show
By: Brandon O’Brien, Images By: Brandon O’Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise stated

The Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show was held on Saturday June 4^th at the one time home of Steve McQueen, The Chino Boys Republic.  This year marked the ninth year that the event has raised money so Boys Republic can continue teaching disadvantaged youth skills for self-sufficiency.  Over 85% of the graduates turn their lives around to become productive members of society by learning to be productive within their environment.  This attitude continues with the car show where the youth prepare the grounds, coordinate parking, serve the Friday night dinner, make the trophy’s, and in countless other ways. 

Steve McQueen was among 160 abused, abandoned and neglected students served by the school in 1946.  As a boy in rural Indiana he got into trouble and wound up at Chino’s Boys Republic.  Because of the training he received Steve always had a soft spot in his heart for the community and would visit regularly doing what he could to serve the students living there at the time.  Ten years ago, Chad McQueen and co-chair Rod Harris wanted an event where Steve’s cars, bikes, and memory could be celebrated as well as leaving a legacy to the Boys Republic youth.

Many of the cars present set a theme associated with movies that McQueen starred in.  Presented here is some of what caught our eye.

1947 Pontiac Streamliner Woodie Wagon pulling a vintage teardrop trailer.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The well stocked camping kitchen in the back of the 1947 Pontiac Streamliner.
Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1925 Ford Model T Depot Hack.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 Shelby G.T. 350 in the Mustang "Bullitt" Aisle.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1996 427 Continuation Cobra CSX4455.  Image Credit 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Tom Malloy's 1920 Ford Rajo Model T Dirt Track Racer.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Tom Malloy's 1934 Miller Burd Piston Ring Special Indianapolis car.  This is most likely the 1930 produced M-183 Chassis #2.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

John Coombs 1969 Lola T70 Mk 3B Replica. Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6 Chassis 906-120 in the colors it wore when racing in Japan and Asia for Taki Racing.
This car is fitted with it's original motor and transaxle (906-121).  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

1943 Zundapp KS750, Chassis 607938 Wehrmacht Motorcycle.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ted Hirth's 1964 ISO Rivolta GT is complete with 340 C.I.  Corvette Motor.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The picture says it all.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1957 Porsche 356 Coupe.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ed McNamee modified his 1969 Porsche 911 into an RSR Tribute.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Another Tribute car was this 1970 Porsche 911T was modified into a C-Series Martini Racing Tribute.
Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This 1961 Corvette had unique maroon/off-white paint job that was very attractive.
Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Darryl Hann's 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 Long-bed was spotless.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Beautiful 1960 Ford F-100 pickup owned by Gerald Moser.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ed Baroldi's 1946 Hudson Model 52 Commercial Cab Pickup.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ed Tolman's 1928 Ford (Canada) Tudor Sedan.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Craig Ludwin proudly displaying his 1959 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite. The car has a 1390 cc motor with supercharger.  Not like it came in '59.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The "Bugeye" Sprite showing why it got it's nickname.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This is one of two 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Sport Sedans at the show.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Rudy Pock's 1964 Austin Countryman.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

John Pratt's 1949 DeSoto Deluxe S-13-2 Woodie is 1 of 8 still on the road.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

If you missed this year’s event you can mark your calendars now for next year.  The 2017 Steve McQueen Car Show will be on June 3, 2017 at the Chino Boys Republic, 1907 Boys Republic Drive, Chino Hills, CA.  General admission is $10.00.



TAGS: Friends of Steve McQueen, Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show, Steve McQueen Car Show, Brandon O'Brien, Motor Driven Images, Boys Republic, Chad McQueen, Steve McQueen

40th Annual Forty Ford Day - LaPalma Park, Anaheim, CA - June 26, 2016

40th Annual Forty Ford Day - La Palma Park, Anaheim, CA
By: Brandon J. O’Brien - Images By: Brandon O’Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise stated

If you live in Orange County or anywhere near, there is a very nice low key car show that needs to be seen.  The event takes place at La Palma Park in Anaheim and makes for a very nice family outing.  Spectators are free and if you have a car to show the cost is $35.00. If you pre-register you receive a tee-shirt.  If you register at the gate, you don't.

The date for the 40th Annual Forty Ford Day is Sunday June 26, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The show is sponsored by Forty Fords Limited of Orange County and generally about 250 cars show up for the event.  If you think this is strictly a Ford event you are mistaken.  All pre-1972 Marques are welcome and often take home one of the awards.  Speaking of the awards (20 in all) they are hand made by the members and are unique to say the least. You will have to show up to see what I mean!

The cars usually start arriving by 7:00 a.m. and the park is filled by 9:30 a.m.  There is a large bake sale with muffins, donuts, and coffee.  Hamburgers and Hot dogs are available for lunch along with soda and water.  There are two 50/50 raffles.

This is a wonderful way to spend a nice Sunday with the family.  Here are a few pictures of cars that were at the show last year.

1935 Ford Model 48 Convertible Sedan. Image Credit: 23015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1936 Ford 2-door Standard Coupe.  Image Credit:  2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1939 Ford 2-Door Standard Sedan that is in original unrestored condition.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1946 Mercury Eight Convertible.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1946 Chevrolet Stylemaster.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1945 Ford Model 59C Pickup. One of the first built after the end of the Second World War.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1940 Ford Deluxe Sedan Delivery.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1946 Ford Woodie.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1956 Ford Victoria.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Again, a reminder - this event takes place at La Palma Park in Anaheim and makes for a very nice family outing.  Spectators are free.

The date for the 40th Annual Forty Ford Day is Sunday June 26, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.



TAGS: Forty Ford Day, 40 Ford Day, Forty Fords Limited, Motor Driven Images, Ford, La Palma Park, Anaheim, Orange County CA, Brandon O'Brien

2016 Faraday Future Long Beach ePrix

Faraday Future Long Beach ePrix Trophy.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / MotorDriven Images

2016 FARADAY FUTURE LONG BEACH ePRIX 
By: Brandon J. O’Brien - Images by: Brandon O’Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The streets of Long Beach were once again roaring, wrong term, buzzing with the sound of the Faraday Future Long Beach ePrix cars for the second year. If you have not been to a Formula E event, try it next year.

There are a few things that make this event different from the other motor racing events you go to; first is the lack of engine noise.  I know, one of the reasons to go to a motor sport event is to hear and feel the power of these beasts.  Well, to be honest, the racing is just as good without the noise.  You can hear the announcer and EJ, yes, there is an EJ with music. This is one event where my wife would join me and go home not complaining about her hearing. 

Eventual Race Winner Lucas di Grassi during morning practice exiting Turn 6.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor driven Images

Another reason is that the general population has not discovered this event, yet!  Unlike the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach which takes to the streets in two-weeks you can move around with ease.  Finally this is a one-day event held on Saturday.  Because this worldwide series takes place within the actual confines of major cities the City Managers specify a short disruption to the typical traffic patterns.

2nd Place car driven by Stephane Sarrazin exiting Turn 3.  Photo Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Each team must use 2 cars each race.  This is due to the fact that the current batteries do not hold enough energy to allow the cars to be driven for more than 25 minutes at competitive race speeds. 

Sam Bird exiting Turn 3 in the DS Virgin Racing machine.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

During the pit stop midway in the race the drivers come into the pits, stop in their garage, or for Long Beach, their pit box, unbuckle the safety belts and leave the car.  They then sprint across the pit box and jump into the second car.  When they have been safely strapped in they may leave.  A minimum pit stop time is mandated at each race to ensure that the teams have sufficient time to correctly and safely strap in their driver.

Above sequence shows race winner Lucas di Grassi changing cars midway through the race.  Photo Credits: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Even though this is the only stop for the series in the United States two of the teams have solid American leadership, Andretti and Penske, and the names of some drivers will sound familiar to many either from Formula 1 or Indy Car. Nico Prost, Nelson Piquet Jr, and Bruno Senna all had World Champion fathers, Nick Heidfeld drove in Formula 1, and Mike Conway and Simona De Silvestro have history at Long Beach with Indy Car.  This would be the first Formula E race where a female driver, De Silvestro, scored points.

Simona De Silvestro who is driving for Andretti Formula E was able to be the first woman to earn points in a Formula E race.  Photo Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Last years' Long Beach ePrix winner and reigning Formula E Champion Nelson Piquet Jr. in the cockpit of his car prior to the start of the race.  Photo Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The race being only 50 minutes is truly a sprint from start to finish.  Lucas di Grassi driving for Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport took the podium followed 0.787 seconds by Venturi’s Stephane Sarrazin. The podium was filled out by di Grassi’s teammate Daniel Abt.  Di Grassi’s win put him into second place overall and the team into second place.

Lucas di Grassi in the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport crossing the Finish Line in 1st Place.
Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Post race press conference with (L) Stephane Sarrizin, 2nd Place; (M) Lucas di Grassi, 1st Place; and (R) Daniel Abt, 3rd Place.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Between the end of April and beginning of July the final five races will all be held in Paris, Berlin, Moscow, and London (double-header).

TAGS: Motor Driven Images, Brandon O’Brien, Faraday Future Long Beach ePrix, Faraday, Long Beach, Formula E, Formula E Long Beach