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best of france and italy

Best of France and Italy, 2013

November 14, 2013 By pete

Vintage Alfa racer owned by Brandon Adrian. The full history of this time capsule was on the placard.

Story and photos by Richard Bartholomew

November 3, 2013

Woodley Park is a vast green expanse of grass near a large earthen dam that is part of the water control system that brought water to parched Los Angeles in the 1920s. There are frequent car shows there but for lovers of Italian and French cars this is one of the best.
Why? First because it’s free and second because it brings out lots of cars that aren’t spiffy enough to be in a concours but still damned interesting. Cars on their way to glory, one might say.

Lancia Appia Sedan, Series I or II owned by Tina Byrd.

In the French category, there were Simcas, Citroens, Renaults (including two Caravelle convertibles which are surprisingly elegant cars considering they sold new for under $3000) Facel Vegas from the magnificent Facel II to the Facellias, a Matra Djet, a half dozen Renault Turbo I and Turbo II pocket rockets.

But most of the French cars seemed postwar, in contrast to this event in the past, when there were half a dozen prewar cars. (Could it be the prewar cars are now too nicely restored to show?) Oddly, right in the middle of the French offerings was a Packard which they said was bodied by Kellner, but except for a sharp crease in the rear fenders and a very rakish second windscreen, we couldn’t see much Euro influence.

Delightful, imaginative, and probably stock color scheme for this 2CV.

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Tagged With: best of france and italy, california car shows, french car shows, italian car shows

Best of France and Italy 2011

November 23, 2011 By pete

One of our favorite shows is the “Best of France and Italy”, held every year on the grounds of Woodley Park in the L.A. area. It is low key, a true enthusiasts gathering, and brings out a great variety of unusual French, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian and Czechoslovakian cars. Don Hodgdon was there for us.[Ed.]

Story and photos by Don Hodgdon

Rain was falling when I woke up Sunday morning, but it passed through quickly and I left Santa Barbara under sunny skies. I had thought twice about heading down to Woodley Park, having my doubts that anyone would show up. While the numbers were down from past years, considering the rain there was a good group of cars. Alfas and Fiats, along with a healthy group of Citroens made up the bulk of the show, and I think there were almost as many Tatras (3) as there were Ferraris.
[Read more…] about Best of France and Italy 2011

Tagged With: best of france and italy, california car shows, french car shows, hispano suiza, italian car shows, jay leno, Renault, simca, tatra, woodley park car show

Best of France and Italy, 2010

December 1, 2010 By pete

1939 Citroen Light 15 owned by Chuck Forward.

Story by Bettina Van Curen, Photos by Don Hodgdon unless otherwise noted

November 7, 2010

On a chilly but sunny early Sunday morning in Van Nuys, CA a handful of volunteers distribute signs and set out cones as the first of the Alfa Romeos, Fiats and Citroens start to roll in. All is chaos as my husband Chuck has the maps and he is about ½ mile down the road doing something under the hood of his 1955 Citroen Traction Avant. [Read more…] about Best of France and Italy, 2010

Tagged With: autobooks, best of france and italy, italian car shows, la car shows, los angeles car shows

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