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The 2003 California Mille The Nob Hill send-off for the California Mille was relaxed, sun drenched, and studded with gleaming vintage autos, including some from the bygone days of the horseless carriage. |
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| Chrysler, sponsor of this year's Mille, arrived early and occupied the entrence of the Fairmont hotel with a series of posh new models. |
| Martin "Wings" Swig was there too, driving the classic Chrysler that crossed the nation twice in seven days flat. Yes, indeed, Martin has Wings and that may be why he's always one step ahead of everyone that's around, including at times himself. |  |
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MARTIN's WINGS |
 & TODAY's CONCEPT WINGS ... |
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| ... ON TWO SUPER CONCEPT CARS FROM CHRYSLER  |
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& THE FAIRMONT HOTEL NEVER LOOKED BETTER THAN IT DID REFLECTED IN THEIR WINDOWS. Meanwhile, classic cars are converging on the park ... |
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Yes! MotorMania Lives! |
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Ah, and what's this by the fountain? Why, it's a Pierce Arrow! What a great Logo! By the way, that's a Bugatti in the background. Want to see it? Well, come to the Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, June 22nd. |
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| Just look at the polish on this Rolls Royce. It gives life to the lines of an elegant design and depth to every surface. It takes on the shapes and colors of its surroundings, making the auto one with its setting. |
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Look closely at these cherry blossoms reflected in finish on the Rolls. Blossoms with a certain orientation have as many as six separate, closely stacked reflections. These come from beautifully controlled, laminated preservative layers - a perfect finish and the frame for an infinite number of impressionist paintings. It's like having Monet on wheels! |
 For many, half the fun of caring for a classic car is sharing its story with others. |
 With every part, there is a story. Look at these spokes - how they're integrated into the design of the wheel. How they're joined at the center; the alignment of the grain. So much technological history in something once considered so commonplace. |
 Simple colors, sinple design ... just the place for a beveled glass window, throwing about light and reflections. Wonderful contrast. |
 Well, well, here's that Bugatti after all, with Grace Cathedral as a backdrop. |
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We'll let you look a little closer and even see a typical example of Bugatti detailing in the steering wheel, but to see the real deal, just come to the Concours on June 22nd! |
 Images abound. Old Leather, full seat backs, wonderful comfort... |
 ... patterns created by a wonderful patina. |
 Now come the old ones, charging the ramparts up California Street |
 These are the horseless carriages and their survival in working order is amazing. |
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Be careful Holmes, he's ...  |
 Martin Rallies the Intrepid. |
 viva LaFrance! |
 A beautiful old Franklin whose complex finish disperses and dapples light, making a fantastical image out of the park. Click on the image for a real closeup of this light painting. |
SELECT IMAGE FOR LARGE VERSION. 216K. |
 Making the circuit back to the Fairmont and the cars of the Mille, we are briefly dazzled, ... |
 ... amused, ... |
 ... impressed with police protection, ... |
 ... and startled by Darth Vadr. |
 In front of the Fairmont the Mille Maulers arrive, ... |
 are prepared for the road, ... |
 ... papmered & presented, ... |
 ... and awards awarded. |
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Channel 7 spent the day interviewing, and yes, right now they're interviewing this gentleman about the motor of his racer, seen below. |
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 Meanwhile, the future of the Mille evaluates the field ... |
 Hay Dad! This one's just my size! |
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 Route of the 2003 California Mille. |
© 2003 by the Palo Alto Host Lions Charities, Inc., all rights reserved. |