LouieM

I started the New Year right by joining the 2007 Anti-Football Run in my 67 roadster. This event takes place every New Year's Day and is organized by noted car enthusiast Martin Swig, who also puts on the California Mille and other events … http://californiamille.com/amicipress.html The Anti-Football Run is for cars at least 25 years old and always begins at Poggio Restaurant in Sausalito, at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's just a thrill to wander among cars ranging from a real 427 Cobra, a Miura S, several Ferraris and older Porsches, to a Ford Pickup, early Firebird and Camaro, a Corvair, MGs and Morgans, and a polished aluminum homemade special…..while being able to chat with their owners. There was only one other Vette this year, a 64 roadster with a very un-stock-sounding engine, but there have been several midyears and solid-axles in years past.

The weather was gloriously clear and warm, other than a bit of fog here and there, for the whole 110 miles of the Run. Everyone gets a route map, and the drive is mainly along back roads in Marin County, so one could stop at any point to enjoy the view (of Nature or the Cars) and catch up with the pack. That way, you could keep changing the groupings of cars constantly—we looked at the back of a Ferrari one moment, then the back of an XKE or Mercedes or 427 Cobra a few minutes later. Quite entertaining!

In years past the weather has been rainy and cold, but the event is run rain or shine, and everyone always enjoys whatever happens. The exception this year was some dufus who managed to fling his 1990s "Lotus"/Isuzu into the weeds and cow pies….. probably for the best, considering the car.

Just a nice way to enjoy our old cars.


Louie

folsomlarry

Looks like a fun day. Being British, the Lotus probably broke something or he might have spun on his own oil. Possibly his "Lucas Prince of Darkness" nav system told him to make a left turn. After racing a British car for almost 20 years you tend to just wait for the next thing to go wrong with the car.

Larry

LouieM

Larry, Ahh, yes, British cars. You're one brave guy to attack corners at speed in an older one of those. I once had a Sunbeam Tiger 289, so I know all about parts disintegrating and failing due to designed-in flaws.

I almost forgot to show the logo on the swell sweatshirt that came along with registering for the event, so it's below.

Louie

briann510

Hey are those California cheese cows?

Intersting as I have a few nostaligia racing cars and Ive never heard of this guys New Years runs before. Looks like I found something to do next New Years day.

StArrow68

Thanks for the pics Louie, I'd heard about this a few years back but
havent' seen any other info the last few years. That orange MGB was
a treat for a guy that put 12 years of daily driving on one several
decades ago. Maybe next year as well, if I trust the wife's old family
280SL.
Randy

LouieM

Brian - There was one racy looking Datsun 510 in the group -- one of my favorite cars, since I owned several in the 70s-90s....just in case the 510 in your handle refers to that car.

Louie

LouieM

Randy, sure bring the 280SL along. Some of the cars were fairly ratty, but all the folks had fun and all the cars are "drivers," not trailer queens.

Louie

briann510

Actually we have a Datsun 240z race car in the family and a few other old er muscler cars and a early 70's trans am racer. The 510 has another meaning from my early racing career that stuck to me.

Grand Slam

You must be one of those people who has to have a new car all the time. My MGB was my daily driver for 32 years.

StArrow68

Alan, Yes, mine only go about a decade when the wife suggests that
we could drive something newer. The Nissan Pulsar lasted 15 years
after the MGB, very fickle . But don't ask how I ended up with five
cars for two drivers, somehow it seems to work. The '71 280SL was
basically a gift when the mother-in-law passed away several years ago
and I'm learning what it takes to keep a vintage car on the road ... $$$
Randy

briann510

dang, we got 9 vehicles for us. Its like flip a coin what to drive everyday or what car show or GTG to go to each weekend.