The Magic Castle - January 25th

VOLUME 50 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2014

Owners: Gary and Diane Cerveny1948 Norman Timbs Special

The Magic Castle - January 25thThe Magic Castle - January 25th

January

2014 Regional OfficersChairperson Pierre Lemieux 760 408-0230 Vice Chairperson Karen PerraultTreasurer Terri Mercurio Secretary Carolyn Quadt 562 598-7028

Appointed PositionsChief Judge Tom Mercurio Technical Chairperson Ronny Shaver Membership Chairperson Susana Gateau-Cumin Awards Chairperson Tom & Terri Mercurio Newsletter Editor Dori OisenHospitality Chairperson Joan Hugron Cell: (949) 439-0465Marketing/Advertising Gene TowIe Directory Editor Karen Perrault Webmaster Steve Power-Fardy Archivist Diane Cerveny Bylaws, Policies, Procedures Brad Zemcik

2014 Board of DirectorsRonny Shaver Larry Ewaska Sherry Stern Betty GreenDori Olsen Bill SundinClint Camomot Joan HugronRobert/Nancy Ratinoff

Editorial StaffEditor: Dori Olsen

Cell Phone: (424) 644-5987 dorianolsen@earthlink.net

The Spirit of Ecstasy is published monthly, approximately two weeks after the meet. Articles and notices should be received no later than the 15th of the month prior. Please Identify cars (with chassis numbers) and individuals in all photographs. Private party advertisements for Rolls-Royce/Bentley sales, wanted items, parts, lost and found, or information will be published for members at no charge. For car sales, include chassis number and asking price. Photos will be published at a nominal charge. Non-member advertising will be accepted at published rates. Display advertising is accepted, at the discretion of the Editor, for business card, 1/4, 1/2, or full page insertions in increments of three, six or twelve months. Advertisements are published as a courtesy to the membership. The Southern California Region and its Editor(s) do not assume responsibility in the event of a claim of loss or damage resulting from publication. Members are responsible for investigating any advertising claims prior to entering into an agreement with an advertiser. Please contact the Editor(s) for information or published rates. Articles reflect the opinion of the authors and do not necessarily reflect national or regional policy. The Southern California Region and its Editor(s) seek to publish accurate material but neither assumes responsibility in the event of a claim of loss or damage resulting from publication. The organization is under the control of the National RROC.

The Magic Castle The Magic Castle is the most extraordinary private, invitation-only club in the world. It is the showcase for some of the greatest magicians in existence. The Magic Castle is a mystical Victorian mansion originally built in 1909 with a labyrinth of hallways, turrets, and gargoyles guarding the entrance. Say the magic words at the front door and you will be ushered into a delightful world of magic, mystery, and illusion.

First, we will feast on their famous champagne brunch at 11:00 a.m. This gourmet meal has all of the breakfast favorites, salads, a carving station, and desserts. We will see their museum where magic and show biz relics are on display. Then we will enjoy various stage and stand-up magic acts. Space is extremely limited so please mail your reservations in early. Come and join us for an afternoon of great food, fun, and magic.

Date: January 25, 2014 Where: The Magic Castle 7001 Franklin Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028Hosts: Robert and Nancy RatinoffTime: 11:00 a.m.Cost: Adults $70.00, Children 6-10 $45.00RSVP Deadline: January 16, 2014

Sorry, but valet parking is not included at $10.00 per car.

Dress Code: Dressy casual, but absolutely no denim, tank tops, tee shirts, shorts, leggings, sandals, flip flops, sneakers, or sneaker-like shoes.

Directions:

From the San Fernando Valley: Take the 101 Freeway southbound and exit at Highland Ave. Continue south on Highland Ave. to Franklin Ave. Turn right, and go to 7001 Franklin Ave.

From Los Angeles: Take the 101 Freeway north, exit Highland Ave. Turn right under the freeway, left on Highland Avenue. Take Highland Ave. south to Franklin Ave.Turn right and go to 7001 Franklin.

As you travel westbound on Franklin Ave. you will find The Magic Castle up a steep driveway on your right.

The Cover Story1948 Norman Timbs Special

By Diane Cerveny

Norman Timbs was an aircraft engineer who did freelance car design in his spare time. He built the Norman Timbs Special in 1947 and finished it in 1948 for himself as a one-off car. He took his inspiration from the Auto Union pre-WWII Grand Prix and Land Speed Record cars.

We purchased the car at the Barrett-Jackson Auction at the Petersen Museum in June of 2002. Gary had not intended to purchase the car: he was helping the auctioneer by putting in a starter bid. In a few minutes, while Gary was talking to some friends, one of them laughingly told Gary they were dropping the hammer on his bid. And so started this odyssey. Gary, his father and our son Michael started to work on the car to get it back to being a driver. When we started learning more about the history of the car and who Norman Timbs was, the project moved to a better quality restoration. Then, when we met Norman’s son Norman Timbs, Jr., who had all of his father’s pictures of his building of the car, the restoration became a show quality work. At this point the restoration was transferred to “Custom Auto” in Loveland, CO for completion.

Gary has always loved custom hot rods and this one-off streamliner is a very special, very different car.

The specs on the Timbs Special• 17 ½ ft. long • 6 ft. wide • 39 inches tall – shorter then a Ford GT 40 which was not built until 1966 • Weighs approx. 2200 lbs. • Stated that it has a top speed of 120 MPH• Powered by a Buick Straight 8 engine – with compound carburetion and split exhaust. It has 225 HP

• It has a 3 speed manual transmission with a Didion style swing real

JANUARY 2014

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Willy HugronChairman’s Corner

January HAPPY NEW YEAR!4 Monthly Tech Meet Host: Ronny Shaver

25 Magic Castle $70 Hosts: Robert and Nancy Ratinoff $45 children 6-10

FebruaryTBA Quarterly Breakfast Meet and Drive La Canada/Flintridge Area Host: Pierre Lemieux

March1 Judging Seminar Hosts: Gary and Diane Cerveny

29 Concours d’Elegance Hosts: Gary and Diance Cerveny

TBA Quarterly Breakfast Meet and Drive Palm Springs Area Host: Pierre Lemieux

April5 Disneyland Meet Host: Chris Contes

13-17 The RROC 2014 Spring Tour in San Diego

JANUARY 2014

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Willy HugronChairman’s Corner I hope everyone had an excellent holiday season and I wish everyone a happy new year! I am honored to serve you again as chairman for 2014 and I appreciate your many kind words over the last couple of months. All of this would not have been possible if it weren’t for all of the volunteers that devote their time and energy to make sure that our region is one of the best in the country. I thank them. We have a number of fun-filled events already planned for 2014 with many more in the works. I can assure you that there will be a lot of choices between social and automotive events that will appeal to all of our members. Two exciting events that come to mind that are just around the corner are of course our annual Concours d’ Elegance in March and the San Diego Spring Tour in April. I am also excited about our upcoming member breakfast rallies. The next one is next month and will be in the Pasadena area (more details in this newsletter). This is a quick and easy way to get your Rolls- Royce or Bentley out on the road and socialize over breakfast with fellow members from your surrounding community. In March I will be hosting the breakfast rally in Palm Springs so look for more information on that in the February newsletter.Happy Motoring!Pierre Lemieux

S a v e A p r i l 5 t h f o r D i s n e y l a n d !

JANUARY 2014

2014 RROC Southern California Officers and Board Members

Congratulations to the following members who were elected as an Officer or Director on the Board of Directors for the 2014 term:

Chairman: Pierre LemieuxVice Chairman: Karen PerraultSecretary: Carolyn QuadtTreasurer: Terri MercurioDirector: Betty GreenDirector: Dori OlsenDirector: Bill Sundin

Pierre has asked the following members to continue to serve in these positions:

Chief Judge Tom MercurioTechnical Chairperson Ronny ShaverMembership Chairperson Susana Gateau-CuminAwards Chairpersons Tom and Terri MercurioNewsletter Editor Dori OlsenHospitality Chairperson Joan HugronMarketing/Advertising Gene TowleDirectory Editor Karen PerraultWebmaster Steve Power-FardyArchivist Diane CervenyBylaws, Policies & Procedures Brad Zemcik

The Cervenys’ Collection

The Cervenys’ Eclectic Collection

Diane serving her wonderful soup

Carol Fraser, Dori Olsen and Gary Fraser

The 2013 Southern California Region Gastronomic Tour Saturday, November 16th found over fifty members on a road trip to the beautiful hilltop Malibu home of Diane and Gary Cerveny for a scrumptious start to our all-day Progressive Lunch. Everyone arrived within minutes of each other and the Cerveny driveway and parking area was a sight to behold with Rolls-Royce and Bentley motorcars lined up in all of their glory. Diane made a fabulous homemade taco soup with all of the accompaniments that was just perfectly spicy. There was also tomato bisque soup with mini-quiches and refreshing drinks that everyone enjoyed while they mingled. Gary opened their “garage” and we were treated to a viewing of the Cervenys’ many and varied cars, including the 1948 Norman Timbs car that won best in class at Pebble Beach in 2012.

After two hours of enjoying Cerveny hospitality, we watched several members back their cars down the slightly curved driveway and then we all headed for our next destination, the Glendale home of Jeff and Carol Deeter that boasts a beautiful view of Universal Studios and the Valley.

Jeff and Carol pulled out all of the stops and served delicious chicken and tri-tip, homemade baked beans and salad, accompanied by mimosas that were constructed with a perfect champagne supplied by Pierre Lemieux. There were eating areas set up in the beautiful patio and inside the house and it was charming the way everyone mingled. The vertical wine tasting was conducted by the beautiful wall fountain with soothing water trickling down the stone wall.

After some members made a quick stop at a Christmas boutique right down the street, we were off to our final stop, the spectacular home of Rick Carron and George Widman, for an unbelievable assortment of delectable desserts. Rick and George arranged a beauteous display in the dining room accompanied by a special assortment of dessert wines, courtesy of Chairman Pierre Lemieux, in the butler’s pantry immediately adjacent. Two of the cakes were inscribed with the words of Henry Royce and the third cake was inscribed with the Rolls-Royce emblem. There was also a fruit tart, Diane Cerveny’s lemon dessert, an apple pie and apples for those healthy souls.

The home was incredible. It was built in 1915 and lovingly restored by Rick and George, who showed us the elevator that still works after a prior owner’s installation 35 years ago. There is a lovely garden room that looks out over the beautiful landscaping and many ponds and seating areas complete with statuary and a little bridge.

The sun was setting when we began to depart, thoroughly satiated. This was a perfect day, made more so because of the many members who came that we hadn’t seen in a while, the new members who attended and the continual mingling of the guests at all of the venues. Everyone agreed that this is an event that they would like to see repeated.

Huge thanks to past and current So Cal chairpersons Rick Carron, Diane and Gary Cerveny, Jeff and Carol Deeter and Pierre Lemeiux for hosting this fantastic day..

A delectable dessert

In Rick and George’s driveway

JANUARY 2014

TidbitsRolls-Royce Foundation FundraisingFrom Bill Rothermel, RRF

Recently, an email blast going to 4,000 RROC members and vendors netted $30,000.00 to the RRF treasury. The RRF received $15,000 for a NOS Silver Cloud body #009489 and $15,000 for a NOS Silver Dawn/R-Type body shell #B 007786; both of which were received as part of the donation from (Southern California Region) member David Morrison. Thanks to both David and the lucky bidders! The RRF would like to thank Michael Robbins for his initiative and help with this and other fundraising projects.

(Excerpted from the November online newsletter of the Rolls-Royce Foundation)

The November/December Cover of The Flying Lady

Brad Zemcik’s photo of “A World of Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motorcars” on the cover of the November/December issue of The Flying Lady is phenomenal and wonderfully creative. If you haven’t already seen it, make a point of doing so.

California Replica Legacy License PlatesFrom Steve Power-Fardy

The DMV is going to issue the replica plates for the periods below if at least one style gets 7,500 orders by January 1, 2015. Here is the tote board score as of mid-November. I am sending in my order for the yellow letters on a black background. I hope that we can make it but if not, the $50 prepaid money is returned to the applicants. Let’s get the word out to any club member that is thinking about getting these plates because every vote counts!!!

Karl BergstromSanta Ana

Ray RadaRedondo Beach

The gang at Rick and George’s

Hosts Rick Carron, George Widman, Gary and Diane Cerveny

Rick and George Presenting the RR Cake

So Cal Gastronomic Tour

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Willy HugronChairman’s Corner

JANUARY 2014

At the RR Villa with the Wraith

At Bentley House in 2013

The glam cars at The Quail - 2013

CONCOURS d’ ELEGANCE ATPEBBLE BEACH - MY WAY Part 1By Dr. John E. Glassco

I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ten out of the past twelve years running. I have worked at the Concours as a volunteer, first as a member of Nick Glazer’s Field Operations Team for several years before moving on to being a “Class Host” under the direction of Larry Walker and Paul Cain. I’ll tell you about the Class Hosting business shortly but first, I wanted to talk about the many events during “Pebble Week” as I have experienced them over the years.

The “Week” (actually five days) for me and my friend, fellow car guy and Pebble accomplice, Matt Hall (a Bentley owner), starts on Wednesday evening with the McCall’s “ M o t o r w o r k s Revival” kick-off event at the Monterey Jet Center. Put on by Gordon McCall, who is also the co-founder of “The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering”, the Revival brings together celebrities, food provided by Bernardus Lodge chefs, various spirits including free-flowing Roerderer Estate champagne, and many vintage vehicles and aircraft, all in the name of charity. This year

Aston Martin was heavily represented, celebrating its 50th year, while a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, in Tuxedo Black and with French Racing Blue accents, captured the crowd’s attention. Meanwhile, the classic cars were numerous, with a Ferrari 275 GTB, a 1967 Ford GT40, Steve McQueen’s old Jaguar XK-SS and more than a few Aston Martin DB5s

to name a few. Many additional exotic car manufacturers were also on hand displaying their latest and greatest, such as Bentley, Pagani, Lotus, and Maserati. Aircraft manufacturers were there as well including Honda Jet, Pilatus and Gulfstream that displayed their new G550, as well as aircraft purveyors Flight Ops and Global Aerospace. There was an F-18, a lovely updated and spiffed-up-to-the-max DC-3, and a vintage, perfectly restored B-25 to be ogled at. All-in-all, the inspiring

music, lots of booze, good food, “beautiful” people and plenty of eye candy for us “gearheads” made for an excellent evening and a great start for the upcoming few days!

On Thursday the Pebble Beach “Tour d’Élégance” takes place. This is a 50 (or so) mile drive that Concours entrants can take that includes segments of the “17-Mile Drive”, sometimes a spin around the Laguna Seca Raceway track, as was the case this year, and down PCH to Big Sur. It is important for the entrants because participation can make a difference in winning an award or not by giving the participant the “point edge” over a non-participant. The Tour starts early in the morning at the

Pebble Beach Polo Grounds and stops on Ocean Avenue in Carmel around noon for lunch. Seeing the cars come into Carmel under their own “steam” and observing them close-up is a thrill for everyone. I had the privilege of initially being on the tour as

an entrant’s co-rider with my good friend and fellow RROC member Harry Clark. Harry had entered his 1937 RR Phantom III with a body designed by deHavilland Aircraft and built by H J Mulliner, that once belonged to the famed WWII British General Bernard Montgomery. Harry, as a long-time participant, both as an entrant as well as a volunteer, taught me the “Pebble Beach ropes” and introduced me to the late, and truly great Craig Watrous, who, at the time, was Head of the Tour and of Field Operations for the Concours. He saw fit to “hire” me as a volunteer - thank you kindly, Harry! Later, I was a “pace car” driver and in another year, a “chase car” driver - handing out Tour posters and programs along the way.

Thursday evening is the reception/party put on by Jaguar where new models are unveiled, good food is eaten, great cocktails are imbibed and much dancing and reveling is done to “psychedelic” colored lights, strobes, and flashing mirror balls and the latest hip DJ-provided music at the resort’s Beach and Swim Club.

Friday is “Quail Day”. That is, “The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering”. This is, in my opinion, an event that rivals the Sunday Concours itself. It takes place at the “Quail Lodge and Golf Club” owned by Sir Michael Kadoorie. Sir Michael is a prominent Hong Kong businessman who also owns the Peninsula Hotel Group, including the Quail Lodge and Golf Club, and an electric generating company that supplies something like 75% of the electricity for Hong Kong. He is also an avid car collector and an all-around nice gentleman whom I’ve met several times through my activities for the Concours and who acts like he recognizes me, although I’m not sure he really does.

The Quail - 2013

John with Sir Michael Kadoorie, owner of The Quail Lodge

McCall’s Revival at the Monterey Jet Center

JANUARY 2014

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6)Anyway, this event really starts in the parking area, which is on the fairway of the Quail Golf Course, where one can see anything from a Bugatti Veyron, to all models of Bentley and Rollers (actually rather commonplace in these parts!), to a Ferrari 250GT California Spider SWB (that’s right!!) or 275GTB, to just about any exotic car you can imagine. Then, you enter the event gate itself where you become part of the ultimate garden party car event! Now in its eleventh year, this event combines the lush setting of the golf course nestled against the Santa Lucia mountain range with exceptional cuisine that is presented at multiple food stations, each with its own gourmet specialty and its own garden dining area, combined with the finest examples of vintage sporting automobiles. This limited event showcases a never-before-seen collection of legendary automobiles from around the world, including “Bespoke Astons”, the Great Ferraris, a salute to the Porsche 911, a “Retrospect to Lamborghini Automobiles”, A tribute to the California Mille, Peter Brock- designed cars, pre and post-war Sports and Racing cars, and, last year, featured Bugatti Veyrons.

Additionally, it offers exclusive model unveilings from several of the world’s premier luxury automakers including Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Audi, Cadillac, Bugatti, Jaguar, Porsche, Land Rover, Ferrari, McClaren, Koenigsegg, and Lamborghini to name a few. Some of these sponsors provide their cream-of-the-crop luxury cars to be sampled by guests on local roads. The event’s worldwide reputation is confirmed by its inclusion in the Louis Vuitton Classic Concours Award, a competition where a special team of judges attribute the award to a car chosen from the Best of Show winners at The Quail, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the Cavallino Classic, St. John Concours d’Elegance and the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

Friday night is really busy. There is the Gooding Auction Preview reception, held in the Gooding “Tent “ at the Polo Grounds, where one can view the cars being auctioned the following Saturday and Sunday evenings while sipping your favorite mixed drink or a nice vintage wine from the multiple “watering holes”, and enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres. Then it’s on to the Mercedes-Benz reception held in the Mercedes Pavilion at the Pebble Beach Lodge. Here one imbibes (more!!) mixed drinks, such as chocolate martinis (ya gotta be really careful of those little puppies, as I found out last year!) while listening and dancing, if one so desires, to the likes of Kool and the Gang and Chaka Kahn and viewing some fine MB’s both vintage and new. The Rolls-Royce evening reception at their “Villa”, which was located in various spectacular places around the area over the years, is where we finish up the evening, sampling more wonderful hot and cold finger foods (one cannot plan to maintain one’s ideal weight during this week!), any manner of fine libation (not thinking about tomorrow morning!), visit with the ever-present “Jet-Set” crowd (which seems to follow us around) and view the latest transportation offerings of Rolls-Royce.

(Please go to the RROC So Cal website at www.rroc-socal.com to read the complete article and view all of the photos. Part 2 will conclude in the February issue of The Spirit of Ecstasy.)

Cruisin’ at Bentley House in 2013

February Breakfast Rally Please join us in February at the Dish Restaurant in La Canada for our regional RROC member breakfast rally. See the February issue for the date of the rally. It is a fun, quick and inexpensive way to mingle with other RROC members from your area and get those incredible cars out on the road. We will meet in the parking lot so we will have a little time to admire our cars and then we will head inside for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Each member is responsible for their own bill.

Dish Restaurant is located just off the 210 freeway at 734 Foothill Blvd in La Canada. Dish has been voted several times as the best breakfast place in L.A. and Zagat raves that Dish restaurant is “...a triumph of down-home Americana.” After breakfast, if you have time, Bill Cronkhite will take us on a driving tour of the lovely scenery and estates of Flintridge. See you there!

Please RSVP to Pierre Lemieux at pierre48bentley@gmail.com or 760-408-0230.

SAINTS and SINNERS Oh dear. Our little Freddy’s usually good as gold, but he was sure a naughty little fellow over the holidays. Freddy had some catching up to do with his old friends on Fryman Road. He tied on a good one for New Year’s.

Freddy, “Our Little Sinner”

He’s probably just excited over the 2014 SAINTS and SINNERS October Fox Hunt. Don’t worry Hunters, Freddy will be back to his old self soon enough. But which will Freddy be? And most importantly, which will YOU be? Club members, get your rest and start planning NOW! It’s going to be a WILD and Unforgettable Hunt!!!

JANUARY 2014

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