46: ONLY IN LA — THE PERFECT TIME KILLER

GOT A FEW HOURS TO WASTE IN LA? VAUGHAN WILSON HAS THE PERFECT TIME KILLER FOR YOU!

Detroit may be the Motor City, the original home of car design and manufacturing, but California is the home of true classic car design, hot rods, car culture, and car shows. Perhaps this is due to the weather, the fact it has the largest population of any state, the lack of public transport (especially in LA), the fact that the car is an integral part of life, or perhaps the wealth, liberalism, and progressive nature of the California lifestyle. Whatever it is, California, and, more important, LA, is where the car culture of the US is the most dynamic.

Near the Orange County Airport (John Wayne Airport) in South LA is a truly must-see car facility. The Crevier Classic Cars collection is a multiuse operation providing free museum access to anyone who comes to visit. It starts with a beautifully designed entrance with meeting rooms and reception rooms. It can be rented for functions, weddings, and the like and is adorned with antique pedal cars, a classic 1956 T-bird, Coke machines, and pool tables. From here, there are large door openings into the main museum. Apart from a function centre, the main purposes of the Crevier facility are as a car museum for viewing by the public, many of which are owned by Mr Crevier himself; a sales facility, where you can view vehicles for sale; and a storage facility for people who need somewhere for their treasured vehicle to be cared for.

When I visited, there were vehicles of all descriptions, both of European and American descent, either for sale, in storage, or owned by Crevier. From the old continent, vehicles included numerous BMWs (Crevier was a BMW dealer), Porsches, including two incredibly expensive 918 Hypercars, and a replica 356 Spider similar to that which James Dean was driving when he was killed in 1955. Germanic vehicles also included the rare Mercedes McLaren and several super rare VWs, including a 21-window Kombi. From the UK was a pair of Jaguar XK140s and numerous Rolls-Royces. For the American vehicle enthusiast, there was a plethora of old and new, modified and original, sports, utilitarian, and passenger vehicles. There were woodies of all descriptions, more than I had ever seen in one location and from numerous manufacturers such as Chrysler, Ford, Packard, and Buick. All were in great condition, including a 1942 Ford Super De Luxe and a 1940 Packard 110. Three cars that really stood out for me were a 1956 Lincoln Continental two-door, a 1937 Studebaker

THERE WAS A PLETHORA OF OLD AND NEW, MODIFIED AND ORIGINAL, SPORTS, UTILITARIAN, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES

pickup in immaculate condition, and a 1936 Terraplane Series 61 panel delivery van built by Hudson. The Lincoln was like a T-bird of the same year but bigger — in every way — it even had air conditioning in the ceiling. I have never seen a restomod of this vehicle, perhaps because they are so rare and expensive, but it would be so cool. The lines and stance read, ‘Get out of my way or I’ll kill you’, and being clothed in black further enhanced its mafia-like presence.

The Studebaker is my favourite of the 1930s pickups. Rare in New Zealand and the US, this is another that would look good with some modern technology, lowered stance, and shiny wheels. The long sculptured bonnet (or hood, given its location) gives it a slipstream-like shape that challenges all others to keep up.

Lastly, the Terraplane is a very rare beast. Built from 1932 to 1938, they were inexpensive at the time but known for their superior power from a 212ci six-cylinder rated at 88hp. You could just imagine moonshiners racing across county lines avoiding the local sheriff while making their deliveries. They wanted US$165K for this example, but it was so cool, and, with a sympathetic upgrade, it could be the bestlooking RV in New Zealand.

So, if you are looking for something different to do in LA and have a couple of hours to kill, I can highly recommend Crevier Classic Cars. The inventory is always changing, and it provides a fantastic opportunity to see something different from the norm, something different from the masses, and something different to what most can afford.

YOU COULD JUST IMAGINE MOONSHINERS RACING ACROSS COUNTY LINES AVOIDING THE LOCAL SHERIFF