In December I got the chance to do a conference in LA and piggyback a bit of a flydrive holiday onto the back. LA to San Diego. Why not San Francisco? Weather is nicer down south so I stayed in the southern part.
It didn't take long before I got to see my first cool American icon in its natural environment. Missing hubcap, owner eating Burger World fayre, probably a straight six and yet, just effortless perfection
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/007a_zpsbd7b119d.jpg)
Talking of Mustangs, I managed to charm myself an upgrade from Alamo. Quick tip, always book US car hire from the UK. It's dirt cheap booking from the UK but once in the US it's very expensive.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/011a_zpsc11d10c7.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/012a_zpsb6f27967.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/014a_zpsfeaea0e8.jpg)
WTF! No V8 but a V6! Wondered why it didn't sound grunty. Still in reality it's still 300 odd bhp and I was paying for petrol. Can't complain.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/013a_zps02896b68.jpg)
An interesting feature of this Mustang is that if you close the door with the keys in the ignition - at the ticket machine for Santa Monica Pier car park in the rain with no jacket or phone for example - the central locking kicks in.
Still if you're going to do that, might as well be at the beginning of Route 66
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/024a_zpsbe88d069.jpg)
On the other hand, and of much more use in the US as we all know from the cinema, if you get kidnapped and locked in the boot of your car, there's a glow in the dark emergency pull to get you out.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/mustang_zps2f9837a9.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/015a_zpsec1ba216.jpg)
An interesting phenomenon I'd never considered, while '70s American muscle cars look a bit (or a lot!) oversized on UK roads, in California, they look a bit small since the roads and street furniture are proportionally even larger
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/040a_zpse6fba74a.jpg)
Tiddly, fits in the parking space with room to spare.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/041a_zps3ce3e7b4.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/042a_zps5ee52ddb.jpg)
A lot of the emergency vehicles have christmassy stuff.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/047a_zps201da9c6.jpg)
Thunderbird
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/054a_zps606d8121.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/056a_zpsdbb7268f.jpg)
Porsche and Bently, the OC.
As soon as I stopped, as if by magic, a salesman appeared. Phazed him a bit by asking about the rear light lenses being amber. Y'know from the VW fraternity how the US Cal lookers retro-fitted amber rear lights while the Euro cal-lookers (and my Minor) added US red rear lamps. So what's going on with the amber lights at the rear please, why aren't they red? No answer was forthcoming. My theory is that California highways dept is run by '60s hippies - polluting V8s bad, lamp colours - hey we're from psychedelia man![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/076a_zps122d3a25.jpg)
One for Area 52
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/077a_zps4b63b939.jpg)
Used as an advert for an army surplus store. Stocked up on an M65 jacket (where did they all go!?) and some MREs for camping or Teotwawki.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/079a_zpsa7782637.jpg)
Winter, SoCal style
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/080a_zps165a3609.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/081a_zpsc7cb2526.jpg)
It's the psychadelic transport hippies again, with their eco-beach cruiser
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/083a_zpsa84fed54.jpg)
Actually, just looked up the link - might have found this summer's auto fashion item bling valve caps..
![](http://cruisercandy.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/jet.jpg)
![](http://cruisercandy.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/light-blue.jpg)
cruisercandy.com/products-page/bling-bling/aurora-borealis-crystal-valve-caps/
This is more like it, Police bikes with riot stick and pistol-grip shotguns
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/086a_zps75d3171f.jpg)
Okay, back to cars (Palm Springs now, full of old people and old cars)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/100a_zpsd3cd32de.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/101a_zpse0ce2b9b.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/102a_zps24f27ee1.jpg)
A Cadillac, why of course sir, yours for $4000
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/103a_zps3ff127e6.jpg)
A bit too subtle, how about red - just $6500
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/104a_zps0b196022.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/105a_zps2707ee9b.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/106a_zps422e4ec2.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/107a_zps5558ab4e.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/108a_zps8a4083dd.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/110a_zps434c7fc3.jpg)
Acceptable in the '80s
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/112a_zps54bd00ac.jpg)
This is my Borss, Jonathon Hart..
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/113a_zps3c96c5c8.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/114a_zps8d664111.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/115a_zps7a3dc6ed.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/117a_zps0c92b731.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/116a_zps6c2f195a.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/119a_zpse79bacfb.jpg)
My favourite car of this trip '65 (I think) Riviera
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/120a_zps3fefc919.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/121a_zps5bf79752.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/122a_zps490d4ba3.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/123a_zps8ecc23a4.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/124a_zpsf95f464c.jpg)
Back in the days when cars came complete with their very own time-tunnel
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/125a_zps3e6ada9d.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/126a_zps3b0d57e4.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/127a_zps89f675c8.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/128a_zps6a996a78.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/129a_zps1bc45da2.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/131a_zps3f24f825.jpg)
"And there goes the Challenger - bein chased by the blue blue meanies on wheels"
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/131a_zps3f24f825.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/132a_zps644280c2.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/133a_zps49f03a94.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/134a_zps87df5ff9.jpg)
They look so wrong unchopped imo
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/135a_zpsd5ac1034.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/136a_zpsad194601.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/137a_zps237e5519.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/138a_zpsd88f373f.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/139a_zps49bc203f.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/140a_zpseea1bf87.jpg)
It didn't take long before I got to see my first cool American icon in its natural environment. Missing hubcap, owner eating Burger World fayre, probably a straight six and yet, just effortless perfection
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/007a_zpsbd7b119d.jpg)
Talking of Mustangs, I managed to charm myself an upgrade from Alamo. Quick tip, always book US car hire from the UK. It's dirt cheap booking from the UK but once in the US it's very expensive.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/011a_zpsc11d10c7.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/012a_zpsb6f27967.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/014a_zpsfeaea0e8.jpg)
WTF! No V8 but a V6! Wondered why it didn't sound grunty. Still in reality it's still 300 odd bhp and I was paying for petrol. Can't complain.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/013a_zps02896b68.jpg)
An interesting feature of this Mustang is that if you close the door with the keys in the ignition - at the ticket machine for Santa Monica Pier car park in the rain with no jacket or phone for example - the central locking kicks in.
Still if you're going to do that, might as well be at the beginning of Route 66
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/024a_zpsbe88d069.jpg)
On the other hand, and of much more use in the US as we all know from the cinema, if you get kidnapped and locked in the boot of your car, there's a glow in the dark emergency pull to get you out.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/mustang_zps2f9837a9.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/015a_zpsec1ba216.jpg)
An interesting phenomenon I'd never considered, while '70s American muscle cars look a bit (or a lot!) oversized on UK roads, in California, they look a bit small since the roads and street furniture are proportionally even larger
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/040a_zpse6fba74a.jpg)
Tiddly, fits in the parking space with room to spare.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/041a_zps3ce3e7b4.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/042a_zps5ee52ddb.jpg)
A lot of the emergency vehicles have christmassy stuff.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/047a_zps201da9c6.jpg)
Thunderbird
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/054a_zps606d8121.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/056a_zpsdbb7268f.jpg)
Porsche and Bently, the OC.
As soon as I stopped, as if by magic, a salesman appeared. Phazed him a bit by asking about the rear light lenses being amber. Y'know from the VW fraternity how the US Cal lookers retro-fitted amber rear lights while the Euro cal-lookers (and my Minor) added US red rear lamps. So what's going on with the amber lights at the rear please, why aren't they red? No answer was forthcoming. My theory is that California highways dept is run by '60s hippies - polluting V8s bad, lamp colours - hey we're from psychedelia man
![:)](http://storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/076a_zps122d3a25.jpg)
One for Area 52
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/077a_zps4b63b939.jpg)
Used as an advert for an army surplus store. Stocked up on an M65 jacket (where did they all go!?) and some MREs for camping or Teotwawki.
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/079a_zpsa7782637.jpg)
Winter, SoCal style
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/080a_zps165a3609.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/081a_zpsc7cb2526.jpg)
It's the psychadelic transport hippies again, with their eco-beach cruiser
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/083a_zpsa84fed54.jpg)
Actually, just looked up the link - might have found this summer's auto fashion item bling valve caps..
![](http://cruisercandy.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/jet.jpg)
![](http://cruisercandy.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/light-blue.jpg)
cruisercandy.com/products-page/bling-bling/aurora-borealis-crystal-valve-caps/
This is more like it, Police bikes with riot stick and pistol-grip shotguns
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/086a_zps75d3171f.jpg)
Okay, back to cars (Palm Springs now, full of old people and old cars)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/100a_zpsd3cd32de.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/101a_zpse0ce2b9b.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/102a_zps24f27ee1.jpg)
A Cadillac, why of course sir, yours for $4000
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/103a_zps3ff127e6.jpg)
A bit too subtle, how about red - just $6500
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/104a_zps0b196022.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/105a_zps2707ee9b.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/106a_zps422e4ec2.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/107a_zps5558ab4e.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/108a_zps8a4083dd.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/110a_zps434c7fc3.jpg)
Acceptable in the '80s
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/112a_zps54bd00ac.jpg)
This is my Borss, Jonathon Hart..
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/113a_zps3c96c5c8.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/114a_zps8d664111.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/115a_zps7a3dc6ed.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/117a_zps0c92b731.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/116a_zps6c2f195a.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/119a_zpse79bacfb.jpg)
My favourite car of this trip '65 (I think) Riviera
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/120a_zps3fefc919.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/121a_zps5bf79752.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/122a_zps490d4ba3.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/123a_zps8ecc23a4.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/124a_zpsf95f464c.jpg)
Back in the days when cars came complete with their very own time-tunnel
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/125a_zps3e6ada9d.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/126a_zps3b0d57e4.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/127a_zps89f675c8.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/128a_zps6a996a78.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/129a_zps1bc45da2.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/131a_zps3f24f825.jpg)
"And there goes the Challenger - bein chased by the blue blue meanies on wheels"
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/131a_zps3f24f825.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/132a_zps644280c2.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/133a_zps49f03a94.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/134a_zps87df5ff9.jpg)
They look so wrong unchopped imo
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/135a_zpsd5ac1034.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/136a_zpsad194601.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/137a_zps237e5519.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/138a_zpsd88f373f.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/139a_zps49bc203f.jpg)
![](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z231/dp_pictures/California2012_12/140a_zpseea1bf87.jpg)