Dualing Cobras at Dawn...

RedBarchetta · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:35 PM

The PMs flew on Friday..."C&C (Cars & Coffee) Irvine tomorrow?"..."Yup."..."What time?"..."I'm leaving my house at 6:00am." I could tell by Rodney's response that he had some hesitation to leave a comfortable, warm bed at that early hour. But I convinced him that the place was filling up early lately.

So we met up at the usual rendezvous point, the local Taco Bell parking lot, around 6:15am. Rodney was already sitting there in his deep blue Superformance roadster and chiding me for being late. Yeah, right! We quickly headed for the freeway on-ramp.

Thundering down the 55 Freeway toward the beach, the cool air bit at our faces. I was in layers and had my gloves, while Rodney wore a simple hooded sweatshirt. Air temp was in the low to mid 50's. As we were driving side by side just hovering at the 80mph mark, at one moment he gave me this look as if to say, "I can't believe you keep talking me into this!" I started to laugh my azz off and caught a smile from his frozen face. We pressed on in the darkness, two Cobras dueling down the wide five lane freeway. A rare sight indeed for those that were warm and cozy in their enclosed sedans and pick-up trucks. We were cold under the stars but we were having a blast...pure freedom.

Right before our exit, I downshifted and Rodney heard my pipes roar as I put a little distance on him. It was time to announce our arrival to those that were already in the C&C parking lot adjacent to the freeway. I lifted after about 4-5 seconds in 4th gear, knowing all too well that starting at 75 and on it for that length of time could only mean I was deep into triple digits. As I lifted for the exit, I could hear Rodney's SPF behind me announcing the same intentions.

We played nice while entering the lot ("Good morning, officer!") and found a great parking spot side by side. A spectator came up to me and asked if that was us a minute before roaring down the freeway? I smiled.

There among the Lambo's, the one Enzo that showed up late, the countless musclecars and even some very old classics, these two cars held their own. We also met up with two other SPF owners, along with Brian and his fire breathing 800+ HP FE powered B&B.

The ride back was in the sun and a whole lot more comfortable. Say what you want about Kalifornia, but we're usually blessed with awesome weather and a tremendous selection of classic and exotic cars year-round.

Keep the shiny side up,

-Dean

Got the Bug · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:42 PM

Sounds like a great morning Dean!

My dad and brother live down in Newport Beach and we took his 65 Mustang Convertible to the C&C event in Irvine in May. Fun get together with lots of great cars to see.

Silverback51 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 04:42 AM

"The ride back was in the sun and a whole lot more comfortable. Say what you want about Kalifornia, but we're usually blessed with awesome weather and a tremendous selection of classic and exotic cars year-round."

That's okay Dean. We have the grey skies, cold, and rain here.

*13* · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:39 AM

It is strange that we can walk outside at 5:30 in the morning in, late Oct, in shorts & a Tshirt. I'm not sure it's so right but it can be nice

Sounds like a nice Gathering! You ever go up to La Canada on Sat mornings? It's the same type gathering. Great cars from old trucks to supercars.

209 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:56 AM

Hi Dean,
Awesome, simply awesome! I can visualize you two on the freeway.

Cliff

kobrabytes · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Thundering down the 55 Freeway toward the beach, the cool air bit at our faces. I was in layers and had my gloves, while Rodney wore a simple hooded sweatshirt. Air temp was in the low to mid 50's. As we were driving side by side just hovering at the 80mph mark, at one moment he gave me this look as if to say, "I can't believe you keep talking me into this!" I started to laugh my azz off and caught a smile from his frozen face.

-Dean

On the 6th of October is was 32 degrees driving out to Kirkham track day....

WIMPS, 50 degrees... You have no idea...

RedBarchetta · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobrabytes

WIMPS, 50 degrees... You have no idea...

My balls are calibrated for 40 and above. You win.

RedBarchetta · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

My dad and brother live down in Newport Beach.

Doug, next time you're down here give me a heads-up and we'll meet at C&C and then head out for breakfast afterwards.

-Dean

flipscobra · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 08:38 AM

It was pretty nice in Ga for a ride bout 58 degrees at 8 am we cruised to Hutchinson Island for the Hilton head Tour Deelagance road course there were 5 cobras there. We got to do about 12 pace laps but on the straight aways were up to about 120 mph pretty fast pace laps, it was ablast. We had 2 spf an 3 ffr's one was a Daytona coupe. If you are ever in Ga this time of the year come bye you will have a great time. When we left it was about 80 degrees

rodneym · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 09:57 AM

Jeez, Dean. I never knew you were so poetic. Maybe you should consider some automotive writing!
The trip down was awesome. The crisp air and clear, pre dawn sky...

On the way down we passed by a Tundra truck. As you passed him, the driver and passenger were pointing at you. As I passed him, the driver looked over with a "What the ....?" expression on his face

Safe travels.
rodneym

lovehamr · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:37 AM

Dean, great story man!

Flip, was that (Hutchinson Island) today? BTW, I'll be in Savannah at about 2:30.

Steve

Got the Bug · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Doug, next time you're down here give me a heads-up and we'll meet at C&C and then head out for breakfast afterwards.

-Dean

Will do. I get down that way pretty often.