Dragonfly Karma and James Dean

[i]by Simpson “Doc” Balaclava / Sweaty Helmet Racing, Club Lotus Northwest[/i]

[u]The plan[/u]
For the past few years I’ve been trying to find a mechanic for my Esprit who would look after all the little things and slowly get my car into top condition. These are things I have neither the time nor expertise to do myself. Although my regular mechanic does excellent work on major items, both he and his mechanics are far too busy with dozens of other cars for them to devote time and space to a myriad of minor items. Recently I’d heard about a shop called “Lotus Prepared by Claudius” in Cerritos, California, a fair bit south of downtown LA. Several people told me it was the best place for Esprits. Since Mark Velky was already going to the LA suburb of Chatsworth, I essentially hitched a ride south in his DeLorean and we made plans to visit not only Claudius but also the Petersen Automotive Museum and see other exotic car related sights. To add a bit of interest to the long trek through central California, I wanted to make a small detour and visit the site of James Dean’s accident. During the West Coast Lotus Meet this May, our touring group came close to this site although I was unaware of it at the time.
[u]The DeLorean[/u]
At this time I would like to say a few things about the metallic steed that would be taking us southward because even car enthusiasts know very little about the DeLorean. The DeLorean DMC-12 can be considered a true cousin of the Esprit: like the Espirt, it was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and the prototype and pilot cars were built alongside the Esprit at the Hethel plant (production cars were built in Northern Ireland). Just looking inside the DeLorean, the binnacle, console, and surrounding interior look similar to the Esprit. Not only that, many trim pieces, from the glove box cover to the digital clock, are identical to that on the Esprit. The gauge cluster isn’t as sporty as that of the Esprit, but it is complete and much better than that of a Porsche 928 or 944. This will probably surprise many Esprit owners, but my overall impression is that the build quality of the DeLorean, even in 1981, is superior to that of Esprits of that era. Only from 1988 onwards did Esprits start to have a proper fit and look commensurate with their price and performance. Despite having over 82,000 miles on it and being a daily driver, Mark’s DeLorean is essentially flawless mechanically and cosmetically. Unlike the mid-engine Esprit, the DeLorean has a rear mounted engine: a Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V-6. Although the PRV V-6 doesn’t have anywhere near the power of the Esprit’s 910 twincam, it does sound great: a rapid sporty burble that is always fun and is so much nicer than the nasty, unsophisticated, vulgar, hooligan punk bellow of American V-8s. Sitting in the DeLorean provides a surprising Tardis-like experience: despite being dimensionally close to the Esprit, the interior of the DeLorean is spacious. Spaciousness that probably exceeds that of a Lincoln Town Car, because the dash and the sides slope away from your seating position. In summary, it is a perfect touring car for our trip.

[u]The dragonfly[/u]
Things got off to a slow start on Saturday with me having a miserable lunch and Mark not being able to meet up and get underway until late in the afternoon. The trip south through Oregon was uneventful but went quickly, as there was enough car-talk between the two of us to make the hours fly by. I got to drive from Sutherlin, Oregon to our eventual stop for dinner in Yreka, California. Thanks to Lotus-designed handling and asymmetrical tire sizes, there was no hint of oversteer through the winding Siskiyous. We found a motel in Yreka, but all the nonsmoking rooms were taken, so each of us had to get a smoking room and still pay top dollar. Along with the late start, there was a general ambience to this trip of little things just not going right. However, that would soon change. Later the next morning, Sunday, we were stopping for gas – probably in Williams. As I was walking around the car in the station, Mark and I somewhat simultaneously noticed a dragonfly which had gotten caught in the headlight enclosure. It was a brilliant blue dragonfly. What’s more, it was alive. Obviously we hadn’t hit it while driving on the freeway, so that was good. But the dragonfly was not able to free itself – it would move its beautiful tail in an attempt to get free, but it was certainly stuck. Mark was able to push on the headlight enclosure to provide more space and I was able to very gently remove the dragonfly by grasping all four wings. As soon as the dragonfly was clear, I released it and it flew away. Wow – that was really great. We must’ve received very good karma for that, as everything went very well for the next few days.

[u]James Dean[/u]
As the daylight hours dwindle, Mark reminds me that we may be tempting fate by driving a silver car into the September sunset towards the intersection of highways 46 and 41 near Cholame. But this time the geometry of the intersection is different than in 1955 and, indeed, highway 46 has been rerouted slightly from its original path as highway 466. At the intersection there is nothing special, just a sign that says “James Dean Memorial Junction”. That’s it? I’m disappointed. But Mark remembers a documentary that showed a memorial and a tree. Well, the only trees are about 3/4 of a mile to the west, so that’s where we go. Yes, the dragonfly karma is with us and there is the memorial, erected by Japanese businessman Seita Ohnishi. Someone has placed a nicely drawn image of James Dean at the base of the memorial and even during the short time we were there, five other people arrived. I don’t know much about James Dean other than he showed early talent in racing much like fellow actors Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Here’s a tidbit of information not many people know: James Dean was interested in racing a Lotus Mk. X (ten), but since delivery of the Lotus would be delayed he got the Porsche 550 first.

[u]La Ciudad de los Angeles[/u]
We arrive in LA later that Sunday evening. Actually, we are in Calabasas, in the San Fernando Valley near Chatsworth. The motel we’re at is very elegant, has a pool, and seems to be host to the Hot Chicks Mercedes Club this week, so I give it five stars. The plan for the next few days is that we will visit Claudius on Monday and the Petersen museum on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Mark has an appointment with his DeLorean mechanic, where his already 98-point car will be transformed into a 100-point car over the next few months. During all this time, I keep track of how many exotic cars I will see on the road on this trip. We are already several days into it and so far all I’ve seen is a DeLorean. Apparently through some Invasion of the Body Snatchers influence, nearly everyone in California drives a Nissan 2.5 Altima.

[u]Lotuses[/u]
On Monday morning we first visit a Jaguar/Lotus dealership. I’d like to get another car, something with an animal on it other than a rabbit. The Jags are nice, but we do have to check out the Exige in the showroom. After the usual introductions and banter, we hear what probably everyone knows by now: that the new Exige will be coming to the U.S. with a supercharger. That does change the game quite a bit, doesn’t it? Of course, it will be more expensive than the current Exige, but now there will be a much better differentiation between the Elise and Exige in the U.S. After bidding the dealership farewell, we head off to Cerritos on I-405, or, as they say in Southern California’s [i]Hundsprache[/i], “the 405”. Traffic is moving along reasonably well, but not too quickly. Then I suddenly realize we can use the carpool lane! As a single guy with no friends, I never get to use the carpool lane. Clearly, this revelation comes from yesterday’s good karma and we zip along quickly through heavier traffic towards the shop in Cerritos.

[u]Lotus Prepared by Claudius[/u]
Shortly after arrival, we are met by Jason and his father, Detlef. The shop is a welcome site and I see several S2 Esprits inside and several newer ones parked outside. Also tucked among the Esprits is a Climax Elite undergoing restoration. In addition to the cars are engines, suspension components, frames, and fiberglass molds. Jason and I spend a good deal of time talking about what I would like done with my car and what they are capable of doing at the shop. I am very happy with what I see and am convinced this is exactly the kind of place I’ve been looking for all these years. Now all I have to do is write up what I’d like done on my car for this first pass and then get it to them.

[u]Ferraris[/u]
The trip back to Calabasas is reasonably quick, again thanks to the carpool lane. Driving back on “the” 405, I marvel at how little has actually changed in the 25 years since I last lived in this place. Sure, new buildings have appeared, but what surprises me the most is how much I recognize that is totally unchanged. We go to a Ferrari dealership in the hope that they will have some of the classic cars there, such as a 250 GT Lusso, a TdF, or, for my tastes, anything with a front engine V-12. That was expecting a bit much, for what they had were the usual 360’s, 430’s, a 612, and, my favorite, a 355 which I could conceivably afford. Hmmm. I’d like to get another car, something with an animal on it other than a rabbit. In the early evening before dinner, Mark spends several hours examining his car like a demanding concours judge and prepares a list of work he would like done. During this time I help out by sitting at a sidewalk cafe at a very fashionable outdoor mall watching all the pretty girls walk by.

[u]The Petersen Automotive Museum[/u]
Tuesday we head off and travel along Santa Monica Blvd. and then through Beverly Hills on our much-anticpated visit to the Petersen museum on Wilshire and Fairfax. During the 25-plus years I lived in the LA area, I came through here thousands of times and it basically looks unchanged, though now I look at it from a perspective of almost 25 years later. When I last lived here, nothing about it was special. In fact, it was an ordeal. Now, from the comfort of being only a visitor, I can see the charm of the area. The museum occupies a large city block, has three floors of exhibits, and has its own parking structure. You can easily spend an entire day here looking at all the cars and exhibits related to the automobile. One of the first things that surprised me was a Helms Bakery truck, which I thought I’d never see again. We lived a few miles from the Helms bakery in Culver City and I remember the sound of the truck’s whistle and the smell of fresh bread as it came through the neighborhood. Two more big surprises among the museum’s collection were a Mercedes C111 and the Chrysler Turbine Car! The most memorable part of the visit was when the museum management and staff graciously honored Mark’s request to see the special gold plated DeLorean. It has 0 miles on it. Leaving is always best when there’s a desire to return and see more, so the Petersen museum remains a favorite attraction.

[u]Heritage Classics[/u]
There was one more automotive-related place to visit: Heritage Classics on Santa Monica Blvd, just east of Doheny. They had a good number of beautiful older cars, Jaguars, Maseratis, and a 246 Dino that is going to make someone very happy. I remember the day when I could’ve bought five of these and still had change. Now, their value is so high they can’t be touched by mere mortals. Looking at what I could actually afford that day, I went into the attached bookstore. Mark found some good Lotus books and I scored a few gems: a book on Giugiaro and a book on the Coventry Climax engine.

[u]The End[/u]
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Mark would drop his car off at his longtime mechanic’s shop and then fly home; I would go on to other journeys in the area before returning home several days later. As the afternoon sun dipped lower we headed back to Calabasas. There, Mark once again resumed his concourse judge duties and I returned to the outdoor mall and its attractions. Life presents us with these challenges and we must do our best to face them without complaint.

[i]SB[/i]