Los Gatos Ferrari License Plate Frame (Restored)

So one day while attending my Auto Body Collision Repair class at Modesto Junior College a couple years back, I went out to the parking lot with another student in my class to look at his BMW. The first thing I saw on it, well it nothing to do with BMW. I saw the front license plate frame and got surprised. On the front was a Los Gatos Ferrari License Plate Frame. So I asked where he got it. He proceeds to tell me that his mother had bought the car from the dealership back in the early '90s and that both frames were still on the car. Well of course I just couldn't hold back, so I asked him if he would be interested in selling me the set. He turned me down. So I offered him $100. He still turned me down as he wanted to keep them with the car. I was little bit bummed, but was understanding about his reasoning. I then told him, "If you ever want to sell them, I'll buy them from you".

Fast forward about a year!

Still in the same courses at the college, we had another class together. Well one day he asks me, "You still interested in buying my license plate frames?" I about crapped myself. Well of course I'm still interested! So I asked what he wanted for them. He tells me he like $75 for them as he needed to pay his cell phone bill. So as soon as class was out, we ran over and I paid the bill myself. We got back and both Frames were now mine. SWEET!

Now here is how they got restored. I had got them home and cleaned them up with some 000 Steel Wool, and they cleaned up real nice. But I was unsure of how to paint the color back into them. So I called my buddy Rob, who just so happens to be an owner of a very nice "85 308 GTSi QV. Well I told him that I got them as I had mentioned in conversation with him after I had first saw them. He at that point told me that if I did get them, He would pay me whatever I paid for them for just one of them. He wanted it for his Ferrari. So when I called him about them this time, he was happy as could be. He said that his 308 was originally sold at that dealership, so having a plate frame would add a bonus touch to the car. He then said he could paint them as he had done it before. So a few weeks later, when I was able to get over to his house, I dropped them off. A few weeks later when I could get back over to pick up my frame, I was happy too. I had this cool historic Ferrari piece in my collection. So Here are all the photos of the frames. ENJOY! And thank you for reading my blog.

With all the road grime and dead bugs.

After being cleaned and shined with 000 Steel Wool

After Paint! 1 On the 308. Other is mine.

My Vintage Blue Racing Jacket with Autographs

For several years while doing my usual thrift shopping, I was always on the lookout to find a Race Track Jacket. When I say several years, I had been looking for at least 15-20 years to find one. Then one day I found one on the rack. I looked at it, took a second look since I wanted to be sure it was what I was seeing. Then I check the size and looked it over. It had some very minor issues, but they were things that didn't bother me. Then the inside was something I just had to look at again. The fake fur inside the jacket matched the color on the outside. Sweet! The is jacket is awesome! So I take it of the hanger and try it on. And yes it actually fit me. So then I check the price. $4.00! In the cart it went.

After actually wearing this jacket on several occasions, such as a car show here and there. as well as to Laguna Seca when I was a volunteer in the paddock. Then one day in January 2012, I was checking the information for the Sacramento Autorama event up in Sacramento, California. So since it was winter, I decided to wear the jacket to the show. I had no idea that I would be getting it signed by anyone. Then after coming across Gene Winfield, I decided to ask if he would sign the jacket for me. He obliged my request. Sweet! After that I was talked into buying his logo patch to ad to the jacket on the opposite front side. I wasn't really talked into it! He suggested it and I just had to buy it since he had signed the jacket. Then of course Since I had a friend with me, I asked him to shoot a pic while it was being signed.

Gene Winfield Signs my Jacket

With the Shop Logo patch
(For some reason when I loaded
this pic to my hosting site, it keeps
turning it sideways. So I gave up and
left it that way)

After getting the jacket signed, I decided to ask Gene if he would do a somewhat interview for my YouTube Channel. Once again, he obliged my request. So again I asked my friend to hold the camera for me. And off we went. No prior thought process. I just started and off we went with the interview. For not knowing what I was doing, Gene sure did. It made my part, which wasn't much, a lot easier to do. Now every once in a while I ask a famous person when I run across them to say a little something for my channel. Now if I could just get around to editing all this stuff and get it on the channel. But this is about the jacket, so check out the photos below, and more of the story.

For several months I had put the jacket away after adding the patch to it. Then one day I had decided to make a run to Southern California to visit my parents as they had just moved back from Arizona. While planning it the visit, I noticed that the Bo Huff Rockabilly Extravaganza was going to be taking place on that very same weekend. SWEET! But that's not all! They were to be having a few well known car builders there as special guests. John D'Agostino, whom I had met also at the Sacramento Autorama, and also had run into several times in town while having lunch was to be there. George Barris, The King of Kustoms was also invited as a special guest. Then Gene Winfield was to have been there as well. So I made sure to bring my Blue Track Jacket with me to get more signatures.

When I made the trip to visit my parents, My father ended up spending the entire time in the hospital. But on the day of the show, I wanted to get away so I wouldn't go crazy just sitting in the waiting room doing nothing. So I went to the show. After walking around taking some photos, I ran into John and George at their booth. Since I had been talking to John more and more when he was in town, I decided to hang out for a bit. It was rather cool to be able to do so. I was there with two of the worlds most famous custom car builders. In the car world, and as a guy that loves cars and is trying to get into the custom car building trade, this was an opportunity that I just had to take. So I took it. While John was busy doing what he needed to do, I just sat down and chilled for a bit chatting with Mr. Barris. It was a good time for me hanging out with him too. This will more than likely never happen again. He is cool gentleman that is a car guy that is really enjoying his life at his good old age too.

When the right time came, I decided to ask John to sign the jacket. When I say "the right time", I didn't want to be bothering him about doing it when he was busy. So he signed it! After a bit he had helped me to get Mr. Barris to sign it as well. It was cool ! I had 2 more signatures on the jacket. But what about Bo Huff? This was his show and I wanted him to sign it too. When he came around, I got his attention and he also signed it for me. The only thing though, I didn't have my camera on me. DANG IT! Oh well. I got a photo with Bo later on. So to complete the story, at least for now as I hope to get more signatures on it by other Custom Car Builders, I will just say to check out the rest of the photos. THANK YOU for reading my blog!
Please check out my other photos and my YouTube channel for some cool cars, racing action, and well, more cars.

John D'Agostino Signing my Jacket

Johnny D's Signature!

Me with Johnny D and his Aussie Cousins
Pretty cool to be asked to be in his family photo!

George Barris Signing my Jacket

George Barris' Signature.
He always has to be at the top!

Me and Mr. George Barris

Bo Huff's Signature

Mr Huff & Me

Check out these websites to know more about these builders -

http://genewinfield.org/

http://www.barris.com/

http://celebritykustoms.com/

http://www.shopbohuffcustoms.com/

Check out these websites to know more about the events attended -

http://www.rodshows.com/

http://rockabilly66.com/

Elapsed Time Magazine Signed by Tom McEwen

While attending the March at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California for the first time, Hanging out selling items from his Hobbie store was Tom McEwen. I didn't get to his booth on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. When I finally got to his booth, I wanted to be sure to get this magazine signed as I had brought it with me, just in case. I was unsure of who would be at this event being that I had never been to it before. So when the opportunity arose, I went over and got it signed. Besides that, Mr. McEwen gave me a sticker that is a movie promotion for the new Snake & Mongoose Movie that will be released in September. I cant wait to see it. I also picked up a small poster sheet that promotes the movie as well. So be sure to visit the movies facebook page and check it out so you too can be updated on the film. I sure did! - https://www.facebook.com/snakeandmongoose - Also, if you are ever in Southern California for a visit to Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm, or whatever you are doing, be sure to stop in at Tom McEwen's hobbie shop which is also in Anaheim, or visit the website - http://www.prestigehobbies.com/ -

When I get my photos from the event uploaded, I will be sure to add my photos of me with Mr. Tom "Mongoose" McEwen to this blog. Thank you for checking it out. Feel free to comment and share.

Elapsed Times - Signed by Tom McEwen

Movie Promotional Flyer

Movie Promotional Sticker

Tom McEwen's Business Card

Check out these pages for more information -

http://www.famosoraceway.com/

http://www.snakeandmongoosemovie.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_McEwen_(drag_racer)

http://www.prestigehobbies.com/

Solid Cast Model A Ford Coupe

So far I have been posting some items in my collection of which I have purchased when doing my usual Thrift Hunting. Well here is another piece to add to that. One store I hit, which yesterday I actually didn't find anything, I was looking through their shelving full of the usual junk items and came to find this Model A Ford which looks to be made of solid cast aluminum. As soon as I saw it, I grabbed it and put it in my basket. I guess I'm just a sucker for cool automobilia. So check out the photo of it. I may eventually take a photo of the back side of it and post it on here. Also, hopefully in my next addition to the blog I can post something a little better than just a thrift store find. HMMMMM!

Full Face Motorcycle Helmet - AVON Cologne Bottle

One day doing my usual thrift store hunting, which seems to be what I do a lot lately, I came across this Helmet Cologne Bottle. After looking at it with all the decals still on it, I just had to have it. It reminded me of the Cafe Racer style that I have grown to like in the past 5 or 6 years. Anyhow, here's a picture of it, and when I dig it out of the box it packed up in, I will update this blog with some better photos. THANKS FOR READING!

Model A Ford Coupe Painting

A few weeks ago I was doing my usual thrift store hunting. I happened to find this really cool Model A Ford Coupe Painting on the shelf. I looked at the price and was a little hesitant, but for some reason I just couldn't pass it up. It was as you see in my photo, all framed up and ready to be in my collection of automobilia. The artists name on it is a little unique design, and a little hard to read, but it looks to have been painted by a Marrie Penrose. Not sure if she is a local artist or not, but the painting is pretty well done. THANK YOU for reading and checking out my blog.

Ferrari Flag Thrift Store find.

About 3 weeks ago I had to work up in Stockton, California for a few days. I don't get to Stockton very often, even though it's only a short 30 minute drive, but since I was there I figured i would have to visit at least one while I was there. One of the store I visited I hadn't been to in a few years. I usually always find something good whether it be something I sell on eBay, or something to add to my automobilia collection. Well on this visit, I just so happened to run through all of the bedding and table linens and came across this. I just couldn't believe it! The last time I found a Ferrari Flag at a thrift store was over 15 years ago, I still have that one. I'll post that sometime. But for now, here is this one.

Fast and Furious Frisbee

Since the recent film was released, Fast & Furious 6, I just figured I would go ahead and throw this up on the blog. I got this a few years back when attending a Goodguys Car Show in Pleasanton, California. A San Francisco Radio Station was on site getting people to sign up for a give away for a car, and this is what I ended up with. This mini Frisbee that was being given away to promote the Fast 5 movie. Why not keep it! It's car related. THANK YOU for looking!

Signed Mario Andretti Driver Card

Several years ago I had read that Mario Andretti was going to be at a Goodguys Rod and Custom show in Pleasanton, California. I had always been a fan of Ferrari and had on many occasions attended, and still do attend the Goodguys Rod and Custom events. Why Not! It's only about 30 minutes from home, and I love cars. So when this opportunity presented itself, I decided to go and see if I could meet him and get something signed. Well, as it tuned out, I did get the chance. But for a very brief moment. But then I didn't care. I met him right. How often do you get to meet the legend in person? Even though it was for a brief moment, at a booth, with a line of several hundred other fans, I got the chance, and was very happy when it happened. I just wanted to share the moment, even though it happened several years ago. But, I did have something else signed beside the drivers card that they had supplied. I will share that when I find it. It's buried in a box with a lot of other items that I will definitely be sharing here on the blog. THANK YOU for reading!

Signed "What If I Had Never Tried It" Valentino Rossi The Autobiography

One day in 2008 I had the opportunity to attend the MotoGP race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The opportunity arose when a friend of mine had asked me if I wanted to go. He had told me that he would give me a ticket to get in. So of course I took the opportunity and went. This friend of mine is a member of SCRAMP, the organization that runs the facilities motorsports events. Well, I went, and I was hooked. That's another story! So to talk about the book, lets fast forward to the following year, 2009. At this point, I was actually volunteering. This time though, I was trying my best to see if I could get my book "What If I had Never Tried It - Valentino Rossi - The Autobiography, signed by the man himself. As things were going on for the Thursday pre-race festivities, they had put Valentino Rossi, Wayne Rainey, and Eddie Lawson together to run the Yamaha Shifter Karts around the track as a fun time for the afternoon. When they had come in to the pit lane due to one of the karts having troubles, I ended up sitting in front of Vale with my book in hand. But being patient and not wanting to be a pushy person, I waited as he was chatting with several people. What was being said, I have no idea. So after about 5-10 minutes, I decided to open the book and put it out in front of him to see what would happen. And wouldn't you know it! He noticed it, grabbed my pen, and signed it. I was very happy! Then I was asked by another gentleman to borrow my pen, the another, then another. It just went ballistic! He gladly obliged as many requests as he could until he had to get back into the event fun. So that is how I was able to get the book signed. Thank you for reading.

Front Cover

Signature of Valetino Rossi

Signed Blue Vintage Racing Jacket

For the longest time, I had been searching for a vintage racing jacket when I am out doing my thrift shopping. It took me more than 15 years to finally find one. Here's the story -

I had been running around Stockton one day, for what I can't exactly remember, but when I am in the area I try to search through a couple of different thrift shops when I'm in town. I stopped in at one of the few I frequent, and when going through the mens jackets I just couldn't believe my eyes. As I said, I had been searching for one for at least 15 years. I stopped, took a real good look, and then pulled it from the rack. I was amazed at how good the condition of this jacket was. So I immediately tried it on. "WHAT! It actually fits!" was all I remember that was going through my head. And when I saw the price! "$4.00!" So of course I just had to buy it.

Over the period of about 3-4 years, I had occasionally worn this jacket. I would wear it to car shows, or just when I was out and needed to keep warm. Oh yeah! I forgot to mention this - It's lined with blur faux fur. This jacket was a just too awesome. Then one day it hit me, Maybe I should start getting this thing signed. But by who? Well, at the time, I am always running down to Laguna Seca, wait, let me say it properly, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. At least that's what I had to call it while I spent the four years as a SCRAMP Volunteer, working in the Paddock. But for some reason I just never did get it signed. Then one day last year in February, I had decided to wear it when I went up to the Sacramento Autorama. Yes it was slightly chilly, so I actually was wearing it. During the day I came to find Gene Winfield chilling in his booth. I didn't know he was even going to be at the show! So I waited for him to finish his conversation with someone, and then I started to chat with him myself. I can't really remember what we talked about. But then, wait, I have a video camera. "Hey Gene! Do you mind if I do a quick Interview?" And wouldn't you know it! He said "Yeah! Sure!" So I asked my buddy Alfredo who was with me if he could hold the camera while we chatted. So He helped out. Then, when we were done I decided to ask Gene if he would sign my jacket. And of course he did. But now I wasn't sure if I was ever going to wear it again. Then Gene Showed me his Shop Logo patch. So of course I had to buy it to put it on my jacket. Then that was it. I moved on.
Not too long after the event I went ahead and put the patch on the jacket. And then it was put away as I really didn't want to wear it now that it was signed. It wasn't until November when I went down to Southern California to visit my parents that I pulled it out again. While visiting, I had planned on going to the Bo Huff Rockabilly Extravaganza up at the Riverside Municipal Airport. I had talked with John D'Agostino to verify that he was going to be down for the event, So I wanted to be sure to bring the jacket. I had been seeing John off and on throughout the year, so I wanted to be sure he was going to there. I also had read that Gene Winfield was to be there, along with The King of Kustoms himself, Mr. George Barris. I couldn't miss this opportunity to get his signature on the jacket now could I. So At this point, I decided the jacket was going to only be signed by Custom Car Builders. Why Not! So I when I was visiting my parents, I went to the show.

While at the show I was doing my usual photo and video thing. But then I found John and George at their booth. Gene ended up having another event that he was to be at, so he wasn't at this one. So the first thing I did was said hello to John and decided to hang out for a bit. So I asked John to sign the jacket. Then George. I grabbed pics of the two signing the jacket, and of course I had to get pics with these men myself. Then I just stayed around chatting for the rest of the day. In this time though, I couldn't forget the man that was putting this event on, Bo Huff. So I grabbed a chance to get him to sign it as well, along with a photo with him. It was a great fun day at the event for me. Hanging out with John, since I had gotten to hang out with him a few other times during the year. But hanging out with Mr George Barris for about 4 hours was just too awesome of an experience for me. Anyhow. So far this is all I have to say about my now Signed Blue Vintage Racing Jacket. If I get more signatures on it, I'll be sure to write about it. So I would like to thank you, whoever you may be, for reading my story. Check back often for more cool things I have to share that are in my collection of Automobilia, and feel free to share on whatever Social Media you may be frequenting.

Getting Signed by Gene Winfield

Signature and Shop Logo Patch

Gene Winfield's Signature

MY GENE WINFIELD INTERVIEW

Johnny D Signing the jacket

Me (second from left) John D'Agostino (far right)
and his cousins from down under.

George "The King" Barris
signing the jacket

Me and The King

Bo Huff and Me

My Tag Heuer Dive Watch

About ten years ago, give or take a year or two, my wife and I went away for the weekend to Monterey, California. It's only about a two and a half hour drive from where we live, so it was just another weekend away from home. As far as what I'm writing about, I don't know! Let me just get down to what the title says this blog is about.

While in Monterey we drove down the road from Cannery Row and I came to this Antique Store. So I pulled in and we walked around for quite a while. I happened to go into one section and being me, I have to look over just about everything. I happened to notice this F1 car on the bottom right side of a display case. I didn't know what it was on since it was pretty much buried in a pile of stuff. The F1 car was all I could see. So I reached around into display case and pulled it out from under the other items. I was rather shocked to find that it was a Tag Heuer Watch. It was a good find. Then I saw what the asking price was. WHAT! $27! I just had to have it. So of course I bought it. Along with a few other items. Anyhow, check out the pics and feel free to tell me what you think. Thank you for reading and visiting my blog.

Photo I used on my Instagram

Original Case

Paperwork, Watch and Inner Case, Outer case

Close-up of watch

Close-up of paperwork showing
Ayrton Senna McLaren Honda
Formula One car

Close-up of back of case
showing "Tag Heuer" Logo

A little story about me!

Hello! my name is Todd, I have another blog about events I attend or just fun weekends or trips I take. So, just to do something different than my normal blog, I decided to do another one that shows my collection of various automobilia items. It could be anything from a book about a certain marque, or a piece of diecast in the collection, to a poster I may have found somewhere and just had to buy it. I have been a collector of quite a few things over the years, but always seem to get back around to automotive related items.

As far as my career, I was in various parts of the construction field from about 15 years old, up until about 35. I ended up in retail when I decided to start my own business back in November 2004. To start that venture off, I bought some inventory from a guy that was moving, and changing his business to another location closer to his home. I sold everything automotive related from diecast, posters, books, magazines, to apparel, neon signs, neon clocks, and more. I loved having the business, and it started off fairly well, but after moving it to be closer to my own home, things went south. The town I lived in was not the right location for what the business was. I should have stayed in the original location and just kept on commuting the 30-45 minutes. OH WELL!

After about 2 years of struggling, I shut it down, went back to work, and sold the rest of the inventory on eBay. I stayed in retail, but it was construction as well. Did that for nearly 3 more years. I left that job and was off for a few months when I got my dream retail job. I worked at the Ferrari Store in San Francisco. Things were going great until I met a Car Guy out of Hollywood that I recognized from TV. Fireball Tim Lawrence. We talked for about 30 minutes, and during the conversation I mentioned that I was thinking about going back to school. He then asked me - "What do you want to do?" I then told him - "I want to be a custom car builder." He then stops me before I could even finish my sentence and tells me -"Stop thinking about it, and just do it!" I was surprised, but yet thought it was cool that a car guy was telling me this. So that week I went online and set myself up for classes at the Community College. So, I have recently gone back to school to change my career. I spent all the time needed to get the Certificates for Autobody, and for Paint. I got a job after that, but nearly six months into it, the guy lays me off due to him owing 3 years in back payroll taxes. WHAT THE! How does a business last that long without paying taxes, yet "Payroll Taxes?" Now I have been struggling to get another job. The problem now is I don't have enough experience.

Now that I have been having a hard time getting another job, I have been upping my sales again on eBay. I have been going through some of my own stuff in my collection, but I have also been hitting various places to find things that will make me some money. And, in these places, I come across some pretty cool automotive related items. So, I figure I would share them with the world. These items may be items for my own personal collection, or items I will be selling on eBay or Etsy. Besides selling on those two sites, I have recently taken a welding class at the same Community College, and a class to learn how to pinstripe from the world famous Herb Martinez. I have known Herb for years. I would see him at the local Goodguys car shows, then I started selling his shirts at my store when I had it. So now all I need to do is get some practice time in to get good at that. Besides the stuff I have already mentioned, I also have been an amateur photographer for many years. Recently took up videography and started my YouTube Channel.

Now that I have told a little bit about me, I will be updating the blog with cool stuff that I have found, or what is in my collection. I will add links to the items I have for sale in my eBay store as well. Thanks for reading! And, if you like my blog, feel free to share it on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever you do your Social Networking.