Knott's Berry Farm 2006 Update

On the "Anything Goes" forum Dusty Johnson asked about arrangements for the Knott's Berry Farm AHA Show.

There is a string below that discusses the show in the context of the competing Paso Show. Anybody who is considering either show should read that string. Both events are scheduled for the weekend of April 21-22. If you would like to visit the Knott's show you can fly to John Wayne International Airport and take a taxi or rent a car to get to several nearby motels. If you stay at the Marriott Courtyard on Beach Boulevard you will have no problem getting to the show site at Knott's because that's where the group will be (see the post below).

If you decide to visit the Paso Robles Ride I suggest you contact Theron to find out about airline connections and transportation. Paso Robles is near the coast (Highway 101) in central California and there are no major airports within a 150 miles.

Bill,
I went to the Knotts show 2 years ago (in the rain) and I am eager to see it this year. Where is the thread that gives me details about hotels, meeting places, etc?

Thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to meeting you.

I must be suffering from "old timer's" .. it was LAST year in the rain. (Just seemed like two years ago !!)

BTW, I found the thread. I am going to plan on being there. Any events or gatherings of the members of this forum planned??

Bill George, just curious as to why you are choosing Knotts over Paso

Theron,
I must say I was a little confused when you kept referring to

Bill,
Your right, no major airports for miles. But that also means no major asphalt parking lots for miles. Just a beautiful park, wineries, shopping and plenty of country roads.

If anyone would like to fly in and attend attend Paso, post it. There are plenty of cars coming from the North and South (so far 30+ replicas and 10+ Porsches). With as nice of group as we have, I believe we could find a empty right seat. Renting a car or taking a taxi is just downright unfriendly, unfriendly as a dusty $35 asphalt parking space.

But isn't this thread about Knotts. Seriously, what can be done to get the Knotts attendance up? (Besides change of venue) Perhaps a Knotts attendance thread might be helpful. There are hundreds of cars in S. CA. Seems with a little drumming the Knotts attendance could be higher than a couple of cars.

So we have:
Dusty and Bill, who else is going?

-=theron

Bill,
I stand corrected. Something about having a portion of my gray matter filled with super-glue. Yes, I permanently carry around several grams of cyanoacrylate and it clouds my thinking from time to time.
-=theron

Dusty, In the past there's been a dinner at The Outback Steak House on Friday evening, it's just north of the Courtyard by Marriott on Beach Boulevard (same side of the street). Saturday night is usually a chicken dinner. Mrs. Knott's Fried Chicken is legendary when it's served fresh in the restaurant - but for events such as the AHA Show they serve it in another building, from steam trays, and it gets pretty damn soggy. The awards during the dinner are monopolized by Cobra politics, so maybe something else can be developed, between now and then, for a bit more interesting Saturday dinner. . . . Maybe something with wet T-shirts, made out of cheaply woven, thin (and diaphenous) fabric?

To coordinate leave a message for me at the Courtyard By Marriott on Beach Boulevard or email me directly as the date approaches.

Theron, I was unaware of circumstances that would cloud your mind and I couldn't resist a bit of sarcasm.

Since you have freely admitted "a head full of super-glue" and then used a scientific name for whatever it is you are taking, I assume it's prescribed and that you are not into recreational "huffing"; therefore I offer my sincerest apologies for being an a--hole.

OK, if you guys are done patting each other's backsides let me stand up and CROW !!!! I will definitely be there and.... I just bought a Spyder !!!! I hope to take delivery and have it at the show to show off! (Maybe just to see how much I have to do to make it "the best")

My wife is giving me the "evil eye" because now something has to come out of the garage to make room for newest baby! This Porsche thing is starting to take its toll on my sanity .... but ain't it wonderful !!!

Theron, it has been too many years since the glue sniffing stage but now I remember the high! (which was more expensive? this or that?) Just joking, but I am EXCITED!!!

Dusty, Congratulations!

By the way, the Spyder room is down the hall.

Hey Dusty,

I was just checking out your photos & noticed the 1979 ferrari 308. Perhaps you can give me some specifics on it, as I was looking to buy one. Thanks!

Bill, I'll miss you at Paso, your a good guy, sorry you feel the way you do....

Bill, you seem to take great pride in a trophy you purchased. I don't get it. Did I miss something?

Bill,
Sorry we won't see you this year (we'll be in Paso). Steve and I both enjoyed your company! Also regret not getting to visit with Tom - TR, at the Knotts show as he has always been one of my favorite people. angela

Had a 2 55 Dodge Custom Royal Lancers (very cool cars) original condition, used to take them to mopar shows, won a few trophies cause there wasn't that many 50's mopars around, (mostly Big block Hemi's)when I got home I'd put them in a box in the garage, just recently threw them away, cause they were taking up space...I'm a car guy, but not for the trophy...
Maybe if I hand built the car like others on this site, the trophy would mean a lot more, but all I do is keep it clean and drive it..
so they meant nothing to me...
Everybody is different...I'm going to Paso to see the guys and Gals I abuse the rest of the year on line. I think this site is way cool and It is a matter of respect for me......

I don't know Vince, trophies are a lot like military medals and ribbons. They are just a piece of cloth with a bit of metal attached. Just what are they worth? I guess because they were earned through blood, sweat and tears they have value only to the owner, to others, they're just pretty gee-gaws. I have a few medals from Vietnam and a couple of trophies from car shows that remind me of the past and represent periods of my life. I don't know if I'll throw them away or keep a clutter box like my Dad did so my grandkids can rummage through it after I'm gone.

Nolan, my brother, My viet Nam medals were trashed along with the trophies, they were all corroded and tarnished, now they are in the dump. I also found my Honorable Discharge certificate which was in a frame, I might hang it somewhere in the house, That, I had to work hard for...I never liked taking orders.......

I suspect Vince, knowing you as we do, that particuliar item was especially hard earned...

Regarding the trophy thing. They are fun for a while and there are always a couple of special ones. But the rest are dust collectors. I tend to keep the very small stuff and a few special ones. The rest I donate out.

How? Many youth groups (4-H, FFA, soccer etc) can recycle them. They take off the car on the top, replace it with a (horse, cow, soccer player etc) and put a new plaque on the front. Nice trophy for about 3-4 bucks instead of $15-30. Every couple of years, I round them up and do that.

Started doing this since I was about 14 or 15 years old. I used to show horses, did endurance races (w/horses), then high school and college track, bicycle racing, car racing yadaydadyda. Adds up. If you're tired of them put them to good use. You get to make some kid's day and clean out the attic at the same time.

angela

Angela,
Were you doing endurance riding with an Arab. I ask becase my wife does that. Pretty risky business.

Troy

Yes Troy, we did the endurance rides with the Arabs. Did Tevis Cup aka Western States twice. My mom did a 150 in 24 hours on one of our little arabs. Best finish I ever saw in a race. They called in from the last check point about 7 miles from the finish and said they were through. I figured they'd cross at a medium trot or best as they were some 3 or 4 hours ahead of the next racer.

No way. That little horse saw the finish line, heard the cheering and flat sprinted across the line. Tail flying, mane billowing in the wind and tried to dump mom when he spooked at the white finish line chalk. Made great pics.

We bought and sold horses all the time. But never the endurance horses. Those horses we kept until they died of old age. The little horse that ran the 150 died of cancer a few years ago. We tube fed him for three weeks as the tumor was in his upper jaw. It was not until the results came back inoperable that we put down this little tough horse. Always a special place in my heart for him.

Boy, sorry for veering off track here... angela

No apology necessary Angela. Memories are what we're made of. The only advantages of alzheimer's is that you meet a new person every day and you can hide your own Easter eggs.

For those of you who just walked in (or who don't do history) you may want to go to the "Vendor Specific" forum and read the subject titled: "Vintage or JPS Motorsports, Can't Decide?"

To Ron Leonard: Yes, you obviously missed something.

To Vince Manto: I appreciate your comment. I know we'll have an opportunity to ride again, and I look forward to it.

To Angela Lane: I enjoyed meeting you and Steve at Knott's last year and I can understand completely about your dislike of the traffic and the road conditions in the Lost Angeles area. I hope everybody has a great time in Paso Robles, don't miss the winerys and the barbeque.

To Nolan (and Vince): I couldn't agree more about medals and trophies. They represent more to the recipient than to a "spectator". Somewhere, I have a couple of cardboard boxes filled with athletic awards, medals and trophies which I won in high school, college, A.A.U. and L.A.County Lifeguard competitions.

But, I must say the trophy I won at Knott's is very special to me, mostly because it pisses off everybody who thought THEY deserved it so much. In athletics coaches try to teach "sportsmanship" and the art of losing gracefully. Apparently, for car show enthusiasts, there isn't a function similar to athletic "coaching" to try to build a little character. And in the face of the antipathy I felt, and still feel, from some of the SOC members, it's hard to be sportsmanlike and practice humility. (So, a little salt in the wound is fun.)

To me the organized abandonment of the Knott's show reminds me of the little boy who decides he doesn't want to play by the rules of the game, so he takes his ball away from the other players and goes home.

Bill,

I think for most of us, getting together as a group is more important than participating in a contest. Knott's venue leaves alot to be desired as a meeting place.

I never thought about winning a trophy, I just wanted to hang out with my speedster friends.

A-Men, End of thread,(hopefully)

Bruce,
It can't end that easy.

Bill,
For what it is worth. I had discussions at Knotts last year about a change of venue, before any judging or awards. Specifically, I think John Leader, Mike McSween and Vince were there when I discussed it.

The overwhelming sentiment last year, BEFORE THE TROPHIES WERE AWARDED, was that we needed a different direction. Trophies mean nothing to me. In all the years I supported Knotts, I never once stayed to see who received a trophy.

Just the fact that this discussion has continued for a year, reinforces my feelings that I will NOT have "best-car" type awards at any meet I organize. These trophies continue to dismantle the comradery which should be prevelent at such events.

-=theron

Many of the Speedster owners who are attending the A.H.A Knott's Berry Farm show will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott motel at 7621 Beach Boulevard in Buena Park, CA 90620. tel: 714 670-6600.

I plan to contact the motel a few days before our arrival and notify them that a group will be arriving on Friday that would like to have rooms as close together as possible on the North side of the motel near the large parking area next to the Outback Steakhouse. This will allow us to park close together. Last year this worked out nicely for socializing and also added security for our cars. IF YOU PLAN TO STAY AT THE COURTYARD by MARRIOTT, ADD A POST HERE, SO I CAN GIVE THEM AN APPROXIMATE ROOM COUNT FOR THE BLOCK.

When you check-in ask for a room near the Speedster parking lot. Also be mindful that the bottom floor rooms are handy because you can pass refreshments over the patio fence to friends and family while they socialize.

I imagine many of us will have Friday dinner at the Outback Steakhouse, it's convenient and can accomodate large groups

Bill,
Do you have a count of attendies yet? I've asked around and can't find anyone going. I ask because it would be nice to have some pictures posted after the event.
-=theron

I don't know who is attending where, but I do know that REAL enthusiasts would end up attending Knott's, then drive up the coast to attend Paso...rain or shine, and with the top down all the way. It's entirely doable. And, if you can't get out of Knott's in time, think of all the nice cars you will see coming down the PCH on the way back to the L.A. area.

Theron, I had spoken to a few folks "Outside" of SOC and they were going down to show other cars at Knotts, but they also said that Knotts had mentioned to them that they were "FULL" and were not taking any more cars "To show" I do not know if that is real or just here-say... Anyways, my boy and I have a soccer game that day at 12 noon so I may just "Pop-by" the Knotts show for fun and walk around to check everyone out after the game!

Speedster "D"

Theron, In response to your question above I don't know who, or how many, will be attending the Knotts show. My perception is there won't be many SOC members at Knotts, but I think there will be a lot of people at Knott's who want to show their Speedster's (as I recall, until recently, there wasn't going to be a Speedster "show" at Paso). There will probably be a lot of other people at Knott's who are considering buying Speedsters and who never heard of the SOC or any other internet replica Speedster and Roadster organizations. And if the weather continues to be as unpredictable as it has been lately, I imagine many of the Southern California SOC members may pile in their family cars and show-up at Knotts, just for a day outing.

The May edition of Kit Car Magazine has several references to both the Knott's and Carlisle shows, so there will probably be a lot of "shoppers" and people who are entusiastic about Speedsters at Knotts. Look for the May edition of Kit Car Magazine, it's got a silver Porsche RSK on the cover. (In the same edition there is also an interesting article about the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Phoenix,AZ where three Speedster replicas sold for around $26,000 each. There are photos of these replicas in the article.)

Also, with regard to photos from Knotts, I just bought a Canon Rebel EOS 350 XT 8 megapixel digital camera. And, I have a Speedster owner friend who is not a SOC owner who has the same camera. Also, I know that Tom McBurnie (Thunder Ranch) will have his Nikon Digital which is in the same pixel, ppi, dpi, etc., etc. range. I'd be happy to gather photo files from all and forward them to you. Just let me know when your servers are set properly to receive the files, and let me know the specifications for dpi, ppi, print size, etc.

For those who have an interest in the Knott's 2006 AHA Show, all-in-all it was a great show. Charlene (I don't know her last name) won 1st place in the Porsche Speedster Class with her beatiful silver Intermecanica with red upholstery and black interior. 2nd place went to Mike McAlister's Thunder Ranch yellow exterior / black interior "Bumble Bee" (with a stinger exhaust). 3rd place went to a Speedster replica that was described as a Boxster with a Speedster replica body retro-fitted over the Boxster mechanicals. I never saw this car, but it must have been very interesting. Later today, or tomorrow, I'll post photos of some of the award winners. Stay tuned.

Henry Riesner, Tom McBurnie and John Steele attendend the show with examples of their work. There were only about twelve Speedster's on display. (There were 96 Cobras entered).

Just put a few pics from knott's in my photo's. Enjoy!!!!

Gabe

A tribute to both Paso Robles & AHA participants!

Gabriel Quiroz included a photo of Charlene's Intermecanica in the upload he mentions in his post above. In Gabrial's same upload there is also a photograph of an engine with the caption "LOOKS FAST!!!!" This engine is in the grey Thunder Ranch Spyder Tom Mc Burnie is "detailing" in the photo below. The engine won the trophy for "Best Engine" in the show.

I have just uploaded a few more photos of the Knott's event; I will link three of them to this post. Visit my photo album for more.

Now Bill... I may have only had a Spyder but you can't forget about your Chicago girl atternding the show to represent Chamonix and Beck... =)
The proof is in the picture of the TR Spyder above (the back of my head)...

Sorry I didn't mention you Valerie, and I'm sorry I only got the rear view, although it's nice - the front's even better. I'm glad my photo supplied evidence to your father and brother that you didn't sneak over to the amusement park, but stayed right there with the Spyder both days. I was very pleased to finally meet a member of the Speedster and Spyder Pioneering Hines family. I hope you enjoyed your Saturday night dinner with the boys from Thunder Ranch.