Early birds get the supercars in Brookline
(All photos: George Kennedy for Boston.com) Click photo for larger version.
An early-morning California car tradition has found its way to Brookline.
Those who woke up at 7 a.m. earlier this month were treated to the first "Cars & Coffee" event at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum. As most of the neighbors slept their Saturdays away, a high-end assortment of classic American Muscle and modern European supercars showed up.
Cars & Coffee traces its origins back to Georgia, where photographer Ron Rizzi organized the first gathering over a decade ago. More recently, it has flourished in Los Angeles on Saturday mornings, where enthusiasts gather to gawk at and show off niche cars, automotive rarities, and anything interesting on four wheels. It's not uncommon for the car-obsessed celebrity (Jay Leno, for instance) to stop by. Now, thanks to the LA event's popularity, Cars & Coffee has spread across the country.
Click photo for larger version.
Brookline's rendition featured some true rarities, such as the all-new Ferrari 599 GTO coupe, which held court outside the museum's main entrance. However, it was German autos that dominated the scene with a significant showing of BMW M5s, Porsche 911s, and Audi S4s. Other notables included several Pontiac GTOs, Corvettes, and the Lotus Elise. Nearly 150 cars were fanned across the museum's wide lawn.
Click photo for larger version.
"Compared to the Irvine (California) Cars & Coffee, we weren't as large, but we had a similar variety of notable cars," said Peter Ladas, founder and owner of Yuppie Racing, the event's organizer.
Ladas has been organizing automotive events like this since 2005. He launched Yuppie Racing in 2009 to include, as he puts it: "everything from Civics to V10 M5s — and anything in between."
With that kind of spread, Yuppie Racing has been working to improve the image of the younger tuner crowd.
"When people hear 'tuner' they think Fast and Furious, not James Bond," he said. "The museum wanted to work with us, they liked the idea, and want to make [Cars & Coffee] a permanent event."
Click photo for larger version.
Jennifer Arone, the museum's marketing manager, said Larz Anderson needs to attract a greater mix of car enthusiasts.
"Our museum's membership has been an older crowd," she said. "We're really interested in getting a younger generation involved in the museum. We'd like to see this event happen again."
George Kennedy is a producer for WheelsTV, an Acton-based automotive television and web video company.
Click photo for larger version.
Click photo for larger version.
About Boston Overdrive
Video
Contributors
|
Clifford Atiyeh is an automotive writer and car enthusiast . He has spent his entire life driving cars he doesn't own. In the garage: 1995 21-speed Iron Horse, 2002 Jeep Wrangler X (by association) |
|
Bill Griffith is a veteran Boston Globe reporter, having reviewed cars for more than 10 years and serving as assistant sports editor for 25 years. He was also the paper's sports media columnist. In the garage: 2006 Subaru Baja |
|
John Paul is public affairs manager for AAA Southern New England, a certified mechanic, and a Globe columnist. He hosts a weekly radio show on WROL.
In the garage: Hyundai Sante Fe, Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible |
|
Craig Fitzgerald has been writing about cars, motorcycles, and the automotive industry since 1999. He is the former editor of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car. In the garage: 1968 Buick Riviera, 1996 Buick Roadmaster, 1974 Honda CB450 |
|
Keith Griffin is president of the New England Motor Press Association and edits the used car section on About.com. He also writes for the Hartford Business Journal and various weekly newspapers in Connecticut.
In the garage: Mazda 5, Dodge Neon |
|
George Kennedy is a senior writer for WheelsTV in Acton, which produces video reviews for Yahoo, MSN, and other auto websites.
In the garage: Lifted 1999 Jeep Cherokee |
|
|
Boston.com racing coverage
