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  Oct. 13, 2009 1:48 p.m. Robert Bowen

  Just got back from the Socal TT - a really fun drive through some of the best back roads anywhere.

  Took my DD '64 Valiant with disk brakes and 14-inch wheels.

  The tired slant six blew oil everywhere (I think I still smell like crankcase vapor) but didn't seem to mind being caned at basically full throttle for 160 miles at a time.

  Beautiful canyon roads, I think the Valiant spent more time sideways than pointing straight. At least 195/70/14 all-seasons have a very progressive grip curve.

  Chased down more than one hot-rodded Datsun 510, of course they pulled away on the uphill sections when the poor slant six ran out of breath.

  Stand by for pics...

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  Oct. 13, 2009 3:23 p.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

  Looking forward to the pictures.

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  Oct. 13, 2009 9:00 p.m. Robert Bowen

  http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss39/rybowen/SocalTT%202009/

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  Oct. 13, 2009 9:01 p.m. Robert Bowen

  The red sprite blew a head gasket within 2 miles, the silver mini blew a head gasket near the end of the first day and had to head home. I don't think there were any other DNFs. The TR8 had a fuel pump power issue that was resolved at the hotel.

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  Oct. 14, 2009 1:11 a.m. BoxheadTim Reader

  I'm getting a "page not found" error on the link above?

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  Oct. 14, 2009 11:24 a.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

  I'm getting an error link, too. I have seen Robert's car before, so I'm just using my imagination. (Plus he sent me a link via e-mail.)

  Yes, we now have signatures

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  Oct. 14, 2009 12:06 p.m. aeronca65t HalfDork

  Use -This Link-

  Enjoy Every Sandwich ~ W.Z.

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  Oct. 14, 2009 12:56 p.m. Robert Bowen

  Yeah, thanks for the fix!

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  Oct. 14, 2009 3:48 p.m. BoxheadTim Reader

  Thanks for the photos - there were certainly some nice cars there!

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  Oct. 14, 2009 3:55 p.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

  Very cool pics!

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  Oct. 14, 2009 3:58 p.m. Gary Reader

  Very cool! Was that a Rambler American in one of the pics? Where in SoCal was this? What was the route?

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  Oct. 14, 2009 6:59 p.m. DeadSkunk New Reader

  Funny how I look at these pictures and lust after some of the cars that I've already owned, back in the day. Had a Datsun 510, a white Corolla , and a 1275 Mini. Didn't pay more than $1000 for any one of them. I would to get hold of any one of them now, though,especially the 510.

  '99 Miata,'03 CooperS,'91 GTI 16V, '96 Astro

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  Oct. 15, 2009 12:41 p.m. Gary Reader

  OK, here's the answer to my question: "The TT begins in Los Angeles in the vicinity of Echo Park, overnights somewhere in Southern California, and returns to Los Angeles." Pictures on the web site from previous events show the Angeles Crest Highway, Joshua Tree National Park, and other perfect driving roads: http://www.socaltt.com/ Robert, I see there were a couple other '60s era Valiants in the '06 event (station wagons!) I haven't seen one of those in New England in 30 years. Southern California ... Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm

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  Oct. 16, 2009 1:05 p.m. Robert Bowen

  I had the only Valiant this year, but yeah, there have been others.

  The Rambler was, I think a '62. It still had drum brakes but upgraded springs and shocks.

  Yeah, the route started in Echo Park, up Angeles Crest to Palmdale, across to Mil Portrero road (INSANE road, BTW) down via 166 and some other canyon roads in Santa Barbara county and finished up in Los Alamos at a motel.

  Second day was back through some of the same roads and some different ones, including Tujunga canyon.

  It was not a 'race' but there was some very hard driving being done. Only one (maybe two) speeding tickets.

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  Oct. 16, 2009 1:37 p.m. slantvaliant HalfDork

  Sounds like a blast.

  Valiants do make good road trip cars, don't they?

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  Oct. 16, 2009 6:14 p.m. Shinsen774 Reader

  My second car ever was a 1967 Plymouth Valiant 4 door with a V-8 and automatic transmission. It was a pretty good car as I recall.

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