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Carini: The best car people are in it for fun, not money
About 25 years ago, during Monterey Car Week, a mutual friend introduced me to concours guru, restoration expert, and all-around car nut Dick McClure. I liked him because he was all about having fun and not taking the cars or himself too seriously. It was refreshing to find someone so invested in the hobby who was just out to have a great time, without caring whether he impressed anyone.
Early on in our acquaintance, I discovered McClure had a 1935 MG PA Airline coupe, one of the cars I’d always wanted. Every year in Monterey, I’d ask him to sell it to me. I bugged him for years—until one August, when I asked him when he was going to sell it and he answered: “Right now, but you have to take my MG ND, too.” He set a price and I agreed. After years of waiting, the entire deal took 30 seconds.
In addition to Monterey Car Week, I’d see McClure at the California Mille, an event he co-founded. His perpetual challenge was to find an eligible car that cost less than the entry fee. He’d go through old Mille Miglia programs and find less-exclusive cars from 1957 or earlier of a type that had run in the famous Italian road race. One year, a shop-owner friend gave him a 1955 MG Magnette sedan—for free. Knowing that one had completed the Mille Miglia in 1956, McClure was happy to accept.
While at the California Mille, McClure’s co-driver, Mathias Doutreleau, took a call from his boss, collector and Quail Lodge owner Sir Michael Kadoorie. Kadoorie was intrigued to learn the pair were running a Magnette in the event, because that was the model in which he learned to drive. Before he knew it, McClure had an invitation to show his free car at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the following August.
Another year, I co-drove with McClure at the California Mille in a Renault Dauphine. He paid $300 for the car, then invested another $600 preparing it. For less than a grand, we were out there running with 2.9 Alfas, Bugattis, Ferraris, and Maseratis. I’m sure that some of the other entrants were looking down their long hoods at us, but McClure and I agreed it was the most fun we’d ever had in a car.
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Before long, we noticed that the Renault was losing oil from the breather hose, so McClure stopped at a convenience store to pick up a jar of peanuts. After emptying the jar, he punched a hole in the lid and, with some creative engineering, crafted a catch tank. Whenever the oil light would indicate a low level, McClure would stop and I would hop out, open the hood, pour the oil from the peanut jar back in, and we’d get going again in less than a minute.
As part of the rally, we did some laps at Sonoma Raceway. Behind the wheel, McClure provided running commentary, like on TV. “It’s a new world record for a Renault Dauphine!” he said in his best announcer voice. “And the crowd goes wild!” he shouted. All while passing the empty stands in a car with a 75-mph top speed. We had a riot.
Last year at The Quail, McClure entered an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, which several members of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club had passed on because it was the “worst, rustiest example I’ve ever seen,” and “too far gone to restore.” After the car spent months on the market, McClure haggled on the price and took it to his shop, where he repaired the body and painted it Rust-Oleum Royal Blue. He was thrilled to receive the Spirit of The Quail award from Kadoorie himself.
Some of McClure’s other entries for The Quail and/or the California Mille have included a care-worn 1952 Jaguar XK 120, the MG TD he drove in high school, a VW Beetle with a chopped roof and suicide doors, and a Morris Minor, while he hopes to drive a 1964 Dodge Dart slant-six coupe in the 2023 Quail Rally. In any event McClure enters, his passenger seat is highly coveted. I’ve co-driven with him several times, but the “record holder” as his co-driver is vintage racer and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who keeps coming back for one simple reason: It’s so much fun.
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I have had my car at several high end events and even won against much more expensive cars.
I will never forget I got in at a concourse event and was shock to see most cars in my class had more in their paint than I had in my car.
They came around and judge. Questions and I had to show that everything was functional on the car. Very intense judging.
Time for the awards and third was a Pantera, second a Countach and then they called first a Pontiac Fiero in the sports car group. I beat Porsche’s. TVR’s and some Jags.
I just entered because I could and left with a large plate trophy.
I still go to a high end event here that is not judged and I’m shocked how well I am welcomed and received my the high end owners and spectators.
My car carries some of the GM prototype parts and it is not like any other Fiero.
The way I see it you can have fun with less money if you do things right. Just have an interesting car and make sure it is in good shape. And have that kind of a look that attracts attention.
Many don’t even know it is a Pontiac. I even have been parked in the Ferrari group at one show. I told my buddy get out before they realize what it is lol!.
Some times it is more fun to be Carl the greens keeper vs a Judge Smails. Just another Cinderella story.