Northern California Cars – Driveby (VW-Hot Rods) and U.S. Coast Guard TRACEN

Every now and then I get to tag along with my wife as she hops around the country working on Interior Design projects for her employer Aviar Design (a commercial design firm).

This trip was to Petaluma, Ca, where beautiful farmland meets redwood forests meets the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  It also the home of U.S. Coast Guard TRACEN training center and some awesome cars.

But first a shout out to the often unsung heroes – the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.  They keep our coast lines and your families safe!!   After nearly 35 years of being assigned to and around military installation all over the world (both Jill – ret. E8 and I -12 years- are USAF veterans) I think the Coast Guards training facility in Petaluma is one of the most beautiful anywhere.  The facilities are top of the line, the installation pristine and teeming wild turkeys, deer and a host of woodland animals.  We’ve enjoyed our both are trips there.  The hospitality was unsurpassed.   Thanks warriors!!!!!

Let’s talk about cars.  Although not as plentiful as you might see in Southern California (we lived there for 4 years) but they are there.  We didn’t have the time for stop and photograph all we was but there are some awesome trucks (hey…it’s farm country) and a lot of hidden gems with tons of potential.  After all this is where they filmed portions of the awesome car movie – American Graffiti.  Just outside of Petaluma, there’s a farm with a 69-70 Mustang tucked under a cover to protect it from the marine layer as it rolls in and out of the farmland and redwoods.   The hills are dotted with homes that have 1950-1970 truck parked under over or in full service.

Here are a few I was able to get a few shots of some for the unique motor cars.

Take this 1930’s Ford Hot Rod – straight out of the move American Graffiti!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little further up North in the Anderson Redwoods we ran into the a 9 hole golf course tucked between redwood trees..what????? Parked in the parking lot was a good example of the 1980’s Firebird TransAm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a huge number of VW vans – heck it’s California after all.  There are the traditional VW buses and the Westfalia van’s every where – still!  Check out this drop side van.

Nicely restored!!!

Framework is there for the canvas top.

One of the coolest we notice was this work in progress.

The owner has plans for the French work horse as it’s clearly under surgery.   Think of the possibilities:

 

This is just a sampling of the car culture in Northern California.  I’m hopping to make it back there with a couple of days free to just explore and peak under some of those car covers.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim