We met starting at 8:30 am in the parking lot at Chili’s in Seaside, and at 9:00 it started to sprinkle, which continued throughout the day. Connie brought her Jeep so her car wouldn’t get wet, and Steve R. decided not to go forward, but the rest of us hit the road and headed north on Highway 1 and then Highway 17 to Scotts Valley, to Bruce Canepa’s salesroom/workshop/museum. Steve F. set a moderate pace in consideration of the weather and we all made it there with no problems.
First we signed the guest book, then took in the sales room, which had some awesome vehicles (see photos). From there we were escorted by Zach (a very knowledgeable host) to the workshop, which has two parts. The first part has work areas, a fabrication room, and a body shop with a paint booth. There are 12 959s in the place and we saw many of them, in addition to other rare and exotic vehicles in various stages of being upgraded.
Then through a doorway to the second part of the workshop, which has the race cars and other vehicles waiting to be worked on. A wall of cars at the end of the room included 2 914s and a 1960 VW bus that is Bruce’s personal bus and is awaiting the transplant of a 993 turbo engine. This room also has Bruce’s personal 959 (gray) and his first racecar. There were 35 of us enjoying the workshop, some who drove from Seaside and some who joined us there.
Bruce came by and gave us some history of how he got into racing and came to be in the business, as well as how he got into Pikes Peak racing with Kenilworth trucks. Then he talked about his plans for upgrading Laguna Seca with the Friends of Laguna Seca. After that we went across the street to the other sales room where we enjoyed more rare and exotic vehicles (see more photos).
By then it was time for lunch, we followed Ken’s instructions and drove down the street to a small shopping center with a Mexican restaurant, a Cambodian restaurant, and a place with burgers and pizza.
Visiting Canepa’s place doesn’t get old, even if you have been there before, since what is in the salesrooms, museum and workshop is constantly changing.
Thanks to Steve Fields for organizing the tour!
Click on any image to view the PHOTO GALLERY.
