Fonzie's Motorcycle from Happy Days to be Auctioned

The 1949 Triumph Trophy TR5 Scrambler Custom ridden by The Fonz in the television hit series Happy Days will be one of the highlights at Bonhams' upcoming Classic California Sale in Los Angeles. This famous double-headline bike was owned by legend Bud Ekins.

This now iconic emblem of American pop culture will be offered by Bonhams at their annual Classic California Sale, held November 12th, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Renowned for offering property from famous actors each year – Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Clark Gable and Bruce Willis, to name just a few – this autumn auction is not to be missed by aficionados of pop and custom culture and entertainment and automotive history.

Classic California Online Catalog

Image: Lot # 335 Built by noted hot rodder Rick Dore, the matching car to lot 336, the 2005 Chopper. 1934 Ford Model 40 Custom Roadster Hotrod "Flashback" Estimate:
US$75,000-125,000

Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles, Motorcars, and Related Memorabilia
Preview Dates:
Thursday, November 10, 2011 2pm-6pm
Friday, November 11, 2011 10am-6pm
Saturday, November 12, 2011 10am-12pm

Sale Date and Times:
Saturday, November 12, 2011
11am Classic California: Related Memorabilia
2pm Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles and Motorcars

Returning for the ninth consecutive year, the annual Classic California sale promises to once again highlight the richness of California's motoring heritage.
With 59 vehicle ranging from hot rods to muscle cars to movie cars and bikes to veteran machines from the dawn of motoring, many without reserve, and over 260 lots of automobilia-including a number of Von Dutch signs, historic California road signs, and a selection of exceptional vintage bicycles-this year's Classic California sale is not one to miss!

Contact Phone: (415) 391-4000
Contact Email: motors.us@bonhams.com

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Ed Iskenderian Named 2012 Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

Ed Iskenderian, founder of Isky Racing Cams , will be honored with the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grand Opening Breakfast for the 2012 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show, to be held March 23, 2012 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

"Since reading my first Hot Rod magazine in the '50s I remember Isky Cams being synonymous with high performance and quality," said Buddy Pepp, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum, co-presenter of the award. "Ed Iskenderian is the true 'Camfather.'  I am very pleased that Ed will be honored in Indianapolis in March and I'm certain Bob Petersen would be thrilled knowing that Ed was selected as the 2012 Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award recipient"

Iskenderian began working on cars in high school, his pet project a Model T Ford roadster. After graduating, he worked as an apprentice tool and die maker, then enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving with the Air Transport Command flying supplier to the islands of the Pacific during World War II.

After the end of the war, Iskenderian returned to working on his hot rod. The hot rod hobby was gaining traction so it was harder to get parts from the few camshaft manufacturers on the West Coast. While waiting for delivery of a special-order camshaft, Iskenderian bought a used conventional cylindrical grinder that he converted to a universal cam grinding machine and entered the cam grinding business. 

Throughout his career, Iskenderian used the latest technology to develop his camshafts. Isky Racing Cams lists him as the first person in the industry to employ computers in camshaft design. This helped him to develop performance and economy camshafts and components for racers and stock/street enthusiasts.

"Isky played one of the most critical roles in the very creation of hot rodding," said Barry Meguiar, president and CEO of Meguiar's Inc., who will once again serve as master of ceremonies for the Grand Opening Breakfast. "To hear him relive his firsthand experiences will be a moment in time for all of us."

Iskenderian was one the founders of the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association, the organization that became SEMA. He served as the organization's first president in 1963 and 1964, and was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also named one of Chevrolet's Legends of Performance that same year.
"It is great to be able to honor Ed Iskenderian with the 2012 Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award," said Travis Weeks, producer of the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show and publisher of Hotrod & Restoration magazine. "The award is about the heritage of our industry, and Ed has been there from the beginning." 

SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture!

Super Sunday Get-Together Added to Goodguys 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals!

Del Mar, CA - The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is proud to announce a “Super Sunday Get-Together” promotion Sunday, November 27th in conjunction with the 1st annual Fall Del Mar Nationals Nov 25-27 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Goodguys Super Sunday Get-Together, which welcomes all years, makes and models of American made or American powered cars and trucks has opened a new avenue for car guys and gals of all ages to get in on the fun of attending a Goodguys National event!

All Del Mar Super Sunday Get-Together participants are welcome to participate in all phases of the Fall Del Mar Nationals including the show and shine as well as the AutoCross! The electronically timed Goodguys AutoCross is FREE to all registered event participants. Participants will also be eligible for show awards as the Goodguys staff will select 10 or more awards from the Super Sunday Get-Together cars.

 “We’re really excited to be swinging open the event gates to the late model American made and American powered cars in Del Mar,” said Goodguys VP of Event Operations Harry Daviess.  “Our Super Sunday Get-Together’s were a big hit in Chicago and Kansas City earlier this year. We’ve done Get-Together style events for over 25 years in our hometown of Pleasanton, California and it’s an outstanding format for all car guys. The ‘Big Three’ build some awesome new muscle cars and hot rods.”

Daviess also pointed out how well the classic car and old school hot rod & custom guys get along with late model owners. “All Goodguys are car guys at heart. This will further broaden the scope of the events allowing as many as six or seven generations of car people to participate in a Goodguys event.”

How do you register? It’s almost too easy! Just drive your show car to the Del Mar Hilton across the street from the Fairgrounds Sunday morning November 27th and register. From there you just head into the event gates! To save an additional $10 bucks on registration, download a coupon here. Make sure and bring it with you!

For a complete look at the Goodguys 1st Del Mar Fall Nationals, visit http://www.falldelmarnats.com. To follow Goodguys on Facebook, point your mouse to http://www.facebook.com/#!/goodguysrodandcustom 

To see images from this year's Goodguys Spring Del Mar Nationals click on the large pic below to see the slideshow or click here for the individual pics.

SoCalCarCulture - THE place to find out what is happening in Southern California's Car Culture!