The Fuelfed tradition continues every October in Winnetka when we feature members who dress in the era from which their classic was in production. The top three as chosen by our event workers receive a trophy for their creativity. We also encourage spectators to dress up.
Yesterday as we returned to the birthplace of our Fuelfed Coffee & Classics in downtown Winnetka some 12 years ago, we reflect on how our simple concept (thank you Highland House for being the first in 1963) pioneered the future of what is now the ubiquitous cars and coffee format.
Yesterday’s Fuelfed Coffee and Classics was far beyond the 24 first cars to arrive with George Klein and his E-Type being the very first that very cold September Sunday morning in 2010. In fact, we never dreamed to have over 220 European cars support our mission in Winnetka. Yet here we are, true to the original vision, grateful for the 1000s of people we have met and very proud of the large community we have built around a then small club of drivers we called Fuelfed.
This Sunday morning (9.25), Winnetka will be seeing red as our 10th annual Ferrari feature takes over the streets. Only Fuelfed members and Ferraris for this one…no day passes this month.
We also want to thank @conautosports for being a continued Fuelfed sponsor all these years.
Wow!
What a perfect day on Sunday in Winnetka. The weather was perfect. The local residents and their kids were out in force and the stunning variety of rare European classics was over the top!
The worlds’ original sports cars invade downtown Winnetka as we celebrate vintage British iron this Sunday morning.
So the wife and I are Christmas shopping last Saturday in Winnetka. As usual, I can only take clothes shopping for only so long. So I decide to see what I can find down a cool looking alley around the corner. Because as every car guy knows, that’s where the good stuff lives.
So I’m marching down the slushy cobble stone alley and as I round the bend, a flash of Italian red jumps out at me. Are you kidding me? A 1971 Maserati Ghibli SS in pristine condition is sitting there nose to nose with a 1969 Mercedes 280se coupe. Some how I always find these treasures, as if they call out to me to find them. I quickly scan the area to make sure there isn’t some hidden Russian chop shop watching me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Ghibli SS in person, let alone one sitting lost and lonely in the snow.
I cautiously peered in the window. The keys are in it and the door is open! I look around again for snipers. The door opens and I don’t feel the sting of sniper bullets. Hell, I might as well try and wake the sleeping beauty. Well, we all know how that went. So, I pop the hood to see what lays underneath. The big 335hp v8 was still there…dusty, but all there.
Then I started thinking; what kind of owner would leave a $300,000 Maserati on par with the Ferrari Daytona and Lambo Muira of the era, out in the wild of the Northshore for bankers in Burberry scarves and Brooks Brothers hunting coats to spit on it? Probably someone who probably has more collectable treasures hidden behind the over-head door 20 feet away. I left a Fuelfed magnet on the trunk and card on the seat to see if it finds its way to the Coffee & Classics this Spring just a few blocks away.
It’s experiences like this, that fuels my hunt for the ultimate barn find…and I’ve had a couple.
Well, the Fuelfed Coffee & Classics has struck a pulse with the Northshore enthusiasts. We had over double the cars from September! There were some familiar faces from last month. Lorraine, David, Bob, Dan, Jim, Shahin, Mark and even George made it, though his E-Type didn’t. Frank was able to bring his in-progress resto-mod 2002, Bart and his Thruxton braved the cold as well. World famous designer Carlos Segura brought his pristine M-Coupe. The Last Detail brought a gorgeous and very rare Chevy Nomad. Jeff made it all the way from Naperville. And, the always colorful Maura brought her show quality 560sl.
The very enthusiastic Jean and Dean were first to arrive in their BMWs, then the E-Types, quickly followed by Allen & Curt and the rest of the 356 group.
Curt drove his Speedster sans top and windows 20 miles in the 48º sunshine to get there. We don’t think he stopped shaking the whole morning. His pictures taken at the legendary Meadowdale Raceway back in 1959 of him racing the same Speedster. Stories like this, just touch the surface of how much variety and history showed up Sunday morning.
Speaking of history, Mick Jagger was there in spirit too. Or should we say his old yellow Morgan made an appearance. Yep the Glimmer Twin actually owned this very Morgan Plus 8.
Mick Jagger behind the wheel of the very same yellow Morgan Plus 8 roadster in St. Tropez, France, 9 May 1971. Photo by Reg Lancaster
We’ve all been to countless car shows, but this exclusive gathering feels more like a neighborhood cocktail party (and we know Fuelfed drivers like cocktails) than a bunch of car guys milling around. We believe some new friendships and Fuelfed fans have been formed.
Café Aroma served up some excellent pastries and coffee while providing some warmth from the crisp temps. The very popular Fuelfed magnets were all snapped up by their proud new owners with in the first half hour.
Overall, the final Coffee & Classics for 2010 was been embraced by fellow Northshore classic car enthusiasts more than we had hoped and we are very excited to carry on what we’re sure will become a Winnetka tradition next year.
For those who were interested in acquiring the Coffee & Classics poster, we have archival quality prints available here.
The second Coffee & Classics is upon us already. For many Fuelfed drivers this is one of the final events of 2010 (less of course TFD10). The first C&C was a success and we hope to see the familiar faces from last month and many new ones. New drivers will receive the popular Fuelfed magnet for their rear valence or toolbox.
Again, this not an organized car show, rather a casual Sunday morning gathering to keep the old gears oiled. This event is about driving your classic as it was meant to be driven. From Aston to Zagato, or Alfa to VW, it doesn’t matter, just drive it.
We’ll be meeting on the 550 block of Lincoln (see map here) just north of Elm in east downtown Winnetka (east of Greenbay Rd.).
Delicious Meinl’s coffee and pastries will be available for purchase at Café Aroma. Be sure to mention Fuelfed at the counter.
Please respect the neighborhood with NO hot-rodding or open exhausts. We want this event and location to become a Northshore tradition.
Thanks to everyone who made the first Coffee & Classics a success. It was a blustery morning at times, but drivers came from near (a few blocks) and far (Palentine) to grab a cup of coffee and chat it up with other classic car enthusiasts. There was a healthy mix of cars and people– Porsches, BMWs, Jaguar E-Types, VWs, big power Cameros, a Renault and a Lotus Elan.
At 9a.m. drivers started pulling in. Shahin was there early to be the great ambassador of the Fuelfed spirit. George with is green E-Type was the first to arrive. Then Dan and his red 911 Carrera showed up. Followed quickly by the deep-rumbling crazy-clean Cameros & Mark S. with his Renault R5 Turbo. Then that familiar straight pipe wail that only an air-cooled flat six can belt-out came closer and closer. Yep, it was the elusive Chris J., one of the founding members of Fuelfed, gracing our presence with his track only 911.
Most of the drivers were looking under the hoods, sharing stories and tech tips until noon. It was a great day for cars and drivers, and most plan to return next month (Oct. 31). Could be scary (sorry).
Hopefully all drivers got their honorary Fuefed magnet. If we missed anyone, please contact us and we’ll send one out asap. Please specify size small (1.5″) or large (3″).
Thanks to Café Aroma for letting us use your café as a gathering place and for having plenty of good Meinls coffee and pastries available.
Fuelfed® 