Tempie Abate from Orange, California, has been a custom and hot rod gal for most of her colorful life. At Ben Lomand High School in Ben Lomand, California, during the late ‘60s, she learned to drive by wheelin’ a ’56 Chevy wagon with 3-on-the-tree. During her junior and senior years of high school, she worked at a mechanic’s garage in town. She gained a reputation for squealing the rear tires while grabbing gears in her ’67 Camaro, beating all the boys. Later she cruised the boulevards in her bitchin’ ’65 Impala. Since then she’s owned a variety of cool rides. They ranged from a ’61 Cadillac to a ’62 Nova convertible with a 383 stroker, to a ’66 Corvette with a Keith Black 427, to a ’72 Challenger, to a ’39 ford Cabriolet with a ZZ4 and a pair of ’63 Bel Air wagons. Currently she and her husband Rick are the owners of Classic Car Marketing, Inc. in Orange. It has become a very successful business, as the only “automotive concierge” marketing company on the West Coast. They bring buyers and sellers together to find the perfect ride. Her personal addiction to cool cars just won’t stop. Let’s check out her latest pride and joy.
Mother Nature came this year and brought rain and some high temperatures in the 50’s. The 55th annual March Meet at Famoso took an extra day but it is in the books. Approximately 500 cars competed in 13 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series classes. In “The Grove”, behind the grandstands, the beautiful Show & Shine cars stretched the length of the track.
As drag racing moves into the 21st century, the Hot Rod Heritage Drag Racing Series, as seen at this event, provides a sharp contrast to the current NHRA National events. Racers compete within a rules package that presents the cars as they competed in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s.
Pro-Touring cars and trucks have been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. Building a classic that has all of the modern features of a high-end sports car including handling, performance and comfort wrapped in a timeless style. Putting these cars and trucks to the test have been several Autocross races that pitch drive ability, raw power and suspension handling into tight corners in a race against the clock. One of those series is the So Cal Challenge. With 5 events throughout the year, the series includes class and overall winners at each event as well as points champions for all 5 events. The classes include Early and Late Muscle Car, Truck, Hot Rod and Exotic cars.
The Huntington Beach Concours d’Elegance recently celebrated its 28th year, and throughout the years the event has grown to become one of the most outstanding automotive events in Southern California. In 1985, Bart McGrath of Huntington Beach held the first Concours in a parking lot at Warner and Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach. McGrath moved the event the following year to the Huntington Beach Library and Central Park. His vision stemmed from the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where unique vintage domestic, European and Asian automobiles and motorcycles would be judged. Of course, like its spiritual parent, the Huntington Beach event also drew late-model Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Jaguars, BMWs and Porsches. The grassy grounds, shady eucalyptus trees and picturesque pond create an idyllic setting for the Concours, and fittingly, much of the proceeds go to the Children’s Wing of the Central Library.
The Light Ranger Mobile Universal Trailer Tester is a portable and water resistant trailer light tester and trailer brakes tester that allows the user to perform all testing functions without the use of the vehicle. For 7-spade, 6-round and 4/5 flat pin trailer harnesses, the Light Ranger simulates all electrical circuits of standard towing vehicles for boating, RV, landscaping, hunting and similar type light duty trailers. Included with each tester is a battery charger and 3-way trailer harness adapter.
