Santa Monica Mountains spirited drive

[tberg]

Joined a friend and some of his friends on a spirited drive through the Santa Monica mountains early this morning out to the beach in Malibu. These are some of the best roads in southern California and some that I hadn't driven since I was a teenager fifty years ago. I yanked the Pantera out of the garage, joined my friend and his gorgeous 1996 NSX, joined several 911s, an incredible Porshce 356 convertible recreation, a 1970's era Porsche targa and about a half dozen assorted other cars. The 70's Porsche unfortunately locked his brakes on a sharp curve and smacked into a rail on his driver's side smashing it up pretty good. Surprisingly, my Pantera started early this morning since I hadn't driven it since before the Los Angeles lockdown and the big cat behaved impeccably throughout. I'm always expecting something negative to happen. All in all, 3 hours of great, fast driving and an upper torso workout without power steering in the Pantera.

[tberg]

[tberg]

[croyde]

Does any of that involve the Topanga Canyon road out to Malibu way?

I spent a month with a local girl in Calabasas and would drop her off at work then go look for roads with bends.

Shame I was using her Passat CC not my Mustang GT which was sitting at home back in the UK

[tberg]

croyde,
Yes, it does involve Topanga Canyon. All of us came from the San Fernando Valley, so we took Topanga through the hills to Fernwood which is in the middle of the little shopping district half way through the canyon. This incredible road twists back and forth to the top of the mountain where it meets La Tuna Canyon which is a one way race down to the ocean with no oncoming traffic and a lot of curves. After we got to Pacific Coast Highway, we headed north to Decker and Latigo Canyons as well as a third one of which I don't remember the name and where the Porsche crashed half way up. If you ever find yourself in Calabasas or anywhere in southern California again, let me know and you can take the Pantera up through these roads. Just let me know.

Edited by tberg on Monday 18th May 03:09

[croyde]

Thanks Tberg, what a kind offer. Stay safe

[thelostboy]

Sounds like an eclectic mix of cars! The sort of car scene missing from the UK, sadly.

[Riley Blue]

thelostboy said:

Sounds like an eclectic mix of cars! The sort of car scene missing from the UK, sadly.

On a trip to Scotland this time last year I saw a bunch of cars enjoying a day out that included a pre-war Bentley, XK150, 2 x 911s, an R8 and a Mustang.

[PenelopaPitstop]

I met a local petrolhead on one of the car parks along Mulholland Highway and he told me all about the roads in the area, viewing points and Tuna Canyon Road. I enjoyed the drive in rented Camaro. Will drive there again when next time in the area.

[tberg]

Next time you're out this way, give me a holler, and we'll take the Pantera out for a spin through those roads. Without power steering, you get quite an upper body workout on some of these roads.

Edited by tberg on Tuesday 19th May 05:31