Last weekend I was at a Mazda dealership in City of Industry, Calif., when a red Ferrari 308 GTS buzzed into the parking lot. After confirming that it wasn't Brian Moody driving ours (nor Tom Selleck), I figured this was a golden opportunity to ask a "fellow" owner about his experiences with a 308. His was a 1978 GTS, one of the first imported into the United States. It's not a GTSi Quattrovalvole like our 1984 version, and it takes a keen eye (certainly not mine) to spot other differences like a lack of gas shocks that prop up the engine cover and no black vinyl spoiler. He bought his in the early 1980s for more than $40,000 and has kept it in excellent condition inside a garage ever since. Like so many folks who have automotive toys, he doesn't get to drive it as much as he'd like...
He said he's experienced very few problems with his 308, although he confirmed that maintenance does cost a pretty penny. The doctor from Loma Linda, Calif., also owns a 1974 BMW 2002 tii, a European-spec BMW M635i and a BMW 540i that his wife drives. His son recently bought a Mazdaspeed 3 (hence his presence at Puente Hills Mazda). Sounds like our type of family.
James Riswick, Associate Editor
SubyTrojan says:
05:57 PM, 06/27/07
He has a Euro-spec E24 M635i? Wow! Kudos to his son on getting the Mazdaspeed3! I wish we had one in the LT fleet, especially since it won the Sport Compact Comparison! :(
desmolicious says:
06:14 PM, 06/27/07
Does the Rock Store charge for photoshoots? I see it used everywhere for location shots. If so , Earl aint using any of that dough to fix the ripped up booths inside...
mediaguy1 says:
10:55 AM, 06/28/07
The last time I filmed at the Rock Store for a Discovery Channel special, I payed Earl...worth every penny. If you havent been to the Store, you owe it to yourself to get there at least once, on a bike if you can.
desmolicious says:
05:05 PM, 06/28/07
Go on a Sunday mid morning to see the show...
For people who want to know where it is/how to get there, 2 basic routes:
1/ 101 North from LA, exit Los Virgenes, turn left (south to the beach). Turn right on Mulholland Hwy and follow for a few miles until you see it..
2/ Pacific Coast Highway north from Santa Monica. Right on Malibu Canyon. Left on Mulholland.
There are plenty other more "fun" routes, but these are the most direct.
Jay Leno is there most Sundays with some toy of his.