This year’s running of the California Mille (April 26-May 1) challenged its participants both with new features such as a hillclimb for pre-1927 automobiles up San Francisco’s steep California Street, as well as rain, snow and even hail on several legs of the journey.
Over 58 entries took part in this year’s event which included among others, Bruce Trenery’s 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C2600, the Pininfarina Packard of Carl Schneider, the 1948 Nardi Danese of Richard DeLuna, two Maserati A6GCS for Tom Mittle and John & Lisa Weinberger, as well as the 1955 Jaguar D-Type of Dennis Varni and the 1957 Ferrari 250 TdF of Peter LeSaffre.
While the event started and finished in beautiful California spring sunshine, Monday and Tuesday’s drives were hampered by not only rain, sleet and two feet of snow, but also by a major landslide that blocked off part of the scenic coastal route, forcing a change of plans for that evening’s lodgings. Yet, despite all these challenges posed by Mother Nature, most participants not only continued on with the tour but ranted about what an enjoyable time they had.
Submitted by Bob Dunsmore
