Category: VALT Stories
-
Monterey Motorsports Reunion Celebrates the History of Racing
One of the best experiences during Monterey Car Week is to witness historic racecars do what they were built for – race hard on track, all week long at Laguna Seca. You can see historic cars firing up, being worked on, and driven as they were originally intended.
-
‘How to Build a Car’ by Adrian Newey
Adrian Newey’s autobiography elegantly chronicles the design philosophies behind a select 11 Grand Prix cars that he championed over an illustrious career. Anyone with a casual interest in automobiles, motor racing or aerodynamics will find this book to be a sure-fire stimulant.
-
Holy Grail Hunting: Ferrari 458 Italia
The 458 Italia was born at the tale end of the goldilocks 2000s era, serving as a culmination of the most desirable characteristics in a mid-engine Ferrari. It was a timely return to form for Maranello after a hiatus.
-
Why Citroën was the Pioneering Misfit of the Car World
Words and photography Vijay Sankar (pink_helmet) … Arriving at the sprawling farm draped over the hilly landscape of Castro Valley, I was greeted by a sanctuary carefully preserving the cream of French automotive avant-garde. It was fitting that the entire locality felt detached from the modern world, seemingly living in its own dreamy bubble of…
-
Six Questions with Sreten of M539 Restorations
Words and photography by Vijay Sankar (@pink_helmet) When Jason Cammisa decided to host an impromptu meetup with the beloved creator of M539 Restorations—Sreten—we didn’t have to think twice about showing up. Nor did 100 or so others who flocked to that tiny corner of San Rafael on a day’s notice to exchange pleasantries with the…
-
BMW Z3 M Coupe: The Weird And The Wonderful
All images are from a recent BMW Z3 M Coupe reunion photoshoot held in the Bay Area. Thanks to Rich (@dasblaushu) and the rest of the M Shoe owners for making this gathering happen. Words and photos by Vijay Sankar (@pink_helmet). … Some of the most interesting cars ever made have taken form without express…
-
The Lamborghini Miura Experience
Words and photography by Vijay Sankar (@pink_helmet) … A solid wall of thunderous wails echoed through the woods lining the Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Flocks of birds were dislodged from mountain sides at the arrival of the exhaust note rocking their world. As much as the visual presence is iconic, the noise of the Miura precedes it.…
-
BMW E60 M5–The Power of Ten
There is electric throttle response throughout the rev range, and it makes peak power at its manic top end near 8000 RPM. It punches well low in the rev range, but boy does it pay to rev it out to the climax. The motor hits so hard at the top after a linear climb through…
-
Tales from The California Automobile Museum
VALT Stories is a series that brings together car culture tales worth sharing from the Bay Area. This series embodies everything from photo essays on notable cars to selected narratives of the stewards of automotive enthusiasm in the community. … Gabriel Ionica serves as the Communications Coordinator at California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. He is…
-
BMW ///M is Still Alive and Well
In search of the soul of BMW, we found that there are still palpable signs of life at the M Division that excite us. You just need to be open new experiences. khj Words and photography by Vijay Sankar (@pink_helmet on Instagram) Caveat: The photos are those of a base M2, but my driving impressions…