The Northern California chapter of the National Desoto Club recently voted to change their name to the National Desoto Club, California Chapter, and to invite NDC members in southern California and some nearby western states to join. The reorganized Desoto club chapter was invited to participate in a joint meet with the Imperial Owners Club, combined northern and southern California chapters, April 15 to 18th in Cambria. Sea-side Cambria is on the central coast, a few miles north of Morro Bay and Cayucos, just below the Hearst Castle at San Simeon, and near the Paso Robles wine growing region. I’ve been closing in on a few final restoration errands on our 53 Firedome wagon, and my wife agreed to accompany me on a moderate-risk road trip to the meet. We started up I-5 and took the 73 bypass toll road to the 405 (Southern Californians put a “the” in front of some, but not all, highway designators. I believe this is a scheme to detect visitors and newcomers who don’t get it quite right.) Stopped for lunch at Bristol Farms off the Rosecrans exit, then continued past LAX over the Sepulveda pass to 101. We stopped at El Capitan state beach west of Santa Barbara, and then called on a cousin in Avila Beach, now late in the afternoon. We arrived at the Cambria Pines Lodge in early evening.
Distance was about 300 miles, much further than any of my previous trips with this car. The Desoto ran well, even cruising in the car pool lanes through LA at 65 to 75 mph. Averaged 13 mpg, and used about a quart and a half of oil during the 800 mile trip. I was pleased with the mileage, which was 30% better than I expected.
NDC members Steve Jensen and Jim Gorden brought their ‘55s to the meet. Jim is chairman of the reorganized California NDC chapter; Steve is cochairman. NDC member John Tennyson, who is also president of the northern California Imperial Owners Association, brought his Imperial. John organized a fine meet, which included visits to the Castle and the Paso Robles Warbirds museum, as well as time for beaches, sightseeing, and wine tasting. Barbara and I were pleased to take custody of the Imperial Owners Association of Northern California President’s Cup for the next two years!
We are hoping to see many of you Desoto.org readers at the Kalamazoo meet in July. Not planning to drive the Firedome to that one though. Here are a few photos from the trip.
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File comment: The Rincon, between Santa Barbara and Ventura off 101

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File comment: Elephant seal rookery near San Simeon

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File comment: DC-3 at the Estrella Warbirds Museum

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_________________ John Boyd San Diego, California Member National Desoto Club and Airflow Club of America drjohn96@me.com1953 S16 Firedome Estate Wagon (2) 1936 S2 Airflow sedan (4)
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