A Collection of Automotive Masterpieces

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 08/31/2016 at 21:59 • Filed to: Shelby, OoooooooooBarracuda, Car collection, de tomaso

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Over this past weekend, our family was invited to attend the fiftieth birthday party of one of my dad’s long-time friends. This is the guy that he went to middle school with, went to high school with, and would later work for the same company with. Anyways, after founding a relatively successful startup back in the ‘90s, this guy came away with a handsome chunk of cash and so he purchased a property in the South San Jose hills. The reason he chose this rather remote location is because he had always been a petrolhead, and, out here in the rural part of the Silicon Valley, he could have a place to both raise a family as well as build a garage for all the cars he intended to purchase. About five or seven years ago, we went to a similar party at his place where he showcased his collection of around ten Mopars, all very rare cars in pristine condition. Of course, that’s impressive enough, but this time around, things were a bit different. We arrived late to the party (as we are wont to do) after the garage tour was over, but, after my dad let him know that I’m a dedicated petrolhead myself, he very graciously and kindly agreed to take us on our own private visit to the garage. What he had inside was more than worth the visit.

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Even before you get to the garage, this is what is sitting out on the basketball courts:

Waiting to be restored. The Ranchero is a parts car for a better Ranchero.

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Anyways, now onto the fun stuff:

Yep, those are some pretty rare Barracudas. Also, a real Cobra.

More Barracudas, some awesomely rare GM metal.

Green De Tomaso Mangusta!

An Ogle SX 1275! Because why the hell not?

Original Porsche 356. Actually, may have been restored, not totally sure.

Some awesome cars, two old geezers ;)

Two GTOs and a modern Challenger (only new car in here and it’s packing some upgrades)

Some interesting reading material on the pink ‘Cuda

Yep, official Camaro ‘vert Pace Car.

What’s that? Oh, just another Cobra. This one’s race prepped and apparently sounds like the heavens splitting open.

More rare Pontiacs and ‘Cudas

Shaker hoods!

Amazing.

Also, he let my brother and me sit in the blue Cobra. I’m not quite ready to drive it yet! ;)

I suppose if you built only a few cars you can spend the time to sign all of them.

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When else can you ever get a picture like this? Just awesome.

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Practically a once in a lifetime sight.

I don’t think there’s much to say about a collection like this. I don’t care what cars you like or fantasize over; anyone who calls themself a petrolhead simply cannot not appreciate this group of amazing cars which have been both historically significant as well as are just beautiful keepsakes to have around. Well, more than just keepsakes. I guess they’re great for car shows, track days, and terrorizing the neighbors, too! Definitely a garage worthy of a king.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Amoore100 08/31/2016 at 22:06

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Quite the collection, you’re lucky to have visited! :D

Amoore100 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 08/31/2016 at 22:08

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Agreed! Perhaps someday it’ll become a museum; until then, they’re still being kept and enjoyed!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Amoore100 08/31/2016 at 22:12

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Two real Shelby cobras in one place. That’s not likely to happen often.

Amoore100 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 08/31/2016 at 22:20

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Indeed. I guess it was quite a hassle to get the blue one but the red one was a simple matter of an estate sale. Or maybe it was vice versa. I get confused, the cars are what matter most anyways.

Spridget > Amoore100 08/31/2016 at 22:59

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Your brother: “Huh, an old rare car. Neat.”

You: “FUCK YOU, ROLLING STONES, I CAN GET WHAT I WANT. THE WORLD IS MY KINGDOM! I HAVE MET JESUS!”

Does he drive them, or just park them? Also, basketball courts?!?

Amoore100 > Spridget 08/31/2016 at 23:10

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Exactly, haha. He was like, “Hey look, someone’s name is written on it!” and I was like, uhhh, when you made something like thirty cars in total you can spend the time scrawling your signature all over the dashboard of each one...

From what I understand, he takes whatever chances he can get to bring them to car shows (either driving or by trailer) and the Cobras in particular see some track day action. That and he says every now and then he’ll go terrorize the neighborhood with some Hemi action, although he lives in a pretty rural place that I’m sure the neighbors wouldn’t mind ;)

Well I’m assuming the basketball courts were built with the kids in mind although perhaps they weren’t interested in basketball and so it became parts-car/awaiting restoration parking.

Spridget > Amoore100 08/31/2016 at 23:14

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The thought of the Cobra going all out on track is glorious, and you need to score a ride/drive in the Ogle, Cobra, or Mangusta. Where are his project cars? You mentioned a Ranchero that caught my attention . . .

Amoore100 > Spridget 08/31/2016 at 23:19

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Indeed, he says the red one is unmuffled and is terrifyingly loud! Also, that may be in the cards someday, it was just a bit late and we had a party to attend to!

He keeps project cars in the main house; the building is built on a hill so there’s the main living space and underneath that is a restoration garage. I guess that’s where he keeps his first car (a ‘70s Beetle) as well as the Ranchero-in-progress and another ‘Cuda project. It looks like a three-bay garage although only the center bay was open when we pulled up in the driveway and it was the one with the ‘Cuda in it ;)

Your boy, BJR > Amoore100 09/01/2016 at 00:06

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Really? An ugly rebodied mini gets its own picture but that panther Pink ‘70 Charger R/T is relegated to photobomb duty???

Amoore100 > Your boy, BJR 09/01/2016 at 00:11

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When there’s this much Mopar in one garage, the uneducated eye picks out what is strikingly different and unique. Also, I would argue that there are far fewer Ogles in this world than Chargers, although I do concede that I took far too few pictures in this garage than I should have.

Poverty Sucks > Amoore100 09/01/2016 at 00:24

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Such a cool collection! Thanks for taking the time to do a write up!

Also, I sort of lol at that Porsche being boxed in by the Mopars... I guess you can really tell that he’s a huge Mopar fan!

Are you also located in the South Bay? I’m up in the North Bay, so not too far away.

AfromanGTO > Amoore100 09/01/2016 at 00:34

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I wouldn’t mind taking the GTO or Firebird convertible for a spin around the block!

Amoore100 > AfromanGTO 09/01/2016 at 01:04

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Who wouldn’t! ;)

Amoore100 > Poverty Sucks 09/01/2016 at 01:26

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Indeed, I would be doing it a disservice were I not to document this amazingness!

Haha, well obviously he loves his Mopars but you can’t say he doesn’t appreciate a good air-cooled German car what with his Beetle, dune buggy, and 356!

Yep, South Bay San Jose-Saratoga border myself. This property is up in the Almaden hills and it sounds like Sonoma is his default when it comes to track days since both he and my dad grew up in Napa.