Travelers should bring back stories, so this month’s message is about a tour that started in Brazil again and transitioned to California.

Thirty six years ago I met CLC member Jose Muricy in Rio de Janeiro.  He showed me around his shop with restorations in progress, including a 1939 LaSalle sedan.  Now Mr. Muricy is 94 years old.  Last month I stumbled onto part of his collection in the storage facility of another restoration shop, managed by Gustavo Tostes, president of the Veteran Car Club of Brazil.  There was the ’39 LaSalle, '41 Cadillac convertible coupe and a 1938 Cadillac 60 Special.  Brazilians collect the same cars Americans do!

While in California, Maia and I rode in a completely self-driving taxi, moving through traffic.  The oncoming car with the bubble gum machine on its roof is another one.  San Francisco has a huge fleet.  Unfortunately, my ride had to be a Jaguar driven by Google software because Cadillac’s Super Cruise partial-driving feature isn’t ready yet at this level.

As part of the trip, I met with key members of the CLC Southern California Region to discuss regional operation.  It turns out they accept PayPal and Zelle for members’ dues.  It’s done by going through an officer’s personal account to avoid fees.  See the August meeting minutes for a pilot program to expand PR payment options.  We need this and more to lighten our workload.

A brief tour of the wildfires’ field of destruction last winter proved disturbing.  In Altadena, CA, we found a miracle, a 1960 Ford hardtop, sitting outside its boarded-up house.  At least one collector car survived the devastation.  I haven’t heard any Cadillac stories yet.

Finally, we are sad to hear of the passing of former members Dave Crawford and John Riddick, and current member Peter Chen’s father.  The Region sends condolences to the respective families.

Larry Good