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California Mille 2014 – Report and Photos

Tom and Gwen Price in their 1953 Jaguar C-Type. DennisGray
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1953 Jaguar C-Type.

Report by Dennis Gray | Photos by author and Bob Ross

The 2014 California Mille was staged April 27th to May 1st on the challenging back roads of Northern California. The four-day, 1,000-mile rally continued its long tradition of spirited driving in historic sports cars on the twisty and picturesque roads for which they were intended. The rally celebrates Italy’s Mille Miglia race that ran from Brescia to Rome to Brescia from 1927-1957. Cars that could have qualified for the original event are eligible for entry in the California Mille.

The California Mille was founded by Martin Swig, who after driving the Mille Miglia from Brescia to Rome to Brescia, decided that northern California “Looked more like Italy than—Italy.” Thus was born, in 1990, The California Mille. The Mille is produced by Amici americani della Mille Miglia (American Friends of the Mille Miglia), which also presents the annual New Year’s Day “Anti-Football Drive”, and will in 2015 re-stage La Carrera Nevada, its version of Mexico’s border-to-border La Carrera Panamericana. David and Howard Swig are co-directors of these events and Dan Radowicz is the organizer.

As always, the 2014 running of the California Mille started with the customary free car show on Sunday, April 27th in front of San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Italian Consul General Mauro Battocchi welcomed fans on behalf of his nation, offering historic insight into the original Mille Miglia. During the opening day festivities, the Swig brothers walked around the show to highlight the many unusual and significant automobiles that ranged from a 1927 Bentley 6.5-Liter Le Mans and 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet Series I to a great selection of Alfa Romeos, Jaguars, Porsches and other vehicles.

Further notable entrants at this year’s rally included a 1952 Tojeiro Roadster; 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900CSS; 1953 Siata 208S; 1957 AC Ace Bristol Zagato; 1957 and 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de Frances; 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder; 1953 Jaguar C-Type; 1957 Maserati 200si; 1939 Jaguar SS-100; 1951 Allard K2; 1949 Healey Silverstone and 1957 Kurtis Kraft 500KK; among others.

On Monday, April 28, the California Mille headed north to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, then motored east to Lodi for lunch at the Wine and Roses Restaurant. That afternoon, the Mille left the Central Valley driving to the west shore of Lake Tahoe, with an overnight at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley.

Day 2, April 29, the California Mille headed north into the picturesque and little-known Gold Lake region where drivers did their best to avoid the temptation to fish, camp and hike (as normal tourists do), continuing instead to Nevada City for lunch at the historic Stonehouse Brewery. The afternoon drive journeyed down the western slope of the Sierra with the Mille spending the night at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.

Day 3, April 30, the Mille classics cruised along the banks of the Sacramento River, passing through the 19th century Chinese-designed town of Locke, then driving west to the Napa Valley wine country for lunch. Continuing westward, the Mille ambled through rarely-traveled back roads ending the day at Cavallo Point for the first of two nights at this San Francisco Bay-front resort.

On May 1, the final day, the California Mille climbed 2500 feet to the near top of Mt. Tamalpais, the highest point in Marin County, smiled for a commemorative group photo, then motored north for lunch in the village of Nicasio, wandered along the Pacific Coast to Occidental, then turned south for the run back to Sausalito and the final night’s awards banquet at Cavallo Point.

Similar to 2011, 2012 and 2013, photographers Dennis Gray and Bob Ross also documented the 2014 California Mille, offering the following picture gallery that highlights the strong field of entrants and wonderful views found in Northern California. We split up Dennis and Bob’s photos into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

Morning sun sets off the waving Italian flag as the next car, the 1928 Bentley 4.5 Vanden Plas starts the Mille.
Morning sun sets off the waving Italian flag as the 1928 Bentley 4.5 Vanden Plas starts the Mille.
1939 Jaguar SS-100 team.
1939 Jaguar SS-100 team.
The Mittler brothers unwrap their 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder.
The Mittler Brothers unwrap their 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder.
Robert Reed pulls the 1929 Bentley out for the start.
Robert Reed pulls the 1929 Bentley out for the start.

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You need these goggles to pilot a 1929 Bentley.
You need these goggles to pilot a 1929 Bentley.
Porsche 550 Spyder.
Porsche 550 Spyder.
Porsche 356 in front of Fairmont Hotel
Porsche 356 in front of Fairmont Hotel
Healey Silverstone team.
Healey Silverstone team.

 

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California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Hank Mauel's 1962 Lotus Elite.
Hank Mauel’s 1962 Lotus Elite.
1958 Arnolt Bristol Bolide.
1958 Arnolt Bristol Bolide.
Monday morning in front of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
Monday morning in front of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
Monday morning.
Monday morning.

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1957 Porsche 356 Coupe driven by Bruce Myer.
1957 Porsche 356 Coupe driven by Bruce Meyer.
Rob Kauffman's 1956 Ferrari 250GT Boano on the right and David MacNeil's 1956 Ferrari 250GT alloy Boano on the left.
Rob Kauffman’s 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano on the right and David MacNeil’s 1956 Ferrari 250GT Alloy Boano on the left.
AC Ace Bristol Zagato driven by Jim Feldman.
AC Ace Bristol Zagato driven by Jim Feldman.
Monday morning setting the timing on a 1956 Ferrari Boano alloy coupe.
Monday morning setting the timing on a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Alloy Coupe.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Mike Malamut's 1958 Porsche Speedster.
Mike Malamut’s 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster.
David Word's 1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S.
David Word’s 1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S.
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1953 Jaguar C-Type.
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1953 Jaguar C-Type.
Stanley Gold's 1953 Porsche 356 Cabriolet.
Stanley Gold’s 1953 Porsche 356 Cabriolet.

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Max Jamiesson's 1957 Chevrolet Corvette.
Max Jamiesson’s 1957 Chevrolet Corvette.
Robert Reed's 1929 Bentley 4.5 Supercharged.
Robert Reed’s 1929 Bentley 4.5 Supercharged.
Masahiro Inoue's 1939 Jaguar SS-100 .
Masahiro Inoue’s 1939 Jaguar SS-100 .
Hank Mauel's 1962 Lotus Elite.
Hank Mauel’s 1962 Lotus Elite.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

1957 Porsche 356.
1957 Porsche 356.
1957 Maserati 200si.
1957 Maserati 200si.
Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet
Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spyder Veloce.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce.

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1957 AC Ace Bristol.
1957 AC Ace Bristol.
1956 Ferrari 250GT Boano coupe.
1956 Ferrari 250GT Boano Coupe.
1952 Jaguar XK120 fhc.
1952 Jaguar XK120 FHC.
1938 Lancia Aprilia.
1938 Lancia Aprilia.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Steven Adler packs his 1957 Maserati 200si.
Steven Adler packs his 1957 Maserati 200si.
Michael Kaleel's 1954 Jaguar XK120 ots.
Michael Kaleel’s 1954 Jaguar XK120 OTS.
1928 Bentley 4.5 Liter Vanden Plas driven by Martin Chisholm.
1928 Bentley 4.5 Liter Vanden Plas driven by Martin Chisholm.
Mashahiro Inoue's 1939 Jaguar SS-100.
Mashahiro Inoue’s 1939 Jaguar SS-100.

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Line up.
Line-up in front of the Fairmont Hotel.
Early Monday morning.
Early Monday morning.
Early Monday morning, Tony Wang's 1958 Ferrari 250TR.
Early Monday morning, Tony Wang’s 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.
1953 C Type Jaguar driven by Tom Price.
1953 Jaguar C-Type driven by Tom Price.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

John Leshinski, 1951 Allard K-2. Photographer: Bob Ross
John Leshinski, 1951 Allard K-2. Photographer: Bob Ross
Robert Davis, 1953 Siata 208S. Photographer: Bob Ross
Robert Davis, 1953 Siata 208S. Photographer: Bob Ross
Yayoi Koshikawa, 1949 Healey Silverstone. Photographer: Bob Ross
Yayoi Koshikawa, 1949 Healey Silverstone. Photographer: Bob Ross
Masahiro Inoue, 1939 Jaguar SS-100. Photographer: Bob Ross
Masahiro Inoue, 1939 Jaguar SS-100. Photographer: Bob Ross

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Rob Kauffman, 1956 Ferrari 250GT Boano Coupe. Photographer: Bob Ross
Rob Kauffman, 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Coupe. Photographer: Bob Ross
Bruce Meyer, 1957 Porsche 356 Coupe. Photographer: Bob Ross
Bruce Meyer, 1957 Porsche 356 Coupe. Photographer: Bob Ross
Rob maitland, AC Bristol. Photographer: Bob Ross
Rob Maitland, AC Bristol. Photographer: Bob Ross
Fred Phillips, 1957 Kurtis Kraft 500KK. Photographer: Bob Ross
Fred Phillips, 1957 Kurtis Kraft 500KK. Photographer: Bob Ross

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross

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Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
What a view to wake up to. Off in the distance is the San Francisco skyline, closer the Presidio Yacht Club then an XK-SS, Blown Bentley, XK-150, XK-120 and others. http://www.cavallopoint.com
What a view to wake up to. Off in the distance is the San Francisco skyline, closer the Presidio Yacht Club then a SS-100, Blown Bentley, XK-150, XK-120 and others. CavalloPoint.com

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

Terry O'Reilly's 1952 jaguar XK120 FHC.
Terry O’Reilly’s 1952 Jaguar XK120 FHC.
Another view of the Fairmont Hotel parking lot Saturday night.
Another view of the Fairmont Hotel parking lot Saturday night.
Fairmont Hotel parking Saturday night.
Fairmont Hotel parking Saturday night.
Cesar Chaves Park. Photographer: Bob Ross
Cesar Chavez Park. Photographer: Bob Ross

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Villiers blower on the 1929 Bentley 4.5 liter. Photographer: Bob Ross
Villiers blower on the 1929 Bentley 4.5 liter. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chaves Park, Sacremento. Photographer: Bob Ross
Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento. Photographer: Bob Ross

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

California Mille 2014 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

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[Source: California Mille; Dennis Gray]