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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos

Steve and Dannielle Schmidt's 1957 Porsche 356 GT. DennisGray
Steve and Dannielle Schmidt\'s 1957 Porsche 356 GT.

The California Mille 2015 was staged April 26-30 on the challenging back roads of Northern California. The 25th annual rally saw 67 historic cars from all over the world come to San Francisco to salute Italy’s most famous open road race, the Mille Miglia.

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 the California Mille was born in 1990. The Mille is produced by Amici americani della Mille Miglia (American Friends of the Mille Miglia), with David and Howard Swig serving as co-directors and Dan Radowicz as the organizer.

As always, the 2015 running of the California Mille started with the customary free car show on Sunday, April 26th 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 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 to Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France to a great selection of Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche vehicles.

Further notable entrants at this year’s rally included a 1954 OSCA MTA 1500; 1952 Cunningham C3; 1954 Lancia D24; 1957 Maserati 200SI; 1927 Bentley 3-Liter; 1954 Maserati A6GCS; 1959 BMW 507; 1957 Porsche 356 Carrera GT; 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster; 1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider; 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Alloy Coupe; 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Lightweight and 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Zagato.

Day 1 of the California Mille 2015 saw entrants cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Mill Valley, Fairfax, Pt. Reyes Station, Occidental, Santa Rosa and Napa for the night. On Day 2 the Mille departed for Calistoga, Cloverdale, Boonville, Ukiah and Little River. On Day 3 the interesting cars motored to Fort Bragg, Garberville, and Victorian Ferndale, returning to Little River for dinner and an overnight. The last day of this year’s Cal Mille saw the vintage cars head for Jenner, Petaluma, Glen Ellen before concluding the adventure in Calistoga.

Similar to the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 events, Senior Photographer Dennis Gray also documented the 2015 California Mille, offering the following pictures that highlight the strong field of entrants and wonderful views found in Northern California. We split up Dennis’ 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. To see more from Dennis, visit HistoricMotorPrints.com

California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
Monday morning.
Monday morning.
Steve Adler and Jakob Greisen in the 1957 Maserati 200SI.
Steve Adler and Jakob Greisen in the 1957 Maserati 200SI.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1954 Maserati A6GCS driven by Jonathan Feiber and Ivan Zaremba.
1954 Maserati A6GCS driven by Jonathan Feiber and Ivan Zaremba.
1954 Lancia D24 driven by Charles and Mark Nearburg.
1954 Lancia D24 driven by Charles and Mark Nearburg.
1959 BMW 507 Roadster driven by Scott and Rochelle Morris.
1959 BMW 507 Roadster driven by Scott and Rochelle Morris.
1956 Jaguar XK140 FHC driven by Michael Stern and William Widmaier.
1956 Jaguar XK140 FHC driven by Michael Stern and William Widmaier.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Two

1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
Jaguar XK120 during the early Monday morning in front of the Fairmont.
Jaguar XK120 during the early Monday morning in front of the Fairmont.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88.
1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88.
The Chubb Insurance truck arrives.
The Chubb Insurance truck arrives.
1962 Lancia Appia.
1962 Lancia Appia.
Monday morning before the crowd arrives.
Monday morning before the crowd arrives.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Neil and Cynthia Alexander.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Neil and Cynthia Alexander.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Three

Rob Kaufmann's 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
Rob Kaufmann’s 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
You should have heard it, what a sound.
You should have heard it, what a sound.
Don Murray's 1953 Alfa-Romeo 1900C Touring.
Don Murray’s 1953 Alfa-Romeo 1900C Touring.
1954 OSCA MTA 1500.
1954 OSCA MTA 1500.
Hank and Cindy Mauel's 1957 Lotus Elite.
Hank and Cindy Mauel’s 1957 Lotus Elite.
Mathew Polk backs his 1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 into place. Co-driver is Amy Gould.
Mathew Polk backs his 1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 into place. Co-driver is Amy Gould.
Bill Scheffler backs his 1952 Cunningham C3 coupe into place.
Bill Scheffler backs his 1952 Cunningham C3 coupe into place.
1956 Austin Healey 100M driven by Ted Springstead and Cindy Hill.
1956 Austin-Healey 100M driven by Ted Springstead and Cindy Hill.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Four

Another early arrival is Stuart Passey's 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce.
Another early arrival is Stuart Passey’s 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint Zagato driven by Bruce and Cathy Milner.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint Zagato driven by Bruce and Cathy Milner.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider driven by Stuart and Jan Passey. Behind the Giulietta is the 1957 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider driven by Stuart and Jan Passey. Behind the Giulietta is the 1957 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS.
Steve and Dannielle Schmidt's 1957 Porsche 356 GT.
Steve and Dannielle Schmidt’s 1957 Porsche 356 GT.
Bathed in San Francisco Dew. 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster.
Bathed in San Francisco Dew. 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster.
Early Sunday morning there are still lots paring spaces. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Neil and Cynthia Alexander.
Early Sunday morning there are still lots paring spaces. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Neil and Cynthia Alexander.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Walter and Suzanne Weimer.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Walter and Suzanne Weimer.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Five

David Swig's 1951 Chrysler Saratoga Monday morning in front of the Fairmont.
David Swig’s 1951 Chrysler Saratoga Monday morning in front of the Fairmont.
1955 Ford Thunderbird.
1955 Ford Thunderbird.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster driven by Tony and Belle Schwartz.
1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster driven by Tony and Belle Schwartz.
1957 Maserati 200SI driven by Steven Adler and Jakob Greisen.
1957 Maserati 200SI driven by Steven Adler and Jakob Greisen.
1957 Maserati 200SI driven by Steven Adler and Jakob Greisen.
1957 Maserati 200SI driven by Steven Adler and Jakob Greisen.
Just as the sun comes up. 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S.
Just as the sun comes up. 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Six

Rob Kaufmann's 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
Rob Kaufmann’s 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France.
1954 Maserati A6GCS driven by Jonathan Feiber.
1954 Maserati A6GCS driven by Jonathan Feiber.
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce driven by David Dossetter and Chris Tresse.
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce driven by David Dossetter and Chris Tresse.
1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 driven by Matthew Polk and Amy Gould.
1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 driven by Matthew Polk and Amy Gould.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1953 Aston Martin DB2 Volante driven by Jeffrey and Jamie Long.
1953 Aston Martin DB2 Volante driven by Jeffrey and Jamie Long.
1928 Bentley 3/8 Liter driven by Doug and Ellen Weitman.
1928 Bentley 3/8 Liter driven by Doug and Ellen Weitman.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Seven

1958 Ferrari California Spider driven by Tony and Lulu Wang.
1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider driven by Tony and Lulu Wang.
1957 Maserati 200SI driven by Steven Adler and Jakob Greisen.
1957 Maserati 200SI driven by Steven Adler and Jakob Greisen.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France driven by Rob Kaufmann and Melissa Woodle.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France driven by Rob Kaufmann and Melissa Woodle.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Alloy Coupe driven by David Macneil and Kim Ruzycki.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Alloy Coupe driven by David Macneil and Kim Ruzycki.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Walter and Suzanne Weimer.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Walter and Suzanne Weimer.
1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Diego and Helena Ribadeneira.
1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster driven by Diego and Helena Ribadeneira.
David Swig's 1951 Chrysler Saratoga.
David Swig’s 1951 Chrysler Saratoga.
1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 driven by Matthew Polk and Amy Gould.
1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 driven by Matthew Polk and Amy Gould.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Eight

1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Lightweight driven by Jeremy Dossetter and David Ferguson.
1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Lightweight driven by Jeremy Dossetter and David Ferguson.
Jeffrey and Heidi Abramson's 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Alleggerita.
Jeffrey and Heidi Abramson’s 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Alleggerita.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider driven by Mark and Veronica Boen.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider driven by Mark and Veronica Boen.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Zagato driven by Bruce and Cathy Milner.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Zagato driven by Bruce and Cathy Milner.
Robert and Linda Bodin's 1952 Jaguar XK120 OTS.
Robert and Linda Bodin’s 1952 Jaguar XK120 OTS.
1954 Jaguar XK140 FHC driven by Michael Stern and William Widmaier.
1954 Jaguar XK140 FHC driven by Michael Stern and William Widmaier.
1956 Morgan +4 driven by Larry Anderson and Locke Holmes.
1956 Morgan +4 driven by Larry Anderson and Locke Holmes.
1957 Lotus Elite driven by Hank and Cindy Mauel.
1957 Lotus Elite driven by Hank and Cindy Mauel.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Nine

1956 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS driven by Art and Nevada Cook.
1956 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS driven by Art and Nevada Cook.
Camilo and Carmen Steuer's 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce.
Camilo and Carmen Steuer’s 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 driven by Chuck Wegner and Chris Dugan.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 driven by Chuck Wegner and Chris Dugan.
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S driven by Jeffrey Mirvis and Christina Jennings-Vadis.
1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S driven by Jeffrey Mirvis and Christina Jennings-Vadis.
1960 Porsche 356 Roadster driven by Gustavo Pradillo and Susana Gaviria.
1960 Porsche 356 Roadster driven by Gustavo Pradillo and Susana Gaviria.
1956 Porsche 356 Carrera driven by Steven Harris and Lucien Rees-Roberts.
1956 Porsche 356 Carrera driven by Steven Harris and Lucien Rees-Roberts.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Ten

Up Highway 1 in the North Coast Sunshine. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette driven by Max Jamiesson and Martin Granados.
Up Highway 1 in the North Coast Sunshine. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette driven by Max Jamiesson and Martin Granados.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce driven by Stuart and Jan Passey.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce driven by Stuart and Jan Passey.
1955 Austin Healey 100M driven by Bill Lobeck.
1955 Austin-Healey 100M driven by Bill Lobeck.
Steve and Dannielle Schmidt's 1957 Porsche 356 GT.
Steve and Dannielle Schmidt’s 1957 Porsche 356 GT.
1962 Lancia Appia driven by Cory and Robin Youngberg.
1962 Lancia Appia driven by Cory and Robin Youngberg.
1950 Lancia Ardea driven by Ed Riggins and Mark Washam.
1950 Lancia Ardea driven by Ed Riggins and Mark Washam.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint driven by Jeffrey and Heidi Abramson.
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint driven by Jeffrey and Heidi Abramson.
Thumbs up from Neil and Cynthia Alexander in their 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster.
Thumbs up from Neil and Cynthia Alexander in their 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster.

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California Mille 2015 – Report and Photos Page Eleven

1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 driven by Chuck Wegner and Chris Dugan.
1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 driven by Chuck Wegner and Chris Dugan.
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
Tom and Gwen Price in their 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.
1928 Bentley 3/8 Liter driven by Doug and Ellen Weltman
1928 Bentley 3/8 Liter driven by Doug and Ellen Weltman
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1927 Bentley 3 Liter driven by Frank and Leah Gabrielli.
1957 AC Aceca driven by Ed and Carla Mazula.
1957 AC Aceca driven by Ed and Carla Mazula.
Jason and Samantha Scherr's 1959 Porsche 356B in Occidental.
Jason and Samantha Scherr’s 1959 Porsche 356B in Occidental.
Always a treat to see and hear Michael and Katharina Leventhal's 1954 OSCA MT4 1500.
Always a treat to see and hear Michael and Katharina Leventhal’s 1954 OSCA MT4 1500.
1954 Lancia D24 driven by Charles and Mark Nearburg.
1954 Lancia D24 driven by Charles and Mark Nearburg.

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California Mille 2015 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

[nggallery id=788 images=15]

 

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[Source: California Mille; photos: Dennis Gray]