Not long ago – even if it kind of feels like ages ago – the Galpin Car Show happened, and it was magical and absolutely crammed full of fascinating cars. Seriously, there were hundreds and hundreds of amazing cars there, and just trying to see and appreciate them all is the sort of thing that has driven many a sane person mad, mad with car-appreciation madness.
We don’t wish that fate on any of you, of course, but we also understand you have a need – no, a right – to be exposed to the best and most interesting cars that the Galpin Car Show had to offer. That’s why we made this video.
And yes, if you watch to the end, you get to see me get slapped! Deservedly!
Yes, we tried out best to find the most interesting car at the show, and it wasn’t easy. And by “we” I don’t just mean David and Beau and me, because this video also features your other Autopian favorites like Mercedes and Matt and even the rarely-seen Peter (he’s under contract still to General Films, and even though I tried to explain to him that’s a different kind of “film” he still insists he can’t be seen onscreen), and there’s even some guest stars like the legendary Bruce Meyer, grafitti artist Mr.Cartoon, and hot rod building-and-restoring legend Dave Shuten, who I’m pretty sure thinks I’m a pile of warm garbage.
Here, just watch the damn thing, it’s full of incredible cars and definitely worth your, let’s see, 38 minutes! Just put it on autopilot and make circles or let the patient hang out under anesthetic or hide in the walk-in and take 40 minutes for you to watch and enjoy this:
There’s so many great cars featured here: Hanomags and custom Porsche 356s and Vectors and GT-Rs and huge trucks and tiny microcars and one-of-a-kind-customs (like the legendary Bathroom Buggy hot rod!) and VW Things and Corvettes with BMW i3 guts and so so much more.
It’s worth it. Give it a watch! Now, dammit!
Car Culture Should Bring Us Together
The Galpin Car Show In LA Is Going To Be Nuts And We Want You To Come THIS SUNDAY!
This Must Be The Greatest Culinary Mistake Ever Made At A Car Show
These 40 minutes went by quickly. I could’ve sworn it wasn’t halfway through yet when the credits started popping up on the screen. Seems like a wonderfully bonkers car show, I’m sure everyone who got to go had the best time!
At minute-marker 33:50 in that video, Matt shows his youth. That is not “the most famous Bronco, maybe in the world.” You were at a show in LA. Everyone everywhere, but especially in LA, knows about the low-speed white Bronco chase.
Beau was there with you, Matt. He’s old enough to remember.
Love it! Was good to see many of the Autopians showing us the variety of motor vehicles. Nice job!
I’d like to see a series of these ending with different people slapping Torch. Maybe Thwack-Thursdays or something!
That looked like a real slap. Who got to do it?
My money is on Matt. Given he’s stolen other editors lunch at the previous joint, I can easily see him doing this. (Adrian would’ve head-butted him.)
Could have been “Edith” (not Elise’s real name).
NOT EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE AUTOPIAN THOUGH
But is a denizen of the Autopian community also called an Autopian? Like I live in California but I’m not also called a California.
I think we have a large enough community to have an official demonym. I formally propose Autopianian. Adrian, you’re my favorite Autopianian.
Autopianian is miles better than an Autopianist (from the high order) or an Autopianik (which would need a Autopianicizing from a doctor Autopnik)
Autiopienne?
Clue: Sonic the Hedgehog reference
Random: Auto”pic-a-nic basket”
But the community is named after the title for the members of the same community… The closest parallel I can think of is “The New Yorker” magazine – the readers are New Yorkers?
Anyway, the point is that the community itself needs a different name, the most appropriate one would be Autopia, right?
Autopeon
What, Thomas wasn’t there?!
RIGHT. OFF TO MATRON YOU GO.
Apropos of nothing, the 1924 MGM-produced film He Who Gets Slapped, starring Lon Chaney as the tragic and ill-fated circus clown who gets slapped, was the first film to use a lion as the mascot for MGM.
Jason… this is your sister. I demand that you get me that Commodetomobile!
California has the best toys.
Thanks to the power of YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGdf9ea2olQ
Film you say?
https://youtu.be/MLGsiAQHW88
For those of us who could not make it there, this was great! Fun seeing many of the great vehicles and the Autopian staff having a great time. Thanks!
Was I the only one who expected the slap to occur at the “Hey you! Why are you fondling my taillights?! Cut it out!” part?
You are not alone
Jason Tochinsky, Master of Attention Catchers.
Great article name Torch.
Torch: “Hey, look – Volkswagens!”
The rest of us: “We know.”
Special thanks to Matt for nominating my Miata for one of his most interesting cars! It was a great show!
I can’t overstate my affection for everyday fun cars like yours. They can make going to the grocery store an adventure if you feel like it. That shift knob is a pleasing match to the very that-era white gauges!
Thanks! It’s a great car! If anyone is curious about the shifter it knob it was custom ordered from Hot Rod Shiftknobs
I can’t imagine anyone even slightly familiar with you thinking that you’re merely lukewarm.
I was at the show with my ratty and unwashed NA hardtop Miata in the Autopian area, and I walked around the entire show (well, I skipped the mob of Lambos in that back lot) thee times over the course of the day. There WERE MANY fascinating cars there… I dunno if I had a favorite, but there was a little silver Fiat (I dunno much about these… I think it was a 750, and IIRC, it was for sale by Galpin) that was certainly among the prettiest.
I uploaded a snapshot of that Fiat to a random online image host:
https://ibb.co/42Wr1GQ
ooo that is sharp!
It’s giving baby SL in the best possible way