Serpents In The Garden - LA Arboretum - 2015

[David Hodgkins]

Last weekend I attended a get together arranged by Dan Zoil called Serpents In The Garden. It takes place at the L.A. Arboretum.The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site that includes Native American, Rancho Period, and late 19th century treasures. In addition to concerts and tours, they offer activities and events that cater to every audience. This year they had an event called "Serpents in the Garden", featuring Cobras spread throughout the botanical gardens, which include native species trees from all 7 continents. I was lucky enough to be invited to participate with both my own and my brother's roadsters. Moreover, we were lucky on the draw and scored one of the premier spots in front of the signature fountain. The following pics showcase a few of the many cars featured at this year's event, as well as way to many shots of our location within the event. I invite all those who attended to post their pics to add those whom I have neglected to capture. Admittedly, I didn't capture all the cars at the event.

Enjoy!















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[David Hodgkins]

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This Shelby Cobra was decked out to the nines. I didn't get a chance to chat with the owner but his car is awesome. I can't believe I missed a full body shot! With his car you were drawn to the details. An inspiration to all us builders, IMO:





The weirdest thing happened in the heat of the day. The gardens are home to many exotic species, and the day featured visits from a very friendly and unique big fat duck and a peacock that exhibited behavior I'd never seen before. As I was sitting in the shade snoozing in an attempt to recover from the late-night semi-failed build session (to try and get my brother's build 100% ready for the event) - this peacock walk up and and spread out it's right wing before plopping down flat out onto the grass. It was just laying there and I couldn't figure out if it was absorbing the sun or reveling in the cool grass, so I took a pic of it:



Gotta say, I'm glad my Vizsla wasn't there!

I didn't get a chance to walk the garden to see all the cars, and to those I missed, I apologize. Of course, I took a bunch of pics of our location, which are featured below. I've been parked in several different locations at the 3 SITG events I've been in, and they are ALL better than any single car event spot anywhere else, period. This was no parking lot, folks!







Lots of folks loved the stripe on the underside of the hood. For that I have to thank Mr. Jeff Miller, Master Painter. I insisted on a genuine Guardsman Blue and I HAD to match the USC school colors, as the Yellow car will carry the TROJAN license plate. Did the man deliver, or what?!?


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[David Hodgkins]

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Just a few more...

TROJAN is a work in progress, and those louvers would have been in if I'd had just one more hour. I loaded up the build at 12:30 Friday night. It still has work to be done, and has yet to be registered, but she's looking pretty good:











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I'd like to give a special shout out and dedication to my brother, with whom I've learned a ton more about our beloved roasters while building his. He's a great friend and I thank God for granting me his continued presence:



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Lastly, because of where we were parked I didn't get a chance to participate in the closing parade. That gave me a chance to capture it on video though!

Again, enjoy. Especially note the guy I capture right at the end, Dan Zoil. Dan, without you there would be no Serpents In The Garden. THANK YOU! I can't wait for the next one!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thanks for the great photos and words David! I'm really happy that you were able to get the Trojan car there after your all out thrash to make the date---it looks fantastic

Jeff

[Garry Bopp]

David,

Thanks for sharing the pictures ... some awesome photos of your car and your brother's car! Would love to send you some of our rain!

Garry

[David Hodgkins]

Thanks guys, it was a great show!

I took a couple of days off to rest and will be pulling out the dash on the anni car today. I didn't get as far in the build as I would have liked but was able to "fake it 'till I make it".

I've never been in a show that had a better setting for the cars. HB has great "scenery" but this place is pretty dang cool.

[MRSQSL]

We had a great time (except for the peacock attacking Dan's car). Serpents is an amazing show and we appreciate Dan inviting us to be a part of it (and putting up with our harassment all day - he'll never park next to us again). Love the pics you posted!!!!

[68GT500MAN]

I tried to look at the photo's but went temp. blind by that BRIGHT roadster!!!!!!!! Looks great David. HB 2016 will be a lot of fun with TWO Hodgkins cars in attendance. I think that Grant needs an FFR ride to make it a trio, how about an 818?
Doug

[David Hodgkins]

We made the news!!

[frankeeski]

Dan was a busy bee on Saturday, so I had the pleasure of driving his car for the entry parade lap. I managed to snap a few pictures of both Ziol's cars (full size and the kid's version) and of the Casey's as well. I would have gotten a better shot of the Casey's car but someone piled up a bunch of garbage by their front wheel.

That's the Queen Anne Cottage in the background. It was used along with the grounds for the TV series Fantasy Island.

[Bhhughes]

Thanks for the pictures. There is lot of variety and a personalization shown in those pictures, not the least of which being the underside stripes on the hood and truck of Trojan.

[David Hodgkins]

These pics were sent by Hal Pitt to be posted: