Monterey Historics-Thursday

[Garry Bopp]

Thursday at Monterey promised to be memorable with the first event being an autograph session (and book sales!), featuring Peter Brock and Cobra drivers Lew Spencer, John Morton and Allen Grant. That was followed by a moderated “Cobra Racers Panel" with the same cast of characters. The event was held in a conference room at the Monterey Marriott and two original Cobras along with Peter Brock’s coupe were on display. Hagerty Insurance very generously organized this free event.

The moderator was Jonathan Stine (sp?) and he led a very lively discussion. These drivers had tremendous respect for one another but nevertheless managed to needle each other, all in good humor. An interesting factoid is that most of the Cobra drivers did not start out as drivers, but whatever job Carroll Shelby needed filled at the time. John Morton started out as a janitor while Allen Grant was hired as a welder. The discussion, along with a “Q & A” session lasted 90 minutes. It was the quickest 90 minutes I have ever spent as it was so interesting and full of good-natured humor.

Later that day, 5 of us “coupesters” took our cars out for a cruise on California Hwy 1 … turned out to be a “parking lot” for about the first 5 miles with very heavy traffic. We finally got free of the heavy traffic and enjoyed the beautiful road and scenery. Heading back to the “Coupe Group Motel” was more of the same heavy traffic. When we approached the motel, Peter Brock was standing in the parking lot with a huge grin on his face as we pulled in. He does love the coupes!

Dinner on Thursday night was at the Monterey Fish House. Great food and lots of Cobra folks there. Lots of story telling and laughter … got pretty loud! End of day two.

[Garry Bopp]

[cwhoofgator]

WOW, what an adventure.. Been a great summer for ya.. See ya soon and keep up all the fun..

[riptide motorsport]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! too cool!

[CHOTIS BILL]

I really wish I could have made it but time just didn’t allow it. I haven’t seen John Morton since he came to see me at California Speedway several years ago and I am surprised it see what a great head of white hair he has. Thanks for the pictures.

Bill Lomenick