A couple of pics of Cliff Meltzer's cars 028

[Peloton25]

Seems odd that it would be part of that collection, unless it was a very special car.

My

>8^)
ER

[m34ever]

Originally Posted by mini magic

motorsports stickers? Are you sure its not just a really modified E30 M3?

again I cant be 100% sure that it isnt just a stock m3 with some body changes. It has been confirmed though by two different sources who apparently know cliff somewhat. Ive been meaning to stop by the garage again so I will be sure to find out. It wasnt open today

[OccasionalDriver]

Originally Posted by F1 monster

Out of 50+ cars, 3 or 4 get to see a track once every couple of years. On that day, they do maybe 10-20 laps each. I have been to a few of these private track events. There's a lot of food, a lot of talk, and a lot of picture taking.

Re: Taste in cars, I think it's so-so. There are some gems in the garage, but the majority are just regular expensive fast cars. The only noteworthy cars are the BMW, the Challenge Stradale, Enzo, F40, 288 GTO and the McLaren. The rest are just "nice" cars (fast and expensive too, no doubt), but not gems like the McLaren or the Enzo or the 288 GTO.

There's another collection in Sausalito, called the Mallya collection. Now *that's* a collection! Look it up online.

You are being more than a little unfair. Cliff might not drive most of this collection on weekdays, but if you are in Los Gatos you will find him driving a different one most weekends. In terms of letting other people drive, he is generous beyond belief and your description of a Meltzer track day is as far from reality as you can get. If a car is not being driven, it is in the parking lot with the keys in the ignition - and the parking lot is usually empty.

As for his "so-so" taste in cars, well tastes differ. I think it is truly impressive and I am looking forward to hearing what will be replacing the McLaren and the Enzo.

[F1 monster]

I know someone who was at one of the track days. Your description makes it sound like anyone could drive anything, that's hardly the case. I don't think my statements were unfair, but you are of course entitled to your opinion.

The generosity of the owner has nothing to do with the quality of the collection. I didn't say, or imply, anything about Cliff Meltzer. Except, perhaps, with respect to his taste in cars.

Of course personal taste dictates what car(s) someone buys, but market prices and demand for that car are also good indicators of their desirability and rarity--now look at the market prices of the Vanquish, Gallardo, Murcielago, 550 Maranello, etc., and tell me whether they are in the same league as collectibles like the 288GTO or the McLaren?

I have also heard that Cliff Meltzer is now focused on a winery project, and most of the cars are up for sale. 028 has already been sold. The cars being sold might not be replaced.

[OccasionalDriver]

Originally Posted by F1 monster

I was speaking from experience--I know someone who was at the track days.

I was speaking from a different kind of experience, I have been to all except the last two I am in the Automaniac episode for the briefest of moments. They may have developed as you describe, over the last two days, it is not what I am told by people who participated. The crowds have grown larger and people will get to stand around while they wait for a seat to open up, but the cars are not sitting idle.

Cliff has kindly let me drive a lot of the cars you see in those pictures and I truly appreciate his generousity in doing so.

[F1 monster]

So, how fast did you drive the McLaren? How many laps did you do in it? Did you like it? What was your favorite car to drive and why?

[OccasionalDriver]

Originally Posted by F1 monster

So, how fast did you drive the McLaren? How many laps did you do in it? Did you like it? What was your favorite car to drive and why?

I am sad to say that I did not go very fast. The car is obviously set up for Cliff and I am a tad taller than he is. To change it you would have to break out the tools and move the pedals, not really an option for a track day where people are waiting. It is a really uncomfortable drive for me and I only did one fairly slow lap in it so I can say that I drove it.

It is an amazing car though, got a few laps as a passenger with someone who is more comfortable in the car and it really goes fast.

Oh, and favorite car was the 360 CS. The Enzo is amazing but more car than I can handle. I find myself not being done processing the last turn when I enter the next. Not good. The 360 is amazing, feels like it is an extension of you. Second would be the GT2, I didn't like it originally but Cliff had some changes done to the front and it is much closer to my liking now.

One more edit: At the days I went to, Cliff was not always the only person bringing cars. The rule I lived by was that you only drove cars where you had the owners permission. Cliff kindly let me drive all of his and as a result, most other owners would probably have let me drive theirs. Since the majority of cars were Cliff's I had little reason to drive other cars. But my description was not off, the cars were parked with the keys in the ignition. Again, I have lost touch with Cliff and I did not go to the last two. I hear that there were a lot more people present so the rules may have changed. Nomatter what the rules are, I still think it is pretty generous, there are a number of us who would otherwise never have gotten to drive these cars.

[OccasionalDriver]

Originally Posted by F1 monster

Of course personal taste dictates what car(s) someone buys, but market prices and demand for that car are also good indicators of their desirability and rarity--now look at the market prices of the Vanquish, Gallardo, Murcielago, 550 Maranello, etc., and tell me whether they are in the same league as collectibles like the 288GTO or the McLaren?

One more comment: You are going to have to ask Cliff why his selection looks like it does, I cannot answer for him. My impression is that he owns them because he likes to drive them, not because he likes to keep something in a plastic bag in his garage, as most collectors do. I do not have a strong impression that he cares much about them being collectibles or not.

Since I have lost touch with him I cannot say why he has started selling cars, I have heard a couple of rumors but nothing I would repeat. If you are correct and he has found a new interest, good for him. I wish him the best, he has given me some amazing memories.

[Samurai75007]

Nice photo's...