The open road beckons …
If there are three words that absolutely define our golden state of California, they would be sun, movies and cars. And, just like Hollywood means films around the world, Southern California means cars, car trends and car culture. In fact, the Antelope Valley, with its history of dry lake racing at Muroc (long before it became runways at Edwards Air Force Base) has played an integral part in the very formation of hot rods, drag racing and custom car culture.
We are passionate about our cars (and sometimes it’s a love-hate relationship), from the very first one we learned how to drive to the latest model we have sitting in the driveway. That said, because the automobile is such an integral part of our lives—whether it is used simply as a tool for commuting or getting around town or a much-loved and pampered custom or classic—we decided to focus on the automobile for this May issue of LIFESTYLE Magazine.
Did you know that the first man to walk on the surface of the moon, Neil Armstrong, once lived in the hills above Pearblossom and depended on a collection of less-than-reliable cars to transport himself daily to his job at Edwards Air Force Base? Staff writer Vern Lawson in his “Hometown History” column describes Armstrong’s vehicles in his story titled “Neil Armstrong’s vehicles ’47 Dodge, a lunar lander and a Popemobile.”
Also, if some of the background scenery in a variety of car commercials you’ve seen looks very familiar, it probably is. Staff writer Julie Drake describes many of the automotive commercials filmed at various Valley movie sets and natural scenic locales in her story “'Liquid light’ and open roads draw commercials.” Senior writer Rich Breault describes the Antelope Valley’s long-running, incredibly popular and sadly missed drag strip, the Los Angeles County Raceway, in his story “Palmdale drag strip gone but not forgotten.” Breault also in his Out & About column describes a visit to a most unique automotive museum in his story titled “Mullin Automotive Museum celebrates the art deco era,” and editor Dennis Anderson takes a look at a confirmed automotive enthusiast and gearhead, renowned funnyman and “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, and his incredible and impressive car collection in his story “'Big Dog Garage’ offers virtual tour of Jay Leno’s cars.” Additionally, staff writer Jennifer Santos describes an exhibit on the history and beautiful designs of Italian car manufacturers currently showing at the renowned Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles; special sections editor Karen Maeshiro looks at the early history of drag racing at our own Muroc Dry Lake in her story “Speed racers preceded jet jockeys at Muroc Dry Lake.” She also describes the automotive museum in Reno, Nev., in her story “From steam power to star power Reno car museum has it all.” Also, for this month’s issue, we asked our readers to send in stories about their very first cars and cruising, and many of their stories are published here.
But this May issue of LIFESTYLE isn’t just about cars—there’s a variety of other interesting, entertaining and informative articles. All of our regular columns are featured such as Good Kids, Horse Tales, Collector’s Corner, Kovel’s Antique Forum, Classic Car, A Taste for Wine, and our May Photo of the Month.
So please join us for this exciting issue of LIFESTYLE—we’re sure you’ll enjoy it!
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