When visiting another country, city or town, there’s no need to always visit and re-visit the same mandatory history or art museums, random monuments and popular must-see tourist attractions on every single occasion. Sometimes it’s worthwhile to merely grab your camera and walking boots, and then venture out into the small backstreets and alleyways in search of classic cars – be that abandoned classics, those out for the day with their caring owners, or even those currently residing within a workshop or showroom.
That’s precisely what I did last week, when I found myself in Burlingame, a pleasant little suburb south of San Francisco. After a full-size American breakfast, I diverted from the high street and spent the next three to four hours walking goallessly through backstreets – letting every little glimpse of chrome, proud radiator grills, upright windscreens or high profile tyres guide me down the next street or around another corner.
Needless to say, if you come across an interesting workshop, show courtesy and ask politely whether you might be allowed a quick look around. Do so, and I find you will practically always be welcomed in by enthusiasts just as passionate as you. Next up, don’t take pictures either without permission first. And look – don’t touch. With these simple rules, a smile on your face, and a bit of perseverance, you’ll be amazed what you might come across.
From here, I’ll let the pictures do the talking. But rest assured, I’m convinced this was the most entertaining way I could have possibly spent my Friday morning in Burlingame. I’ve done the same on multiple occasions in other cities or countries, which almost always leads to some great and often surprising spots. Do you do the same when you find yourself in a new place? If so, what are the highlights of classic cars you have spotted while randomly walking backstreets? And to those of you who have never ventured out into the wild like this, I can highly recommend it…
