The Palos Verdes Peninsula’s historic and picturesque, La Venta Inn served as the perfect venue for this gathering of sports cars, super cars, and hyper cars whose owners are members of the SouthBay AutoClub (Club).

Spencer Alvin founded the Club in 2019 after attending other car shows and events, but as he left each event, he felt something more could be done to display the collections of these beautiful automobiles. Alvin began thinking of how he could create a unique experience for drivers’ who owned some of the most sleek and exotic cars made and would appropriately highlight their speedsters. Alvin began by creating a social media presence to attract membership and encouraged owners to explore membership in the Club. Soon after, he partnered with Muhammad Rao, a fellow entrepreneur, and together the idea developed traction. Shortly, the duo set out creating and hosting events in distinctive places and environments that attracted drivers as well as provided exceptional backdrops for meeting other car enthusiasts.

According to Alvin, “We bring together top entrepreneurs, world business leaders, and highly successful individuals who are car enthusiasts.”

Like the La Venta Inn event, each event has a limited capacity and Alvin and Rao, personally invite each participant.

Included in the list of eye-popping cars on display at La Venta were Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Lamborghini, McLaren, and a Ford GT. In addition to street legal vehicles, Octavio Tequila displayed its Porsche Cup GT3 edition.

Among the afternoon’s participants were Palos Verdes Peninsula residents and owners of a 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago Versace edition, Kathy and Billy Sales. Billy reveals that it had been a boyhood dream to own a Porsche, Ferrari, or other super car. Like Billy, Kathy admits that she too has a long-time passion for the excitement and style that these runabouts embody. It was during the pandemic that the couple embarked on a search for another super car to add to their collection. They continually searched the internet and other sources before finding a Lamborghini Murcielago Versace edition for sale.

Billy and Kathy explain their Versace edition was only one of twenty cars produced through a joint production agreement between Lamborghini and the House of Versace. Ten of the vehicles were produced in Iris white and the other ten were produced in Aldebaran black. The exterior design closely resembles the exterior of other Lamborghini Murcielago, except for the trademark Versace Greco motif found at the bottom of the scissor doors.

However, the Versace influence is very evident throughout the car’s interior. The black and white leather seats are identical in each model. The headrests are embossed with the Lamborghini raging bull logo. The backrests and seats are hand-stitched in the Versace Greco pattern. The interior door linings also feature the Versace trademark pattern. Lastly, at the top of the center console’s slope, is the classic Versace plaque.

Billy confesses initially he was not certain he wanted to purchase the car. He recalls it was not until the salesperson rolled out the car and insisted, he get in and take a test drive. Billy admits, “From the moment I began to drive it, I was hooked!”

Kathy and Billy drafted an offer and waited for a week for the deal to close. Billy and Kathy confess the following week was “quite emotional.”

Billy reminisces, “We were not sure we if we would end up with the car. There was another competitive bid and all week we kept wondering how it would all work out.” By the conclusion of the week, they were delighted to close the deal and welcome the car home.

Billy says, “The car just has a feeling of raw power that you don’t experience with any other car. After driving a Lamborghini, it seems like the other cars are just more refined. It is a fun experience to drive this car and nothing like I have experienced before! But because of its rarity, I worry about something happening, and I don’t drive it every day. The Lamborghini drives like no other car I have driven, and I want to be able to drive it every day. At this point, I want to trade in a couple of my other cars and buy another Lamborghini because they are so fun to drive!”

With the loud roar of a 4.0-liter Metzger motor the Octavio Tequila Porsche GT3’s announced its arrival before it entered the Inn’s driveway. To some, at first glance, this sleek roadster may not look much different from its street legal cousins. However, upon closer examination, the carbon front splitter with the under tray large diffusers, the vented air outlets at the front fenders and the large wing with signatory uprights lets you know this car was only built for racing.

Owner Bob Mueller, states, “Porsche only made eighteen of these cars in 2014 and 2015 and were specifically designed for the new GT Daytona class, a pro racing series sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association.”

Prior to Mueller purchasing the car in 2017, the car was raced by Patrick Dempsey Racing. At one time, it was the fastest Porsche qualifying for the Rolex 24 Race at Daytona.

Mueller states, “I found the car in Germany. The car was placed on a wood pallet and flown to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).”

Mueller did not buy this car just for looks. Mueller, an avid racer admits, “I race the car a lot! One of my fondest memories is driving on one of Daytona’s banked curves at 185 mph.”

Mueller features the GT3 and his other race cars on his Instagram: octaviotequilaracing.

As the day drew to a close, Alvin and Rao reflect they are continuously striving to create events focused on enjoyment. As far as their future plans, they are constantly searching to find exclusive locations to create more amazing experiences for their members.

Website: https://www.southbayautoclub.com/

Instagram: @SouthBayAutoClub

https://instagram.com/southbayautoclub?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Email: sbautoclub@gmail.com

Facebook: @SouthBay AutoClub

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055372240910

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Steve Tabor Bio

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.

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