2020 Katie's Cars & Coffee Thread - Great Falls, VA

[SENC]

Spot-on advice, thanks for sharing it. The media and social media hysteria is not helpful as it is all about one extreme or the other. There is nothing to freak out about, but there could be if we don't take significant steps to at least slow the spread.

[scannon]

There are at least two Sennas in the Denver area:

 

This one was at a Super Car Saturday at the Denver McLaren dealer.

 

 

This one was parked back to back with my Shelby at a local C & C. Needless to say the Shelby didn't get much attention.

 

[rcollum]

I was surprised to see it here. For several years, Philadelphia had a McLaren dealer, but DC did not. I just heard a couple of weeks ago that we will be getting a new Karma & Koenigsegg dealer later this year!

 

For quite a while, the only Bugatti Veyron I saw around here was at VW of America Headquarters. I asked someone who worked there, if he could bring it out, and he said that any Veyron for display was ordinarily in Florida, or Vegas, or southern California, where they are more commonly sold.

 

--Bob Collum

Edited March 15, 2020 by rcollum

[scannon]

Between customer cars and inventory there were 15+ McLarens at the Super Car Saturday. There were also a number of Lambos, Maseratis, and other exotics. Just one Miata, my orange 30th Anniversary Edition. You can see just a bit of the front end of it to the right of the Senna in the first picture.

 

I've never seen a Karma or Koenigsegg here. I did get a ride in a Veyron a few years ago. Only got up to 150mph but it sure did get there quickly.

[rcollum]

Well, once we got a McLaren dealership, we started seeing McLarens ALL THE TIME! I generally don't post pictures of them, because I consider them to be the Great Falls, VA version of a Camry. A Senna is different!

 

We did have a guy arrive in a McLaren 720 last year, having owned the car less than 24 hours. He did a 'Mustang' as he left the lot, and plowed into a tree. Totalled the McLaren. As luck would have it, the driver got a ride in an even more expensive vehicle - the medivac chopper! (I am told he almost immediately bought a replacement McLaren. Here's hoping he's learned a lesson about high-horsepower, midengined cars, and cold tires!)

 

We have a Fisker Karma that's here regularly, but no new Karmas, nor Koenigseggs yet!

 

--Bob Collum

[Croc]

I generally don't post pictures of them, because I consider them to be the Great Falls, VA version of a Camry. A Senna is different!

 

Thats exactly how I feel. McLaren's leave me somewhat cold - lack any passion for then. But a Senna is difference as you say. I sat in one at Donington and it just was wonderful. Quick as hell too. Would love to drive one - one day

[rcollum]

All:

 

In case you were thinking about going to Saturday Cars & Coffee at Katie’s, don’t. I just got a call from Mike Kearney, owner of Katie’s. Fairfax County and the State of Virginia are insisting that any establishment that serves food must limit the total amount of people in their space to 10 – including employees. Mike will be putting out signs around his property, declaring that there will be no Cars & Coffee tomorrow.

 

I intend to make it a point to order carryout lunch or dinner from the Brogue several times in the coming weeks – I have a lot of sympathy for Mike & his employees. Mike says if we call ahead to (703)759-3309, they will let us know when we can pick the food up to take home. Here’s Mike’s message, from his website:

 

 

–March 18, 2020–

Dear Old Brogue & Katie’s Coffee House Patrons and Customers,

 

It is with a full heart that I write to thank you for your patronage and support on St. Patrick’s Day 2020. It was 39 years ago on St. Patrick’s Day that we opened our doors to begin serving our community. Over these many years, we have been through a lot together — we have celebrated life’s special events, mourned losses, and supported each other through personal, local, and national crises. The Coronavirus crisis sweeping our nation caused us to have to close our doors this St. Patrick’s Day. But you showed us that there is still the possibility to do some business while our doors are shut — a way to keep serving the community and to provide work for our employees, many of whom rely on their jobs at the Old Brogue to support their families.

Our pop-up Food & Brew Thru was patronized by over 400 customers yesterday. Thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for caring. Thank you for keeping the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day alive. The generous and caring spirit of the community that we are a part of was very much present yesterday, and we can’t tell you how much it means to us.

 

For the near future, we will remain open for takeout service (food, coffee, beer and wine) only. In the days ahead, we will be working to put new systems in place to efficiently and effectively run as a take-out business (we had a few tough lessons yesterday!).

 

Our current hours are:

 

Katie’s Coffee House will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 

The Old Brogue will be open for takeout service from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for our updated menu including nightly specials, beers and wine to-go.

You can either drive up to our Food and Brew Thru or you can call in your order to 703-759-3309. We will take your order in advance to be ready at a future time as well. We are all in uncharted territory now, and would appreciate your patience and feedback as we figure out how to best serve you. We will keep you updated on developments via our website. Please call us if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback.

 

With sincere thanks – stay healthy!

 

 

Mike Kearney

[rcollum]

When I was growing up, Johnny Carson was the king of late night TV. He was a fixture in every American home. When he was off, NBC selected a highly-rated, memorable episode from their archives, and aired that older episode. It was always funny, and very entertaining. It was called 'Best of Carson', and was very popular. I hope people enjoy reminiscing, like I do.

 

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are missing the socialization that we have taken for granted. Over the years, I have made many lasting friendships via my Saturdays at Katie's. Medical experts insist that social distancing is critical to prevent crushing our medical infrastructure, so for the time being, cars & coffee events (as well as other social gatherings) are not a good idea. To help fill the gap, I am asking everyone to share pictures and stories from past memorable Katie's Saturdays.

 

My contribution: This coming April 4, 2020 will make 10 years of the 'official' Katie's Cars & Coffee weekly event. I was notified by an Elise owner, Mike in Alexandria, about a new event that popped up in Great Falls, VA. I first went, long before it was an official gathering, on Halloween 2009. Attendance was modest, but there were some marvelous vehicles there. Peter Garahan brought out his antique fire engine, while Mike and I drove our Elises, and there was a beautifully-restored Mini. Bob Morris, who saw the big cars & coffee in Southern California, brought the idea of establishing a Katie's Cars & Coffee weekly event to Katie's owner Mike Kearney, drove his Kaiser Darrin.

 

What pictures and stories do you have to share?

 

--Bob Collum

[rcollum]

No cars & coffee, but please consider calling in a food order to support Katie's. You can pick your food up at a drive-through, right in front of Katie's, to take it home.

Carry-out food can be ordered at (703)759-3309.

 

--Bob Collum

Edited March 28, 2020 by rcollum

[rcollum]

No Katie's Cars & Coffee, again this week, due to social distancing. A major annoyance, but the only way we have of lessening the spread of COVID-19 is to help the medical community by limiting contact, and thus, the spread of the virus.

 

Thanks to my friends Chuck Brownstein, Mike Swiek, David Sunter, and Mike DiAndrea for contributing pictures from the past!

 

It's highly unlikely that the distancing rules will be lifted in the next week, so I will continue to post Best of Katie's pictures from the past, until we can get together again.

I do have two requests:

 

1.) Please send me your favorite car and car people pictures, so I can continue posting.

2.) Please consider ordering carryout from Katie's (and other local businesses). They need the $$$$. You can pick up or have Katie's food & drink delivered,

by calling their order line, (703)759-3309.

 

--Bob Collum

 

NOTE: Next week will be the 10th anniversary of the 'official' Katie's cars & coffee.

[rcollum]

It's the third week of going cold-turkey from Katie's Cars & Coffee, and this is a special week. The first-ever, 'official' Katie's Cars & Coffee happened (according to my info) on 04/03/2010. That makes this the 10th Anniversary of our favorite weekly car gathering! Here is a selection of some pictures I took on that day, 10 years ago -

 

--Bob Collum

[panamericano]

Great selection of cars! Two Wildfires? Dino with the beautiful roof instead of the lift off. A Miura. Thanks.

 

Someday you'll get back to it.

[rcollum]

Thanks! he two white cars are Kaiser Darrins. Same guy owned both. (Has since sold one, but also owns the Messerschmidt.)

 

--Bob Collum

[waltermitty]

The Kaisers are very cool cars, the doors don't pivot open, they slide open.

[panamericano]

As an alternative, here's a video with some great footage and some really really silly stuff. Miles is about 8 minutes in.

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[TD=class: m_-1131233290511516369mcnTextContent][h=1]Featured Video: Original Ken Miles Footage[/h]A compilation of race footage of Ken miles and Carroll Shelby testing the Shelby Cobra 289 | straight from the Petersen Archive.

https://petersen.us16.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2370910f0bf7e887cfd7b6df&id=d424320a8d&e=b6593dc50f

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[rcollum]

Still another week of Social Distancing, so - no Katie's Cars & Coffee. I hope everyone is well. I drove over and picked up lunch at the Old Brogue. Thanks to Mike Swiek for his pictures.

 

--Bob Collum

[panamericano]

If I could go to a cars & cafe, it might look like this. Just proves it's hard to show rough paint in a photo.

 

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[rcollum]

Some memorable cars from past Katie's Saturday mornings:

[rcollum]

Thanks again to friends who are helping supply pictures of cars & people from past Katie's (and other car events). Send pictures to me at - Robert_collum@hotmail.com.

 

-Bob Collum

 

P.S.: A large part of enjoying cars & coffee is friendships made there. There's an amazing amount of knowledge and experience. Case in point - one of the group at the 'Old Guys Table' at Katie's is Peter K. Peter has several very nice cars - that's not unusual at Katie's. When I asked my friends for some pictures to post, Peter sent the Daytona 1984 pics below. Peter worked for Group 44, the racing team. That's Group 44's Jaguar XJR-5.

 

Small world... in the first picture, that's Doc Bundy, who co-drove the XJR-5 at Daytona in 1984, with Group 44 team owner Bob Tullius. Current note - Doc is in the hospital, with Covid-19, and a pre-existing heart condition. He was undergoing heart surgery on 04/24/20 - I will update status, when I know. Prayers for a really nice guy!

[rcollum]

Yes, we are still socially distancing, so no physical Katie's Cars & Coffee - we will make do with this virtual one. As soon as we are able to go back to Katie's in-person, I will let you know.

 

 

--Bob Collum