February 13, 2005; San Diego Auto Museum

The featured display at the San Diego Auto Museum was “Sexy Italian Sports Cars.” I found them to be more boring than sexy. Louie Mattar’s 1947 Cadillac stole the show.

Louie spent $75,000 outfitting his car for non-stop driving, then drove it 6,320 consecutive miles into the world record book in 1952. Check out the specs:

- Refills radiator and changes oil automatically.
- A hydraulic operated fifth tire under the chassis enables any tire to be changed while driving.
- Holds 230 gallons of gas, 50 gallons of water, and 30 gallons of oil.
- Drilled axles to inflate tires while moving.
- Shower, toilet, washer, iron, and stove in the back seat.
- Nation-wide mobile phone, hookah pipe, bar (whiskey, soda, and water on tap), and television up front.

Louie broke the record with two other drivers, each driving in five hour shifts. Funny, I never saw a cup holder.

Tonight was Bill and Rona’s last night in San Diego. In true Bill and Rona style, they took Dean, Betty, and I out for an upscale meal. Eager to try some west coast cuisine, I ordered sashimi. I didn’t really know what sashimi was, but why not? Sashimi is simply raw fish, and in this case tuna, yellow tail, salmon, and a little raw octopus as well. Surprisingly my main disappointment was at the lack of raw seafood.

Tonight was also the night that I accepted the fact that my funds were running low. I faced the decision of getting another loan, going home to a frigid Midwest winter, or get a jo… j… j… job.