An American car adventure part 2

Photo and text: Christer Lundem

AUGUST 11: RACING WITH JAMES DEAN

After a good night's sleep, we take the car for some sightseeing. The sun is shining so obviously the roof stays down. We drive through Beverly Hills, passing the famous HOLLYWOOD sign and test the G-forces on Mulholland Drive. This is the winding road that stars like Gary Cooper, James Dean and Steve McQueen tried their cars and bikes on. In the 50s and 60s, race drivers unauthorizedly tested their cars before races there. Today it is a shadow of itself, the asphalt is full of holes and cracks and clearly lacks maintenance. But if one has one ounce of petrol in ones blood, it is simply irresistible. The famous road stretches from Cahuenga Boulevard to Beverly Glen Boulevard. Along the way you can stop to enjoy the view towards the north San Fernando Valley. You've probably seen this classic row of lights from LA-buildings on both cinema and television before. The experience reminiscent of a Hollywood film from the sixties that you can not remember to have seen, but know by heart. It is truly emotional.

Tomorrow: The legend Magnus Walker