This year we had the honor of presenting a “Drive Magazine Machine of the Year” award at the 26th annual Pacific Coast Dream Machine Show in Half Moon Bay, California.
As we evaluated the wide array of vehicles on display, we realized that selecting one winner would not be an easy task: everything from classics, muscle and restored rides to motorcycles, steam engines and WWII warplanes were spread out for us to ogle. It was an amazing display of mechanical ingenuity.
By the end of the day, however (which was also full of motorcross shows, monster truck rides, live music and great food), it was one owner’s pride and wealth of knowledge that helped tip the scales. Bill Wood, a Half Moon Bay native, won the “Drive Magazine Dream Machine” award with his 1928 Franklin Victoria.
Bill’s Franklin Victoria was all original, aside from the paint job and a modern distributor, which Bill needed to drive it to the show. The Franklin, which had just over 59,000 miles on the clock, drew flocks of show goers around it during the entire event, and Bill passionately explained the history of the Franklin company and his vehicle to all who asked. Congrats, Bill!
We can’t wait to see what the Pacific Coast Dream Machine Show will bring in coming year. As you can see from the collection of photos there was a ton of automotive variety. Maybe we’ll be looking for another special vehicle to grace the cover of our magazine.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the August 2016 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
