The "No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour" has relocated to Las Vegas. For ten years the NFIBMT was the leading vintage "rat tour" on the West Coast. After a two year recess the "Disorganizer in Chief" has decided it's time to tour again. This year, 2011, the NFIBMT will conduct two tours on some great roads in Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Mark your calendars the "Spring Fling" is scheduled for April 29 & 30 and the "Fall Colors Tour" for October 21 & 22. We are dropping the suggestion of pre 1975 cars, any significant car is welcome. In keeping with our tradition we will suggest a route, dining locations and overnight accommodations. Participants are expected to make their own reservations. Just in case you don't understand the "No Frills" concept, you are allowed to drive your own car on public roads for free, you are also expected to solve your own problems. Our motto is "Non Cranius Invertus Rectumus". Don't have a website - that would be a frill. Just send an email to NFIBMT@gmail.com for information. - Ed Pasini 
The original California NFIBMT started in 1999 and ended in 2008. It started with 17 cars and ended with 117. There were no sponsors and no goodie bags. Not one penny was spent on advertising. It became one of California's premier vintage events. It was the "No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour." Conceived as a spoof of the "California Mille," The "No Frills" became one of "Mille" founder Martin Swig's favorite events. "Mille" participants wondered why there was nothing like the "Mille in Southern California. The flippant answer was "there are no good roads in Southern California." The "No Frills" proved them wrong. The "Mille" features a pre event gala street luncheon and car show on Nob Hill. The "No Frills" countered with a no host dinner in Pasadena and a car show in the parking lot. The "Mille" includes coffee breaks at "Starbucks" and catered lunches. The "No Frills" stopped at "In N Out" or picked up sandwiches at "Subway." The "Mille" price is up to $5,500, while the "No Frills" became the only vintage tour to pay entrants. The "Mille" celebrated its' 18th year in 2008. The "No Frills" ended in 2008. What happened? Our flaunting of convention was our downfall. Some drivers took our "no rules" stance to mean that common sense was suspended. If someone decides to create a similar event in the future we wish them well and hope participants will know the difference between a tour on public roads and a club sponsored track day. Ed Pasini Jack Brown We would like to thank Ed Pasini for his time and dedication to this event. It has given many motorists representing the entire range of automotive enthusiasts miles of pure vintage driving experience. Thanks also to Jack Brown, his co-disorganizer. Unfortunately participants in the 2008 event, specifically one that was showing everyone the “Max Speed” reading on his GPS of +140mph and another that did not take responsibility for property damage, exhibited enough poor behavior to push the organizers over the edge. Dangerous or irresponsible behavior is something they could not accept. This was certainly not in conformance with the “Spirit of the Event” and you cannot blame the organizer’s for canceling the original event. We thought we would share some “insider info” so you have a better experience on this classic open road tour. These are only tips, hints and guidelines.
The 10th No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour Was A Great Success - The best weather ever for a NFIBMT. Virtually no traffic on the routes. Wild flowers put on a great show. A record 127 vehicles participating. Over the top catered breakfast at Mission San Antonio. Over 100,000 dead bugs and miles of smiles. NFIBMT 10 No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour 2008 - 356s in the No Frills Iron Bottom Motor Tour '08 - 1100 miles in 3 days. No entry fees, no frills, just drive. We started at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, went as far north as Hollister, passed through Monterey, spent a few nights in Paso Robles, did Highway 1, and just about every other 2 lane west of I-5 between LA and Carmel. The spectrum of cars was mind boggling. Midget to Gull Wing. A gaggle of early 911s, a brace of Citroens, a supercharged TR6, MG's, Alfas, Fiats, Datsuns, Renaults, Vettes, Healeys, Mercs, a 6 cyl 2002, a Jeepster with Vette IRS, and a couple chaps in kilts driving a dune buggy. Now that's what I call air cooled! No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour 08 - The 10th edition of this no cost fun tour took place in April. No less than 128 entries with over 30 Porsches took part! Sadly the "Dis-organizers" of the event have elected to NOT do this anymore. We thank them for all the effort and enthusiasm they have had in the past. For '09 look for a very similar event called "Targa California" No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour '07 - Each April a bunch of car crazed people get together for this free event. Disorganized by a dyed in the wool enthusiast, the routes picked are amongst the best roads California has to offer. All sorts of vehicles enter in this no contest, non competitive back roads extravaganza. Enjoy with us some of the cars that participated this year No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour 2004 - 4/8/04, be at the RoseBowl parking lot, Pasadena, Ca. by 07:00. There should be several MGB's as well as some exotics too. Lots of eccentric wealthy gearhead characters to have fun with - hell they let me join ! There's a web site under " NFIBMT " somewhere. This run is more fun than you can imagine, FREE too. You just pay your own hotels and gas/food/drink. Search for more No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour blogs and photos: Las Vegas Car Clubs ™ is a Trademark of Internet Co., N.A. © Internet Co., N.A., All Rights Reserved |