Mike Malamut
“Cars Tell a Story of History”
by Dale Beck and David Wurth
With one of the most eclectic collections of automobiles in Southern California, Mike Malamut has parked more than 130 iconic classics, popular muscle machines and rare gems bumper to bumper in his warehouse in Newbury Park. There’s his European micro-cars of the post-World War II era, the Woodies, Porsches, Volkswagens, Corvettes, and even the little-known Isettas to name but a few. Maybe even more amazing is that every car is drivable, and he does drive them. Not one to trailer his cars, Mr. Malamut continuously appears at various shows, auctions, and gatherings, having driven one of his classics to the event, almost always with his German Shepherd companion, Mr. Bear, in tow.
Addicted to automobiles since his early days as a Porsche mechanic, Mr. Malamut is unabashed in sharing his passion, hence the creation of his new museum slated for construction in Calabasas. The museum is still in the development stage, and it will showcase both his collection and his love for automobiles. Final plans are under way, and a meeting with the city is slated for January and groundbreaking is set to happen in about a year or so.
A rare Bizzarini, named after the famous former-Ferrari designer, is worth about $500,000
A passionate enthusiast, Mr. Malamut appreciates what he has, but admits the “garage door” may be open for at least one more car. “I’d have to be an idiot not to be satisfied with what I already have,” he explains. “But being a real enthusiast and because I see beauty in all types of cars, there are always cars on the wish list.” Some of those include a 1959 Alpha Romeo Sprint Speciale, a 1965-67 Ferrari 275 GT (which is one the of the prettiest Ferraris), a Toyota GT from the mid-1960’s, and some unique microcars such as the 1958 Mazda 360.
“These cars tell us about a time in history,” he continues. “For instance, during the post-World War II era in Europe, when Europeans didn’t have a lot of money to spend on transportation and gas, they developed microcars such as the Messerschmitts, Isettas, and Fiats.” The Isetta resembles the Smart Cars of today while the Messerschmitt was a two-seater, having one seat in front of the other. When his youngest son (now a senior at USC) was in middle school, he drove him to school in one of his microcars. Mr. Malamut received a call from the principal later in the day asking that he never do it again as it took ten minutes for the school to settle in after the bell because of the distraction.
Indeed, every car in the collection has a story behind it, if one is willing to look. The Woodie Barrelback (so nicknamed because of it’s rounded rear doors that resemble a half barrel) tells the story of a family that had a little money in the 1940’s, exemplified by the wood, leather, upholstery, and dash, not to mention it comfortably fit nine for outings to the beach, fishing, cabin, or even camping. Another story is that of the 1955 Porsche Continental, whose nameplate lasted but a year after Ford Motor Company sued because they were already using the name on their Lincolns. The giant motor company forced Porsche to cease production, so they only made them for one year. Another bright star in his collection is his 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, noted for doors that open upward rather than out. When Mr. Malamut started Autoland in 1971, he had his eye on the model, but could not make the purchase. As his success grew, he finally found the car and bought it. “On our way up to Carmel we hit 140 mph,” he reports. “It’s no wonder why this car won the Le Mans and every other race it entered. Even today it’s quite drivable.”
The Isetta, the Smart Car of yesteryear
Starting as a mechanic while in college for Bob Smith Porsche/VW in Hollywood, Mr. Malamut would later start and drive Autoland Corporation to be a highly successful company operating throughout much of Southern California. He would eventually sell the company while continuing to thrive as a commercial real estate investor. Today Malamut is semi-retired and owns Vespa of Southern California located in Sherman Oaks. He was one of the first to bring the Vespa name to the United States decades ago. Mr. Malamut’s newest adventure will take place next year when he and his wife Barbara will drive a 1951 Chevy Suburban (with a Camaro motor, power steering, power brakes, and suspension), pulling a trailer across the country while planning to see some “classic Americana” along the way as he journeys along Route 66 to the East Coast.
With his life enmeshed in the automobile, one would think life would be characteristically simple. “Not so,” he explains. “It can complicate life a bit having such a wide variety of cars. Especially when there are shows and charity events featuring cars of the various carmakers all the time.”
Much of Mr. Malamut’s collection may be seen at malamutautomuseum.com
