If you have a need for speed you’ll really get a kick out of this episode of California’s Gold, originally aired in 1996. Nostalgia and hot rods reigned as they briefly returned to Rogers Dry Lake Bed for this weekend event. I had often heard this area referred to as Muroc but never knew the origin of the name. In fact, in 1933, long before the military took over, a family by the name of Corum created a small community known as Muroc. The lakebed is also home to a National Historic Landmark — the world’s largest compass rose.

Huell visits Rogers Dry Lake (formerly known as Muroc Dry Lake) in the Mojave desert that is so hard and so gigantic that it is the site of Edwards Air Force Base and a landing strip for the Space Shuttle. In the 1920’s and 30’s it was also used by hot-rodders from all over Southern California as a speed trials course for their fast cars. Rogers Dry Lake has remained off-limits since WWII, until recently when the Air Force re-opened the dry lake bed, inviting back all the old-timers for a weekend of racing. Thousands of car enthusiasts showed up for this historic event.

*Note: Due to how this episode was digitized, this episode begins with roughly two minutes of SMPTE color bars and a black screen. Episode begins at timestamp 02:40.*

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)