Original Untouched Custom leaves the garage after 44 years.

We went to Rats 'n Rods this weekend and were blown away by the custom we saw right at the opening to the grass field. It was obvious from 100 yards there was something special about this car. So we took a walk over and started talking to the owner, Mr. Tom Sanders. It turns out Tom bought the car in 1955. When he bought it it was a stock 39 Ford Phaeton. He quickly customized the car and started driving and showing it. The car is a Florida car but spent most of its early days in New Jersey. It was even to an ill-fated exhibition in Puerto Rico and made multiple appearances in Magazines. Tom parked the car in 1966 and it never left the garage until this show. Incredible!  We spoke to Tom for about an hour, he had some great stories and let us take photos of his scrap book. He couldn't understand why people were interested in his old heap and felt like he needed to paint it. I hope we changed his mind. I hope the pictures tell the story.

New project.

I've been amassing parts for a T project. The initial idea was to throw together a quick semi-tarditional rod to flip. Well,  I'm already getting attached. My budget is forcing me to make decisions on where to spend and not to spend. The original plan was inline six chevy, T-5, 57 chevy rear. This plan was based on budget. Now I'm deep in the money pit building a flathead/banjo hot rod. This is where it starts. Steel turtle back T-roadster, 51 flatty, model-a frame and 32 grill shell.

Sports Illustrated 1961

In 1961 Sports Illustrated ran a pretty in-depth article on Hot Rod culture. It's an interesting read. Here are the pages. Thanks to Nate for loaning me his copy.

Lowrider Super Show

We went to the Lowrider Super Show this weekend. It took place at the fairgrounds, the same location for the NSRA Streetrod Nationals. I'm one of those characters who attend both events, so it was difficult for me not to make comparisons. We show up at the gate a bit early, along with around a thousand other attendees. La Raza was in full effect and the neck tattoo count was high. There were signs posted that said: No Drugs, No Weapons, No Club Colors. We waited for about twenty minutes to get searched and then into the show we go. Standing in line, I'm amazed at how quiet it is. I waited in line at the nationals once and the chorus of bitching sounded like the inside of a chicken coupe. And as I recall, no signs, no cops, no search.
Walking around a Lowrider show is a lot like any other car show with a few exceptions.  I'm a picture taker; and taking photos at a car show can be frustrating. It's really hard to get a picture of a car without someone walking in it. It's also difficult to ignore the judgmental attitudes of attendees. Sometimes it just seems like people are there to judge the cars, not admire them. Maybe folks were just in a good mood or something, but at this show, the over all attitude was positive  and respectful. Whenever I snapped a photo the crowd parted like the red sea. All smiles and families. Really good morning.........

Shop truck update.

When I bought this thing last year I was stoked. After putting little time and money into it, it was riding. Then about 4 months in, the tranny goes. Well truth be told, the truck had a lot of other issues. You know how it is though, you just want to ride. So when the tranny went, the decision was made to swap both the engine and transmission. Well one thing led to another and the truck now has a 350 crate motor, 700r4, A/C, all new brake lines, rotors body mount and frame repairs, and it's still not finished. Well today it got new shoes and it's so bitchin I was inspired to post.

Starsky and Hutch scene. Some seventies cool.

Watching some old Starsky and Hutch can be pretty rewarding if you like some 70's car chases; but there's some other hidden jewels if you watch past the opening credits. Watching this episode at 2 A.M., I'm made aware of a term I'm unfamiliar with. The word "short" to describe a car. I had that feeling, like I wasn't cool, because I didn't know, witch just made it cooler. This episode also features a 55 Nomad that sits pretty right.

Wing

Big Daddy's museum.

Living in Florida, Hot Rod hot spot's are a bit scarce, but we have one thing we can be real proud of, Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. It's a bit like an antique mall; there is so much to take in that you begin to go snow blind. You suffer from sensory overload. You have to slow down, take a deep breath, and focus. The museum changes a little every time you go so revisiting usually brings new sights. Walking around, randomly placed, are other artifacts around the cars and if you can take your eyes off the dragsters, some of those smaller raritys are worth attention. Here's a few shots.

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