Best of Custom Cars SEMA 2011 1969 AMC AMX - Project AMXess - OWNER - Jimi Day - Grafton, WI - BUILDER - D&Z Customs - Kewaskum, WI SEMA always brings in the best. From the smallest, trick little nut or bolt you didn't even know you needed to these, full-tilt, no expense spared custom hot rods and pro-touring rockets... SEMA's the place to be for anything automotive. Chances are, if you're reading MyRideisMe.com, you already know that, but this is the 2011 SEMA kickoff to show you just one taste of what will be there and let you know we'll have lots more! For your SEMA-tease, here's AMXess. Our buddies over at Centerforce Clutch leaked this picture and info. You know we're AMC fans since we ran this 1974 AMC Hornet concept drawing. "AMXess" as it's called, is a full on pro-touring AMX designed for the street and the track.  We've meshed the best of both performance and design by maintaining the iconic AMC heritage lines while updating the entire drive train and suspension package with todays state-of-the-art components. AMXess runs parts from Centerforce Clutch, of course, but...

2011 John Force Racing Charity Car Show - December 4th This was the results last year when John Force, his family and his team get together to make a bunch of SoCal kids' Christmas alot merrier. Not only did the 2010 Car Show bring in this huge-mongus pile of toys, you could also see Jay Leno’s 1955 Buick Roadmaster custom, a Bugatti Veyron and a bunch of cool custom cars and hot rods. Get on down to the show to meet the team and do your part for charity. Thanks! Pikesan From John Force Racing: The EARLY BIRD registration deadline is fast approaching for the 14th annual John Force Holiday Car Show – Sunday, Dec. 4th (10am-4pm). If you haven’t already sent your entry form in yet, I encourage you to do so TODAY. Entries for this year’s show are coming in at a record pace, so don’t delay in getting your registration form if you want to be a part of this huge show!!! Let your friends and club members know about the show also. If you have already sent in your entry, you will be receiving your...

Fall Fiasco: The Best Small Car Show of the Year This time every year the Swanx car club holds their Fall Fiasco car show. It signifies another successful Northern California car show season is nearing the end. Usually you would think it would be a big shindig with all the trimmings. Maybe a show so loaded with clubs that it would be SRO. Perhaps a plethora of vendors flooding the parking lots or even a band list that would resemble a 1978 Day on the Green. Not so... Rather than going out in bright lights and flash. Like every year, the Swanx Fall Fiasco, number 12 of it's long reign. went out in comforting style. Held at Allen-Simmons in Cordelia, CA, a quaint little area tucked back in the city's southwest side right next to Interstate 80's big billboards and other freeway propaganda perfect for pictures. I wanted to get to the show early this morning and drop off MyRideisMe.com swag and some cool pics I had matted for the raffle. Upon arrival I met up with Swanx car club guru Gunar Hansken to drop off the raffle goodies....

1960 Ford Falcon Project I recently pulled my Ford Falcon into the garage with plans of figuring out what’s going on with it. This weekend I dug in and really enjoyed myself! For years, most wrenching days have had a deadline. When Studie was my only car I had to get things fixed right away, which meant some stressful times in the garage. This weekend’s job was nice and relaxing (albeit dirty!) Here’s what I did… I began with a good solid de-greasing of the engine. Boy was this a messy job! Every inch of the engine and oil pan was covered in oil and grime. One can of engine gunk, one can of brake clean, a good amount of Purple Power, some wire brushes, a scraper, and a roll of shop towels later… The engine was clean but boy was I greasy! Once the engine was clean, I figured a good place to start was the plugs. Not knowing the history of this engine, I have no idea what’s been done to it! As I pulled the plugs things didn’t look too bad until I got to spark...

Custom Car Gathering at Winfield Watson Car Show 2011 In the world of Customs, Gene Winfield is a legend. So what better place to have a custom car show then at his place? Gene's shop is located outside of Mojave, about 2 hours from Los Angeles. Originally Gene Winfield and Larry Watson started this car show and now Gene carries it on - assisted by the Rod Tossers Car Club. It isn't a huge car show in terms of numbers, but people from all over the world come into town just to make this show! Me and my fellow Gasoline Girl, Lori made the trek out to the show together. Sometimes its nice to get out of the congested LA freeways and onto the open road! Upon arrival, there were all sorts of cool customs - Not to mention all of Gene's projects. Inside one bay, was this very cool rebuild of a custom van. This van looks more cartoon than real - I love the mouth-like offset grill. Walking around outside was like being in a candy store - Bright colors and an array of custom details everywhere...

Facts You Need Choosing Classic Car Insurance There's no doubt, if you own a classic car - your baby that's been in your family's garage for your whole life... Or, you own a stable of classics: hot rods, muscle cars and few exotics mixed in for fun. You need to insure those cars, and classic car insurance is the way to go. To figure out what you need to start, or what you might want to think about when switching, here's a few helpful articles to steer you along the way. 5 Things to Know about Classic Car Insurance Why change insurance? Here's two reasons: Better coverage for less money! (and that's with the same deductible)It's easy to pay your premium every year without ever asking, is this the best I can get? Check it out this year and let these Tips for Classic Car Insurance get you started. . Agreed Value Insurance Explained This is what you're looking for, so find out what it is, how it's established and how MyRideisMe.com can make it easier. Some of the simple answers might surprise you. Also, does your classic car...

18,000 Mile 1955 Chevy Bel Air Classic To say Chevy's relaunch of the Bel Air in 1955 kick started an automotive revolution would be a understatement. As the first entry into what would become known throughout the world as the "shoebox Chevy", the 55 Bel Air became one of the most iconic Chevrolets in history, right up there with the Corvette and the Camaro. Highlights for the model year include the first year for a 12V electrical system and the timeless "eyebrows" over the front headlights. Designers extended the front fenders just over the headlights giving the remodeled Bel Airs what appears to be a raised eyebrow when viewed from the front. Features in films such as "Two-Lane Blacktop" and "American Graffiti" increased the mystique surrounding the 55 Bel Air ten-fold. And when Harrison Ford's character Bob Falfa staged his 55 Chevy against "The fastest  thing in the valley", Milner's coupe, you could easily argue the car helped launch his career. The 55 Bel Air's popularity stretches across the gamut of auto enthusiasts. Its sleek accents and generous use of chrome captured the attention of customizers just as the lightweight and easy acceptance of...

Classic Car Insurance -Agreeing on the Right Value As classic car enthusiasts, we're always working on our cars. In the process, we may add significant value. Are you reviewing your classic car insurance policy to keep up with your changes? Condon Skelly is the official insurance company for MyRideisMe.com, so I asked them for some detail information on “agreed value" insurance. With what I learned, you should be careful to keep your agreed value policy up to date. Read on... One of the benefits of Condon Skelly’s Collector Vehicle policy is the agreed value feature. Agreed value can be established from an appraisal or through photos and discussions with Condon Skelly's car-guy staff... Either way, it's a must to insure your collector car at a value that protects your investment. Don't make the mistake underinsuring in hopes of saving a few dollars on the policy... that can have terrible consequences! Consider the following before you “Agree” to the wrong value: Don't Underinsure Your Classic Car It can be tempting to insure your collector car for less than it’s worth – after all, a smaller agreed value means a smaller...

Not all Classic Car Insurance Coverages are the same Classic car insurance discussions probably don't come up in your Saturday evening bench racing conversations the way a hot rod model A from the local cruise might, but hey... you gotta get insurance, so you might as well do it right. Be organized, know the facts and read the fine print. With that in mind, when you're shopping for classic car insurance to protect your dream car (and your investment) make sure you know about ALL of the coverages, not just the basics like collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist... you'll find that everywhere. Everyone's feeling the pinch of tough times... nowhere is it tighter than in our hot rod budgets. So when you compare insurances, make sure these valuable extras aren't going to change a good deal into a bad idea. Here's some additional benefits of Condon Skelly classic car insurance, the official insurance company of MyRideisMe.com. Classic Car Insurance Additional Benefits At no extra cost, here's a summary of coverages offered by Condon Skelly when your classic car is damaged: Up to $1,000 (sometimes more) for spare parts and...

Nothing says nostalgia like a 1955 Chevy Gasser! When my friend Stan asked me to join him at the dragstrip to race his '55, I couldn't say no. As I arrived at his place, I expected to see a trailer. Not this time - because this Chevy dragster is street legal! Heads turn as we drive by and in no time we've arrived at Irwindale Speedway for Thursday Amateur Night. Arriving early meant no waiting in the tech inspection and almost no line to race!  Everything went so quickly, it was only a few moments before I was jumping out of the passenger seat so Stan could pull up to the waterbox. Waterbox? That's the area that they wet down so each car can burnout and warm up their tires just before they pull up to the line. Powering that beautiful metal down the line is this 454 Rat engine. Adding a little something extra is a Mercruiser blower. Behind it all, there's a Turbo 400 transmission with a Maxwell valve body. He calls it the "Lynwood Flash". Stan happens to be a SoCal guy through and through (those...

Flat Paint Job for my Ford Falcon Wagon Finally. I don't think I could have taken a longer path to get there, but at least it's done. My Falcon's wearing new paint and the flat sheen or "hot rod flat" I was going for came out great. Special thanks to T.C. at FinishMaster in Mesa, AZ for help with the paint and advice to make this happen. I also took advantage of advice from Kevin Tetz from "Trucks" TV show. Kevin helped me with 11 Tips for a Flat Paint Job and sorta held my hand on this project.   It's a long story how I got here, you can read it all at this link: Falcon Wagon Build. It started with bodywork lessons and primer from Squeeg's Kustoms then a paint job gone wrong. Back on track, here's how my buddy Joel and I laid on this flat gold paint. I think it came out great!   Before Paint Prep:     You can see here what my wagon looked like right before we started on Saturday morning. Over Labor Day, my sons and I scuffed the clearcoat...

1963 Ford Falcon Squire Wagon Images Courtesy of Daniel De Silva   In case you didn't know, Ford Falcons were made and sold in Australia while the "compact" Ford was selling in the USA too. The cool old Ford Falcons we enjoyed all through the 60's were replaced with some 70s Falcons that looked like... cars from the 70s. In a word, YUCK. But that's another story...     Daniel De Silva of Bandit Films has teamed up with Luke from Fuel Magazine to make Fueltank.tv. It's a collection of great hot rod and custom car videos all done in HD. I've watched a few, especially this trick Falcon wagon, and I'll be back!   Dig the groovy sounds and especially dig this gorgeous right hand drive Falcon. I want it!! Hopefully my 63 Falcon Wagon Project will turn out half as nice!   [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/20471414[/vimeo]   For more Falcon fun, check out Pikesan's project: 1963 Ford Falcon Wagon Build...