Old Cars Take On New Life At Ventura Nationals
Car Show Invaded By The Gasoline Girls
It was labor day weekend, and you know what that means… leaving LA for the 100 mile drive to Ventura for the weekend. Although the show’s been going on for 8 years now, this year its name changed from “Primer Nationals” to “Ventura Nationals”… so don’t get confused!
Other then being filled with great cars, good music, a pinup contest… it was extra special because it also marked the first official show that me and my girl’s car club attended together! I’ve been meaning to introduce ya’ll to them, so no time is better then the present – say hello to the Gasoline Girls! We’ve been meeting up and getting together to wrench on one another’s cars for a few months now – and having a darn good time at it!
Waking up early to get our old cars parked at the show is difficult (especially when there’s so many after-hours activities going on!) But its a little easier when there’s a pretty Studebaker waiting for you!
The show was at capacity this year, with sweet customs like this one from Cole Foster.
Alex Gambino showed up too, as well as my buddy, Gene Winfield.
Old car car or new car? This wild custom was a one-man job by E Dog Designs.
Part of the day was spent talking with other ladies. Hopefully these younger gals will be back next year with their own hot rods! The Gasoline Girls also got to meet up with fellow girl car clubs (that’s right, they DO exist)… the Black Widows and Hell’s Belles were represented at Ventura Nationals as well.
Perusing the show, I had to wonder how you’d see past this double-engine powered roadster to drive. Coming out of Las Vegas, this hot rod is pushed by 1007 horsepower – yikes!
The Lowdown Customs Car Club out of the High Desert made a good showing with lots of top notch custom cars.
No detail was overlooked (except that missing lug nut?), as these fade-painted wheels illustrate.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen such a nicely chopped El Camino!
There were more then just customs though! This old-skool styled 1927 Roadster by the Menges Twin’s Speed Shop was beckoning me for a drive along the coast.
Another old car that was made to be driven is this dragstrip-ready roadster with a very unique engine… can anybody guess what it is?!?
Everybody wanted to figure out how this airplane/missile-looking 3-wheeled contraption was engineered!
When we couldn’t go on any longer, thankfully my friend Chryss had her restored 1957 trailer on site to be the Gasoline Girls lounge area!
Call it what you want, Ventura Nationals/Primer Nationals…this car show is a good time (even if it does tire a girl out!) Mark your calendars for next Labor Day weekend… the Gasoline Girls will be there!
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Good job on the story. It was a great show, wasn’t it. We were there & had a great time. I looked for ya to say “Hi”. Lots of cool rides & lots of cool people!
I got a picture with Gene too! Got a picture with Candy Clark & the Pizz, as well.
I’m missin’ that nice cool weather we had there. Maybe catch ya next year!
Wow, I really like that Merc Comet your friend has there!
I dunno about that engine, it looks like it belongs on a tractor LOL that belt is HUGE!
Lots of great photos, hon! :)
The engine appears to be a Hudson six. Bet you know who this is….
Hooray for the Gasoline Girls! They gave a special light to the show!!
I’d say that engine is a 40’s mopar straight 6. But the only reason I know that is that I got one in my 47 Plymouth.