2012 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Winner

2012 AMBR Winner – The Indy Speedster

Enjoy the pictures and for any picture, click on it to see the full-size image.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster: Bill Lindig’s Indy Speedster

I got lucky, or was I good? I managed to find Houston’s Bill Lindig while the crowds started pouring into the Fairplex on Friday of the 2012 Grand National Roadster Show. I asked for an interview and the gracious Bill did NOT say, “I’m waiting for Rodder’s Journal”.

I started the interview by saying I think the “Indy Speedster” is this year’s AMBR winner. Bill humbly replied, “If the other nine cars don’t win, we will.” Guess what Bill, you did it!

The story of the Indy Speedster goes back 16 years. Bill’s friend, Jack Howerton, is an Indy Car and sprint car driver – and builder as you can see – that wanted a race car inspired hot rod like the old sprint cars he used to drive.

About 12 years ago, Jack had started the chassis, then the build kinda stalled a little, then Steve Moal from Moal Coachbuilders helped the project along, but when Bill saw it back then, “It was a rough roller compared to what it is today.” Bill talked it over with Jack saying, “If you let me acquire it, I’ll finish it.” That’s when Pete Chapouris and the Pomona, CA based SoCal Speed Shop stepped in.

Alberto Hernandez joined the team working with Bill to finalize the look and finished style of the car. Howerton was consulted sometimes and wasn’t shy on feedback… in the end, everybody was happy. If you look closely, about the only thing that changed from the concept drawing is the white around the #3 on the door replaced by polished aluminum to show off the body. Bill shook his head explaining… “What a nightmare!”

Photo courtesy of SoCal Speed Shop’s Project Page

Bill praised the team at SoCal for their hard work and craftsmanship and told me what he told them… “I built this to be a driver.” And drive they did. When the car was assembled, about 500 miles ticked by on the odometer during the shakedown.  Some shock tuning and dialing in of the four-corner torsion bar suspension followed, but overall, “Where ever you pointed it, that’s where it went.” If you hadn’t guess Bill’s personality from the car, I hope the quotes are helping.

With the DRIVE IT theme in mind, the seats adjust, the wheel is a racing style quick disconnect for easy entry and there’s a functioning cowl vent to let fresh air in. (This isn’t Bill’s first roadster in Texas!) “It’s a comfortable car to sit in with the doors at shoulder height… it’s deceiving about how much room’s inside.”

As Bill and I talked, he pointed out the Art Chrisman built engine and how the 352 in. small block Ford made 450+HP but was still well mannered for street use and cruised like a dream thanks to a Tremec T5 five-speed transmission.

While looking at the engine, Bill showed me the cornerstone of the lightweight, race inspired chrome-moly frame holding up the fore mentioned one-off aluminum body. The handmade aluminum motor plate shown above. The motor plate secures the Ford, but also serves to accommodate the parallel front torsion bar suspension as well. It’s a trick, yet subtle and beautiful piece.

From any angle, the Indy Speedster’s detail is fitting of an AMBR winner. The full length and race-minded louver filled belly pan somewhat hides all the countless trick parts underneath, but the styling is true to the theme. As their show card said, “… the car is beautifully balanced and minimalistic…”

Well Bill, the other nine cars didn’t win. You did.

While the Brizo built, Washington Blue ’32 was subtly beautiful… and the red, Nailhead powered ’32 called “Sylvester III” had a storied history and was my pick for “America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster”… and finally, the Moal built, blue-and-blown ’33 was utterly beautiful… but your hot rod is the 2012 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.

See all 10 AMBR Contending Roadsters Here – Then VOTE your favorite

Past Winners from the Grand National Roadster Show

Hot Rod and Custom Comfort – NorCal’s Fall Fiasco

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. Like every time I run into Gunar, “Hey buddy, you need anything? Do you want some coffee? How are ya doing?” The guy is about the nicest son of gun you will ever meet. That goes for just about everyone of the Swanx car club. I hadn’t taken more than 10 pics and I noticed long time Swanx Rick (Holcomb) across the way. Before I could say top of the morning to you, Rick was already shaking my hand and passing out family style hugs. That’s what it’s like at a Swanx function. It is like a family gig. They make you feel like you are at a family reunion and that is what this show was all about. Just a bunch of tight knit friends with some very cool rides.

To really get a feel for how personal this show was. There was a handful of clubs all within a 20 mile radius off the show. Everyone knew everyone. Like that killer 4th of July block party you have every year. I have to say, I just dig that. The comfort level was beyond a 10 and such a great way to wind down from a monstrous season of insane California car shows.

As I strolled around admiring the custom rides it was nice to finally have time to sit down and rap with people that at past shows I only had a brief couple of minutes to say hey. Finally, I was able to hang out with Korena Goldstien and Henrik Forss (the creators of NorCal Knockout car show) and talk ideas for next years show. Lets just say one of the slogans for next years super show is going to be “Relax… Grow a Stash” and I will just leave it at that. I shot a couple of pics of the two and moved on.

I also stopped by to shoot the breeze with pinstriping magician Kyle Martin (of Johnny and Kyle’s House of Style) while he was putting the finishing touches on the Villainz CC choice award. Since I was in the vicinity, I hung out for a bit to talk with the guys from the Villainz car club. Midway through my corndog conversation with Villainz John Lemoine (only if you where there) my phone rang it was my shoot for the day.

The lovely Alena Ceja, she wanted to let me know she was here. So I grabbed Villainz CC Scotty Coppach’s flamed 51′ for the shoot. In true Scotty form he wanted to help with the shoot. Holding the flash, arranging the car, directing position of the model, making sure her hair was right. I will tell you this, that had to be the funniest shoot of the year. How apropos is that for such cozy show. Again, that’s what I’m talking about!

Plus how could I leave this out? If you where hungry, how’s this grab you…”all you can eat” Taco Bar! Which I did when I went inside to snap a few shots of Anji Ramsey’s grandfather’s 1927 Roadster he drove for the Swanx in the 50s. Yeah, the Swanx in the fifties I said. now that’s history!

By 11:30 I had shot all the rides, had a excellent photo shoot with Alena and felt my day was complete. But wait there’s more. The raffle and the awards. Now unfortunately, I had to leave around 12:30, but speaking with Gunar he said the the raffle was a hit. I also missed the awards but I do know fellow photo-nerd and Villainz CC member John Lemoine won best custom with his burnt orange 52′ Chevy.
(Click on any pic to see full size)

As far as the other awards, Best of Show went to a beautiful brandywine 1956 Merc hardtop, Best Hot Rod went to a flat black 32′ roadster which was my personal fave as well. Villianz CC pick went to dark green 1949 Chevy, Satan’s Angels pick went to a very cool baby blue 1954 shoebox. The awards winners deserved it cause they where nice rides as you will see in the pictures.

After a day of great cars, friends and family I knew my day was dialed. Like having a fat plate of comfort food and hitting the couch, this is what Fall Fiasco is all about. After a successful and prolific 2011 car show season here in Northern California I could not think of a better way to close it out. Granted I don’t want to sell any of the other shows of the year short… don’t get me wrong, there are some shows here and there till rain enters the picture, but in past years, Fall Fiasco signifies the season is coming to a end.

In true Swanx fashion they did again. They flew under the super show radar and had a awesome family style get together. For more info on future Fall Fiasco’s or any Swanx CC events go to their Swanx Facebook page.

In closing I would like to say that the Olive Garden does not have a lick on the Swanx Car Club and Fall Fiasco cause “When you’re here, You’re family!” Till next time, if I don’t see you at the show, I’ll see you on the streets! – N/K

2011 Billetproof Car Show – Suede Finishing Touch

NorCal Hot Rods and Custom Car Show Pictures- N/K

The sun was far from coming up when I was standing on the corner of 10th St in Antioch waiting on Villainz car club member Scott Coppack to pick me up. The night before I told Scott I would love to help the guys set up around the House of Style booth which feature phenom pinstripers-slash-painters Kyle Martin and John Christensen. Come to find out Scott had already pulled in to the show and was setting up. If it wasn’t for Villainz John Lemoine with his sweet burnt orange 49 and his keen eye for black sticker-mobbed camera cases I probably would have been out in front till they let the public in. Well… probably not, but you get the picture.

(All of Nick’s pictures from Billetproof here in the MyRideisMe.com Hot Rods and Customs gallery)

Upon entering the show, we grab our swag bag, pay the reggie fee and head to our designated area, which I might say was quite perfect! Under shade trees, right across from pinstriping mad men Rich Luna and Mr.Wims booth and their neighbors custom cycle fabricating kingpins: Behind Bars Inc. Looking to your left and you have the Road Lords charity pin-up dunk tank, which I might add was a huge hit! With all the proceeds going to the Scarlet Fever Fund and your shot at dunking a trash talking pin-up, come on!. When there’s a charity involved, you will usually hear the Road Lords name in the same sentence.

As we razz Scott about this morning, we helped get all the outstanding pinstriped and flaked art pieces from the trunks of Kyle and John ride. Safeway bear claws and the scent of Starbucks filled the morning air as the sun started to peak over the hills of Antioch. The rest of the guys pulled the coolers filled with margs, pop ,chicken, tri-tip out of the rest of the trunks for the BBQ later. Around 7:30 AM, I broke away from the pack to scam out how the this years show was going to shape up. By 8:00am it was already looking jam packed and the gates didn’t open to the public till 10:00am. You could just feel it in the air that today was going to be special.

I returned to where I had my photo equipment and started to get ready for the shooting frenzy. I figured that I could get a jump on things and grab my first pin-up shoot with the lovely Olivia Freda before they started letting the crowd of custom rod spectators in. As I roamed the back of the fairgrounds snapping up some shots of the custom collective, I grabbed Olivia and headed back where the Persueders car club was set up. We proceeded to shoot with Persueders CC, Danny Dornan’s super bad green 61′ Chrysler Newport and Ki Hansens burnt orange 56 Merc.

After the very cool photo shoot I rolled around snapping more pics of the show. While making my way back up to the front of the fairgrounds I turned around to rap with some of the hosting car cult of Billetproof, the Dragoons, and I noticed in the span of two hours all the rides I shot doubled in size. I still had the whole front of the fair to shoot. This was going to be big. When I pulled up to my rest spot, aka John and Kyles House of Style paint & pinstriping booth, I looked around and noticed that the public was being let into the show. “Holy smokes, it’s 10;00!” I really had to pick up the pace before I had no room shoot.

I put back the last of my Starbucks and got on it. The Road Lords pin-up dunk tank was starting to fill up with eager spectators and pin-ups waiting to cool off from the soon to be scorching day at the show as I passed by. Oh yeah, you know I was going to stop back by for a few throws for the Scarlet Fever Fund. I made my way to the front of the fair and started to work my way back. Passing the stage where the bands and pin-up contest will be held and a more vendors than you can shake a stick at I noticed that Millers Chop Shop made it up from Reno, NV, so you know it was a must to snap a few off of their custom creations. (Click on any picture to see it full size)

I decided to head towards the inside vending area to catch some cooling off cause the Antioch heat was starting come on strong and I promised my oldest that I would get her a show shirt. I stepped inside and swooped up a couple of stickers, Billet 2011 patch and a show shirt for Mia. I noticed that they had the DVD’s this year again and I figured what a great photo op if I slapped down a MyRideisMe sticker right in the middle of all the Billet-propaganda. Billetproof had two indoor area’s with a ton of cool vendors. Not only where they indoors but outdoors as well. I would say 50+ vendors spread through out the show. Vendor wise, Billet hit on every gamut of the custom culture scene ranging from hand built mini rat rod cars and old school flaked cycle helmets to vintage clothing and accessories to hair styling for the gals and hair cuts for the guys.

If you where hungry or wanted to quench your thirst there was fare everywhere! From the BBQs of the many car clubs in attendance to totally cool carney food. I decided to head back over to where the Villainz car club was set up right in front of The House of Style. I parked it for a minute, cracked open a well needed ice cold marg and chopped it up with the gang for a bit. Every time I turned around, I saw more rides, more clubs and more spectators. The crowd grew every minute! Throughout the day I must have made several trips around the fairgrounds and I still don’t think I got every thing Billetproof had to offer.

By 1:00 PM the show was going at full bore. The dunk tank was packed to the gills, the pin-up contest was firing on all cylinders, the music was grooving and crowd started to look like a hot rod red carpet of who’s who in the bay area rod scene. That was probably why I ran into some of the A list photogs that the left coast had to offer. The likes of Mitzi and Co, Marilee Caruso, Chris Gomez, Lilly Fuentes just to name a few.

Of course with names like that behind the lens you knew the cast of characters the show brought in was going to be big time. Big time it was! You had just about every car club in a 300 mile radius of Antioch. Clubs like the Style Kings, Beatniks, Swanx, Road Zombies, Dragoons, Road Lords, Villainz, Persueders, Road Knights, Alley Cats, Relentless, Jalopies and Satans Chauffeurs where just some of the names. Along with the clubs brought the mad fabricators like Skoty Chops, Alex Gambino and the gang from Millers Chop Shop. Not to mention a Papa Het sighting as well. For those of you that don’t know who Papa Het is, he also goes by James Hetfield. Yeah, the James Hetfield.

After the Pin-Up contest, I roamed the show for some more shots and I noticed founders of NorCal Knockout Korena Goldstien and Hollywood Hank talking shop with long time Swanx guru Gunar Hansken. I had to step over and say what’s up, plus I had to ask Gunar a few things about the upcoming Fall Fiasco on Oct 8th. You know MyRideisMe will be all over the all you can eat taco bar that day! After a brief visit (sorry guys, I wish I had more time) I was off to continue my scheduled shoots. Pin-up/pin-striper Trisha Turner was next. Trisha is always a blast to shoot with. Not to take anything away from my other shoots w/ Kara Jeppeson, Brittany “Dixie” Cervantes and a mini shoot with Ms.Megan Taylor. What a day today was!

Going on my 11th hour at Billetproof 2011, the rides began to pull out of the fairgrounds. The spectators that where not staying for the after party where heading to the parking lots. The vendors had already started breaking down their booths, the bbq’s where being packed up and good-bye’s where being handed out. Speaking for myself I think this show was a great success. There wasn’t one bad vibe all day. Yeah it was a scorcher, but the feeling through out the whole car show over came the weather.

When I arrived at 6:00 am I felt that today’s show was going to be special and I was right. It was 5:30pm west coast time and Billetproof 2011 was coming to a end. In a way it was kinda sad because here in Northern California, Billetproof is the last big show of the car show season. Billetproof just proved again how big the Northern California hot rod scene has become over the years. After all the great shows of 2011 like NCKO,The Road Zombies BBQ, Kings by the Bay, The Gambino Sit Down, Skoty Chops Shootout, The Strangers show, Midnight Mass, Nite of the Hot Rods and the show that signifies (IMO) the end of the car show season Fall Fiasco, to see all those clubs and rod enthusiasts from all those shows gather for one last big bash is amazing to me.

This was my fourth trip to Billetproof and this was the biggest turnout I’ve experienced. I have to say the host club Dragoons car cult did a spectacular job on everything. This was the kind of show everyone will be talking about for a long time. Just a couple days after the show I shot a text over to Dragoons cult leader Max “Stashman” Ballesteros and asked him what kind of numbers Billet closed with. His reply was, ” 1000 plus cars. We got rid of all the registrations cards after that, it was a record breaking attendance for both cars and spectators, I can tell you that!” Not surprising. Hell of a way to celebrate your 15th anniversary!

In closing, I would like to say, with all the history surrounding this show that once pulled in a mere 26 cars and about 100 friends at a small bowling alley in Albany, CA… growing to what it has become today, lets just say Kirk and Jay would be proud. For more info on Billetproof you can go to Billetproof Homepage or go to the Dragoons CC Facebook Page. We’ll see you at Fall Fiasco and stay cool! – N/K

2011 Billetproof Car Show – First 7 Years

History of Billetproof – The Original

Fifteen years ago Kirk Jones and Jay Ward had a idea. The idea was to create a car show with unique, hand-crafted trophies and to express the growing old school hot rod movement. They held their first new car show at the Albany Bowl in Albany, CA. In attendance was 26 traditional cars and about 100 friends. The music was provided by The Stillman in the bowling alley’s tiny, packed lounge. The year was 1997 and the show was simply named Billetproof.

In 1998 on a rainy day at the Albany Bowl attendance jumped to 63 rods and the venue was busting at the seams. Billetproof was ready for a bigger venue. The next year in 1999 Billetproof thought they had found a new and bigger home. The MLK Jr. Waterfront Park in Oakland, CA. Right on the water, with grassy areas to relax in and fully equipped with built in BBQ’s to cook on, the park seemed twice as big as they needed… Wrong! On this beautiful sunny day in Oakland, 129 choice hot rods and customs filled the parking lots to the brim and with twice the amount of participants, Billetproof was on the hunt again for a larger venue.

Going back to their roots in 2000, Billetproof choose the Holiday Bowl in Hayward, CA. Surely with parking for 300 cars Billet found it’s new home. When a surprising 225 hot rods and customs showed up and the show was pleasantly full and you could still breathe. Billet thought this would be as big as the show would ever get. Little did they know, on Sept 29th, 2001 at the same Holiday Bowl with 300 car capacity, the parking area squeezed in 320 cars and had to turn some 40 rods away.

The 2001 Billetproof was sold out weeks ahead of time to hear bands like the Dynatones and the Sore Thumbs and to witness The Retarded Sparks Car Club chopping a Model A Tudor Sedan right in the middle of the show. For the forth time Billetproof had to pack up and search for a bigger venue.

In 2002 Billet found themselves in Livermore, CA at the Livermore Rodeo grounds. Granted the place was huge and a killer grandstand to see all the action. You would think, home, finally,home… but there was one thing that stood in the way of home. Dust and lots of it. That year not even two solid days of watering trucks could keep the dust off of 468 hot rods and nearly 3000 spectators. The biggest turn out in Billetproof 6 year history.

Speaking of history, in 2003 Billetproof landed in the Antioch Fairgrounds where it still stands today. On Sept 20th, 2003 on a typical scorching Antioch day, the Fair was bursting at the seams. 638 rods, customs, bombs and trucks were viewed by more than 3000 spectators! The addition of the Kustomizing Kompetition where two teams cut, welded and hammered out two Rancheros into there new shape with “WierdOh’s” winning. Since 2003 Billetproof has been blowing up the Antioch Fair grounds around the last week of September for the past 8 years and 15 years altogether. With past host clubs like the Poor Boys and the Swanx handing the torch Antioch-grown club, the Dragoons, this 15th year anniversary Billetproof pulls out all the the stops.

So if you are ready to roll into the show and enjoy the day, jump in, we are heading up to the gates of the Antioch Fair grounds for Billetproof 15!

-N/K

(Editor’s note: Nick, let me know where you got these fliers so I can give credit)

2011 Circus of the Wicked Car Show – No Clowns Allowed

NorCal Hot Rods and Custom Car Show Pictures

When you hear the circus is in town your first thought is of the big top, right?

Well I asked my two daughters what was the first thing that came to mind when I said, “The circus is coming to town.” My youngest who’s four said, “Chuck Chuck the Clown” and my oldest who’s eleven said, “A big parade of people”. This is the funny cause I’m sitting in my backyard writing this story as it’s happening… So I ask my girls what’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say, The Circus of the Wicked is coming to town? Lets listen in for their response: My youngest says, “The chicken on SNL.” OK. My oldest,”Sounds like a cool name for a car show.” No, I’m not pulling your leg, that’s what she said.

There you have it, as I lead into this feature on the Circus of the Wicked car & bike show at Holeshot Choppers in Sacramento,CA. The host car club or should I say “ringleaders” for this event were, none other than, Relentless CC. Upon my arrival to the show, I spoke with Relentless mastermind and long time rodder Jay Walding on what he thought of their 1st annual show. Jay told me, “It’s really the second show and the first was last year, but it was more of a word-of-mouth type gig with a big bike showing… Unlike this year’s show where it was more publicized with fliers and through H.A.M.B and so on.” So call it what you may, I’m sticking to the 1st annual.

Since it was still early and not to hot…yet. I took the opportunity to grab a few shots of Jays ride along side his wife’s ride, who I think you might of heard of. Does Darling Danika ring a bell? It should, because she happens to be one of the baddest alt/pin-up models (shown in the first photo) in Nor Cal! Not to mention she’s pretty frigging cool as well! How ’bout that duo. Long time major player in the Northern Cal hot rod scene and super bad Danika. I sense a interview gracing the pages of MyRideisMe.com soon. (click any picture for full size shot)

Getting back to the show, Jay was totally cool to pull out both rides away from the club so I could grab a couple of quick shots. Thankx bro!

As the lazy Sunday woke up, more and more people were filing in to the show. In a way, it did have that circus feel with tons of stuff to appeal to the little rodders at the show as well as the older ones, too. Things like a dunk tank and face painting to mechanical bull riding. Relentless CC covered all the bases with a carny style food court with everything to Bubba’s BBQ to deep fried candy bars… yeah… you heard me right! Of course you have to wash it down with something so they had an array bevmo’s to quench any thirst. The vendors where also varied with vintage wear from Devil Dolls & Street Surfer and hot rod parts from the Speed Shack.

I do have to say.. it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the type of variety that this show brought fourth. Among the many Sacramento car clubs that rolled in, like the Grinders CC, RiffRaff CC and The Alley Cats. There was also clubs like the Throttle Queens and the Road Lords CC spotting up. I also noticed there where a few lowrider clubs as well, such as the Devotion CC that were well represented with some serious rides (which brought back a lot of fond memories from the earlier 90′s).

(editor’s note: Nick, love this Lincoln! Can you get a feature story on it?)

What kind of circus would it be if you didn’t have elephants doing tricks. Well exit elephants and enter street bikes. These cats where doing things that quite frankly were making my you know what pucker. Just wicked. Next up was the Burnout exhibition which Alley Cats Jacob Bryant and his rubber spitting 61′ Ford truck that just let loose a fury on the spectators. With one arm out of the window and one on the wheel with a grin only the devil himself could conjure up. I think the only thing that stopped Jacob was he blew a belt. Beyond wicked.

Huh, I see a pattern forming here. What could possibly top that? A shoot with super bad model Danika Darling. That’s what could! One thing I would like to say too, is that I, N/Koljian of the MyRideisMe.com posse was the first to shoot Ms. Danika with her car. Ha! Well, that’s what she told me. Nothing like a little pressure huh. Ms.Danika made it very easy on me to shoot and is a absolute pleasure to work with.

After that, I made my rounds and said my good-byes. Snap a couple shots on my way out. Jumped in the truck, turned the AC on high and headed west bound on interstate 80 back to Hellcity, aka Concord. I would like to thank Jay Walding and the rest of the Relentless family for their killer hospitality and fantastic show. For more info on any Relentless shows or on the club itself you can go to the Relentless Facebook Page. And that my friends is my day at the circus…wicked. – N/K

As always, my best pictures from the car show are in the MyRideisMe.com custom car picture gallery. Pick your favorite and let us know.

-N/K

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