Fisheyed Look at the Grand National Roadster Show

Well if I could paint like Tom Fritz, I would. If I could draw like my friends Brian and Dwayne, I’d probably do that too.  Since my creativity’s pretty much limited to taking pictures, I’m doing my best to catch up to the great shots taken by Swanee, my main man shooting for MyRideisMe.com. Swanee’s yet to lay down his shots from GNRS, so here’s mine, FISHEYE style.

A fisheye lens is an ultra wide-angle lens that takes in an extremely wide, hemispherical image. A side effect of this super wide shot is the distortion.  I’m shooting with a 10.5mm fisheye lens. Sometimes that distortion looks kinda cool with the swoopy angles of a custom or in tight on the details of an engine like the Stromberg powered flathead in Blackie Gejeian’s “Blackie” Roadster.

Sometimes, the look is just sinister!  This is the grille from “Camel Toe Racing” 1932 Ford.  The closer you get, the more distortion. I’m just a couple inches off this grill and I probably cropped the shot some. Too bad I have to give the lens back to my boss!

Shooting in the Suede Palace at the Grand National Roadster Show, you can either love or hate the florescent lights that line the exhibit hall.  With this lens, the lights seem to stream on forever and have a distinct curve. Don’t worry, it’s not your mind playing tricks on you!

The fish suits the wacky hemi powered and bubble topped “Atomic Punk”.

This is just a couple of the goofy, love-it-or-hate-it  fisheye shots I took at the show. Take a look at the picture gallery called:

Grand National Roadster Show – Fisheye

I’m curious. Does the fisheye work for you? Yea? Sometimes? Let me know…

-Pikesan

Different Ways to Win at GNRS

With all the talk going on about the AMBR winner at the Grand National Roadster Show, I wanted to take the opportunity to show you some of the other great award-winning cars on display. There must have been well over 100 awards given out during Sunday’s award ceremony! This is not including awards given out  in the Suede Palace (those cars don’t run in competition with the others, it’s more of a  low-shine exhibit if you know what I mean.)

To start with, this sweet 1952 Chevrolet Coupe won the George Barris Kustom D’Elegance Award. I dug it for it’s cool green paint by Gene Winfield as well as it’s cam shaft front grill.

There were lots of nice wagon’s at the show, as I’m partial to wagons they really drew my eye. This 1963 Falcon Squire stood out to win in it’s 1955-1979 Conservative Wagon class.

I’d heard about this 1932 Ford roadster, dubbed the Platinum Bomb, as it was progressing. I hoped it would take home first prize, but it only got class recognition (this is, however, the most competitive class in the entire show!) Built by owner Zachary Norman along with Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods… be watching for an in-depth story on this baby!

While Lowriders aren’t my style, I’ve at least got to recognize the money and hard work put into these pieces of art. I was very surprised when I saw this 1988 Volkswagon Jetta pimped out! Dubbed “The Passion,” it was covered with crosses and Jesus murals. Evidently others were impressed too, it was awarded the Full Lowrider Compact Custom Award.

The ‘88 Jetta wasn’t the only place for Jesus to be seen at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show. I spotted him (along with Mary) on this sweet ride out in the Greaser’s Alley. It was all the more classic  that mariachi music was booming from inside, along with a custom light-bar beneath the radio keeping beat with the music! I don’t think this one took home any awards, but it was one of my top picks! I wouldn’t mind rolling around my East LA neighborhood in this!

I definitely don’t want to leave out the Suede Palace picks!  This beauty 5-window was the chosen winner of my favorite car club fellas, the Throttle Kings. Extra points to them for picking a car based on it’s drivabililty! This one’s owned by a fellow Grease Girl and gets driven all around, including destinations like El Mirage and Bonneville Salt Flats along with her Bean Bandits crew. Stay tuned for more on this one later also.

Lastly, I don’t want to ruin it for you, but there will be a few spectacular cars highlighted in detail here at MyRideisMe.com that took top in their classes. The only clues I’ll give ya is the classes: 1955-1959 Semi Hardtop class and Early Street Roadster – Topless Pre 1935. Keep checking back, as we’ve got plenty more to report from the 61st Annual Grand National Roadster Show!

2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show

We already covered the Grand National Roadster Show’s big winner of the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award.  The title now belongs to the 33 Ford named, “Possessed”. So now, I want you to feast your smoke filled eyes on the “Contenders”.  Usually the GNRS has 12 cars running for the AMBR, but this year, only 10 made it.  Here’s 4 of them.  Which one’s your favorite?

The bright orange 32 roadster shown here first is my friend Todd Stevens from right here in Arizona.  Todd’s got a gorgeous late 40’s or 50’s Mercury convertible he runs to the local Goodguys show, but in stark contrast to that cool cruisers is this nasty injected Hemi Hot Rod! Doug Jerger, the builder and another friend just a flew blocks away, runs Squeeg’s Kustoms in Mesa, AZ and is no stranger to America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition. In 2008, Doug built is own AMBR roadster and we showed his shop and 32 Ford in this story. I know that just like Doug’s 32, Todd will drive this car and drive it hard. Shouldn’t that score points some how with the judges?

Speaking of experience, this is the Foose-built, or more accurately, Foose-finshed roadster that ran for the AMBR.  Jerry Magnuson of Magnuson Products Inc built most of this car himself, but at the end wanted to make a run at the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award, so he called in Foose.   Based on the rules for the AMBR, I thought this one was going to win. Damn if it ain’t beautiful!!

The only reason it might not have won, in my eyes, was the display. Pretty ordinary, overall, and it didn’t hit the “Mardi Gras” theme (or slowly rotated and blind you with chrome sparkles) like the Scott’s Hot Rods entry did.  Beyond that, I heard people wondering if this car should be able to run for the award since it was already displayed at SEMA.  I’ll have to check into that…

Then check out the only roadster pickup in the crowd, appropriately named, “Goldenrod”.  I’ve already read somewhere else where the author said, “Gold isn’t my color”, but it’s mine! I’m trying to figure out colors for my Falcon wagon up on the roof and this gold is sweet. The pictures barely do justice to the stunning appearance under the hall lights and the sunshine in California.

I really screwed up on reporting about this car! My apologies to the true builder Wayne Halabura.  Wayne’s out of Saskatoon Saskatchewan and I mistakenly reported that Duane Mayer from Boyd’s “American Hot Rod” TV show.  Those guys had NOTHING to do with this car. Sorry Wayne!

So which is your favorite or do you have another?  Should one of these have won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title?

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster?

Here it is! America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, or the AMBR award as it’s known.  The AMBR is easily one of the top awards in the country and this year drew 10 roadsters to competition.

2010’s AMBR winner is a 1933 Ford, or loosely based on that design, and is owned by Mike and Dianne Dingman.  The car was called, “Possessed” and was built by Scott’s Hot Rods, a shop that built another America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winner back in 2008. (2008 AMBR Story)

Beyond that, you know what?  Not much to say.  This is one of only a couple pictures we took of the car for a couple reasons:

First off, it was tough getting decent pictures.

On Friday, during our media happy hour and right into the time when the public crowds started rolling in, the Scott’s guys were busy setting up the car and the display.  Sure, there were chances to get shots of dudes busily wiping stuff down and placing the display panels, but there’s only so much you can photoshop. (We did get one “interesting” video, but that’s being saved for the, “how to ruin a video at a car show” tirade.)

On Saturday, thankfully, the GNRS crew let us in early to take pics without the cars mobbed with onlookers. Saturday was PACKED with people and great “outdoor” show cars. Too bad Saturday’s breakfast was more of the same… Scott’s guys doing the cleaning that’s part of the show, but also tightening up the leaking rear axle and wiping up the lube we saw dripping out before we left Friday.  Some carefully placed Mardi Gras beads below where the drip was looked like cheap insurance just in case the drip returned.  This Autoweek Story reports all the last minute troubles they overcame to make it to the show.

Then second, the car just didn’t do it for me. Didn’t turn my crank, wind my clock, whatever.

Before I sound like a hater, let’s say what the car was:

• Amazingly detailed! The polished-to-perfection chrome was near blinding
• Displayed best.  They had the only rotating display which helped the wide-mouthed onlookers see every point adding modification. The Mardi Gras dolls looked messy, but were spot on the theme.
• Built by guys who could build anything. The Scott’s crew could have put in a full kitchen (with sink) if they wanted to and it would have fit perfectly
• Finally, it’s the AMBR winner, so what do I know?

I’m a hot rod guy, so a few other cars (tomorrow’s post) fit me alot better. And if I had to say one thing I didn’t like about Possessed, I’ll always dislike chrome rotors! I’m stupid, but that just bugs me. I guess it’d score points in the show, great, but for me it just shows complete disdain for hot rods and driven cars of all kinds.

Enough of my whining, I’d love your feedback!  For or against this car as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, leave a comment below.

2010 Grand National Roadster Show – Kickoff

Links to 2008 to 2010 Show coverage at the end of this story…

I couldn’t resist the first collection of historic hot rods I found at the Grand National Roadster Show. Especially since I’m experimenting with a fisheye lens.
What do you think?

These ride were all cover cars for Rod & Custom or Street Rodder. This collection includes the first cover car from the 1953 issue of Rods &
Custom, plus 32 others!

Many more pics to come, wait til I turn Swanee loose! Stay tuned!

2010 GNRS Coveage… more coming soon!

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster?

2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show

Different Ways to Win at GNRS

The World’s Fastest Hippie – Go ahead and Inhale

Nostalgia Drag Race History from 2010 GNRS

2009 GNRS Coverage (Click on any title to read the story):

2009 Grand National Roadster Show – The Aftermath

GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat pain

Show & Go Hot Rod is Double Trouble (America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster!)

AMBR Hot Rod Special in Pictures and Video

March Pinup of the Month – Angela Ryan (from the GNRS)

Japanese Hot Rod Culture Pinstriped & Flaked! (pinstriper’s Jam at GNRS)

Pinstriper’s Reunion – Pulling lines for Charity

50th to 60th Grand National Roadster Show

GNRS Hall of Fame Lunch – Heros and Legends

The Picture gallery: Hot Rods and Customs from GNRS

2008 GNRS Coverage:

2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

GNRS 2008: If You Missed This One…

GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat paint

GNRS Show Cars, The Under-over

The Picture Gallery: 2008 Hot Rods and Customs at GNRS

Hot Rod Art at Gasoline Gallery

It’s Saturday night rolling down Main Street in El Segundo, a cute little Maybury-esque town in Los Angeles County. All of the sudden the street is lined with hot rods and some bobber-styled bikes. Cool cats pour out of a store front holding cans of Pabst beer in their hands. Have I landed in heaven?!

Not just yet. It just the New Year’s Nuisance 2 art show & party at Gasoline Gallery. This gallery has been growing into its own little epicenter of kustom kulture over the past couple years. Specializing in low-brow art and artist-featured t-shirts (and most recently a record label all their own,) Gasoline Gallery throws these great shin-digs every couple months when their gallery-show changes.

I’ve been to a few of these now and am pleased to report this show was just as high quality and fun as the others – with artist, 3 sheets, taking the spotlight. That’s enough of my blabbering, let me just show you the pictures! For more info on any of the work or artists shown, contact Gasoline Gallery or look em up on MySpace.

I didn’t realize at first this painting’s on the wrinkled door of a Highway Patrol car! Entitled Gas, Grass, or Ass by Big Toe.

These four pinstriping pieces done on painted metal show of the striping skills of 3 Sheets.

“Social Outkast” Frankenstein by artist duo Johnny Ace & Kali – who studied under the Big Man Ed Roth himself. On the wall, you can see the variety of stuff present – from sculpture to photography to pen & ink to painting.

This piece just pops out at you and makes you giggle too – “Oral Hygiene” by Dave Burke.

Another wall of work – including Max Grundy and very cool photo boxes done by Jay Mason of Chrome and Light Photography (he uses vintage equipment!)

Our friend Dwayne Vance’s piece stood out. I wish my photograph would’ve captured it a little better…but I don’t think that car wants to be captured!

Three fun little bits by 3 sheets.

A classic hot rod painted on an old car magazine page by James Owens next to an amazingly intricate ink & paper by Krazy Dotty made entirely out of small dots.

3 sheets again.

This sculpture was one of my favorite pieces, done by artist Odd Rodney. I wish I could’ve taken it home! The whole evening had me feeling a little artistic myself – so when I stopped for gas on my way home I couldn’t help but notice the cool lighting provided at the gas station!

Cheer’s to art! Whether it’s being hammered out in your own garage or hung on the wall over at Gasoline Gallery…happy trails to you!

-GreaseGirl

12th ANNUAL JFR HOLIDAY CAR SHOW-Tons-o-toys!

Interview with Austin Coil about drag racing today Click to read it…

12th ANNUAL JFR HOLIDAY CAR SHOW A HUGE SUCCESS

(story starts below)

Press Release from John Force Racing:

12th ANNUAL JFR HOLIDAY CAR SHOW A HUGE SUCCESS

YORBA LINDA, CA (December 6, 2009) — Mother Nature and the people of Southern California cooperated to make the 12th annual John Force Racing Holiday Car Show one of the biggest in the events history. Ominous clouds made brief appearances over the 14-time champion’s shop but a comfortable breeze was the only weather variance all day as thousands of toys were dropped off making a mountain of memories for children this Christmas season. From 10 a.m. until well after 4 p.m. today toys, stuffed animals and games poured into the John Force Racing shop as fans filled the streets. Tens of thousands of people wandered through one of the largest collections of vintage cars, trucks and street rods.

In addition to the hundreds of car club vehicles a number of specialty vehicles were on display including the Force Borthers “Nightstalker,” Funny Car which returned to competition this year in a one-off event at Norwalk, Ohio, plus Jay Leno’s 1955 Buick Roadmaster custom, a $2 million Bugatti Veyron, a collection of “monster rods” built from Peterbilt trucks and an historic Amphicar designed for road or water.

“Today was awesome. It was all about the kids and I think our fans really came through. We are having tough economic times and I know there are a lot of kids out there who might not have a very good Christmas. I hope being able to donate all these toys to the CHiPs Toy Drive will help. I want to thank all our sponsors for stepping up and helping out especially Tom McKernan and the Auto Club,” said John Force.

“I know Craig Hoelzel really worked hard on this as well as all his volunteers. I want to thank everyone who helped out to make this happen from the bottom of my heart. My hand is just about worn out from signing autographs but it is what we do and I love spending time with the fans. We have a lot of really good friends that come out every year so it is good to see everyone. I want to especially thank Tom McEwen, Jack Beckman and Cory McClenathan. Cory Mac flew straight from Germany to be here.”

Fans were treated to music by the M.O. S. Project, Adria Force Hight’s band, as well as a number of other musical acts. In-N-Out burgers were available all afternoon and fans enjoyed the burgers.

Curves: Custom 50’s Merc and Pinup Masuimi Max

2010 Pin up Girl Wall Calendars

Yucca Valley may be a bit off the beaten path. Some might just call it a road-trip checkpoint rather than a destination. Maybe after you see this 1950 Mercury built by The Hot Rod Shop in Yucca Valley, you might turn this checkpoint-town into a destination-town of your own.

Not only does Toby Stanford, owner, put out some damn good lookin’ cars for customers, he’s also got quite a collection of his own. Lucky for all of you he let us, including the lovely pinup model Masuimi Max, take a peek around his garage.

Other than the beautiful lines we all drool over when looking at a well-chopped Mercury, one of the first things you might notice here is this Merc’s subtle yet striking paint job. No, your eyes are not tricking you. It is black on black – gloss flames on suede paint. For all the attention that’s been given to primer jobs as of late, this is a new twist to an old classic. And while you may have seen one or two other such jobs, Toby assures us that when he finished this car in December 2007, it was the first he’d ever seen of its kind. Who wouldn’t want to implement this idea on their own hot rod, though?

This Mercury has a few other goodies as well. Start with a 6” chop, DeSoto grill, stock bumpers, and frenched headlights and antennae. Throw on some Pontiac taillights in the rear. Add Mustang front seats, a continuous console, and a ’59 Chevy steering wheel along with plenty of pinstriping done by Ben Demon on the interior. But even with all its good looks, this Mercury’s built with driving in mind. So under the hood you’ve got a simple 350 Chevy giving ya power, backed up by a 350 transmission and a Ford 9” rear-end. In addition this car is bagged on all 4’s.

Until he sold it recently, Toby says the Merc was his errand-running car around town. And although Toby didn’t have plans to sell it, when someone comes knocking on your door wanting to give you money, it’s hard to turn em’ down. Unfortunately the new owner isn’t enjoying the car as much. As Toby quotes, he’s “too afraid to take it out.”

Let’s hope that on the next try Toby will keep it and continue rollin’ around the streets of Yucca Valley. Or, if it’s not him, we’ll see more of the cars put out by The Hot Rod Shop of Yucca Valley out there driving.

“I don’t draw them out the way some car builders do,” says Toby. “It’s just the way I figured it up.” Well Toby, we like the way you figure it, and hope we get to see more of The Hot Rod Shop’s work in the future.

This isn’t the only car in Toby’s shop. From this shot outside, you can see a few of the trick rides he’s building for himself and customers. You can see just about all of them in the pinup model picture page.

There’s a few more pics of his work in pinup picture gallery for Masuimi. These 3 look so great, I had to show them here. (the t-bird in the back’s not bad either!) Click on any of these pics to see it full size.

Special thanks to Toby for opening his shop to MyRideisMe.com and Mitzi from Mitzi and Co. pinup photography. Then, of course, thank you to pinup model Masuimi Max. Book her for an appearance or photo shoot (she does all kinds, not just pinup!) at her sizzling hot website IamTrouble.com.

You like it? Leave a comment!

Shelby 350H – Unrestored and 30 Years Racing

It’s easy to like iconic muscle cars like a Mustang, especially when it’s a true Shelby. Add to that it’s an original Hertz Shelby and I’m a little more curious. Without much effort, I can see a young man strolling up the Hertz counter (long before internet reservations!) and asking for a 1966 Mustang GT 350H.  “Yes, I would like the optional insurance.”

If you’ve seen a perfectly restored 350H or any Shelby Mustang, they’re obviously valuable and visually, they’re cool. You’re likely to see one a concours show or more likely at auction. But for me, (and I hope most of you) I look twice when it’s driven! I wanna hear it run! Beyond that, there’s the rarest of rare: The unrestored racing Shelby.

The first unrestored race Shelby I saw was out of pure luck. I was invited to an anniversary celebration for Bob Bondurant at the Bondurant Racing School of High Performance Driving. A treat in itself no doubt.  We drove the Mustangs he had back then (the ’stangs were later replaced by Corvettes) then he gave an interesting talk. After, we all went outside to see a plain white trailer had pulled up and was unloading an unrestored 289 Cobra.  When I say unrestored, I mean it probably had the original oil in it from the last time Bondurant raced, and won, in it back in 19-sixty-something.  Dented, scratch and rough around the edges describes it perfectly. It even had some in-field pea gravel in the cockpit from that last race track. It was the most unique car I’ve ever seen.  Bob fired it up and took a few hot laps. I’ll never forget it.

That brings me to the second unrestored Shelby I’ve seen. I found it at the Orange County “Cruisin for a Cure” car show.  It was parked discretely in line with a few other cars. Not much to see in the plain white 66 that could use a little detailing. Most people walked right by, but I talked to the owner, Randy Gillis, when I saw the 350H on the side. Randy’s owned the car for 30 years and he’s the 3rd owner including Hertz as the first.  For that entire 30 years, he’s been racing it.
The front calipers are aluminum not the rotors. I am using the original auto trans for the car although modified as you can imagine. The rear gear is 5.29. The car weighs 2830 in it’s current configuration. Every piece of sheet metal is original to the car. No new floor pans or any thing else. Next in line is a little bigger roller cam and a trans brake to squeeze the et into the 10’s. Then the engine will be swapped for an all aluminum 374 ci Boss 302 I am now building. Only the paint work was farmed out , I’ve done all the rest myself.

The current non original hipo 289 block has been filled with a stroker crank which gives 331 ci. This engine was first built with the Tunnel Port 302 heads but later were replaced by Edelbrock Victor Jrs. I use the Trans Am dual four barrel intake and a roller cam. The best time with this engine is 11.15@120 mph. The best ever was 10.75@125 with a stroked (351ci) Boss 302. A host of Ford experimental parts like the GT40 distributor and damper and experimental carb. There’s also some lightweight goodies like aluminum front calipers and he’s even got the original 1965 Cure-Ride 90/10 up-lock front shocks.

Randy sent over an update for the story and added this:

I am using the original auto trans for the car although modified as you can imagine. Next in line is a little bigger roller cam and a trans brake to squeeze the ET into the 10’s with the 5.29 rear gear and the car’s weight at 2830 lbs. Then the engine will be swapped for an all aluminum 374 ci Boss 302 I am now building.  Every piece of sheet metal is original to the car. No new floor pans or any thing else. Only the paint work was farmed out, I’ve done all the rest myself.

Yea, this Shelby was a outta place at the car show. It didn’t belong in a museum or tucked away in a private collectors garage. It belongs at the track and I bet that’ll be the next place I see it, if I’m that lucky again. Thanks Randy! This car is, My Ride is Me!

Please leave your comments on this story below.

“Custom” PT Cruisers – Dude. Really?

So far, MyRideisMe.com has resisted the occasional urge to say anything negative about anyone else’s ride. After all, to each his own and all that. But, in the words of Clint Eastwood, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” And I hit mine at the 2009 Cruisin for a Cure show in Orange County with the PT Cruiser club that rolled as the fog still hung low early in the morning.

Love’m or hate’m, (you can say which at the end of this story) the PT Cruiser came on the scene 2000 and were immediately popular as one of the first of many, “throw back” cars.  No doubt the Chrysler company wanted to spring board off the relative success, or at least show room traffic, of the Plymouth Prowler.  The story about how it was a “light truck” to help the Dodge boys meet CAFE compliance is another, boring story… With the PT Cruiser, however, Chrysler clearly targeted the main stream, family buyers in the minivan market Chrysler invented.  I wonder how surprised they were by the following they found with PT Cruiser, even now when in July 2009, the last PT Cruiser rolled off the assembly line.

At some point in a PT Cruiser owner’s life, they need some kind of intervention. Enough is enough! With the money they’ve spend to add every piece Pep Boy’s offers, they could have had a real 30’s Panel truck, not a wannabe throw back.

Finally, when every accessory is in place, painted or chromed for effect then highlighted by some flickering light or mirror, it gets worse! The only thing left is custom painted murals! YES!!

So what happened that Foggy morning?

I’ve got the power!

Neon as an accent to the bottom of anyone’s ride enjoyed about 1 week of being cool, and never had a place as an accent except in a Christmas parade. Seeing the faint glow through the fog in September at what I expected to be an awesome California car show, I immediately investigated.

Rolling in 2, 3, 5 at a time, the first of the line were these two neon covered, flickering style violations. I struggle how to describe them because they hold several of the qualities a show car might have. They were clean, detailed and the owners were obviously enthusiastic since they arrive to claim the prime PT Parking spots at about 6 AM. From there, it went all wrong.

I wish I had video, but by now you’ll believe me about the absolute worst offense. The hopped up, lopey V8 engine idle plumbed through speakers from the back for all to hear. Did that guy say, “Now that puts the Cruizzz in PT Cruiser!”? Is there anything more lame? Or you tell me, was the actual, functioning waterfall worse? Yes WATERFALL! The Tiki themed PT had that “flowing” for his ride. Did anyone get a picture of that?

I don’t hate the general look although they’re not for me, but these PT’s when too far. Am I right?

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