Mooneyes Christmas 2011 Car Show and Drags
December 21, 2011 by GreaseGirl · 1 Comment
Each year in December, Mooneyes throws their Xmas Party Show & Drags. Out of all the car shows here in Southern California, this is one of my favorites. Not only does it have plenty of cool cars and a great people – but it’s held at Irwindale Speedway and has a “run what ya brung” drag racing event alongside everything else!
Often, it happens to be raining during the Mooneyes Xmas Show – but this year was nothing but blue skies and beautiful weather! I loved the exhaust coming off this little pickup.
Walking past this bare-metal Volkswagon van/bus made me do a double take! I’ve never seen anything like it!
Not only for the fact that it’s a VW and is in bare metal – but because the body style was completely original to me too! With the front having 4-doors and looking like a VW van, but then it’s got this delivery-truck bed in back complete with awning above! Come to find out, this thing is called a VW Vanogen. I love seeing new and unique stuff…
…and Mooneyes Xmas Show always brings it on! For example, this line-up of slick Buick Rivieras. Most car shows have a fairly limited niche of cars attend. At the usual hot-rod show I’d go to, I don’t normally get the chance to see this sort of low-rider styled car. But all types show up for Mooneyes. The lines on these Rivieras are beautiful and it doesn’t take much to make them look custom.
Another lowrider styled ride I loved seeing sparkling in the sunlight was this 1976 Chevy Impala. Owner Miquel Zarate of the Strays CC says it’s all factory minus the tube grill, moonroof, lifts, rims, and paint. Even though I’m a hot rod girl, I’d roll in this any day!
Other then hot rods and lowriders, there were of course classics – and unique ones at that! Check out this cool Corvette Nomad – a 1954 GM concept car. If the Jetson’s drove a stationwagon, it should’ve been this one!
Then there’s this 3-wheeled early battery operated “car” if you could call it that. It’s a 1960 Electric Shopper put out by a company in Long Beach. More like a golf cart then a car, but it claims to have operated for only $0.01 a day!
While many people wandered around looking at cars and vendors, the stands were packed with everyone else watching the drag races.
A variety of cars – both very competitive and not so much – came out to play. This was one interesting roadster with an extremely stretched wheel base! I was surprised by how well he did.
The more competitive cars brought plenty of heat, noise, and wheelies (to my utter delight!)
Although this louvred-hood Cadillac wasn’t drag racing – there was another winged Cadillac that was. It isn’t every day you get to see such a sled of metal lurch down Irwindale’s 1/8th-mile strip!
Each time I see this louvred hood, I love it. A wagon might not be the first place you’d think to place louvres, but it sure does provide plenty of space to fit lots of ‘em!
Getting this pickup as low to the ground as possible is a good advertisement for the “Bag Man.”
This five-window no doubt looks ready to race – but I think it stayed parked for the day.
My Studebaker didn’t come along with me this day, but I did show up with my fellow Gasoline Girls. Watching with the ladies was unlike any other drag strip experience…I think we were the loudest ones in the stands! We squealed and cheered each time a car noisily raced down the 1/8th-mile stretch!
Of course, we cheered loudest when our fellow car club participant (and veteran racer,) Rebecca, raced her Nova down the track! I hope to make it to the track sometime soon myself, but I’m still waiting to get my Studebaker race ready. When I do, you’ll be the first to hear!
Did you spend more time looking at cars or drag races at the Mooneyes Christmas Show? What did you like? Leave a comment and let everyone know!
SEMA 2011 Kickoff – So Many Custom Cars
October 30, 2011 by pikesan · Leave a Comment
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 also a veritable “best of the best” when it comes to other hardware. Optima Battery, Spectre Performance intake, Ridetech Coliovers, Rushforth wheels, Vintage Air AC and a full suite of Auto Meter gauges. See the car at CenterForce Clutch display – booth #23835.
I bet this is the only LS-equipped car at SEMA this year! haahahaha..
Stay tuned for more and check out SEMA coverage from 2010.
You’ll especially like these: Best Engines from SEMA 2010 and a Best Custom Cars story to get you warmed up…
What are you looking for at SEMA?
Hot Rod and Custom Comfort – NorCal’s Fall Fiasco
October 27, 2011 by pikesan · Leave a Comment
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
September 27, 2011 by Nick K · 2 Comments
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 Strangers Car Show – Family Fiesta
July 18, 2011 by pikesan · Leave a Comment
NorCal Hot Rods and Custom Car Show Pictures
Story Contributed by MyRideisMe.com member: Nick Koljian “Hellcity316″
2011 Strangers Car Show
I would like to start off by saying the Strangers Car show and BBQ is a special show in many ways. One, it’s a family show for us here at the N/K residence. The whole family piles in to the wagon and heads down 680 south in route for San Jose’s Kelly park. Dave,my bro-in-law and his son roll in for the festivities. It’s a family affair gig.
We all park it in the same place right behind the raffle booth every year under one of the many shade trees in the park. Throw the blanket down, kick out the chairs and the girls spew out all their toys for the day.
Two, it’s the headliner of a double dip show weekend. On that Saturday is Gambino’s Sit Down custom car show in San Jose which is always a dandy. Then you have the Strangers on Sunday. Which in my opinion is one of the highly anticipated and blockbuster weekends of the summer for shows. Third, it marks my anniversary of covering the great shows that Northern California brings to the table every year for Mr.Pike and MyRideisMe.com. (editor note: Right on Nick!)
With that said,lets talk about this phenomenal show! This being it’s 12th successful year, the Strangers car show and BBQ has always been a staple in the rich San Jose hot rod scene. But this year was a bit different. Not being able to get there as early as we usually do in years past. We pulled in about 1:00 pm and got settled in. The girls grabbed their raffle tickets and I was off to capture the show.
As I was roaming around admiring all the amazing customs I noticed that a lot of the usual car clubs where not present and a slough of new clubs and rods where there in there place. Honestly I can’t remember the names of the clubs and I apologize… I do have to say that I can’t remember the last time I saw paint like this. The first thing that came to mind was the 70′s low rider scene. The fades, the flake and the lines. Just amazing. In typical fashion the show always attracts everything from customs and classics to bombs and rods. Of course a Strangers show always brings out some crazy style pinstriping, year in and year out but this year I would have to say the colors and paint won it for me.
Speaking of paint, meaning 1 shot paint, the stripers where out in full. There was the Style Kings Wim & Rich Luna as well as TBonez Graffix and pin-up/ pinstriper Trisha Turner who I had shot earlier in the day. Among all the vendors there was Mike from Gearhead mag and the boys from Deadend mag as well. Top Notch Customs also representing the city of San Jose. Like Strangers shows of the past, the BBQ was rolling out hot rod fare all through out the day and the Strangers CC booth had some of the best shirt designs I have seen in along time. That’s saying a lot cause every year they put out great prints for their show tees.
This year fellow Strangers CC member Chico Von Spoon did the a awesome job! Unlike other shows the Strangers like to bring back the past show with shirts and stickers of past events, which I find to be very cool. Needless to say, when I see stickers it is a must pick up. Naturally to fill the slot from the MyRideisMe.com stickies that got passed out. There is another typical thing that you find just about at every car show that the Strangers don’t have but sets them aside from everyone else, is music. Now before you get all worked up and say “What no music!” They don’t need nor do I think they should have music. Not that I am against hearing classic tunes through out the show. It’s such a great atmosphere and setting that the history of the park itself and the feel alone is what makes this. Music or bands just wouldn’t be right at this type of show. Again, that’s what sets this show in a league of it’s own.
As always, the Strangers raffle is awesome. With it’s comedic leader Sean Denton, he always makes it a good time! Not to mention there’s always “that guy” that wins everything. So you can only imagine who gets ribbed every time a number is called and he walks up. The raffle parting gifts are alway top notch! That’s not the only thing that is top notch. The awards for Best in Show are out of this world.
Like clock work after the awards and the raffle the family packs up all the goodies from the day,we say our good-byes and we head to the car for the journey back up 680, well really we all go Cicero’s Pizza but I’ll save that for another time.
Leaving the Strangers show you always leave happy. Like that family picnic where everyone gets together for the day without drama or anything negative. Just a great time with family and friends. That’s the kind of feel you get at a Strangers show. Plus you get to check out some awesome customs, classics and hot rods. Not a bad combo for the picnic basket! I would take that up any and every Sunday.
Once again the Strangers CC prove that the Strangers car show and BBQ is one of the best shows of the year. For more info on the Strangers CC show or just to see what the club is up to go to http://www.strangerscarclub.com/
Catch all my pictures from the 2011 Strangers Show in the MyRideisMe.com hot rod picture gallery
- N/K
