Recycled Rides Gets Families On the Road

Helping Families Out – One Car At A Time

I went to SEMA expecting to see all the new products and trends in the auto industry – I did not expect to be introduced to a philanthropic program helping families get back on their feet. But as I was at SEMA, I got to witness five families given the gift of a “Recycled Ride.”

Recycled Rides is a community awareness project of the National Auto Body Council (NABC). NABC members donate their time and services to refurbish cars that insurance companies donate. After a vehicle is repaired to like-new condition, Recycled Rides pairs with a local community organization to find a deserving family, then they to give it to them. The Las Vegas partner organization is Family Promise, an interfaith, non-profit organization helping homeless families in transition from a shelter to a home of their own.

Individuals who received cars ranged from two-parent families to single-parent Moms and Dads who’ve graduated from Family Promise’s Family Mentoring Program. Las Vegas’ mayor, Oscar Goodman, was also at SEMA to hand over the family’s new keys.

It was good to see the collision repair industry get together and give back to families in need. Not only these 5 families are receiving cars, over 150 families across the US will be given the gift of a Recycled Ride this year. It was awesome getting to experience the joy as these 5 families got a little help that will take them a long way. If you ‘d like more information – check out their websites at www.autobodycouncil.org or www.recycledrides.org.

Pinstriping Circus Goes Nuts on a Welding Helmet #2

7 Hot Rod Artist Pinstriping for Charity (part 2)

Bid to win this helmet on Ebay now: Custom Pinstriping on Welding Helmet

Next up is pinstriper Mitch Maciel. In case you missed it, this is the custom, brand new Lincoln Electric Viking Welding Helmets we’ll auction on Ebay with the benefits going to our friends from Progeria Research. Want to see pics of the finished helmet? Right here: Finished pinstriping pictures

Mitch pinstripes out of Los Angeles, CA and showed us a distinct scroll style of pinstriping. Looking for something in this style for your hot rod? Catch up with Mitch by email.

And for a lady’s touch, meet pinstriper Jenn Hallett

The first thing you’ll probably notice about Jenn is she’s cute as a button! If you’re smart enough to talk to her, you’ll quickly learn her looks aren’t her only great quality! Jenn’s just cool and a talented artist. I asked about her brush prep technique… look at her fingers. Some pinstripers use glossy paper, like from a magazine, to prep their brushes for fine lines, but others use their fingertips like Jenn and Dave Whittle coming up next.

Anytime the pinstriping takes the shape of something else: an animal, face, tiki or whatever, I approve! This evil looking character pinstriped on a a skate deck was also done on an upright bass for a psychobilly festival in Germany called the “Satanic Stomp”. As you can tell, I was smitten by Ms. Jenn… and her work! (Click to see the larger pictures)

What’s not to love!?  Get in touch with Jenn for striping work by sending an email.

Last but certainly not least was pinstriping legend Dave Whittle.

Wrapping up the welding helmet, Dave made use of what little space everyone left him. No offense taken, that’s how pinstriping jams go. Dave added his unique touch over of Kong’s work on the top of the helmet and added his signature. Look close to see how the pinstriping brush makes the H of his name.

I need to do another story on Dave. Starting back in 1963 at car shows, guess who his mentors are? Ed Roth and The Barron Kelly. Heard of them? After watching the masters work, he started pinstriping everything around him in the 7th grade.

Here’s a step by step of Dave pinstriping the helmet:

Notice Dave’s got paint on his index finger and thumb and notice how he paints each individual dot. You can reach Dave Whittle Pinstriping by email.

Thanks to all of the pinstripers for their hard work and friendly conversation. I really appreciate it. Here’s each pinstriper one more time:

• Von Hot Rod
• Kong
• Jeff Styles
• Tom McWeeney
• Mitch Maciel
• Jenn Hallett
• Dave Whittle

Choose any of these guys for quality pinstriping and a kind heart.

Remember to check back on the Ebay auction and grab a copy of the iWeld Newsletter to support Lincoln Electric for their generosity.

What should we pinstripe next?

Did you miss part #1 of this story? Pinstriping Helmet Part #1.

Pinstriping Circus Goes Nuts on a Welding Helmet #1

7 Hot Rod Artist Pinstriping for Charity

Bid to win this helmet on Ebay now: Pinstriped Lincoln Electric Welding Helmet

I already showed you this brand new Lincoln Electric Viking Welding Helmets we’ll auction on Ebay with the benefits going to our friends from Progeria Research. More about all that, and finished pinstriping pictures here.

So who did the pinstriping?

Enter Von Hot Rod’s Pinstriping Circus.  Pictured above, Von Hot Rod is a man of many talents. His pinstriping work is a style of it’s own developed from years of striping at just about every car show including those outside this continent! Von’s also been known to host the Sunday service at event’s he attends. Von Hot Rod is also the man behind the Pinstriping Reunion held at the Grand National Roadster Show every year. In 2009, they raise a cool $14 g’s for charity. So when I asked Von and his Pinstriping Circus for help, I knew he’d do it.

The picture above shows Von pinstriping on the welding helmet. Having these photos showing where the helmet came from has got to add to it’s collectible provenance, right? (did I spell that big word correctly!)

Pinstripers will throw down on anything and Von’s known to do cell phones, sunglasses, cameras and just about everything! These are some of his custom made shift knobs and he’s showing his own design for pinstriping brush. He’s developed over the years and now sells them. Find Von Hot Rod  on his Facebook page. Thanks Von!

Up next pinstriping the helmet is Kong. AKA Jeff Isbell, Kong’s out of Chula Vista, CA. Trained in Architecture, Kong’s been at the pinstriping game for over 10 years. Here are some samples of the work he had on display at LA Roadster Show and here’s his official Kong Pinstriping website. (click to see any picture full size)

As you can see, pinstripers will put down their custom lines on just about everything, and if you’re like me, that everything gets better looking!

Following Kong was pinstriper Jeff Styles. Jeff’s not normally known as “Donkey” but couldn’t resist following Kong on the pinstriping jam. Jeff’s got a super-cool license plate restoration biz going that puts his pinstriping and painting skills together to make an ugly new plate look like the old-school California black plate (or yellow too) that everyone wants. Get in touch with Jeff Styles here.

One of these days I’ll own a bowling pin like this.  Also shown is Jeff’s son learning the pinstriping art. There’s nothing like practice to get it right and he’s off to a good start. Just in this shot is the “restored” California black plate Jeff does.

Next up was pinstriper and hot rod artist Jeff McWeeney.

Jeff’s in action pinstriping here. Look how the brush is held? Yea, he’s painting with the brush handle to make some dots on his work. Never seen that before! Everyone’s got their own style and painting style.  Jeff had an S10 pickup at the LA Roadster Show too. You’ll know why it fit in when you see the custom paint and pinstriping.

Jeff can be reached by email here.

We’re just over half way showing how this helmet was made. Check for Pinstriping part #2 for the rest.

Don’t miss the 2nd half of this story:  Pinstriping Helmet Part #2.

Custom Pinstriped Welding Helmet for Charity

Pinstriping for Charity

Bid to win this helmet on Ebay now: Custom Pinstriped Welding Helmet

The good people at Lincoln Electric gave MyRideisMe.com some of their new Viking Welding Helmets to use as give-aways. (that’s my full disclosure!)  As much as I wanted this simple gloss black helmet (#2815-1) for myself (plus the pinstriping from buddy) I decided to auction it for charity with the help of Von Hot Rod’s Pinstriping Circus. What charity? With so many great ones out there, I don’t want to choose, so I’m sticking with our friends from Progeria Research. They’re nearing a cure that could save these kids and I want to be a part of it. I also think the world of the Foose Family for what they’ve been through and what they continue to do for Progeria.  Take 5 minutes to read this story of courage: Amy Foose. You’ll be glad you did.

So here’s the helmet! I’ll auction this helmet on Ebay with 100% of the proceeds going to Progeria… It’s listed Right Now! The story is live in Lincoln Electric’s iWeld Newsletter. (September 2010)

I’ve created the Ebay listing under my personal seelling profile, Superfly145.  Here’s the Auction: Pinstriped Welding Helmet

Here’s the rest of the pictures:

.

If you’re compelled to give to Progeria here’s a link to give right away. I’m part of Terry Foose’s giving team (Chip Foose’s mom) Here’s the link. Please give generously!

Now, you’ve got to see the 7 artists from the Pinstriping Circus that made this helmet possible.

1-4 of the Pinstriping Artists
Von Hot Rod, Kong, Jeff Styles and Jeff McWeeney

5-7 finish the Pinstriping
Mitch Maciel, Jenn Hallett and Dave Whittle

May-June Optima Battery Freebie – For Charity

May & June’s Freebies… Well, they ain’t totally free.

I hope you didn’t stop reading there because this time, I’m asking you to GIVE a little to win one of TWO Optima Batteries. You’ll be giving to charity and you’ll be glad you did. The charity is for Progeria. Any donation of $1 or more will enter you to win. Please donate here.

Progeria is a heart breaking genetic condition that makes kids age 7-10 times more rapidly than normal. Children with Progeria rarely live past 16 years old. This is a very rare but fatal condition. The picture on the left is Kristian from Kristian’s Page. The picture is labeled “PreSchool 2005″ when Kristian was 3 years old. Kristian died on March 23, 2006.

Why Progreria?

I met Terry Foose, the mother of famed hot rod designer Chip Foose at the Grand National Roadster Show in 2008. Terry was raising money for Progeria when I talked to her. Terry’s daughter and Chip’s younger sister died of Progeria, but there’s no doubt, she lived courageously. Her story warmed my heart as I’m sure it will for you.  Please take the time to read Amy’s Story here. It’s hard to believe a story with such a sad ending can be so uplifting.

We’ve helped with Progeria before racing Hot Wheels so now it’s time to do it again.

For every person (member or non-member of MyRideisMe.com, it doesn’t matter) for every $1 donation you make, you’ll have a chance to win the Optima Battery of your choice. Yellow-top, deep cycle and starting batteries are a more than $200 value.

Please give.  Go to this page made as part of the Terry Foose Team and start donating. All donations will go directly to Progeria. There’s no administration or costs to cover from us. It’s 100% for the charity.

As hot rodders and custom car and truck enthusiasts, we are all fortunate. Let’s show we’re generous as well.

If you’d like to donate a prize for the charity, please contact pikesan@myrideisme.com

Next Page »