NorCal’s First Round Knockout

Words and Pictures by Nick K

Welcome to the 2010 NorCal Knockout

Korena Goldstien and Henrik Forss aka “Hollywood Hank” are no new comers to the hot and custom car scene by any stretch of the imagination.

Henrik grew up in Sweden and moved to the US some 10 years ago. Since the early 90′s Hank’s promoted both music and car events in Sweden as well as here in the US. Hank also contributes at Gasoline Magazine out of Sweden. Here’s the link (good luck reading it!) http://www.gasolinemagazine.se/ (looks very well done though, excellent photography!) Hank does a little of everything… here’s Hank’s Homepage

Korena, a local Vallejoan is the founder of MissyLu handbags and accessories and has promoted music events and clubs around the Bay Area in the past. But with that said, Nor Cal Knock Out is Hollywoods & Korena’s 1st major Northern California show.

The title Nor Cal Knock Out could not have been any more fitting.

The show was at the Solano County Fairgrounds. I know, I know, when you hear “fairgrounds” you think the smell of livestock lingering in a dust bowl. This was far from it. It was more like the perfect setting for a hot day in Vallejo,Ca. Lawn, lush shade trees, the smell of ribs and hot links firing away on the BBQ and yes the beer stand. Picnic benches provided ample seating for the tuckered out rod fan.

Speaking of rods, the array of customs, classics, rats and roadsters was impressive. The list of car clubs looked like Santa’s address book the night before Christmas. Not to mention Rob and Ginger Struvens 40 Merc and Kirk Jones ” Legion Special”. Also on the bill was the “Vagabond” legendary 60′s top fuel dragster. The first on of it’s kind to go 200mph at Sacramento Raceway back in 1965.

The list of vendors was no different. strategically placed under some cool shade netting on the 14400 sq ft Starlite patio area there was tattoo booths, tiki carvers, vintage clothing and pinstippers. Among some of the vendors where Gearhead mag, Lucky 13 and the amazing pics by KatAttack photography. Of course we can not forget about the music.

Every car show has to have tunes. If Texas Steve or Dusty Chance and the Allnighters were not playing on the main stage, DJ Jett was pumping out some serious rockabilly and surf throughout the day. If DJ Jett got tired or needed an ice cold refreshment, the surf sounds of the Deadbeats filled in just dandy. I mean come on, this show pretty much nailed it. In my opinion I would rate this among the big shows of the year. For Northern California shows you have are the Sac Autorama, Strangers BBQ show, the Goodguys summer bash, Midnight Mass and Billetproof.

Well show junkies, I think we have a new sheriff in town and it’s a knock out! The organization of the show was flawless. I applaud the effort and hard work that Hank and Korena put into their first ever NorCal show. I raise my cold can high in salute to you two and say but one word… encore.

For more info on next years show go to http://www.norcalknockout.com/

See all the pictures from NorCal Knockout Car Show here.

If I don’t see ya at the show, I’ll see ya in the streets. -N/K

American Hot Rods and Customs in Germany

The last post I did using Pascal Hein’s photos was German cars in Germany.  Today, I bring you American Hot Rods and Customs in Germany.  It’s an interesting idea to think of an American Muscle car or a traditional roadster as an ”import” car.  As we saw with Tano’s ’26 T Roadster from Japan, there are some very cool American rides all over the globe.  Let’s see what Germany has in store for us…

Here’s a great line up of 20-30′s hot rods.  I spy a sedan, a roadster, and a pickup.  Looks like we’re at a car show on main street USA right?

Low ride height, white walls.  This is a beautiful 40′s (right?) cruiser.  I’m not good with cars from the 40′s.  Anyone know what this is?

Now, something from the 50′s.  A well used 4 door Chevy Bel Air hot rod project.  A little rust here, a little primer there, mismatched doors.  I love it.  You know this car gets driven.

Dig this mild custom Ford Edsel!  Ya, Ford Edsel.  You can’t get any more American than this.  ha ha  As big of a failure as it was back in the day, the Edsel can definitely pull off a Custom look.  I love it!

Here’s more Americana…billet wheels, super low, painted chrome bits (bumper, grille, headlight bezels).  Just a very cool delivery panel wagon hot rod.  The only thing that might giveaway the location is the very european puzzle piece shaped brick road (what else do you call those?).

This is quintessential American hot rod right here.  You’ve got the classic 5 window body, traditional Speed Shop logo, baby blue scallop on satin black paint, checkered roof and Chevy small block with blower on top.  Boom!  Are you sure this is in Germany?

Long live American hot rods and customs!  Thanks Pascal, can’t wait to see what’s next from Germany!

Hechtspeed

Wheels & Wings at Hill AFB Aerospace Museum

The Hill Air Force Base Museum in Ogden, Utah held a Car Show they call Wheels & Wings!  The entry fee for spectators was a money donation or canned foods for a local Charity. 

 I was surprised at how many people showed up.  Enjoy these photos of some of my favorite rides.  There were some great hot rods and customs.  I wish there were more warbirds and airplanes, as they make for great photo ops.  Go HERE for the full Picture Gallery.

 

 

 

Dean Jeffries: 50 Fabulous Years in Hot Rods, Racing and Film

Dean Jeffries
50 Fabulous Years in Hot Rods, Racing and Film
By Tom Cotter

This new book on Dean Jeffries, written by Tom Cotter (and forwarded by Bruce Meyer) is a fun look at the career of one of the most under-rated builders of all-time. As stated right from the beginning, Jeffries was never one to “toot his own horn”, and this may be a large part of the reason that many folks don’t know that much about this incredibly talented man. While he was one of the pioneers of the custom car movement (alongside the more “celebrity” names like Barris, Winfield, Von Dutch and Ed Roth), he’s always been relegated to the footnotes, or seems to play the “behind-the-scenes” role more often than not.

The humble visionary was born in Lynwood, California in 1933, the second of three children, and from an early age took an interest in cars… but preferred metal work to mechanical, as he hated to get his hands dirty. His father being a mechanic and truck driver who wrenched on race cars (midgets, namely), took young Dean to the races, further inspiring him.

Jeffries left school early to join the Army, and served during the Korean War, but was stationed in Germany, where he served duty as a map maker, and began pinstriping. Upon returning home, he worked nights in a machine shop to spend his days as an apprentice under Ken “Von Dutch” Howard. Eventually Jeffries became the “house striper” at Barris Kustom, honing his metalworking skills, and becoming a contractor to Barris, and plied his craft on such cars as the Ala Kart, Clarence Catallo’s ’32 Ford (the very same from the Beach Boys’ Little Deuce Coupe album cover).

Moving from Barris’ shop to Hollywood, Jeffries was in a prime location to serve movie stars, and began building specialty vehicles for the motion picture industry.

The book delves into the well-known Jeffries-Barris rivalry, offering insight to those who may not have been initiated to this historic debate. What’s truly interesting about this small part of the book is that Cotter not only gives Jeffries’ side, but takes time to talk with Barris as well, making for an entertaining aside.

As the book moves forward, we gain extensive insight to Jeffries’ personal life, detailing his long marriage to his late wife Row, underscoring her importance to him in many ways, and being the driving force behind his never-ending creativity. We’re treated to an extensive look at his creations, including some absolutely incredible photos from Jeffries’ personal collection, as well as those collected from sources close to him.

From the aluminum masterpiece “Mantaray” to the Kyote dune buggies, we’re treated to some wildly insightful looks at the creative process, as well as Dean’s great business mind. Moving forward to his work on the Ford Custom Car Caravan (and his ahead-of-its-time Falcon Python), to the supremely well-designed Deano Toronado, we begin to see the scale of his creative genius.

There is some tremendous coverage and in-progress photography of his many movie and television cars, including the Green Hornet’s Black Beauty, the Monkeemobile, and the absolutely immense Landmaster for the film Damnation Alley (looking over Jeffries’ designs and engineering thought for this project is almost worth the price of admission alone).  Being a creative, yet practical customizer, Jeffries built a mobile shop from a van to handle on-set repairs for movie cars, and we get a glimpse of what was, at the time a state-of-the-art rolling repair shop.

Following some mini-features on many of Dean’s creations over the years, the book hooks a big turn to his involvement in motorsports, painting cars for the Indy 500, and even includes some of his designs for an Indy car from the early 1960′s.

If all of that weren’t enough, we learn about Jeffries’ work as a stuntman, performing feats that today would be deemed as too unsafe, and on one notable occasion while jumping a bridge with a truck, he broke his back. Some fantastic photos accompany this part of the book, and they go well beyond the typical studio PR shots, keeping with the book’s “personal” feel.

Overall, a very well presented book, loaded with rare photos and insight, and one of those “must-have’s” for any fan of hot rods and custom cars. It has that fabulous, high-quality Motorbooks feel with sharp photos, just the right size text, and thick pages with just enough sheen to look great, but not glare when reading. Truly a great addition to any collection, and it’ll even look bitchin’ on your coffee table!

–Brian Stupski, Problem Child Kustoms

Throttle Kings – Hospitality and Hot Rods

What do Hot Rods, cool Kustoms, the LA Roadster show and Octopus have in common? The Throttle Kings of Southern California. In 2007 when MyRideisMe.com was barely idling, I hit the LA Roadster show hard with cards and t-shirts to spread the word. That was when I first met Victor Busatamante. Victor listened about my dream of “Myspace for car guys” and offered a beer to celebrate that I was done jabbering. By that time, I had the pitch down, but even I was tired of hearing it. One beer led to another, then Victor and his buddies were making carne asada and fed me well. You don’t meet guys that generous every day. I was grateful for the hospitality so I loaded up the boys with MyRideisMe.com t-shirts.

Fast forward 1 year to 2008. As Saturday at the Roadster Show was winding down, I set out to find Victor and his guys again. Not so hard, just look for the guys having the most fun! A little ways out, I found them. This year was no different then last. Everyone was having a great time, sipping beers and eating what? Oysters and fried octopus? I tried one of those little suckers too. Chewy.

I got the idea to grab a picture of each Throttle King member with their car. For these guys, their rides do tell a story about their personalities. My Ride is Me. With every member nicer then the next, they each told me how they help each other out with their rides and if they’re not working, they traveling together to one of the MANY shows and cruises in the greater Los Angeles area.

It didn’t take long to notice I needed almost every letter in the alphabet to get their names! Bustamante and Kopis Georgakopoulos (Greek if you’re wondering), give you the idea. That’s Kopis’s 51 Pontiac Chieftain.

Besides the cocktails and friendship, I also shot some pictures of Don Simm’s wife Doreen. That was my first chance to try pinup photography.

Doreen is a natural, now if I was a talented photographer… you can read that blog… Click HERE.

I hope to see everyone next year, or maybe at the Primer Nationals in Ventura.

Until then, here’s the Throttle Kings and their cars.

Thanks for everything!

See you next year.

• Victor Bustamante’s 30 Ford Coupe (Visit his garage)
• Kopis Georgakopoulos’ 51 Pontiac Chieftain (Visit his garage)
• Don Simms’ 29 Ford Roadster (Visit his garage)
• Jim Ramirez’s 36 Ford Pickup
• Paul Medina’s 47 Ford Business Coupe
• Pete Rodriguez’s 50 Ford 2 door sedan

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