2011 Sacramento Autorama Builder of the Year

26 Year Old Robbie Azevedo from Pacific Coast Customs

Pacific Coast Customs built 1948 Chevy Panel truck (or at least it was) called “Impression”

MyRideisMe.com picked up this press release from the kind folks at RodShows.com:

The 61st Annual Kragen O’Reilly Sacramento Autorama, happening February 11-13, 2011, is proud to
announce “young gun,” Robbie Azevedo of Pacific Coast Customs, as the 2011 Builder of the year.
The event will feature Azevedo’s great work in Building C at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

Already a decorated and deserving builder, at the Sacramento Autorama Azevedo has won awards
such as the Sam Barris Memorial Award (2006), the Manuel Arteche Memorial Award (2006) and Best
Paint in WMBC Class (2006). Others include Goodguys Early Truck of the Year Finalist (2006),
MOTHERS SEMA Excellence Choice Award (2006) and, at the Grand National Roadster Show, Best
Engine in the, AMBR Class (2008). Robbie has had 3 invitations to Blackie’s Fresno Autorama and won
numerous Best of Show Awards. Pacific Coast Customs projects have been lucky to land on 3 covers
of national publications and have been featured in over 10 national magazines.

The hard working and artistic Robbie Azevedo is on his way to accomplish all of his childhood dreams.
He grew up in a car family and was exposed to cars and car shows from an early age. A graduate
from the Napa High School class of ‘02, Robbie walked across the stage with high honors and a 4.0
gpa. He won outstanding art awards and was the president of his high school’s car club, Rods and
Roadsters, for two years. He raced on team Sears Point for one year and won the quarter finals at
the Summit ET Series drag racing nationals.

After high school, many expected Robbie to attend college and be a doctor or lawyer, he opted to
follow his dreams. “I want to wake up every morning and have a desire to do what i love,” is what he
always said, and fabricating on cars is just that. He worked at his parents business, Pacific Auto
Salvage Inc, during school and after graduating, but knew he still wanted to be a fabricator and
actually build cars. He lived in Colorado and worked in the industry for awhile until realizing he had all
the talents to do it on his own. With that, he decided at age 19, he was going to open his own street
rod shop in Northern CA. In December 2003, Pacific Coast Customs opened in American Canyon.

The 7 year old shop has gained great popularity and had much success. His big imagination and very
talented crew are a winning combination that produces superb builds. They strive for quality and
attention to detail, as well as trend-setting creativity. He runs the shop with old fashioned business
ethics and customer service. Hoping to leave an impact in the custom car world, and many years
ahead in which to do it, you can be sure that you will see amazing work coming out of his shop in the
future! With the shop filling up more every day, the true “young gun,” is living his dream.

Come see Robbie at the show with his Sam Barris award winning Project Impression, his personal
AMBR contender, Pacific Coast Special and an in progress 2008 GMC Denali named O.E.M. Terror!
The Sacramento Autorama recognizes Azevedo and his entire staff for the hard work and creativity
that furthers the hot rod hobby. We, and the rest of the hot rod industry, look forward to many more
memorable builds from this promising 26 year-old.

2011 Sacramento Autorama – 61 Years of Kustoms

Custom Cars and Hot Rods in Sacramento

Story Contributed by MyRideisMe.com member: Nick Koljian “Hellcity316″

The Sacramento Autorama is “The Kustom Capital of the World”. Believe it.

After 61 years the Sacramento Autorama is one of the longest running indoor shows and with 450 custom cars, hot rods and specialty rides of all kinds covering Cal Expo’s buildings and fairgrounds.

The Sacramento Autorama started back in 1950,  when Sacramento businessman Harold “Baggy” Bagdasarian and his car club, the Capitol City Auto Club Thunderbolts, Baggy convinced club members to, “Settle friendly arguments over the outstanding merits of their personal customized cars.” This according to the show’s current host, Rodshows.com, the same folks who bring you the Grand National Roadster Show. The original show attracted 22 entries and 500 spectators with the first “Best Custom Car” trophy going to Leroy Semas for his 1937 Chevrolet coupe. (photo courtesy of Kustomrama.com)

Once again, the 2011 NorCal car show season is under way! Kicking off the car show season is the 2011 Sacramento Autorama. Bay Area car clubs and car clubs from far and wide come to open the car show season at this mega custom car free for all. This weekend-long affair is filled with music, drink and great hot rod fare.

Of course the Sacramento Autorama is going to have pinstriping from some of the best that northern cali has to offer. With the likes of Mr.Wim, T-Bonez graffix, Rich Luna and others laying in the lines. Other pinstripers at the show were pinstriping for charity by donating panels for the charity auction being held later Saturday night.

Now getting back to the “Kustom Capitol of the World” statement, this show had cars built by customizing icons such as Gene Winfield and John D’Agostino. Not to mention some local masters of fabrication as well like Skoty Chops and Alex Gambino being challenged by Idaho builder Russ Freund whose “Takeout T” shocked the 2011 GNRS.

Look for a feature on Russ’ T soon!

If eye popping custom jobs where not your thing, the Sacramento Autorama has a little bit of everything for everyone. If you like custom they had 6 buildings full of pre and post 1965 custom winners. Not only do they have that if you are looking for more of a classic without all the frill or maybe just your simple rod. You could just step outside and grab yourself one of those foot long corn dogs and walk the parking lot.

If you liked muscle cars, they had that. Motor-cycles, custom and classic… yep that too. The weather was perfect, the crowd was big and the day was a success. Like it has been for the past 61 years. I couldn’t think of any other way to kick off the 2011 car show season than with the 2011 Sacramento Autorama. Look for more kustoms and hot rods from NorCal soon…

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

Custom Car History Lesson: Hirohata Merc

Traditional Hot Rod and Custom Car History

If you’ve never heard of the “Hirohata Merc” it’s about time you did.

The car started as a low-mileage 1951 Mercury Club coupe owned by Bob Hirohata. In 1952, Bob caught a glimpse of the chop Sam Barris put on his Mercury and that’s all it took for Bob to drive the Mercury to Barris Kustoms for a full custom treatment.

In the end, Sam Barris, brother George Barris and Frank Sonzogni transformed the Hirohata Merc into a Kustom Legend. Read all about it at Kustomrama.com.

Link to the full story:

Bob Hirohata’s 1951 Mercury

Kustomrama is a Wikipedia dedicated to traditional hot rods and kustom cars. It is an online encyclopedia covering all aspects of our kulture. Everyone is welcome to contribute and start new and interesting topics on the Kustomrama Wikipedia.

Check it out!

Road Zombies BBQ and Car Show

Words and Pics by Nick Koljian

On Friday, June 18th, this was posted on the Facebook page of Road Zombie Johnny Koonce:

“Went and bought 430 Hamburger patties and buns, 250 Hotdogs and buns and a shit load of other stuff for tomorrow! You guys better show up, or we’re gonna have to eat it all our selves!!!!!!”

Well Johnny, as they say, “Be careful for what you wish for!”

15th Annual Road Zombies CC BBQ and Car Show

Saturday, June 19th at Santa Clara’s Elk Lodge was the 15th Annual Road Zombies CC BBQ and Car Show. Let’s just say there was no shortage of rod junkies. I showed up right at 12:00 so I could get in and get some shots off before the crowd got too heavy.

As I made my way in, cars were still pulling in to jockey for position on the lawn. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood and a perfect day for a BBQ and car show. Not only were there grub and wheels, but the Road Zombies also supplied the day with some groovin tunes by booking Fresno’s own Jail Break and Sweden’s The Go-Getters. Both bands just rocked all day long.

After weaving through crowd and admiring the finest steal the South Bay has to offer, I moseyed toward the BBQ. I don’t think they had any trouble with leftovers! The line of hungry rod enthusiasts stretched from the fire pit clear passed the Crown Sunglass booth which was being maned, or should I say ma’amed, by none other than Miss Rockwell De-Vil. The line ended right past the Charlottes Web booth.

When the Road Zombies throw a gig it pulls in just about every club in the Bay Area and beyond, with or without rides. There was a pretty good list representing Saturday. Straight from Koolsville, Alex Gambino rolled in with the Beatniks CC as well as the Swanx CC, Strangers CC, Satans Chauffeurs, to name a few. Also spotted at the show were the founders of this years NorCal Knock Out; Hollywood Hank and Korena Goldstein. This not-to-be-missed show is July 3rd, and MyRideisMe.com will be getting full coverage from yours truly.

By the time 4:00pm hit I was beat.  The show carried on till 6:00pm, and I’m sure there was an after party as well. This show had everything; Great food, great music, and of course great rides. All around – fantastic day.

Even though I didn’t get a dog at least I know Johnny won’t have to stock his freezer when he gets home. Well done Zombies. -N/K

Kustoms at Santa Maria – Member Pictures

Thanks to member NumbNutz (top 10 member names for sure!) who took photos from a show I’ve always wanted to attend. Formally the known as the Paso show in Paso Robles, but always the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin Nationals run by Rich Pichette since 1982.

Now about 60 miles south of Paso, the West Coast Kustoms Crusin Nationals brings a worldwide audience for the rides and great California weather.  For more info about next year’s show, make sure to check out the West Coast Kustoms home page. I hope to see you there!

See the rest of the pictures in our Car Show Picture Gallery.

Want to share some of your car show pictures? Please get in touch. You’re already loading them to flickr, might as well help us out too! email admin@myrideisme.com

Next Page »