2011 Rose City Roundup – What’s a Little Rain?

PDX Car Culture Alive at Portland Car Show

Rain Didn’t Spoil This Parade! – Story and photos by Nick K.

This time of the year Portland,Or has it’s Rose City festival. Which includes a number of festivities such as the Starlight Parade, Fleet Week, Rose Cup Races, a number of firework shows and now, the Rose City Round Up car show. Which is becoming a Kustom Kulture staple in a rich history of Portland’s Rose City Festivals.

Portland’s best hot rod and kustom kulture show geared up for it’s 4th Rose City Round Up. The Rose City Round-up is an annual event hosted by the Driven Dead Car Club (CC) to celebrate the hot rod lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest. This being my 1st run at the Round Up, I was quite revved up for this event. It’s no secret that I have a fondness for the Great Northwest not to mention a love for the culture. I had plenty of time to think about it as we drove 10hrs up Interstate 5 to get to Portland, Or. I have to admit it’s quite a drive when you have a 5 year old daughter and her 11 year old sister getting more and more antsy be the minute. But with that said,the trip was well worth every minute traveled.

Giddy like a kid before Christmas, Saturday morning I was the first one up making sure all my equipment was ready and dialed. As I peaked out of the hotel curtain I saw what I was hearing about and hoping would not happen… rain. Well, it is the Pacific Northwest. We finally got ready and headed downstairs to put down some AM grub and then off to the Jubitz Travel Center where the Rose City Round Up was being held for it’s 4th year. What we found to be a very positive thing was each year of the show, the Driven Dead CC chooses a charity to give proceeds to. The Driven Dead chose the Oregon Food Bank as the beneficiary again for 2011 as we recognize our community’s need due to economic conditions. Giving back, how cool is that!?

As we entered the show the rain started to tapper off a little which was a good sign. The music was already playing courtesy of D.J’s Matt Stanger and Ian McWilliams. Who also spun in between bands like Honky Tonk Union, Wave Sauce, The Viggs, Drag Strip Riot, The Lordy Lords and Redwood Son who started it all off. So needless to say, the music was covered for the entire day… and speaking of covered, there was a good amount of cover from the off and on rain all day.

The damp Portland air played havoc with the Pin-Stripe Panel Jam. This being the 3rd year of this installment to the Round Up. I rolled up on pinstriper Volo and asked him if I could grab some shots and in typical Portland form he was more than happy to let me do so even though I could just see the frustration with the weather. I came back later when Volo and Broham were pinstripping panels to check out how his custom bowling pin came out and even with the weather, it came out sick. So it didn’t look like the rain ruined their parade.

Actually now that we are on the topic of pinstriping. I must say the PDX scene has some amazing lines. To my understanding, the man responsible for that is Jeff Wolf of Wolf Pinstripping & Lettering. Jeff’s a member of one of the shows heavy hitters -  Deviants C.C.. It seamed like every row of rods had phenomenal pinstripping and every row had a different car club.

The show, of course, had it’s hosts The Driven Dead, well represented, as well as the Deviants C.C. ,Dirty Micks C.C., Roadmen C.C., Cherry City Bombers and the Vintage Rollers just to name a few. Like at every show I attend I always have to venture over to the shows host booth to grab a show shirt and rap with some of the guys from the Driven Dead and tell them how much I was enjoying the show and of course pass out some MyRideisMe.com stickers.

After that I went around the corner to check out the custom show awards and the raffle booth which had some pretty insane give aways like a Pabst Blue Ribbon skateboard, some great lowbrow art dedicated by local artist/photographer Jenny Evans and a Fender strat, yeah that’s right, a frigging Fender Strat.

As the rain picked up I had to seek some shelter so I made a bee line for the venders booth and I had only one in mind. April May photography booth. I walked in for some cover to introduce myself and talk shop after her and Roy Varga were done discussing the odds of Roy being able to pull off a pin-up shoot today. Come on, I’m not going to be rude. April’s a Pacific Northwest native and one of the baddest hot rod photographers PDX has to offer.

Really folks, this show had it all. I may be saying that because it was my first Rose City run or maybe because everyone you talked to, they treated you like they‘ve known you for years… or it could have been that fondness for the Great Northwest. Whatever it was it was a blast!

Catch all my pictures in the Hot Rod Picture Gallery for Rose City Roundup

A great all around show and from my stand point, one not to be missed. In closing I would like to give a special shout, I know it’s not like me to throw something like this out but I do have to pay homage to my partner in crime Kristi. Because if it wasn’t for her watching the girls all day at the show I could not have done this, much love darlin.

I also can’t leave without giving thanks to all of P/Towns hot rod community and photo nerds (and you know who you are ) for your amazing hospitality. Leaving for home on that Sunday was hard just for the simple fact that I knew I was already there. So with all that said, if you want more info on the up coming Rose City Round Ups go to rosecityroundup.com (link not working) or facebook.com/DrivenDead. For info on any other shows happening in the PDX area you can also go to pdxcarculture.com

2011 Viva Las Vegas 14 – Pinstriping Styles

2011 Viva Las Vegas Car Show Pinstriping Designs

If you’ve never been to Viva Las Vegas Car Show, you’re missing out on some of the best pinstriping designs. The suede paint of the custom cars and the vintage hot rod style both fit perfectly with a few carefully placed pinstriping lines.

To give you some ideas for your ride, here’s a collection of pinstriping from the car show.

See all of the MyRideisMe.com coverage of Viva Las Vegas here:  Viva Las Vegas Car Show or you can go straight to more pinstriping here: Pinstriping Features and Pictures

Pinstriping Masters at 2011 GNRS

Pinstriping for Charity at 2011 Grand National Roadster Show

Not only does the Grand National Roadster Show bring out the best in hot rods and custom cars, it’s also home to one of the best pinstriping jams anywhere in the United States. Fellow pinstriper Von Hot Rod organizes this gang of line-laying artists to raise money for charities every year, and this year was one of the best.

I talked to Von Hot Rod and got this info: We raised $12,375 for charity from the hard work from almost 40 pinstripers that were invited.  Eggie won the Von Hot Rod’s “Brush-off” (pinstriping races) so he’s now ”The fasted Pinstriper in the West”. Butch Tucker and Ron Myers were this years inductees into VHR’s Pinstriping Hall of Fame, and Harry Malicoat won the VHR Pinstriping Award in the art of pinstriping.

As for next year that’s always a surprise!! That’s what keeps people coming back…

The crazy manikin and skateboards are from Hot Dog Kustoms’ Pete “Hot Dog” Finlan. Dig it!!

This custom pinstriping is from Diablo’s House of Style in Bakersfield, CA. One of these days, I’ll have a collection of pinstriped bowling pins!

More pinstriped skate decks and of course the custom toilet seat! Pinstriping shown here by Pinstriping by Chris out of San Dimas, CA

Pinstriping lined up for the charity auction. These generous pinstripers donate their time and whatever’s pinstriped to charity. Hats off to you guys and gals!

Not something you’d hang on your wall? Why not? Try to find a piece of art that’s more unique than this! Someone help me ID the artist!

(Click picture for full size)
Nearby the auction location in the Main Hall of the Pomona Fairplex, the pinstriping masters set up shop. They’ll pretty much pinstripe anything you have or they have in whatever color. Want a one of a kind gift for your wife or girlfriend? How about a custom pinstriped purse?

Over the top and combining airbrush and pinstriping, this is from Dave Whittle. Dave’s a friend of MyRideisMe.com and absolutely ROCKED the pinstriped welding helmet we auctioned for charity. Dave applied a “SOLD” post-it on the pinstriped surf board while I was standing there. I need to catch Dave at this year’s LA Roadster show and nail down a feature story. Dave’s good people and started striping way back when with the legends of pinstriping.

Can’t get enough pinstriping?  Find a style you like or maybe the design you’re looking for on your hot rod by checking every pinstriping story at MyRideisMe.com. Or, we have a gallery full of pinstriped cars and hot rod art in the picture gallery.

If you’re a pinstriper and want your work featured here at MyRideisMe.com, email us at pinstriping@myrideisme.com.

Idaho Invades Cali for America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster

1923 Hot Rod T

At the best hot rod and custom car shows like the Grand National Roadster Show there’s always car instantly identify with and of course, cars that totally miss. For example, car-covering murals of dragons done in florescent green on a black base ain’t my thing. Lucky for me, it didn’t take long to find my car. (Click any picture for full size)

On the first day of the show, right through the side doors of the main hall where I set out for my first look at the 12 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster contenders… there sat Russ Freund’s “Takeout T”. At first I was shocked. Is that purple? Can it be? Yes. Knowing the 12 AMBR cars are the best of the best roadsters at Grand National, I knew I’d found this year’s “America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster”. When’s the last time you heard someone say a light purple car is Bitch’n?

Is there another AMBR award? No, not officially! I made it up for the sick-of-sick roadster called, “Double Trouble” back in 2009. Here’s the blown, Ardun head 32 Roadster built by Hot Rod Garage. I saw that car sell for just about what the owner paid for the chrome work at Barrett Jackson the next year, but that’s another story!

I talked with Russ at the show to find out why this car and what’s a dude from Idaho doing at California’s top hot rod show? That’s when I learned the great story of this build… it was friends helping friends and members from “The Inland Emperors” who build a car that literally cost a fraction of other AMBR contenders.

Several years ago, while working in his very first hot rod, a 1931 Phaeton, Russ got the idea to take a bunch of T parts he had and make it into a rat rod. Nothing special, just something to mess with… why not? Most of what he needed, he already had. After piecing together a rolling T, he ran into what might be a hot rodder’s most common problem: Not enough garage space. To clear room for the ’31′s new chassis, he needed a new home for the ’23.

A buddy offered to store the car, so half jokingly, Russ said, “Just give me some money and I won’t pick it up.” A deal was made and the car was outa the garage.

Three years later… the T had just sat. No work had been done, so Russ offered to buy it back as part of a three-way deal with another club member. The T came home and plans were made for a nice, driver-quality hot rod… nothing special, just a good car to sell for cash to finance another project. But after staring at the steel bodied ’23 for a little while, then placing the chrome front axle setup in front of it…happened! An AMBR was born (the b’s for bitch’n). Here’s a few pics from the build.

Selling some parts then trading others Russ wheel’d and deal’d his way to all the parts you see hear. Along the way club members, friends and locals helped where they could in exchange for cold malty beverages, favors and parts they needed to finish their own projects.

Russ Freund, a dude from Postfalls, Idaho in a 18×20′ garage built this stunning, show stopping roadster, “With a little help from my friends.”  Russ is a soft-spoken guy and you could hear the sincerity when he thanked his friends and family… In Russ’ words:

My Dad Claude Freund helped the hole way through from start to finish and was all ways there pushing and supporting me even when I thought I wasn’t going to make it or when thing looked really bad he was able to find a way to get me through to see the car make it to GNRS. And, my mom Susan Freund for supporting both of us.

John Gunsaulis helped me the whole way through the project from that extra set of hand and eyes to masking the car for paint to final assembly. Darrell Peterson helped with machining different parts to fabbing the exhaust and final assembly.

John Logsdon helped with final assembly and fabbing and welding the exhaust

Jeff Allison designed the exhaust and interior, almost on the fly, and the pinstriping thing above the rear diff. Jeff also added his opinion weather I wanted it or not! He also did this cool t-shirt over at http://www.almost-cool.com/ (click to buy the shirt)

George Frank out of Clarkston, WA stitched up the upholstery from Jeff’s idea.

Dave Swenson built the 48 Ford flathead with Cyclone heads and Thickstun intake. (note how the engine and trans are ground smooth and painted white!)

Mike Robinson did the 39 Ford transmission with open conversion hooked to a quick change rear diff. Billy Payne helped polish stainless and aluminum.

Thanks guys!

Biggest thanks go to my wife Lora for putting up with me and through the build and supporting me the whole way!

After the GNRS, the Takeout T hit the show circuit… and cleaned up! But don’t call Russ’ T a Trailer queen! Russ is looking forward to driving it when the show tour’s done.

Awards as of March 2011:

• 2011 Grand National Roadster Show (debut):
  • Triple Gun Award
  • H.A.M.B Roadster Award
  • Bob McCoy “Real McCoy” Award
  • America’s Most Beautiful Roadster: Best Engine
• 2011 Sacramento Autorama Awards:
  • Lee’s Vintage Award,
  • Best in Class
  • Outstanding Paint, Detail and Display
• Darryl Starbird’s 47th Annual Car Show, Tulsa, OK:
  • Fine 9 Award
  • Rod and Custom Hall of Fame Award
  • Silver in the rod class
• 2011 Detriot Autorama:
  • Best in class
  • Outstanding detail and engine

Russ, you looking for another 3 way trade?

Well? Is it the next America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster?

1933 Tudor Street Rod Is A Cross-Country Cruiser

1933 Ford Street Rod Featured Ride

I first shared a quick photo of Jim Baugh’s light blue 1933 Ford Sedan Street Rod in the Salt Flats Speed Shop Open House story. When Jim pulled up to the shop, I immediately started taking pictures.  Let’s have a closer look…

First of all, this ’33 was built with a mix of two styles, Street Rod and Traditional Hot Rod.  When Jim was telling all about his ’33, he sounded almost disappointed that it was a Street Rod.  I think he’s been bit by the Traditional hot rod style bug that is so prevalent at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Street Rod comes from the  big ‘n’ little tires, a reliable 350 small block Chevy and TH350 auto trans and front disc brakes.  The Traditional Hot Rod style’s evident from several features: the chopped top, fenderless hot rod rake, authentic Ed Roth laid pinstriping, heavily louvered decklid and solid front axle. So which is it? Who cares!

Jim nailed the complete execution and made a long-haul driver at the same time. Jim drove his ’33 from Washington state to Alabama (or was it Arkansas?) for a family reunion then to Utah for Speed Week 2010 and back home to Washington.  Wow!  Jim’s had this ’33 on the road since the mid 90′s and has put over 40,000 miles on it since.

Here’s a shot to help point out the differences in the 1933-34, 1932 and 1928-31 models.  (There’s Jim in the white t-shirt eying his ’33.)  He explained the difference between the ’33 and ’34 grilles is the ’33′s have a thinner grille shell or surround compared to the ’34′s.

When I build a 30′s hot rod, it will most definitely be fenderless.  I dig the open wheel look big time!

I noticed Jim has been coming out to Speed Week for a few years now as evidenced by his Bonneville National Speed Week decals.

While we’re on the subject of hot rod decals, I gave Jim a MyRideisMe.com decal and he proudly placed it on his windshield.  Thanks for the support Jim!  I hope you see this feature on your hot rod.

Here’s that Ed Roth pinstriping on the dash.  How many hot rodders can say their ride has been pinstriped by Big Daddy himself?  Not many.  So cool!  Notice the steering wheel?  It’s a Cadillac unit.  Jim seemed disappointed this was not a 40′s Ford steering wheel for that traditional feel.  I actually thought it didn’t look too out of place, but I agree with Jim, an early Ford unit would go better with that pinstriped dash.

Jim said Ed Roth signed his pinstriping work there at the bottom.  I leaned in and sure enough, there it is, “Roth” signed on his dash.  He laughed when he told me the story when Ed Roth was layin’ lines and a spectator leaned on the car and moved it in mid brush stroke.  I think that’s why that bottom line is a little thicker.  What a cool story he can tell because of that experience with Big Daddy.

I think Car Clubs are one of the great parts of car culture.  I mean, I know I really appreciate sharing my fanaticism about cars with others who feel the same way.  No place better than a Car Club.  Jim’s a member of the Aces & Eights Hot Rod Club in Washington.  What a cool name!

Here is the club logo placed between the door and engine cowl.

As if his ’33 Tudor wasn’t enough, check out this 5 window coupe.  He was showing us this book of hot rod photos and pointed out to me the other cars in his collection.  Wait, there’s more…

Here’s another of Jim’s hot rods.  Jim has the ’33 Sedan, the 5 window, this roadster and 2 ’40 Fords.  I’m jealous!  What a nice collection of cars.  There’s a certain street rod influence in the 33, but it’s traditional hot rods that appear dominate in Jim’s garage. This flathead powered roadster pickup looks like its straight out of the 50′s and is signed by “Kookie Car” legend Norm Grabowski.

It was great talking to you Jim, you are a class act.  Instead of going off to do your own thing at the Open House, you took the time to chat about your car, explain all the little details and even what you’d do differently.  I appreciate the guys like you who are willing to talk to the younger crowd and teach us a few things about this passion we call Hot Rodding and share your stories.  I just soak it in.

Hechtspeed

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