GNRS Show Cars, The Under-over
February 4, 2008 by pikesan · 2 Comments
If you’ve never had the chance to visit a premier classic/hot rod show, then you might be wondering, what’s it take to hit that level? It’s trivial to say, “You need alot of money.” While that’s true, it’s like they say, “Money can’t buy love” and you can see and feel the sometimes years of effort it takes to put a top quality car together. A new friend from over at icwires.com would also like everyone to know that alot of the big builders farm out work too. Not everyone’s an expert at everything! From the concept illustrations to the wiring to the paint and body, these cars must be done right. Alot of times, they define right and set the trends for the next super show cars.
So take a look at the ultimate Under-over. These pics show the detail you could put into your rod or muscle car if you wanted to. Before the “You gotta drive it” crew chimes in, I agree. But if these cars sit on blinged-out rotating displays with their rotors chromed and headers polished and nary the tiniest oil stain on their white engine blocks for a year before being driven, that’s cool with me. It’s your ride. It’s your choice. My Ride is Me, not you.
Start with this 32 from Squeeg’s Kutsoms in Mesa, AZ. I met these guys preparing this car for the microscope of the Grand National Roadster show. They were re-polishing the exhaust because this car had been driven (and enjoyed) by Doug before the November 2007 Goodguys Show in Scottsdale. Dig the scallops with pinstripes, all cut and polished UNDER the car. (Click on any of these pics to see them full size.)
Then, I’m pretty sure this is a 1949 Mercury. If you’re gonna shoot a big show like this, I recommend shooting the show card too! I love the contrast of the paint and chrome. Who’s the tired cat who polished all this?
Then I shot this one to show that you don’t have to be all chrome. The big striping works and is a perfect compliment. Dig the spotless, armor- alled tire tread too!
There were several non-rods on display in the main hall at the GNRS too. This corvette is as nice as they come. This shot through the wheel opening show the details (properly lit for the full effect) under the car even though it was sitting on the ground. (this is one of my favorite shots!)
Then, there’s the mirrors under the cars that help us see the details. I found them pretty much impossible to capture in a decent photo, but they were cool in person. I’ll show a couple so you get the idea. I’m waiting for someone to do a display where folks can walk under and over the car. That’d rock!
Last but not least. Tube frames are cool, look racey and all, but how’d you like to be the guy who painted and buffed it for the bottom of the car?
What do you think? Too much? Great? Let us know. Next time I go into the tailpipe of an actual show winner to see what they had to eat.
GNRS 2008: If You Missed This One…
January 31, 2008 by pikesan · 3 Comments
Grand National Roadster Show Pictures
So I’m hanging with my new buddy Brian from Problem Child Kustoms and we run into Chip (the louver guy) and his friend Craig in the Suede Palace of the Grand National Roadster Show. We’d all been taking in the cool as hell customs and old school hot rods. I heard Craig say, “This one was my favorite until we saw that modified. You’ve got that black modified, right?” He was talking about this bitch’n 31 Ford Coupe with Caddy power and my 27 Roadster back in AZ. (click to make it bigger)
I hadn’t seen the trick pearl, metallic white with purple panels modified yet. Where’s that?! So I rushed over to the building right next door, the only building I hadn’t seen yet. Amidst the nostalgia dragsters and some of the coolest rides I hadn’t photographed yet was this killer little roadster.
I was stunned. The detail and finish on this car rivaled anything in the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster hall, plus it screamed old school hot rod and custom show car from the way back machine! Channeled, paneled and white-walled, this car was quickly becoming one of my favorites as well. It’s hard to see from the pics but the white metallic paint actually had a light blue-green pearl to it and it was laid on smooth. It was the perfect compliment to the heavier flaked purple-pink in the panels. The engine kept the cool flowing with finned valve covers and a three deuce intake. I’d love to hear what those headers sound like!
The last detail shot is of the interior. A simple 3 gauge layout below the nifty 3 piece window followed by the twisted shifter and swirled glass knob. The upholstery was done up in a pearly white vinyl that finished things off perfectly. Top to bottom, this thing was too right.
After meeting back up with the AZ crew, we decided this car was on the short list of, “blew my mind” cars. People will be talking about this one. (click to make these pics bigger)
I have a couple more blogs I want to write about this show. There were too many cool cars not to write about them. Please check back or subscribe to the blog feed. RSS 2.0 blog feed
Let me hear your comments! Any new information and discussion are welcome. If you don’t speak up, I’ll assume you were hot for Eddie Munster’s wife seen at the show. And, while you’re here, please JOIN MyRideisMe.com
By the way, all of these pictures are available. If you want one, (Full-size too beacoup for the web) get in touch…
