1932 Hot Rod Ford Roadster at SEMA 2012 (Click to see any picture full size) Click for everything @ 2012 SEMA Show from MyRideisMe   What better way to kick off the cool rides at the SEMA Show than with a classic hot rod from Pomona's SO-CAL Speed Shop?   This classic hot rod, staged front-and-left-center in Ford's massive balcony display, runs one of Ford Racing's wicked "Coyote" engines. Blown and fuel injected the nasty little 5-liter pumps out 625 HP through a 6 speed. The 1932 Ford Roadster blends iconic hot rod with technology.   The knockoff Halibrands riding on a SO-CAL "New Traditionalist" chassis lends that, "don't mess" attitude backed up by the "one giant scallop" salt flat inspired paint job. Alternative Automotive Technologies in Troy, MI handled the paint and final assembly with build partners, Detroit Street Rods looking on. Champions Moto, a custom motorcycle company and fashion label also from Socal, rounded out the team.   The technology comes from, of course that nasty Coyote under the hood, but also air conditioning for the hot and heated seats for when it's not.   The combination was good enough...

Cadillac's Top Model - Eldorado Biarritz When I saw this sexy Cadillac for sale at Auctions America Auburn Fall Auction - sorry, we missed it, it was Labor Day weekend... I immediately thought of a couple other Custom Cadillac Biarritz stories I did. Before we get to that, what's up with this award winning "Champagne Iridescent" Caddy? The experts predict the sale price at $80-100k. Here's what that gets you: By the 1960s’ Cadillac had claimed its supremacy as the flagship line for General Motors and bested the rest of its competition in the luxury car segment. Although the Eldorado line was heavily equipped with many luxuries that were standard on most models, it is worth mentioning the accessories that complete this outstandingly restored Biarritz. This particular car includes all power steering, brakes, windows, seats, top, antenna, plus Cadillac Air Suspension, cruise control, air-conditioning and much more. It is finished in Champagne Iridescent with complementing gold leather interior and black vinyl top. It is powered by a 390-cid V-8 with a Hydra-Matic Drive transmission. Most importantly, this example benefits from a no-expense spared restoration and is the recipient of an...

Drive your Hot Rod! Nebraska to Utah in a Model A Roadster Download image for your iPhone here.   Nick Hoesing's a cool guy. We met at Bonneville Speed Week 2009, my first year there. He was cruising a great looking 1962 Ford Galaxie he'd driven from Omaha, Nebraska to the Salt Flats in Utah.   As friends on Facebook, I caught a glance of the model A roadster he was building, but hadn't made it over to the HAMB for a full look. I wish I had before I shot these pictures because I missed some fine details of this roadster. I'll write a brief history of the build, but you should read the 40 or so pages of posts at the HAMB where Nick supplies details and photos of the build and fellow HAMBers encourage him and help when needed. That's a community to be proud of.   Build of Nick's Model A Hot Rod   In the shortest summary of Nick's supreme one-car-garage hot rod build... Nick started with a 28/29 Ford Model A Roadster body, then added a Blackboard Hot Rods 1932 Ford frame. The...

Northern California Car Show - Hot Rods and Custom Cars Story Contributed by MyRideisMe.com member: Nick Koljian "Hellcity316" You ever get an invitation to a party and just get stoked that you are going? You mark it on the calendar and count down the days. "Oh man, 1 more week!" You check your smart phone mid week knowing that it's this Saturday, "Dude, I wonder what's going to be on the BBQ?" Friday rolls around and you're cruising home from work just gassed about tomorrow, " This party is going to rock!" you're so excited that on Saturday morning you're  already up before the alarm goes off. You're on Facebook telling all your friends where to be at. Then, at that very moment you receive text on your phone, you break down to check it and the number's one you don't recognize: 4664. The message reads,"kool-aid will be served...." My alarm goes off and I pop out of bed knowing with a dream like that I must be excited for the show. Today is the Dragoons Car Cult 6th annual Nite Of The Hot Rods @ The Riverview Lodge in downtown Antioch,...

Hot Rods and Custom Cars Search for Cover Well you know how Washington weather is, and this June we'd like to forget. Almost every weekend event it's rained. I Had my doubts about going to Billetproof in Washington, but what the hell , I'm going! A lot of die hard car people drove down friday night, I waited till Saturday morning and headed down. Hour and half later threw a terrible down pour I was there. Once inside I was surprised to see they had moved most of the cars inside. All showed up wipers or not! Check this out the Kid just Graduated from High School and did all the bodywork and paint on this just in time for the show. Way to go Austo! A lot of nice rides made it to the show dispute the RAIN. I told you it was raining right? Umbrella in hand to cover the camera looking for that cool rod. I thought this coupe was cool sitting all alone under cover. Here is another shot No more room inside for these guys , but they didn't seem to care. I left the show early but I...

Hot Rods and Custom Cars from Chopit Kustom (Click to see full size) More from the 2012 LA Roadster Show: As a sequel to the radical 1955 Ford turned bubbletop kustom, I want to show off the other great rides the good folks from Chopit Kustom brought. All three rides, the 32 Pickup, the 53 Chevy Coupe and the "55 Ford" you can barely see in the back were all driven in. After parking and before the crowds, I snapped off these shots. Next time I take my kids to Disneyland, I'll arrange a tour and get to know these guys at their Stanton, CA shop. They're breaking new ground as a three man shop and getting the media attention to prove it. Enjoy! Did you get your own shots of these cars? Let's see them! admin@MyRideisMe.com [nggallery...

Hemi Hot Rod at the LA Roadster Show (Click to see full size - it's huge! Right click to add as desktop wallpaper) Well... you get old and learn slowly. I've learned that I find and shoot so many great hot rods at car shows, like one of my favorites, the LA Roadster Show, that usually they end up wasting away on my computer - never posted. Not this time... I don't know much about this wicked 1932 Hot Rod Ford Roadster except: A tiny sticker on the dash gave away it's a Pinkee's Rod Shop creation - no doubt leading to it's "kill'm with your awesome" stance, fit and finish. See build pictures here at 1932 Ford Hot Rod Roadster at Pinkee's project page. This beast graced the swap area of the 2012 LA Roadster Show on Friday during setup (it can't go into the full-on LA Roadster show yet because it's not painted...) It runs an electronic fuel injected Hemi and monster-cool salt-flat style wheels I didn't get to hear it running... but had a sweet dream about it! The next time you see it, it'll most...

Hot Rods, Custom Cars and Rockabilly in Burlingame, CA For all of Nick's great pictures from the show, visit the Hot Rod Car Show Picture Gallery (click to see these pictures full size) The Embassy Suites in Burlingame, CA played host to this year’s 14th Annual Booze, Broads and Hot Rods (BBHR) sponsored by Kool Cat Kustoms and Hermans Barber Shop. The BBHR show has skipped around locations in the past years, due to its rising popularity, originally starting out in South San Francisco 13 years ago. This show has grown over the years to "mark your calendar status" and has also added Rockabilly Festival to its title in recent years. Rightfully so with the talent this show has provided for your listening pleasure. Burlingame is just south of San Francisco and lies right along the bay, so on a beautiful mid-April day like, you will get that soothing, cool breeze coming off the bay all day long. If you plan on attending a BBHR's show, plan for an all day and night affair because when the Bombshells say it's a festival they mean it. The show is slated...

1931 Model A Hot Rod with Something More Hot rod builds start all kinds of ways... some with an engine taking up space in the corner of your garage, some with pop's left over parts or a great swap meet find. This one started with a can of flat green paint. Voodoo Larry's a well know name in hot rods and custom cars. For some 30 years, Larry's been building custom cars and worth noting including the "Voodoo Idol" shown hear with the lovely, November 2012 Pinup of the Month Monica Renee. Larry runs Voodoo Larry Kustoms out of Elk Grove Village, IL where in his words, "The shop is not state of the art, but VooDoo Larry puts his heart and soul into every build and modification." For Larry's latest creation, "Voodoo Psychosis" the first thing you might notice is the wheels. (if you're not currently looking at Ms. Renee!) These are 1939 Dodge "high clearance" wheels, not to be mistaken for "Milk truck" wheels. The fronts are 20's and out back 18's wear  7.50-18 Firestones. Larry waited 10 years to find a set, then made a deal...

Traditional Hot Rods, Drag Racers & Muscle Engines Sponsored by Speedway Motors - Build your hot rod engine with Speedway! #1 Start off with a cold Coors? The Atomic Rocket front engine dragster has a supremely detailed, blown & injected Rocket motor for motivation. Just like when I shot the "17 best wheel and tire" story from the 2012 Detroit Autorama, I made my way around the show shooting the best hot rod engines too. just like wheels and tires, and especially in a hot rod (cause you can see it most times) the engine says, "My Ride is Me" and sets the tone for mild or wild, traditional or... more towards the street rod style. Whatever the case, the shine and for an outside show, the rumble let's people know what's on your mind. What are these folks saying?? (Click any image for the full size picture) So here's my favorites... divided into: Drag Racers Muscle Engines (what else ya gonna call them?) Traditional Hot Rods (reserved for the flatheads!) Tell me what's your favorite or if I shot your engine... I'll put your name with the picture....

2012 Detroit Autorama - Basement's Best Hot Rods Bottom floor, everyone out! In the far corners of the grand Cobo Center convention hall, escalators carried you down... Down to an area where mortgage size dollars were spent on... mortgages! It's a place where hot rodders and their buddy who could weld hooked up with a dude from work who knew a painter then banded together to make a custom car they could all be proud of. Then Friday night, or Tuesday or whenever they'd terrorize the streets and strips. They're loud, rough and built with the true spirit of, "My Ride is Me". Down the escalator, a birdseye view of the basement turned into a closeup of the "Voodoo Hellion" and the Voodoo Kings car club. In the trophy area, I saw a, "Best Car Club" trophy, so the area clubs bring out their best and put in the extra effort on the setup too... I got tired of seeing thin white rope-like barriers. Dig the custom machined pieces here. Next door was the Brothers Custom display. Why this nasty black coupe (shiny paint and all) with a supremely...

2012 Detroit Autorama Not Ridler Contenders?   I took alota pictures at the Detroit Autorama. I had too...  at first, as I mentioned in the Great 8 Ridler Contender story, I didn't know which of the MANY fine rides at the show were actually in the running for the big award, the Ridler. So... I snapped away. No harm done cause that gives me a great reason to highlight the Autorama's "Not Great 8" hot rods and customs and let you decide if they shoulda been included. That'd mean one of the chosen Great 8 cars would have to go, so you decide... Did the judges pick the right cars? Leave a comment if you have an opinion.   Keep in mind, if any of these cars have been shown before, they're automatically out of the Ridler competition. If anyone knows specifically why one of the following weren't included, please let me know. (I'll speculate too)   As always, click to see the full-size photo.   Not Great 8 - 2012 Detroit Autorama's Best   This 1933 Hot Rod Ford coupe owned by Gregg and Jodi Blackford was built,...