Hi Kids I'm back from another hot rod holiday.

You prolly noticed i've been a bit scarce of late, it's not coz I don't loves y'all but things have been a bit hectic.

The last car went down the line on Tuesday, so life should get back to what most folks consider normal, after our official close down celebration next week.

I did manage to get a vacation in during August, NSRA Nat's, Bonneville (we broke the car again but only after getting it to go over 170mph - not too shabby for a 77 year old car with a 69 year old engine.), A bunch of shop visits and of course Goodguys Pleasanton.  New for this year, because I know the major sponsor and it was a celebration of 70 years of Ferrari, I also did the Pebble Beach concours, where they estimated over three billion dollars worth of Ferraris were on the 18th fairway.  There was a lot of other cool stuff there too.

So if you're interested in having a look, please let me know and I'll get to work posting up pictures.

your pics are always great to see Carps, i would love to see some more please

Pics or it didn't happen,,, PLEASE

Yes please on photos

Back in January I visited the Petersen Museum for the first time after it’s $14 million refurbishment.  Unfortunately there was still some construction work going on and I couldn’t get a clear view or photograph of the stunning new façade.  So, considering I'd decided to stay in LA for the weekend (which was just as well after the flight was delayed by over four hours, meaning I'd have missed the connecting flight and been stuck there anyhow) Saturday arvo was set aside for another visit.  The drawcard for me this time being the 70 years of Ferrari exhibit, which was small but not disappointing as none of the cars were just run of the mill models.
 

 
The new building is truly a masterpiece and certainly achieves the museum’s goal of being the most visually impacting structure in Los Angeles.
 

 
The building commands attention from every angle.
 

 

 
But I came to see the Ferraris and the centrepiece of the exhibit was this car. 
 

 
Not the prettiest machine to ever wear the prancing horse logo, but the 125 S was the very first car to carry the Ferrari name badge!  It was also the first vehicle fitted with the now legendary Ferrari V-12 engine.
 

 
The car failed to finish its first race but undaunted, Enzo pushed on and claimed victory at it’s second and third races, the rest as they say, is history.
 

 
After Enzo had sold almost everything he owned to rebuild his bombed out factory, only two 125 S roadsters were constructed in 1947.  The first was destroyed in a racing accident making the car pictured here the only one to still exist and by virtue of it being number 2, it's possibly the most valuable Ferrari in the world.
 

 
The SOHC V-12 engine was 1.5 litres and made 118 horsepower, which pushed the car to a top speed of 130mph.
 

 
Testarossa' was one of Ferrari’s most successful race-cars.  The name is Italian for ‘Red Head’ and was used because the engine featured red painted cam/rocker covers, nothing to do with red body-work.
 

 
The earlier Testarossa featured a four-cylinder engine and body by Pinninfarina.  However, in 1958 the new 250 TR Spider received a much more powerful 3 litre V-12 engine and a unique ‘pontoon’ body by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. 
 

 
In my ever so humble opinion, this is the most beautiful of all Ferraris.
 

 

 
This car was a Scuderia Ferrai (Team  Ferrari) car debuted in Argentina at the 1000km race in Benos Aires, where it was driven by Luigi Musso and legendary Belgian driver Oliver Gendeblien.  That’s Niki Lauda’s 1976 world championship winning 312 T2 in the background.
 

 

 
This car is a 1949 166 MM Barchetta (small boat) and was the first Ferrai to win the Le Mans 24 hour race.  That same year this car won the iconic Mile Miglia long distance road race, which is how it came to be given the MM model designation.
 

 
It's powered by a SOHC V-12 engine and weighed substantially less than its predecessors thanks to the ‘superlegerra’ (Superlight) body by Carrozzeria Touring of Milano.  Note how the fuel tank is located beneath the passenger seat to help balance the weight.
 

 
The 250 LM was Ferrari’s first mid engine car and of course was powered by the now famous V-12 engine.  In 1965, North American Racing Team drivers, Jochen Rindt and Maston Gregory drove the car pictured to an outrightl win at Le Mans.  It was the last of six successive wins before Ford’s GT 40 arrived on the scene. This car remains unrestored and as it was raced at Le Mans.
 

 
The 250 California was proposed to Ferrari’s American distributor Luigi Chinetti by the west coast/Hollywood agent.  He believed there was a ready market for an expensive convertible and so a reluctant Enzo was convinced to produce the car.   The body was designed by Pinnin Farina, constructed by Scaglietti and offered in long or short wheelbases.  The last time one of these changed hands it sold for US$38 million.
 

 

 
By 1955 Ferrari was well established and respected as an innovator and strong competitor.  However a defeat by Mercedes Benz prompted Enzo to experiment with a more radical engine and body designs which lead to the 857 Sport as a member of the Monza model series..  The car features a lightweight aluminium body and twin cam four cylinder engine.  This car was exported to an owner in Los Angeles and of the four 857 Sports built, it's the only one with a rear fin.
 

 

 
Here’s a cool comparison of steering wheels.  One is Michael Schumaker’s last Ferrari and the other Niki Lauda’s last Ferrari, both world championship winning cars.
 
Shuey’s …
 

 
and Lauda’s.
 

Although this is a GT40 MkII it’s easy to see the influence Ferrari’s 250 LM had over the Ford’s styling and packaging.
 

 
This 1913 Mercer Raceabout is not only a rare example of an early American sports car, it’s totally unrestored and believed to be the most original example in existence.  The tyres have been replaced, but only because they were removed in 1915 and donated to support the war effort.  The original owner sold it in 1943 and in the early ‘70s it was purchased by ex F1 world champion Phil Hill.
 

 
The five-litre engine develops 60 HP and when new the car cost $2,500, today it would sell for millions.  If it were for sale.
 

 
Toyota’s first super sports car, the 2000GT for many years was not considered special or important.  However, in recent times they have been changing hands for around $1.5 million.
 

 
The 200GT set many speed and endurance records in its time and the engines were built by Toyota’s partner Yamaha (as are todays high performance engins) as was all the wood trim inside the cockpit.
 

 
Here’s another Ferrari  Barchetta with an interesting story.  Yes it was painted black at the factory and it is in fact another unrestored car.
 

 
This car was the last Barchetta ever built and the last non-racing car bodied by ‘Touring’.  It was ordered by the Ford Motor Company in the name of Henry Ford II and when he showed it to a member of the Firestone family, they told him it needed whitewalls and so it still wears them.
 

 
It’s powered by a three carburettor 225 V12 engine and has less than 13,000 miles on the odometer.  The car was used in Ford’s styling studio as an influence to the team working on the first Thunderbird and some of that influence can be seen in the Ford product.
 

 

 
Of course since Bugatti collector Peter Mullin is on the board of directors, there’s also a bunch of the French cars displayed in the Museum.  This one is my favourite, for no reason other than it’s a race-car converted for street use.
 

 
The 1929 body styling, was later adopted by Cecil Kimber  for his 1948 MG TC and many other low priced sports car makers.
 

 
The racer from which it was derived, in fact the most successful single seat race-car ever built.
 

 
Most of the Bugattis on display are bodied by Gangloff and are incredible examples of the coach-builder’s craft.
 

 

 

 

 

The Petersen also has a good-sized collection of muddersickles and movie cars, even movie motor cycles.
 

 
This four banger is the oldest bike in the collection.
 

 
This one is only a shade more modern.
 

 
Guess who?
 

 
Muddersickle or industrial equipment, you decide.
 

 
I can’t imagine seeing a leather clad Hells Angel on this one.
 

 
Now we're starting to get somewhere.
 

 
I like this one……
 

 

 
…..and this one.
 

 
More push bike than motor-bike, but that’s how it was back then.
 

 
Racers.
 

 

 
Passenger carrier.
 

 
Cool.
 

 
Fast.
 

 
Workhorses.
 

 

 

 
Military service unit.
 

 
Is it a two-wheeled car or a low slung motorcycle?
 

 
HMMMMM! It seems I forgot the movie cars, but you've already seen them in the movies so I can leave them out of this story.

As hot rods go, the Frank Mack T is timeless and also unrestored.
 

 

 

 

 
Here’s an unmodified model T for comparison.
 

 
And a similar vintage Chevrolet.
 

 
But I digress, as I’m inclined to do, so back to modified old Fords, like this one created by a chap named Coddington and which is not really an old Ford at all.
 

 
Satisfied with how the Deuce looked, Mr C adapted the same style to Ford’s model 40.
 

 
In the background is a real hot rod, but more on that later as right now we have some stylin’ to do.
 

 
Here’s a pair of winners.  Both cars have had the title America’s most beautiful roadster bestowed on them.
 

 
Lonnie Gilbertson’s T bucket was the first sign that show rules were getting out of hand.
 

 

 
Ermie Imerso’s track T just confirmed it.
 

 
Yup, that’s a genuine Gurney Weslake race-car engine, with engraved parts, chrome and gold plating.
 

 

 

 
Coddington’s purple roadster took things to yet another level, built from scratch nothing on this car either came from or resembled a real old car.
 

 
And then it just got really silly with hand made everything and million dollar cars that could never be driven.
 

 

 
Seeing the error of his ways, Ermie tried to bring some sanity and tradition back into the game.
 

 
It worked and his 1932 Ford Roadster beat out a handful of million dollar custom creations to win the title.
 

 
Ermie’s Deuce is clean, simple, traditional and…..
 

 
…beautifully finished.
 

 

 
But still the first winner leaves most of them far behind when it comes to getting all the elements and proportions perfect.
 

 
Can you say timeless?
 

 
Perfect from any angle.
 

 

 
And if you want to know what a hot rod really looked like back in the day………. Look no further than Ray Brown’s daily driven and regularly raced Deuce.
 

 
It’s the real deal.
 

 

Another exhibition currently running at the Petersen is based around Mexican/Chicano car culture, with a focus on low-riders and related artwork.
 

 
The cars on display are pretty cool and the paintwork amazing.
 

 

 

 

 
This ‘39 Chebby four door is a real gangster style machine.
 

 
The murals are outstanding.
 

 
I can’t explain why but I always enjoy seeing these cars and talking with the owners.  The general idea is that it’s a family hobby that involves grandpa, son and grandkids, to provide an interest that helps keep the kids out of trouble and focussed on things other than gang life etc.
 

 
Looking at any of the cars reveals that the art involved is pretty incredible, even if that artwork is not to everybody’s taste.  But there’s no denying the folks involved are truly talented artisans.  Like how many of us could decorate a pair of roller-skates like these?
 

 
I’ve pinstriped a couple of dunny seats in my time but my work pales against this one.
 

 
How about a Tequila bottle?
 

 
Or a step bin for the kitchen?
 

 
Does your Webber BBQ look this cool?
 

 

 
Or your folding Picnic chair.
 

 
How about the cooler?
 

 
Then there’s this spray gun, which has been etched, engraved, chrome plated and detailed with gold leaf, before mounting to the painted background panel.
 

 
There’s a lot of other cool works of art in the display.
 

 

 

 
They even enjoy a laugh at themselves.
 

 

 
Not all of the cars are painted in bold colours.
 

 
Nor do they all feature airbrushed graphics.
 

 

 
One of the coolest things in this exhibition is the full sized ’63 Chevy Piñata.
 

 

So you reckon you’ve got a handle on custom paint and detailing your car so it always impresses, you may want to think again.
 
Unless you have been to the ‘El Ray School of Detailing’, I’d even suggest you loose!
 
When Albert De Alba inherited his father in law’s ’63 Chevy Impala, so began a six-year renovation that is nothing short of mind boggling.  The name El Ray is Spanish for The King and Albert’s goal was to construct the king of all low-riders.
 
The car is mildly customised and the roof was removed then modified to operate as a removable hard top.
 

 
The clever or trick thing here, is that a convertible rear section was grafted in and the hardtop made to fit over the functional convertible top and mechanism.
 

 

 
Almost every surface of the car is covered with a combination of custom candy and metalflake paint, chrome plating, metal etching and engraving.
 

 

 

 
The design of the paint was created to enhance the car’s lines and extends from the body to engine bay, chassis, floor-panels (inside and underneath) as well as inside the boot and all the inner panels.
 

 

 

 
Not even the wheels escaped the engravers tool and colour detailing!
 

 
Hydraulic pumps.
 

 
Engine bay.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Boot area.
 

 

 
Speakers, ‘The Elite’ is Albert’s car club.
 

 
Underside
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Look closely and you’ll see that the brake rotors are not engraved, they have covers for shows that are removed so Albert may drive the car.
 

 

 
Nothing has been overlooked.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Albert’s car has been dubbed ‘the pinnacle of modern low-rider culture’ garnering admiration from artistic communities way outside the culture of low-riders.
 

 

 

 
The car was named ‘Low Rider Of The Year’ over three consecutive years, by Low Rider Magazine and it has won awards at SEMA and the Grand National Roadster Show as well as many others.   It has also been displayed at the Essen Motor Show in Germany and the Classic Legends Car Show in Nagoya, Japan.
 

Did I forget anything?  Oh yeah, the Dan Gurney race-cars display.
 

 
There were two versions of this one made as Jim Beam collector bottles, one this colour and the other is cream, which was only used on the car for one race during its competitive life.
 

 
The Gurney Eagle race-cars are all pretty cool.
 

 
Although not all are Eagles or even Eagle powered.
 

 
Some are Toyota powered Eagles.
 

 
Or Toyota powered Toyotas.
 

 
But all are cool.
 

 

 

 
Here’s a few more of the cooler cars on display, starting with Steve McQueen’s Jaguars.
 

 

 
And a few factory concept cars, can you guess who made which car?
 

 

 

 

 
This one has been touched of a famous customiser, can you guess who?
 

 

 
These are not Ferrari’s, Eagles or Fords.
 

 

 

 
Of course the light trucks are also represented in the museum.
 

 

 
Last but not least is the Smith,  built in Los Angeles by brothers Alonzo and Reuben Smith way back in 1900.  It’s a pretty basic early car that includes headlamp mounts that double as harness attachments, so that in the event of a mechanical failure, their ‘horseless carriage’ could function as a traditional horse drawn vehicle.
 
It’s the only one ever built and the 5hp engine could push it to a blindingly fast 25 mph.
 
[/quote]
 
Here's the big disappointment of my trip.  Getting to the Barris Emporium is a bitch, took half the day, which is why I haven't made it there previously.  It’s pretty grungy with just a bunch of worn out old photos and two recently constructed replicas of Barris TV cars.  I didn't stay long.
 

 

 

 

 

There seemed to be more hot rods on the highway headed to the NSRA Nat’s at Louisville this year and I call that a good thing.
 

 
Instead of the green Chevy sedan delivery, this year I borrowed my friend Barry’s ‘39 Pontiac to make the journey.
 

 
We passed a lot of military equipment being returned to the manufacturer for refurbishment.
 

 
Of course it rained during the journey, it just wouldn’t be right if it didn’t.
 

 
However, it was mostly clear and there were lotsa hot rods on the highway, but I think I already mentioned that.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
In previous years clubs have been able to pre book their site on the fairgrounds but with more entrants the NSRA decided to make it first in best dressed.  That meant we had to be there on Wednesday and camp overnight outside the gates until they were opened at around 5:00am.
 
Here we are, the Pontiac Twins, waiting in line outside the gate.
 

 

 

 
Meanwhile, others were fast asleep in their motel beds.
 

 

 

 

 

 
The gates opened and it was like a crazy drag race across the fairgrounds to stake out our desired space.
 

 
We managed to get the same place we’ve always had.  Then, almost on cue as soon as the roof was up it rained, for five minutes and that’s pretty much all there was.  The weather was unusually perfect for the entire weekend.
 

 

 

 
Once we had everything organised, we headed to our motel for some sleep.

Thursday morning the gates opened at six a.m. and it was time to start the party!
 

 
I love the mix of vehicles now that the cut-off date has changed.
 

 
Not too many of these, just enough to make it interesting.
 

 
But lots of really obscure stuff.
 

 
And no reduction in pre 1948 based rides.
 

 
Of all styles.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The later models tend to display subtlety and smoothness.
 

 
Sum are a tad muscle bound.
 

 
Others traditionally cool.
 

 
And others just keep everybody guessing.
 

 
Some people even have bumper stickers that make sense.
 

 
Others have clearly been on the road for many years.
 

 
Mid fifties Fords are finally coming into their own in the US, not so long back nobody wanted them.
 

 

 
Some of the odd-ball or out of the ordinary cars make brilliant cross-country cruisers.
 

 
Some not
 

 
Multi door cars are also finally starting to make it big.
 

 
Although some prefer none.
 

 
Doors are good, wooden doors are better.
 

 

 
Quite a few cute camper trailers this year.  Is this another new trend?
 

 
Aussie were out in force.
 

 
So too Canadians, like my good friend Hot Rod Liz Kitzul and her high mileage T bucket.
 

 

 

 

 
You ain’t gunna see a 1942 Oldsmobile every day.
 

 

 

 
Almost the same only different.
 

 

 
Check out the steering apparatus.
 

 
And no matter what, there's always room for the kids.
 

What drives me back to the Midwest year after year is that it’s far more like home, only with a wider range of raw material to build from.  Since the NSRA introduced the rolling cut-off year, it hasn’t really had any negative effect and the reality is if you don’t like a car you don’t have to look at it.  There’s so much to see at the NSRA Nationals it’s impossible to take it all in anyhow.  So wasting time looking at just one late model used car is simply that.  However, some of the later models can be pretty spectacular, as I’ll show you soon, whilst others just beg the question, “What the eff were they thinking?”  Here’s a good example that.
 

 
It may have worked had the builder taken time to align the panels and make it all fit together neatly, but I’m still not sure.
 

 
Here’s what it once was, which I think I much prefer.
 

 
Fortunately most folks who like to cut them up, do it with taste.
 

 

 
And some don’t cut them up at all.
 

 
My old friend Bob Klessig even made it without his fender skirts falling off.
 

 

 
And the evidence is overwhelming that you can have a unique machine that stands out from the crowd without destroying the original beyond redemption.
 

 
This ’48 Chevy Step Van is a good example of what I mean, has all the ratty stuff, but is actually very well constructed and roadworthy in the true sense, not just because it moves under it’s own steam.
 

 

 
’59 Chevy wagon appears to be a barn find that has been treated with rust dissolver and then coated with clear to preserve what was left.  It sits on a new Art Morrison chassis, which a number of people I spoke with reckon don’t only fit better than the original, they make the car drive better than a brand new factory built machine.
 
 
 
Here’s a little more silliness using a Pommy car, I have more, so keep watching.
 

 
I really liked the sign it had on the passenger side of the dash.
 

 
Muscle car numbers were up this year, which I think is a good thing, because many of those cars have a known or clandestine history that the owners love to share.
 

 
Early sixties GM unit was one of a number of ‘Factory’ built Motor Homes on the grounds.  Not everyone’s cup of tea, but kind of cool all the same.
 

 
Trucks and busses continue to increase in popularity.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Long wheelbase Jeep pick-up is most uncommon.
 

 
There are many more sedan deliveries from GM than Ford in the Midwest.
 

 

 

 
Wagons too.
 

 
International is also a popular brand here.
 

 

 
This one is pretty rare as Pontiac only managed to sell a handful of two door wagons in 1955.
 

 
The unique tail-lamps will also fit a 1955 Chevy.
 

 
Ford’s answer to the Chevy Nomad.
 

 
And yes of course there were hot rods a plenty.
 

 
Some lower than others.
 

 
Some badder than others.
 

 
Some bigger and classier than others, like this Chrysler Imperial Airflow.
 

 
Many are very subtly altered, I didn’t even notice the chop on this one until looking at this picture log after getting back to Oz.
 

 
Some are just too cool for skoowul.
 

 

 

 
Big four door cruisers are finally gaining in popularity as folks realise they ain’t getting any younger and these things can be made to ride like an aircraft with all the comfort and convenience of a new car.
 

 

Of course it wouldn’t be the same without a swap meet and most of the usual suspects were on hand flogging their junk.  However this year there seemed to be less desirable automobile parts and more junky ‘man-cave’ stuff.
 

 
So I’ll stick with what I thought was worth looking over, like this deluxe coupe with everything needed to make it complete loaded in the trunk, and the original title in the glove compartment.  It was running and driveable and offered for only $7,950 which seemed reasonable and is still less than Au$10K.
 

 
This one has been offered at the last 3 Nat’s swap meets, so I’m thinking it has issues or the advertised price of $49K is just too high.
 

 
Lots of these little Cushman style muddersickles spread around the swap.  They are becoming ever more popular or collectable.
 

 
Late model Henry J was pretty solid despite the surface rust and well priced at $6,950 with a California title.
 

 
Of course there were more than a few old parts on offer.
 

 
I guess aluminium early ford heads must be rare and valuable?
 

 
There was no price on this International Van and nobody to ask, so I guess it wasn’t really for sale.  Seemed solid, rust free and the good starting point for a versatile project.
 

 
More old parts.
 

 
Sales appeared slow with a smaller than usual crowd.  Kinda strange since the entry list was the largest in some years.
 

 

 

 
The popularity of old pick up trucks was reflected in swap meet offerings like this ’40 model for only $500
 

 
In the next aisle this running and driving ‘48 F1 seemed a bargain at just $7,500.
 

 
Just as well I didn’t blow my wad on that last one, because one more aisle over was this shovel ready workhorse.  Under the hood sits a 350 Chevy with TH 350 trans, it has disc brakes, power steering and lots of new parts.  The price of $14,500 (Au$18,000) seemed more than reasonable.
 

 
Just as well I passed on that one too, because further up the way was this beauty!  Totally original and freshly restored, the 239 flattie ticked over like a brand new one.
 

 
Everything had been renewed and there was a pile of recent invoices as verification, or you could just crawl all over it and confirm for yourself.  The price being asked was $20,000 even with the original title.  That’s still only $25K Australian and very tempting.
 

 
This little dodgem body had been adapted to one of those granny skooter things, a lot more fun than looking like a lazy prick riding one without such a cool appearance.
 

 
This is just all kinds of wrong and even with an asking price of $13,000 it was too freaking expensive.
 

 
No prices on this lot but you’d have to like the car and hard work, coz it was sorely in need.
 

 
The spinner convert looked like it had potential from 20 metres away, but up close it was just a rust riddled basket case.  The Dodge Two Door would have been a much better proposition.
 

 
This one was the deal of the swap meet and it was sold before the owner could get his trailer parked.  Price negotiations, not required, asked $35,000, sold instantly and seen cruising the fairgrounds later in the day.
 

 
Flattie ran nicely and clearly it was a driver.
 

 
Body appears solid as a rock.
 

 
’33 Plymouth coupe looked pretty solid too, but had no price on it, was parked in the for sale area, so who knows?
 

 
Inside it appeared to be somebody’s daily driver.
 

 
This lot had people rummaging through the goodies to find their missing gems.
 

 

 

 

 
Don’t think this guy gets his stock at the pick a part all you can carry in your arms day.
 

 
I have a friend who broke his steering wheel in a moment of road rage (well that’s my story and it sounds better than the truth.) so as a result I was on a mission to find a suitable replacement.  Didn’t find it here.
 

Found some cool toys here.
 

 
This was one of the more desirable of the motorised cycle thingies.
 

 
Some folks even had boat parts.
 

 
Not something I’d ever expect to see at a US swap meet, but here it was and the price was high because it’s such a rarity.
 

 
Not many petrol bowsers this year, maybe supply is starting to dry up like old cars.
 

 

 
The old panels seem to be a little rustier each year.
 

 

 
Chrysler Imperial was mint with a sub $20k asking price.  Had Hemi under the hood.
 

 
Nice little Rambler American two door hardtop was top quality and I thought reasonably priced at $7,500.
 

 
T bucket was an old sixties build and highly priced, according to the seller due to it’s show history and magazine feature car status.
 

 
Another old MOPAR that seemed a reasonable deal at $10,500.
 

 
Deuce lotsadoors was a complete running drive away car,.
 

 
Has a nice tidy interior and price tag of who knows?
 

 
Forty Ford sedan delivery was choice, well constructed for long hauls on the highway.  Priced to sell at $42,000.
 

 
Made up from a regular Plymouth Satelite this ’69 Road Runner clone would make a cheap entry into the US Muscle Car ranks.
 

 
Powered by a 383 with four-speed it was very nicely done and priced at $26,000.  A real one would be more than double that.
 

 
1932 Willys was an older restoration and had no price on it.  But a lot of potential.
 

 
For $20K you could have this old Convertible, which was in need of much TLC.
 

 
For $10K more you could drive this one home.  Independent front suspension, 350/350 combo, operating power top, air conditioning and four wheel disk brakes.
 

 
Mercury gasser looks a bit falcon like, only different.
 

 
1932 Dodge was a nice resto at a sub $20k bargain price and sold early on Saturday morning.
 

 
Don't have the price/spec card for this one but I figure like all the Model A Fords it should have bee going cheap.
 

Since it’s bloody hot outside, let’s head indoors to the air conditioned exhibitors hall.  There’s lots and lots of cool stuff to check out in here and it’ll take at least four more hours to cover it all.
 

 
See anything you like?
 

 
Look closly, each one is for a different application.
 

 
Steve’s new ’34 cabriolet.
 

 
Coolest grill ever fitted to a Ford.
 

 
There’s a dial for every application and if there isn’t they’ll make one for it.
 

 
More not quite right steering wheels.
 

 
Radial tyres that look bias plies, for every application.
 

 

 

 

 
And now there’s even radials that look like polyester 70 series rubber andFirestone Wide Oval muscle car tyres!
 

 
All the little things are covered.
 

 
Even brakes for your 12 spokes.
 

 

 
These used to be hard to find, now there’s no more searching!
 

 
Got paint for yer Chevy
 

 
And lotsa cool workshop gear.
 

 
Most vendors include examples of what can be done using their stuff.
 

 
The guys at Lizard Skin products went a bit overboard with a hand beaten copper body to make the car appear to have a lizard skin.
 

 
Lotsa energy invested in it, but I’m not sure it works the way it should.
 

 
The Hurst company has a gear shifter for every application and a whole truck load of adapters and other trickery.
 

 
Dunno what it was advertising, but it was cool all the same.
 

 
Replace your leaky Holley with bolt on electronic fuel injection.
 

 
I’m thinking the trailer is overkill.
 

 
Don’t like fibreglass bodies, then get a steel one, Deuce 5 window, 3 window, roadster phaeton, pick up and coming soon Tudor sedan.
 

 
Don’t like old Ford, then get yerself a brand new ‘55/6/7 Chevy in coupe or convertible format.
 

 
Maybe a Mustang is more to your liking, everything old is new again.
 

 
Or perhaps a new Chevy Pick-up truck?
 

 
Think this one may have been advertising Ford engines, or posibly paint.
 

 
This is definitely paint.
 

 
Yet another Milner clone.
 

 
Don’t think this is a new steel body, but a cool kustom built from a fibreglass repro body.
 

 
The signs don’t really say why, just what has been modified on this ’56 Vicky.
 

 
Yet another repop body.
 

 
Another mobile shop advert, think I might look elsewhere for help with my project.
 

 

 
Maybe here.
 

 
Edelbrock, still going strong, I wonder if all their old stuff is classified as reproduction or new old stock?
 

 
Lots of suspension specialists offering all manner of stuff.
 

 
The latest from my good friend Dennis O’Brien.
 

Heading up the show car display out in the foyer is this years give away car.
 

 
The deuce grill is right for a channelled car but it just doesn’t work for me on a highboy.
 

 
Not sure if this should be called an LS6 Vi2 or just an LS12?  It lives in a Pro Touring style Camaro.
 

 
Caddy mild kustom was all class.
 

 
Outside and in.
 

 
Sometimes just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
 

 
Example number 2.
 

 
The other end.
 

 
And inside.
 

 
Case in point number 3.
 

 

 
Sometimes radical change can be subtle and works quite well when it gets you wondering what’s been done.
 

 
There’s a whole lot going on here but you’ll probably miss half of it.
 

 

 
Put together by a bunch of young guys who only set up shop a couple of years ago.  One is an Aussie named Paul Caruana.
 

 
This car was a Ridler contender this year.
 

 
A class act is always a class act.
 

 
Inside
 

 
And/or underside.
 

 
A Model 40 is always worth looking at.
 

 

 
Black pick up is timeless.
 

 
Interior is red.
 

 
Good looking ’48 Chevy pick up.
 

 
Not at all over done.
 

 
Not sure how this one will drive with the rear wheels jammed under the body as they are.
 

 
Has a nice interior.
 

 
Black Deuce is subtle and slightly different.
 

 
Almost everything is a different shade of darkness.
 

 
Another black deuce with a little GM red for contrast.
 

 

The good news is im feeling much better after a day inside, but if I cant sleep tonight I may have to stay up and do some more.

Meanwhile , I’m trying to show only cars I haven’t shown you guys on previous trips, so please forgive me if anything looks familiar, it’s there because I liked it.  Likewise if there's something in the background that I haven't included, I may not have photographed it for the same reason.  Here’s a couple of Tudors that lit my fire.
 

 

 
And of course this one was always going to be here.
 

 
Look closely it’s not what you may think it is.
 

 
Modsel 40 Tub, looks innocent enough but has some very slick wheels attached to brakes and suspension that looks like it should be under a road race car.
 

 
It also has this under the hood.
 

 
Rare MOPAR wagon is a low mileage original.
 

 
This one is just for fun and yes it has the drivetrain from a late model NASCAR loaded into it.
 

 
There’s a lot of really cool stuff here.
 

 
Some cars are so ugly they are just cool.
 

 
Looks like I have a way with the puppies, this fella looks a bit more friendly than the Boxer.  Maybe he was just having more fun.
 

 
Not many of these seen as hot rods.
 

 
Speaking of Hot Rods……
 

 
Or movie stars?
 

 
This ugly little wagon is stuffed full of supercharged GM big block and related bits.
 

 
At the NSRA Nats you’ll see automotive extremes parked side by side or nose to tail as the case may be.
 

 
You’ll also see a lot of understated yet classy stuff.
 

 

 

 
There’s usually more than a handful of Divco vans.
 

 
What makes this cool is that it’s not really a fire truck, it’s a ramp rod for hauling toe roadster or whatever you have that’s not comfortable for the long road trips.
 

 
Here’s a little more British based hot rodding.
 

 
This was the only chance I got to photograph the A40 as it always seemed to be moving in the wrong direction for me.
 

 
This Riley was really well done and according to the owner there were only two people in the park who knew what it was.  Him and me.
 

 
Has E-Type Jag suspension all round with LS6 and six speed manual.
 

 
LS6 powered Morris Minor Convertible, now with hand made aluminium hardtop.  This one gets my scary ride award.
 

 
Here’s what the little consul that’s shown earlier in the thread looks like under the hood  Yes Paul, it’s all Ford!
 

 
While were doing furrin cars, there were others, like these, which I’m not sure really belonged but are incredibly popular and valuable in the US.
 

 
Not as many of these as we see at local events.
 

 
Likewise this one, most of the bugs had no fenders.
 

 
And of course something from Italy, that’s not a Ferrari.
 

 
If I had to have a Dak-Dak, this might be the car.
 

 
Of course as always the Willys folk were out en-force.
 

 

 

 

 
Bobby Alloway was on hand with a fleet of black beauties and evidence that you can make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.
 

 
A car that even MOPAR purist ignore and not only is it easy on the eye, it’s one mean sumbich with a 426 race Hemi, five speed and big nine inch rear.
 

 
And it was built to be driven.
 

 
The Alloway formula is proven to work on just about anything.
 

 




 
It’s enough to give you wood.
 

 

 
Usually the KISS formula will deliver success.
 

 
Sometimes looking out the hotel window will offer a surprise photo opportunity.
 

 
Here’s the oldest Motor Home at the event, a late 1920s Studebaker
 

 

 

Most people just walked right by what they figured to be just another bullet nosed Studebaker.
 

 
Then they stopped for a second take because something didn’t seem right.  It’s actually a Henry J
 

 
Interesting paint scheme for a F1.
 

 
Not all model A roadsters are rusty junk.
 

 
Deuce Cabriolet/Sports Coupe was primo.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There's something about an early Panel truck that makes them cool.
 

 
Speaking of early, my friends Hot Rod Liz and Skip Readio have an annual contest to see who can be entrant number 1, the loser is usually number 2.  This year Liz beat Skip and as usual they parked side by side in the St Louis Club area.
 

 
Another what were they thinking moment.
 

 
And yet another.
 

 
This would make a fine family car.
 

 
I think in all the years it’s been attending the NSRA Nats, this is the first time I’ve seen this car outside it’s protective tent.
 

 
This pair didn’t seem to need protection, they were too busy cruising all weekend.
 

 

 
Here’s another angle on that big Chrysler Imperial Airflow I showed you earlier.
 

 
Interesting take on a flatbed truck.
 

 
Makes a great place to play.
 

 
No way I’ll ever have a car like this, it’d kill me just getting in.
 

 
This would work for me.
 

 
You’ll see anything at the Nats, from a Chicken truck….
 

 
…..to rusty plastic.
 

 
Hard to say if this is an update on an old kustom….
 

 
…. or simply a new take on an old idea.
 

 
A few of these made the cut.
 

 
And a whole bunch of these.
 

 
Yes, ‘Wire’ really is Bob and Barb’s surname and they drove this thing all the way from St Louis and back.  They are members of the St Louis SRA.
 

 
It’s a shame Chrysler Australia didn’t see fit to include this in their Valiant line up.
 

 
More themed ‘60s muscle.
 

 
Clean and simple always does the job.
 

 
A little bold colour also helps make a statement.
 

 
Little Crosley was on the move all weekend, the guys were having a big bunch of fun with a small package.
 

 
Looks like an old car, was built only recently.
 

 
In previous years gasser style Falcons have been abundant, this year they were scarce.  Maybe the trend has moved.
 

 
This is an early Falcon I’d park in my driveway any day.
 

 
Once they were common but we don’t see many of these short wheel base Chevys any more.
 

 
Another low model A.
 

 
Look closely, it’s not a ’55 Chevy, but it is a real old race car with a lot of interesting history and still in the same family it's been with since new.. 
 

 
The Chevy nose has been on it since 1955.   When the owner's dad wanted to reduce weight by using one of those new fangled fibreglass tilt fronts, there wasn’t one available for the Ford.  However, they were readily available for the new ’55 Chevy’s and cheaply too.  The fit around the cowl and doors is pretty good too, which is how this came to be, a marriage of convenience availability or both.
 

 
Different take on a T C Cab.
 

 
Could this be Mater’s cousin from the deep south?
 

 
There just something about this car that rings all the right bells.
 

 
And this one is rare as rocking horse poop.
 

 
I’d have it in a heartbeat.
 

 
Different take on a family wooden wagon.
 

 
Sweet ’37 convert is kinda different.
 

The Kentucky State Fairground at Louisville really is a great venue for such a large gathering of people and cars, the show never stops moving.
 

 
Studebakers are still growing in popularity, for good reason.
 

 

 
Late model pick up is neat.
 

 
Did I mention I like ugly and orphan cars?
 

 
Big Olds sedan is chopped and sectioned, with matching luggage trailer.
 

 
Kinda cute and cool too.
 

 
Now had anybody told me they were going to do this, I’d have questioned their sanity.
 

 
But it actually works.
 

 
However, this works better.
 

 
This doesn’t and is just so wrong in so many ways.
 

 
It seems there’s lots of raw material still out there.
 

 
They do look better with shiny paint.
 

 
Late Olds wagon is bigger than a house.
 

 
International Pick up is an uncommon model.
 

 
Big Ford truck is cool.
 

 
Similar treatment, different model years.
 

 
And their big brother.
 

 
Some interesting ideas.
 

 

 
No whimps allowed!
 

 
Yup this little Jeep is armed to the teeth and beyond.
 

 
There were other boxes of ammo and even a case of dynamite for emergencies.
 

 
I know I’ve shown you this one before, but it’s just too kool not to show you again.
 

 

 
Yet another variation on a low model A Ford.
 

 
Nice ’49 Wagon.
 

 
Same goes for this convertible.
 

 
 
 
My friend Mike bequeathed his sedan delivery to his best mate Stevie, who is looking after it well.  He’s fixed a bunch of little issues and the car is better than ever, which would please Mikey a great deal.
 

 
Stevie plans on a complete chassis refurbish over winter, but has to figure out how to do it without harming the car’s appearance or personality.
 

 
Or it’s ability to attract people and make them smile or do silly stuff.
 

 
But now it's time to head back to St Louis.  There's lots to be done to prepare for Bonneville and Speedweek.  In fact more than we planned.

Back in St Louis it was straight to work to get everything ready for the trip to Bonneville.
 

 
First challenge was the trailer, Garry had purchased new wheels and tyres, keeping the two best old ones for spares, so we shouldn’t have any tyre issues as we’d had previously.  Problem was, with the wheels off salt damage to the brakes was clear, so a quick overhaul was in order..
 
That done we discovered the electric braking system wasn’t working, more parts and another overhaul, including a major rewire, because part of the problem was much of the wiring had gone completely rotten.  After a frantic thrash we had brakes and then it took the rest of the afternoon and much of the evening to get all the lights working properly.
 

 
Now we could focus on making sure the car was right to go racing.
 

 
With St Louis humidity and high 80 degree temperatures it was hard work out in the driveway.
 

 
But reinforcements arrived and jobs got completed, checked off quickly and with the engine dialled in, it was buttoned up and ready to go.
 

 

 
Since we were a day ahead of schedule we figured that maybe a couple of test runs wouldn’t be a bad idea.  Just to be totally sure that everything was right.  Now you gotta remember here this is a blown and injected flattie, with a unique camshaft and cylinder heads and it does sound more like a top fuel dragster.  In the quiet leafy suburbs of outer urban St Louis, it sounds even better.
 

 
Fortunately most of the neighbours were at work so no complaints were recorded and satisfied all was as it should be everything was loaded for our three day non stop road trip.
 

 
Still ahead of schedule, we were on the road early Wednesday afternoon.
 

 
Our first stop was around 9:00p.m. which we called supper time and after a good feed, gassing up and checking everything that should be checked, we took a detour to avoid Kansas City sending us directly to Lincoln, where we’d pick up Gary’s long time friend and Bonneville virgin, Gary.
 

 
We arrived just in time for breakfast….. 
 

 
……and a photo session.
 

 
We caught up with these guys in a service station, headed for their first Bonneville Speed Week.
 
.
 
A bunch of Bonneville Roadtrip Veterans.
 

 

 
Cool place to stop for fuel and lunch.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
We dragged the big black box through the night to get to where we were headed with time to spare.
 

 
We saw a couple of lovely sunsets.
 

 
And a few more gas stations.
 
[/quote]
 
After a few more food and fuel stops……
 

 
…. We finally arrived at the edge of Lake Bonneville.
 

 
And headed straight out to unload and set up our pits.
 

 
On Saturday morning the fly in crew arrived and it was time for a team photo.
 
That’s Gary in front of the car then L to R, Gary, Jim, Jerry, Vern, Stu, Skip, yours truly, Freddie and Guy.
 

 
The car passed thru tech without a hitch and then it was off to the driver’s briefing.
 

 

 
Much of Saturday was spent getting the car dialled in for the altitude and temperatures.  Every time we ran the engine the power was easy to feel, it was loaded for bear.  Or so we thought.
 

 

 
The access route to the start line was in terrible shape and the huge potholes were shaking the car apart.  Even at walking pace it was rattling Garry’s fillings and he couldn’t really see where he was being dragged.  Unable to avoid the ruts I decided to steer the van onto what appeared to be much smoother salt only to be pulled up and told I couldn’t tow the car that way.  I protested telling the officials that if we kept towing on the marked route, we’d have no race car left by the time we got to the start line.  He admitted that was a problem and we were not the only ones to complain about it, but his hands were tied.   We made the decision to unhook the car, return to the pit to bring the trailer out.  It seemed the only way to get the car to the line without tearing it apart.  Unfortunately, some damage had already been done and for the first time since 1991, a front suspension rebuild was required before the car could be driven.
 

 
We also checked the rear suspension and sure enough a couple of fasteners had been shaken loose, so much for all the work before leaving St Louis.
 

 
As a result everything on the car was checked and tightened whilst we waited in line for the first run.
 

 
After a long wait, Gary finally got underway.  The car hesitated off the line and started to misfire in mile 2, so Gary backed off and went thru the third mile at around 120 mph.  Not a good start.  Back in the pits it was concluded that we had a fuel pressure issue.  So the pumps were overhauled and parts were procured for Vern to install a fuel pressure gauge so Gary could monitor it in order to avoid damage to the engine by starving it of fuel.
 

 

 
By now it was late and the lake was closed, so we had to pack up and head home for the night.
 

 
We arrived at sun up on Monday morning, filled the fuel tank, buttoned everything up and warmed the engine before heading for the start line, where we would have a long wait, as the track conditions were not ideal. That caused many cars to have problems and slowed down proceedings.
 

 
Temperatures were climbing to triple digits meaning it was far too hot to get Gary settled into his office.  So we left that to the last minute.
 

 
It was over 120 degrees in here.
 

 
Finally it was time to get Gary suited up and strapped in.
 

 
After what must have seemed an eternity sitting in the hot cabin, Gary was finally sent on his way.
 

 
The car came out of the hole cleanly with just a little more wheel-spin than desirable.
 

 
But it was on the way and the engine was singing a happy song. 
 

 
It ran strong, but the slick track meant Gary had to pedal in order to minimise the wheel-spin, that sapped a bit of speed and the timing ticket was not what we wanted, or what the car is capable of.
 

 
So again we called it a day tidied up the car and headed for Wells around 8:00pm.
 
Tuesday morning we were ready even earlier and out at the start line to get on track before it got too chewed up.  We had Gary suited up and locked in early so as to avoid any delays.
 

 
Next day everything was checked and double checked.
 

 
And we waited patiently in line.
 

 
Then came the starter’s call.
 

 
This time the car came out of the hole sounding angry and with bugger all wheel-spin. 
 

 

 
Gary was on his way and it sounded good.
 

 

 

 

 
Heading down the service road to pick up the car after the run we got a call on our CB that the car had gone through the timers backwards and was headed the wrong way off the track.  We could see the salt spray and it didn’t look good.
 
By the time we arrived, the safety crew had the car hooked up and were dragging it to where it should have finished.  Following, we could see that something had gone seriously wrong as the rear end appeared to be trying to escape out from under the left side of the car, it was seriously hurt.
 

 
At the 2 ¾ mark the car lost traction and rotated 180 degrees.  The runoff road was rough like the access track and as the car bounced around it commenced a 360 pirouette, standing up on it’s nose and coming down hard on the right rear tyre.  Gary said the nose came up and he thought it was going over before it crashed hard into the ground.  The engine was still running, but it appears the crunch pushed the belly pan brace through the oil pan and all the precious fluid ended up on the salt.
 

 
For us Speed Week was now officially over, the car proved it could run the speed to improve on its existing record, but the salt was not playing nice.  In fact it was so erratic that one car could run a record and the following two or three would crash and burn, it was insane.
 

 
We loaded the car into the trailer, headed for the car wash in Wendover and blew off all the salt and crud.  That done we returned to the lake, packed everything back into the trailer and made it back to our motel before dark, just for a change.  
 

 

 
Next morning the guys dropped me at SLC Airport and continued on back to St Louis.

Because we were a bit busy keeping the car in one piece and trying to go fast, I never managed to get to the evening street rod cruise at the Red Garter in Wendover.  Nor did I get too many shots around the pits, only what was close or went past where we were working.
 
Not too many bullet nosed Studes out on the lake, prolly because Hawks are much slipperier.
 

 
There’s always a bunch of ‘Rolling Bones’ built Deuces out there in the sun.
 

 
The cool thing about racing at Bonneville is if you can fit an engine to it, then anything is fair game.
 

 
Although some of what you’ll see out there is also a tad questionable.
 

 
This is the team Aussie Paul Caruana was with, their first Bonneville and they made some serious numbers for rookies.
 

 
The car is typical of the work from their shop, top quality and if you look closely you’ll notice it’s a Chev, not a Ford.
 

 
It gets bloody hot waiting in line.
 

 
Sometimes the race-car offers a comfy place for a siesta.
 

 
What can I say?
 

 
This is the VW Norm Harding drove, he set a record but I think it may have got bumped because he didn’t appear on the final Records list at the end of the week.  That’s how it works out sometimes.
 

 
Nice coupe.
 

 
This one is styled after the Chrisman Bros dragster, which actually spent time out here between leaving the dirt speedway and becoming a drag racer.
 

 
The stretched nose covers a straight eight Buick.
 

 
Wish our pit was this peaceful.
 

 
Some of the cars that appear out on the salt make one want to question the owners.  You can wash it off but eventually the salt wins and your car is eaten by rust.
 

 
Another Studebaker, this time a small truck.
 

 
Sunbeam Alpine was kinda cool, dressed up like a mini ’56 Chevy roadster.
 

 
From this end it had a few folks believing it was a shrunken Chevy.
 

 
Some of the pit/crew vehicles are pretty cool.
 

 
My buddy Don turned up on Saturday to give us a hand.  He drove the coupe because our last drive across the desert in his roadster nearly fried us.
 

 
Don’t think I’d want to be out in the desert driving this one.
 

 
Some cars are finished to show standards.
 

 
Like I said, if you can imagine it and make it work, they’ll let you run it out here.
 

 
Early Corvette Competition Sports ran well over 200 mph.
 

 
That’s a straight eight Packard under the Paxton blower.
 

 
Again, what can I say?
 

 
Little Offy screams like a banshee!  So loud and sharp it’ll make your ears bleed.
 

 
World’s smallest Diesel truck.
 

 
Another long time campaigner, that holds a number of records across more than one engine class.
 

 
Some of the streamliners have a pretty small frontal area.
 

 
It’s time to go, go, go!
 

 
Lots of Volksy based racers this year.
 

 
Another fast run, in the roadster.
 

 
George Poteet and the Speed Demon, on their way to 455mph, with an average speed through the last mile of more than 430mph for  fastest speed of the meet and finally take Al Teague’s long standing A class record..
 

thanks Carps, great pics as usual

Big thanks Carps, the low rider is a work of art in its self, there is something for everyone.