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

dv8v8 wrote:the I F ? , the mascot it mounted on the radiator cap

Getting warmer.

Rolls Royce use the same grill on all their cars.

The Italians thought that a bit silly, so in order to publicly laugh at the English every Isotta Fraschini has a different and unique radiator grill treatment, even the later cars.

Wednesday morning we were up early as there was a good distance to travel, although we didn’t know what we were going to see.  Eventually we ended up here.
 

 
And a whole bunch more of my friends turned up too.
 

 
I also learned that Rootlieb don’t just make hoods for old cars, they’ll make anything that might be needed in sheetmetal. 
 

 
Model T fenders and running boards are in the catalogue.
 

 
However, body panels and fenders for oddball cars, are made to order from samples provided by the owners.
 

 

 

 
Much of the work is done by hand, although there’s some awesome plant and equipment in the factory to help make things easy.  Most of it has a story like this big-ish press, which came from Jaguar’s Browns Lane Factory in England. It became available as a result of Ford refurbishing the plant during that companies tenure as owner of Jaguar Cars.
 

 
This double-sided Yoder hammer was obtained from war a surplus sale as it was originally installed in a US Navy Aircraft Carrier.  Used I guess for making replacement aeroplane panels.
 

 
There’s lots of sheet-metal brakes and bending equipment………
 

 

 

 
…. different capacity presses…..
 

 

 
…milling machines and drilling machines…..
 

 
…..louvre punches…..
 

 
……sanders, grinders and saws….
 

 
…. templates and press tools.
 

 

 
If machines could talk, I recon this old spot welder would have some stories to tell.
 

 
It is a most interesting place to visit, and the best bit was ae guided tour by Mr Rootlieb himself.
 

 

 
Out back there’s a bunch of old car cowls and grilles, all set up as templates to make sure the hoods are the right size and fit properly.
 

 

 
louvres are generally punched into sheet-metal blanks, before they are cut to size.  This helps reduce waste.
 

 

 
There’s more than one option for every vehicle model in the catalogue.
 

 
And templates for various steps in the processes hang off every wall in the building.
 

 
The workmanship is of a very high standard.
 

 
The company also makes steel fuel tanks.
 

 
Some of the stuff that’s made here is for other companies and as such isn’t listed in the Rootlieb catalogue.
 

 
’32 Chevy hood sides with vent doors are being made to order.
 

 

 
The storage and distribution centre is kept busy filling orders from the vast range of inventory on hand.
 

 
But, like everywhere we went, time once again caused us to have to move on.  Next stop would be the Mustang Store, where a pizza lunch was waiting for us.

It’s a good distance to The Mustang Warehouse especially since they had a truckload of Pizzas and donuts laid out on tables in front of the store.  There was also a huge chest filled with cold drinks and for those who wanted it, coffee.
 
The store itself is quite small, so we figured look around, have some lunch and we’re on our way again.
 

 
There’s a few cool parts on display…….
 

 

 

 

 
….. plus three cars,……..
 

 
……….including a dark green ’68 that looks kinda familiar.
 

 
Not only does it have the man’s scratch mark on the glove-box lid, I believe it  shares the same license number as the movie car.
 

 
The warehouse behind the retail store is quite large, but not really much to see out there as everything is packaged ready for shipping.
 

 
Lunch finished, the boss called us together and thanked us for coming, then suggested we might like to follow him to another building in what we thought was an adjacent but separate complex.  The golf buggy parked outside suggested maybe it’s not.
 

 

 
Inside we were greeted by a substantial collection of petrolania, automobillia and Cokeabillia  (dunno if them’s real words but they works for me).
 

 

 

 
There’s also a couple more full size cars in here…..
 

 

 
…..plus lotsa toys.
 

 

 
Turns out, the entire complex is all part of the Mustang operation, including a signwriting business where they also do vehicle wraps like this one.
 

 
After giving us the rundown, we were invited to wander through the workshop, which is across the back of the property and until now had been totally invisible to all of us, despite being a somewhat large building.  In there were Mustangs of all shapes and sizes and at various stages of restoration or modification.
 

 

 

 

 

 
There’s also one or three complete cars ready to go.
 

 

 
And others, waiting patiently for a little attention.
 

 

 

 

 
Not everything here is made by Ford and wearing a galloping pony badge.  Like most shops, these guys will take on any project you care to give them.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
There’s also a large paintshop.
 

 
This customised early ‘stang was being detailed in the mechanical workshop.
 

 

 
Along with a few more regular looking cars.
 

 
This ‘Ealanour’ would be my pick of the bunch.  They build four or five of these each year.
 

 

After spending a tad more time at the Mustang store than we anticipated on arrival, we decided you really can’t judge a book by it’s cover.  However, once again it was time to move on.
 
Our final shop visit was another that couldn't be judged from the first impression.  Inside a non-descript industrial building with no signage or means of identification and located on the edge of nowhere, was some of the best workmanship I've seen.  The only give away to what might be inside was a couple of things parked outside.
 

 

 

 
The first car that greeted us inside the doors was this freshly and flawlessly painted Lincoln Zephyr coupe.
 

 
But there was more…
 

 

 

 

 

 
Bullet nose Studebaker Starlight Coupe is going to be one nice street machine when it’s done.
 

 
It should move down the road pretty quickly too.
 

 
Chevy pick up also has the makings of a bitchin’ ride.
 

 

 
As do a few other projects underway in the shop.
 

 

 

 
Double cab Diamond Reo is going to be one awesome hauler.
 

 
This Hemi lives in a ’57 Dodge Royal Lancer coupe.
 

 
This one is slated for a little crossley that’s in bits out the back.
 

 
However, these guys don’t just do street rods and street machines, they have a reputation for 100 point restoration of the most valuable or not so valuable classics.  Like this rare as rocking horse poop Auburn cabriolet.
 

 

 

 
This is a mid 1950s Ferrari California Spyder.
 

 
Or maybe this Hudson sedan from the late ‘20s is more to your taste.
 

 

 
The paint shop is one of the cleanest I’ve ever seen and Michael the painter looks more like a jockey than someone able to wield a heavy paint filled spray gun.
 
But his work speaks for itself.  It’s difficult to see in the photographs but his is the most perfect white paintjob I’ve ever seen.
 

 
These two cars are being readied for similar treatment.
 

 
To help put Mike’s work into perspective, he wheeled these freshly painted fenders from the spray booth as I looked on.
 

 
This Lincoln Zephyr fender has not been colour sanded or machine polished, it is paint straight off Michael’s gun and it’s flawless.
 

 
Here’s a radiator cover he just squirted some colour onto.
 

 

It was now late in the afternoon and we had a long almost 100 mile drive back to Pleasanton, so too soon it was time to hit the road again.

During the day a few of the gang had mentioned that there is a regular midweek cruise night at the Castro Valley Moose lodge.  Being at a loose end I googled the location then off I went to see what might be there to see.
 

 
I wouldn’t call it a huge event but it was definitely well organised with food and beverages served by the Mooses.
 

 
The mix of vehicles was interesting with a large number of regulars (locals) and some of the Goodguys event early arrivals also turning out.
 

 
The Mercury brand seemed to be popular with locals.
 

 

 

 

 
This one is a Chevy
 

 

 
I only found one bike.
 

 
One Chevy LUV pick-up…..
 

 
….one fifty six Ford F100 pick-up…….
 

 
…….and one ’48 model.  I passed this one on the highway a few days earlier so figure he was here for the Goodguys shindig.
 

 
Therw as also a similar vintage Chevy on hand.
 

 
Not many Deuces, which is kinda strange for a US cruise night.
 

 

 
Long wheelbase Chevy van was diferent.
 

 
As was this built in the ‘50s custom ’41 Chevy convertible.
 

 

 

 
Not a lot of Gasser style cars turned out for Pleasanton, but there was one here.
 

 
Model A Ford Fordor had lots of fake and some real patina.
 

 
The original owner was sitting in the back seat enjopying the ambience.
 

 
There were also a handful of nicely done fat fendered Fords.
 

 

 

 
And a few Chevies.
 

 

 
Of course there were also Mustangs.  
 

 

 
And even a T bucket.
 

Thursday was the pre event Poker Run which required all participants to be lined up in the HQ hotel parking lot by 18:00 hours.
 
The first to arrive after me, was the late Bill Burnham’s son-in-law, driving Bill’s iconic baby blue roadster.
 

 

 
The Lipstick Tour ladies all arrived at the wheel of their individual steeds.
 

 
Some time later it appeared they had been impounded.
 

 
Marc Meadors arrived driving his late father’s Viper V10 powered Chrysler Town and Country convertible.
 

 

 
And many more were driving whatever they were driving.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Some of the machinery was kinda unusual for this part of the world.
 

 
The reast wase just plain cool and classy.
 

 

 

 

 
A couple of local tiddlers also turned out…..
 

 
…..along with a few heavy hitters.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
And a bunch of taxi cabs with lotsa doors.
 

 

 

 
Others didn’t have enough doors.
 

 

 

 

 
The total distance of the drive was around 250 miles, so the drivers were given their first card and the cars sent on their way sharply as the clock struck eight.
 

 
Since it’s all about the driving I’ll let the pictures tell the story.
 

 
This is my view from the passenger seat of Hot Rod Liz’s T bucket, the wind kept blowing my spec’s off, so I had to change cars.
 

 

 
But not until I got some decent shots.
 

 

 
Old cars look brilliant going down the road.
 

 
So do old trucks!
 

 
I’ve changed cars.
 

 

 
Gotta keep an eye on the cross traffic.
 

 

 
I’ve changed cars again.
 

 

 

 

 
Some of the things we saw along the way made me rethink eating red meat.
 

 
Time to grab another card.
 

 
Objects in the mirror are closer than they may appear.
 

 
By lunchtime it was starting to get hot.
 

 

 

So we broke loose and headed for somewhere cooler.

Since we had to pass through Danville on the way home, I figured we should stop at the Blackhawk Plaza as there are some excellent cafes there where we could relax and have lunch.
 

 
Bugger me, will you just lookit dat!  There’s also an Automobile Museum here! Which I figured we should check out since we’re so close.
 

 
In the foyer, an early Aston Martin roadster.
 

 
Plus a big and rare Mitchel on the other side.
 

 
Of course in the middle there’s a Cadillac.
 

 
Inside the main hall one one side of the door is a relatively common and cheap MG TD.
 

 
On the other side, a Russian built GAZ limousine used in China by some guy named Mao.
 

 
Customised ’54 Chev was a bit of a surprise.  It’s white and mimics the Moonglow two door hardtop in its modifications.
 

 
Most of what’s here is exotic, like this supercharged SSK Mercedes Benz from the mid 1930s.
 

 
Or this one off coach built Bently roadster.
 

 

 
There’s more than a few Rolls Royces here, starting with a pair of Silver Ghosts. The regular touring model….
 

 
….and a Sedanca De Ville.
 

 

 
The copper Phantom that was at Pebble Beach is also here, but since you’ve already seen that one well go with this Phantom III.
 

 
Early ‘30s Pierce Arrow Phaeton is equally majestic.
 

 
Or simply magnificent!
 

 
There’s more than one Pierce Arrow in the building.
 

 
As you’d expect in any collection of highly valuable American cars, there’s a Tucker Torpedo.  This one is number 6 and said to be unrestored.
 

 
We’ve all seen the fibreglass reproduction 1935 Boatail Auburn Speedster, here’s a real one for comparison.
 

 
And no discussion on American magnificence is complete without talking Packard.
 

 
And there are none more magnificent than the 1933 model year cars.
 

 
No matter what the body style.
 

 

 
Nobody had a radio antenna anywhere near as cool as James Earl’s magnificent machines.
 

 
The most exotic and rare of all American cars are the one off concepts. Nowadays that’s all they are, non-functional 3D impressions of what might be.  However, back in the 30s and 40s they were fully functional motor vehicles, like the Buick Y Job, which served as Harley Earl’s daily driver for many years.
 

 

 

 
Another fully functional GM dream/concept car is the La Sabre from the early 1950s.
 

 
It’s stunning from any angle.
 

 

 

 
There’s also some pretty rare European stuff here like this pair of Cisitalias.
 

 

 
Or this Fiat ‘Batmobile’.
 

 

 
Some of the cars are not what would be called rare, or exotic, like this Plymouth.
 

 
A  Chrysler 300 F convertible is possibly a little harder to find these days than a Plymouth.
 

 
Then again there are rare and exotic Plymouths with one off Italian coachwork.
 

 

 
The two-door Park Lane was Ford’s answer to Chevy’s Nomad sports wagon.
 

 
Canada’s Mercury Meteor doesn’t look quite so elegant or modern as did the US models.
 

 
This mid ‘30s Hispano Suzia is definitely glamorous.
 

 
Here’s a few more from Alfa Romeo, starting with an early Guilietta.
 
.
 
An even earlier roadster, 1932 or ‘33 I reckon.
 

 
Look closely at this coach built early Alfa, some of the tailamps are actually exhaust pipes.
 

 
Nash Healy was an early competitor for GM’s Corvette and constructed from the same exotic material.
 

 
Interestingly for a collection like this, there’s no Deusenberg on the floor, just an engine and it’s not even supercharged.
 

 
Early fifties Maserati road car is not what I’d call pretty.
 

 
However, the older Lancia Aurelia definitely is.
 

 
Upstairs are a number of small rooms, each containing artifacts from either different countries or different periods in US History.  The Wild-West and cowboy stuff I found particularly cool.
 

 
There are also viewing windows upstairs that allow another perspective on the cars.
 

 

 
Bug eyed Bently looks a bit odd to me.
 

 
A number of the Blackhawk Collections cars were also displayed at Goodguys Pleasanton, so I’ll put them here rather than among the hot rod stuff
 
Gatto is not a criminal, it’s a Ferrari powered Italian Special.
 

 

 

 
Lancia Ferrari is one heluva rare open wheel race car, there were only three built.
 

 

 
Of course there were a couple more Packards in the Pleasanton display.
 

 

 

 

 
And a Pierce Arrow.
 

 

 
1935 V16 Cadillac is gorgeous.
 

The Swap Meet seemed a bit down for parts compared to previous years, but around the same number of cars.  The reason there’s so few people is because it was oppressively hot, like about 105 degrees already and getting hotter.
 

 
I’ll go thru the junk first then the cars.
 

 

 
It’d be easy to go nuts here but paper makes the luggage bloody heavy.
 

 

 
These guys are taking over the world.
 

 

 
Pushies are the new big thing.
 

 
Shiney stuff will never go out of fashion.
 

 

 

 

 
Likewise, toys will always be on my shopping list.
 

 
A fair bit of really junky stuff this year.
 

 
Reduced size copies of of my friendDennis O’Brien’s hard work.
 

 
No price on this ’49 Mopar coupe, just a phone number, which is a sign the ask may be substantial.
 

 
On the other hand, this Chubby, was pretty clean, ran good and the asking price at $25K, seemed reasonable.
 

 
Roadrunner had 383 and four speed, but also appeared to have had a very hard life.  At $29k the price was probably OK.
 

 
T bucket was alleged to be a bit of hot rodding history,  $14K seemed OK but it didn’t sell.
 

 
’31 Chevy was straight and solid, $14,500 was being asked, I reckon $13 would have you driving it home.
 

 
This pair had no prices, but they should have been cheap.
 

 

 
Another one with no price, two 4bbl Y block with four speed, was nice but window sign read like the ammount was going to be big.
 

 
Boat was insane, so too was the asking price.
 

 
I think the money may have all been in the engine.
 

 
Customised convertible for $35 K seemed high, especially compared to a couple of nice stockers for almost half that.
 

 

 
Henry J was race ready for only $25K.  It’s also street legal and licensed, has a hot 355 c.i. small block with roller rockers, TCI modified turbo 400 and Dana 60 with LSD.
 

 
Plymouth Satellite is almost a Roadrunner and it’s a convertible with a nice interior for only $21K
 

 
Got some big bux to spare?  Then the $70k price on this Chevy shouldn’t bother you.
 

 
Chrysler 300 letter series cars were better value and a less than half the price of the ’57 Chevy.  Both have cross ram 440s and were in good shape.
 
Convertible… $30k
 

 
…. Or coupe for $22K, it’s your choice.  Or instead of the Chevy you could have them both with change.
 

 
How about a late model Falcon Ute for $10K
 

 
Or a big Chevy Yoot with custom grille and other bits for $29, 500, it had a neat seat built into the tailgate.
 

 
La-Fayette by Nash was in great shape and you could drive it home for $10K
 

 
Two-door Chevy Fleetmaster from 1947, comes with a great running original engine and every accessory ever available for $27,500 OBO.
 

 
I’ve seen this ’57 Olds here as a participant for at least ten years, seems like it’s time for a change and the owner is asking for $39,500.  It’s mildy customised and runs a 350 with TH400, power steering, brakes and traction bars.  Somehow I don’t think the traction bars are power assisted, but considering these things usually sell for more than a ’57 Chevy, the money seems reasonable.
 

 
Studebaker Starlight Coupe with bullet nose is on a late model GM chassis and has a price of $30K on it.  Needs a repaint and new wheels.
 

 
’54 Chevy custom is a bit radical, has a long list of modifications and a $55K price tag.
 

 
Four-door ’36 Willys is complete and running, with $7,500 on the price tag and ‘sold’ written across that in red texta.
 

thanks for the awesome pics, didnt know that about the IF

My good buddy Don Dillard turned up on Friday so that evening as is now usual for us we headed to our Friend Sam Strube’s place in nearby Livermore.  This year Sam organised a larger venue, where we wouldn’t bug his neighbours with our noise and all the cars parked in the street
 

 
Out front there was another car for sale and the price seemed very reasonable compared to some of the stuff at the swap meet.
 

 
Sam says it runs and drives OK and has a Cleveland 302 and four-speed in it.
 

 
The cars parked out back were much cleaner.
 

 

 

 
Whilst there is lots of cool stuff in this building we always have fun with the fire trucks when I visit.
 

 

 
It’s sort of a museum but funded and looked after by a group of local enthusiasts.
 

 

 

 
It’s always a fun night at Sam’s place, lots of bench racing and Bullstuff.
 

 
The Seagrave was Livermore’s first proper fire truck.
 

 
The model T, the town’s first motorised fire appliance.
 

 
The Mack was never owned or operated by Livermore FD, but the gang thought it was too good to pass up when they found it.  The price was right and they couldn’t restore it with another town’s name on it.
 

 

Each year at Pleasanton, Goodguys bestow their Street Rod Of The Year prize on a worthy recipient.  That means the nominated car from each Goodguys event across the US is usually parked in the award winners area, so there’s a dozen or so standout machines in the line up.
 
This year the car that won the Riddler award at the Detroit Autorama was a contender and it was plain to see that none of the others were in the hunt.  To win the Riddler a car has to display incredible design, engineering, construction and detail.  And among a bunch of cars built for driving, this thing wins hands down on detail alone.  So the Goodguys SROTY was just a tad controversial, with many saying such a car built to win show awards and clearly not a regular driver, should not win the Street Rod gong.
 
To the owner’s credit, the car was seen cruising the grounds each day and it was also driven from the HQ hotel and back, a distance of about five miles.
 
It isn’t my cup of tea, but there’s no question that the car was designed and built by some very talented people and there's also no question of it's drivability.
 

 
It’s superbly finished everywhere you care to look.
 

 
The headlamps have been made to mimic the grille and seem a bit goofy to me but they are beautifully crafted and the custom lenses match original model 40 lamps perfectly.
 

 
The paint, polished metal and chrome-work is flawless.
 

 
As is the interior.
 

 

 

 
Note the protective masking tape on the pedals.
 

 

 
Many years ago, Troy Trepanier stunned the show car world by building a ’36 coupe without any visible fasteners.  This car takes that concept to a whole other level.
 

 
Did you notice it appears to have no brakes? 
 

 
That’s because they are hidden inside the wheels.
 

 
Look closely here and you’ll just see the break line where the rear suspension lower control arms pivot.  However when the car is parked it appears to be a single piece running across the car with no visible fasteners or pivot points.
 

 
The engine also appears to have been carved from a single block of metal.  And the visible fasteners here are actually used for detail and to give it some mechanical feeling.
 

 

 

 
Here it is sitting in line at the awards ceremony, with the engine running.
 

 
And, driving through to collect the prize.
 

 

 
Does it deserve the Street Rod Of The Year accolade? 
 

 
I dunno, but I have seen it being driven, both on the fairgrounds and the highway leading back to the hotel.  So I know it’s certainly capable and therefore qualifies a street rod.
 

 
Since we’re on the subject, here’s some of the major gong winners at the award presentations.
 

 
This is what I call a badass model 40.
 

 
Trophy queens.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Long Distance Liz!
 

 
This one belongs to my friend Tony so it’s kinda close to my heart, but I’ll give you more details later.
 

 

 

So now you know who took home the gold, let’s get the indoors stuff out of the way.
 
As in years gone, there was a pretty decent model car show along with other small-scale stuff including working engines and 3D printed goodies.
 
Some of the model car guys build interesting stuff.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
One for Old Col.
 

 
Other modellers have pretty vivid imaginations.
 

 

 

 

 
That’s the fun in model car building, if you can imagine it you should be able to build it.
 

 

 

 

 

 
The functional small engines are all masterpieces of engineering.
 

 
There was also a bit of steam power this year.
 

 
And a lot of aero engines.
 

 

 
Plus of course good old car engines.
 

 

 

 

 
I think scale modelling using 3D printing still has a ways to go in terms of finish and some details.
 

 

New old cars are quite common, here’s three choices starting with a steel model-40 road-duster.
 

 

 
A lot of repro Corvettes are built on late model platforms and use the late model cowl and windscreen which can make them look odd.  Here’s one that looks like  areal early Corvette.
 

 
And of course just like the many early Mustang bodies, Camaro’s are also available.
 

 
How about a new chassis for your F series pick em up truck?
 

 
Or whatever other body you have?
 

 
Many of the vendors have pretty cool transporters.
 

 
Just like at NSRA events, there’s many choices for suspension components.
 

 

 
I love this cool tool for checking if the big tyres you want to use will fit your body work.
 

 
There are lots of bigger than 3” dials and gauge panels showing up, this one has all the information you’d require and it might even fit the speedo hole in an early Holden dash panel.
 

 
Need seats, there’s one here for every car.
 

 
Need other stuff, all these guys must have something you’d like..
 

 

 

 

 
How about a new tiller?
 

 

 
Even the guys from next to the Laundromat were there with a neat Chevy pick up for sale.
 

 
The outdoor vendors didn’t have quite so many interested shoppers thanks to the oppressive heat.
 

 

 
Electronic throttle body fuel injection appears to be the next new trend, a quick and easy solution to leaky old carburettors I guess.
 

 
My friends were also there taking folks for rides in the new fuel cell Mirai.  You can my one of these in the US because the politicians are making sure the refuelling infrastructure is in place for them.  We have three of these in Oz but the government is not interested in doing anything to encourage the construction of a refuelling infrastructure.  Pitty, because they are much cleaner than electric cars that are charged with electricker that’s generated by burning coal.  In operation these are truly zero emissions cars, the only emission being water vapour.
 

Another regular indoor feature is the Bonneville cars display, not so many as in years past but still plenty to look at.
 

 

 

 

 
This barn find belongs to the Petersen Museum and is said to have raced in the late 1940s.
 

 
This one had a long and distinguished carreer.
 

 
This lot were made for going very fast, like over 300mph.
 

 

 

 

 
This year there was also a display of Cushman style motor cycles.
 

 

 
Even a few Whizzers managed to get into the display.
 

 
But mostly they were Cushman or Cushman style scooters.
 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I guess next up we should look at some of the hot rods and other machinery parked or cruising the fairgrounds-  But right now it's late so you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Thanks once more for great photos even looking at the workshops is very interesting too.

So, here we go, with the cars, and trucks of Pleasanton 2017.
 

 
Dodge Power Wagon was just too cool for school!
 

 
As was this mid engine White COE Truck.
 

 

 

 
’35 Pick-up was another neat little truck.
 

 
Of course you can’t do trucks without a Chevy.
 

 
‘34 coupe is just badass!
 

 
As was this Henry J.
 

 
Variety and class is always the order of the day at Pleasanton.
 

 
This one has Steve Moal’s signature all over it.
 

 

 
Super clean late ‘40s Chevy kustom coupe.
 

 

 
’55 Chrysler 300 B…..
 

 
….is Hemi powered.
 

 
Chrysler 300G…….
 

 
Is powered by a cross ram equipped 440…….
 

 
….and has factory fitted swivel seats.
 

 
Even in California, the pre ’48 four door cars are finally catching on.
 

 
So too, the big late ‘40s Chevrolets.
 

 
Boxy early ‘50s Plymouth is something that would previously have been overlooked.
 

 
However, nowadays they are among the coolest of the cool.
 

 
Not too many Edsels turn out for Pleasanton.
 

 
There’s always a good variety of Model A Fords.
 

 
This is one of the nicer ’55 Chevys.
 

 
Has a tasty interior.
 

 
And a 426 Hemi with cowl induction under the hood.
 

 
A black ’40 coupe will always be popular.
 

 
Flaming ’37 is not so common.
 

 
Stock model T should have seemed out of place, but it didn’t.
 

 
I have photographed this lady every year since the very first Pleasanton West Coast Nationals.
 

 
Old dirt tracker is also very neat
 

 
And street legal.
 

 

 
All is not what it appears to be here...
 

 
It’s not really what you think it is…
 

 
Looks like a ’37 but it’s actually a ’38 Four Door Convertible, with ’37 front panels and grille fitted.
 

 
And neat wheel caps.
 

 
Also a cool flip out back window.
 

 
Did I mention that four door cars are the new in thing?
 

 
They come in all the usual styles from highboy…….
 

 
To Restorod.
 

 
There’s still a place for roadsters.
 

 
And weird trucks like this COE Studebaker.
 

 
And this ’40 pick up.
 

 
And weird or orphan cars too.
 

 
With the lack of cloud and bright sunlight causing harsh shadows, getting a decent photograph was a big challenge all weekend.
 

 
Non identical couzins, Ford and Mercury definitely have the same genes..
 

 
Crosley came in handy with integrated coke fridge.
 

 
Late model Chevy was missing a couple of doors and handles, but a sweetheart all the same.
 
   

Cruising the fairgrounds in Don's deuce roadster is always fun.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sometimes we stop for a chat with friends.
 

 
What hot rods really looked like back in the day.
 

 
However todays styling is also pretty good.
 

 
Deuce of another kind, from Plymouth.
 

 
A model 40 will never be out of fashion.
 

 
Even fat fenders look good when close enough to mother earth.
 

 
Amazing what can be crammed into a ’37 Ford engine bay and it all fits under the stock hood.
 

 
There’s always plenty of variety at Goodguys.
 

 

 
Look closely, it’s not a Sports Coupe but indeed a Cabrilet, which means the top really does fold down.
 

 
Sometimes the engine is bigger than the car.
 

 
Yet another cool four door, this one a Chevy that’s almost like a giant FJ Holden.
 

 
Early thirties cars have real style.
 

 
And some get to wear cool license plates.
 

 

 
Here’s my friend Bud’s ’39 Ford Deluxe four door convertible.
 

 
The Steve Moal built cars are works of art but not always to my taste.
 

 

 

 

 
This A roadster is definitely my favourite.
 

 
Tubs were once common but not anymore.
 

 
Sweet ’37 coupe.
 

 
Some colours can be seen from the moon.
 

 
It was most likely the oppressive heat that knocked him out.
 

 
More US/English cooperation for performance.
 

 
Not the real McCoy but a pretty accurate replica.
 

 
The ’57 Pontiac variant of GM’s Nomad
 

 

 
Rare 1932 Ford B400 Convertible sedan
 

 
Old Hudson is definitely a hot rod by virtue of the steel billet wheels and custom paint.
 

 
Nice trad style coupe.
 

 
This Forty Deluxe Fordor is just so perfectly Old Skool Kool.
 

 
At the back there’s fender skirts, lowered spring and Studebaker tailamps, traditionally cool.
 

 
Why would you not want a four door when it’s so easy to get in and this inviting?
 

 
The front seat is also OK.
 

 
Most C10s are either flareside or stepside pick-ups, this one was cool in having a tradies box body.
 

 
Mild Custom
 

 
Tasty ’35 Ford custom 3 window coupe.
 

 
Badass
 

 
Plymout Fury Ramcharger.
 

 
Yet another tasty old Ford coupe.
 

 
It was said that this Chrysler Airflow had close to six figures invested in it.
 

 
No idea what this is, the image doesn’t appear in photobucket, just the link.
 

 
’40 Ford Custom
 

 
A couple more views of the awesome Dodge Power Wagon
 

 

 
Euro sporty style hot rod scratch built by Gary’s Rods and Restorations.
 

 
Another bad boy with an English accent.
 

 
T Pick up done the sixties way.
 

 
Don’t think this was really operated by the Chevrolet brothers.
 

’41 Olds seem to be gaining in popularity.
 

 
Look closely, it’ll make sense.
 

 
Nice pair of desirable old Fords
 

 
Garden variety Plymout coupe from 1934.
 

 
Less common De Soto, from the same period.
 

 
Here’s a boldly coloured Chevy Fleetline.
 

 
So is this ’36 Ford.
 

 
This one a tad more restrained.
 

 
I’m not sure that this will pass the projected light test.
 

 
Time to park the car and stroll around before it gets too hot.
 

 
My Canadian friends, the Lipstick Tour gals, power-parked on the grass behind the main stage.
 

 
I have a feeling I may have posted this already, but step van was really neat.
 

 
Here’s the other end.
 

 
Mid sixties Studebakers are not a common sight.
 

 
Late fourties Chevy with ’54 tailamps looked pretty neat.
 

 
Had a nice wrap around rear seat.
 

 
’34 Dodge coupe is another good looking MOPAR.
 

 
A work in progress.
 

 
One that was prepared earlier.  
 

 
I really liked this ’38 Pick Up, colour and stance was perfect and build quality outstanding.
 

 
I have no idea what this is because it doesn’t appear in the photobucket image box.
 

 
Hopefully it was the other end of this fine late model letter series Chrysler 300.
 

 
Here’s the dash panel from the same car.
 

 
Beneath the hood?
 

 
’56 Ford pick-up has huge wheels.
 

 
I think the owner of this Plymouth Fury is trying to give the greenies a message.    
 

 
Hot Rodders are the original and best recyclers.  
 

 
Grabowski tribute bucket is cool because it’s not a perfect replica, just uses the key cues to make a statement.
 

 
This model A is a real sweetheart.
 

 
Rare Lincoln makes a pretty cool street rod.
 

 
Here’s one for Brootal only with two less doors than his.
 

 
Some folks like their pick up trucks low.
 

 
And they will go to great lengths to get them in the weeds.
 

 

 

 
Another big mid fourties Chevy.
 

 
I think I only saw maybe a couple of this style car.
 

 
Wonder how many kids were seriously injured thanks to his neat accessory?
 

 
Colour on this GMC was unique and made it stand out from the crowd.
 

 
More doors.
 

 
More fun apparently.
 

 
Sometimes I still wonder, what they were thinking.
 

 
I know what the owner of this one was thinking.
 

 
’39 ’40 Fords were just made to have flames painted on them, no matter what the base colour.
 

 
Triplets with their older brother supervising in the background.
 
Sanford and Son was the US version of Steptoe & Son, from a time when Americans just didn't get English humour.  So they had to do their own version.  They turned Alf Garnett into Archie Bunker.
 

 
This is one of the better looking cars from Moal Coachworks.
 

 
And this was one of my favourites of the event.
 

 
Looks tame and innocent enough from this end.
 

 
But the other end reveals it may bite.  Yup thems turbochargers and there’s an intercooler in there too, just to make sure the power is adequate.
 

 
Owner told me he is still dealing with a few details in order that the stock hood may be refitted.  That would make it sooo much more fun.
 

The original Dodgey Brothers.
 

 
Their grandchild.
 

 
I think this may have originally been a ’35 Ford.
 

 
Chevy’s answer to the Kombi pick up.
 

 
I like the colour.
 

 
I like everything about this one.
 

 
Gary’s sporty thing again.
 

 

 
And his 1932 Chevy coupe.
 

 

 
And his ’59 Cadillac.
 

 
Restored old kustom.
 

 
Rare Deuce Sports Coupe, has NON folding top..
 

 
Another old kustom restored.
 

 
One more Deuce Roadster, one more Hemi.
 

 
Cars
 

 
Goodguy’s MOPAR coupe.
 

 
A working truck.
 

 
Nice!
 

 
Equally nice.
 

 
Sectioned C10 is super cool and very well done.
 

 

 
Only in America, that’s two Ford Boss engines, four superchargers and one license plate.
 

 
Another one of those weird cars, it’s a T bucket body with shoebox Ford other bits.
 

 
At least its done better that the Rambler at Louisville.
 

 
MOPAR Muscle…….
 

 
…..yup another Hemi.
 

 
This is just so tasty.
 

 
Another bunch I have no clue about because the images don’t appear on the photobucket page.
 

 

 

 

 
Another Studebaker.
 

 
Famous Fuel Altered.
 

 
I must have liked this deuce, I have more than a few images of it.
 

 
Nice Shoebox with Crestline style paint job..
 

 
Mid ‘50s Mercury mild custom.
 

 
Very early split window Dak, Dak.
 

 
Rare 1932 Oldsmobile 5 window coupe.
 

 
Sweetheart of a ’55 Crown Victoria.
 

 
The baddest ’33 Ford coupe on the property.
 

 
Another cool deuce coupe
 

 
Tail draggin’ ’37 Chevy three window coupe.
 

 
Different is the best word to describe the flame-job on this coupe.
 

 
Another boxy, but popular old MOPAR wagon.
 

 
Candy red works well on this ’40 coupe.
 

 
Doesn’t take much to customise a ’57 Ford.
 

 
Pre war 2 sedan deliveries are still uncommon.
 

 
Cant really go too far wrong with a mid sixties Riviera.
 

 

We’re almost there, still got the W’s (That’s Willys and wood) to go and then the run via I99 back to L.A and the airport.

Almost the out of time, and since I didn't see any X, Y or Z cars, we've only got deal with the W carss starting with Willys and one of the coolest I ever saw is this little coupe.
 

 
When I first saw it the voices in my head said “That’s not right.”
 

 
But then when I thought about it I thought “Why not?”  Let’s face it Ford and other brands ‘early ‘30s coupes get built this way, so why shouldn’t a Willys?
 

 
It’s as tough looking as any ’34 Ford coupe, highboy or channelled.
 

 
And it’s all done in very good taste.
 

 
Even the Hemi is not over done and it manages to hide beneath the hood.
 

 

 
And from this angle it just looks downright mean!
 

 
By comparison, the later model cars seemed to be a little like Deuce coupes.
 

 
All built to a similar and safe formula.
 

 
Race car looks, gasser or pro mod style is OK, with a big engine and lopey cam.
 

 
The engine can be covered but at least some should always be sticking out through the hood.  
 

 

 
If the engine doesn’t hang out then the hood must be left open when parked.
 

 

 
When you head out for a cruise the headers must be uncorked.
 

 

 
Sometimes owners leave the hoods closed, which allows the viewer to appreciate the shape of the car.
 

 

 
The early cars do look great with the stock fenders in place.
 

 
And the four door models look as good as any coupe.
 

 
Or do they?
 

 
This one runs to the beat of a different drum.
 

 
I reckon it probably does well on the show scene.
 

And last but definitely not least there is Wood!  
 

 
I know wooden cars are not for everybody, but to my mind they are cooler than cool.
 

 
And this rig is about as cool as it gets, a wooden car hauling a shiny metal trailer.
 

 
Here’s what the Airstrem looks like inside.
 

 

 

 
Just like the black Willys coupe was out of left field for it’s type, so too was there an oddball application of wood, this is the first wooden 'Lowrider/Bomb' I've ever seen.
 

 
It is really neat, just in a different way.
 

 
And it definitely seemed to be fun to cruise.
 

 
Goodguy’s big Viper V10 powered Town and Country is just all class.
 

 
Makes the normally big Chevy’s look small.
 

 
Speaking of Chevys, this one is a regular two door wagon, with an application of real wood, so it’s not what many thought was a metal woody.
 

 

 
This one is a bit different.
 

 
This one got my heart pumping.
 

 
Even though the body design isn’t correct for the model type, most folks wouldn’t know so it's OK with me.
 

 
In recent times I’ve even warmed to the idea of a shoebox woody.
 

 
The later models are OK, but there’s not really any wood here.
 

 
I was surprised to see a couple of Packard wagons at the event.
 

 

 
This is the one that took home the bacon.
 

 
Must have been the matching red roof fabric.
 

 

 
I’ve lusted after this ’37 ever since I first saw it a few years ago.
 

 
Everything about it is just right.
 

 
This one is also very cool and it's for sale.
 

 
The asking price is waaaay out of my league and reflects the fact that the entire car is custom built.
 

 
There’s also a matching ’40 model.
 

 

 
But I’m thinking you’d hafta pay extra to get them as a pair.
 

 
Here’s one for Col.
 

 
And here’s one in my favourite colour.
 

 
Interesting comparison wooden wagon and Nomad and equally desireable.
 

 
Here’s a rare 1942 Mercury.
 

 
Here’s a few more to round out the event.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
And that my friends, was Goodguys West Coast Nationals for 2017.
 

 

It’s now time to head south towards L.A. and the aeroplane that will take me home.

In the heat of Sunday afternoon we left Pleasanton and headed towards Fresno…..
 

 
………where we’d catch up with another friend, Bob ……….
 

 
…….to check out his new COE Dodge project which doesn’t fit in his garage unless the wheels are removed.
 

 
Bob’s also putting the finishing touches to his restored Yenko 427 Camaro.
 

 

 
He also has a gasser style ’37 Chevy that runs 10 second quarters using the injected engine in the first picture, but is slated to go quicker thanks to a new blown big block.
 

 

 

 

 
Like most ‘murricans, Bob has some pretty slick equipment in his shed, just because he can.
 

 
However, the temperature was still heading up, so we decided to hit the road for Tulare before we melted.  
 

 
For me the rental Chevy Impala was cool-ish, for Don all he had in the roadster was organic air conditioning, most folks know it as the breeze.
 

After leaving bob's place around 3:30p.m. we made it back to Visalia in time to catch up with Don’s folks for dinner and then it was off to the ice cream store for desert.  
 
Next morning was much cooler so we headed to Don’s shop in Tulare where there is plenty of work on the go.
 

 
Don set up his shop back around 2008 when he found hiself out of work after his long time management job fell victim to difficult times and the business underwent a major restructure to avoid bankruptcy.
 
Rather than search out another corporate role, Don bit the bullet and did something he’d always dreamed of opening his own hot rod shop.  Highway 99 Hot Rods.
 
This ’49 Ford pick-up is typical of the work done at Highway 99 Hot Rods and has been fitted with the complete drivetrain and suspension from a late Corvette.
 

 
Front……
 

 
….and rear.
 

 

 
It’s looking good.
 

 
This Chevelle is being built in the Pro Touring style for fast long distance driving with a little racing thrown in when required.
 

 

 
It has a full tube chassis and multi point roll cage.
 

 

 
Huge rear wheel tubs….
 

 
Cover no less huge wheels and tyres.
 

 
Caddy is being built as a daily driver for another good customer.
 

 
’37 Chevy coupe is a customer car that was in for a service.
 

 
It’s a pretty nice thing that also used daily.
 

 
This one is pretty cool, it’s a street legal 4 passenger sand/desert racer to be powered by a big block Chevy mounted in the rear by way of a six speed transaxle.  The body will use Corvette lamps and styling cues.
 

 
Here’s a few more off roaders in the 3D Sandcars side of the shop.
 

 

 

 
And some of the other projects on the go, in the Highway 99 Hot Rod Shop.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The black roadster is the shop demo vehicle.
 

Highway 99 Hot Rods quickly earned a reputation for a can do attitude and there’salways been plenty of work as a result.  However, what Don needed to really put his shop on the map was a big job.  A ground up build that would get people’s attention by showcasing what he could do.
 
Around the time Don was contemplating this our Friend Tony Miller who worked as designer at the world’s biggest car company, Mattel Hotwheels, came up with an interesting concept for a ’40 Ford convertible.  The inspiration was a car that had been built in the fifties by Valley Custom, but Tony added a twist.  He preferred the appearance of the ’48 convertible top rather than the ‘40’s.
 
Tony had pitched it to a couple of well-known shops in the L.A. area where he lives but they told him it was too hard and nobody would take on the project.  When Tony visited Don one weekend and told him what he wanted to do, Don didn’t hesitate, telling Tony he’d be happy to take it on.   And after a six year build period and the cars first outing this weekend at Pleasanton, the rest is now history.
 
Of course Tony started with an idea but didn’t have any of the raw material so the first order of business was to find a suitable donour.  The price of ’40 convertibles quickly dampened Tony’s enthusiasm.  However, Don managed to find a pretty scruffy ’40 Standard coupe for the right mony plus a decent set of fenders and he figured it shouldn’t be too hard to turn that into Tony’s dream.  So work started in earnest.
 

 
Sory if this pic is a bit fuzzy, but it happens sometimes.
 

 
Work proceeded slowly as Tony’s long time job had also gone the same way as Don’s and he found himself retired prematurely.
 

 
 
Despite the fiscal challenges, work did proceed and eventually the car started to take the shape that Tony had originally imagined.
 

 
Almost eight years later, the still unfinished car was at least complete enough to be displayed at the Grand National Roadster show as part of their 1940 Ford celebration.
 

 
And it was looking pretty good.
 

 
Finally, 2017 saw the car completed and Goodguys Pleasanton was to be its first major outing.
 

 
On day one Tony was invited to park the car among the Pro’s Picks as the Goodguys had decided it was worthy or an award. 
The best bit was that we found a great place to park it, right beside a stock bodied ’40 Deluxe Convertible.
 

 
This gave viewers a better idea of just how much the car had been modified.
 

 

 
In a nutshell, what started out as a coupe, has in effect been chopped, channelled and sectioned.
 

 

 
The wheelbase was extended, by moving the front wheels and wheel arches forward in the stock fenders.  The rear wheel arches were radiused to fit the tyres.
 

 
And the doors were lengthened to match the dimensions of a ’48 Convertible. 
All the side window frames including the functional vents were fabricated from scratch to fit the car as was the entire upper windscreen frame.
 

 

 
What looks like a Mercury grille is actually a bunch of stainless steel strips each one hand cut and shaped to form the grille (no two bars are the same) which fits the forty opening (a Mercury grille is much wider).
 

 
 
 
The top was a major challenge having to be disassembled and reshaped four times before the guys were happy with it.
 

 

 

 
The interior was kept simple but comfortable as the car is a driver, completing the journey from L.A. to Pleasanton without a hiccup.
 

 

 
Both Don and Tony are well pleased with the result as was I when I saw the finished car.
 

 
It’s so nice I could be tempted to pass up a woody wagon for it, if Tony decided not to keep it.
 

 

 

 
To win a major award at Pleasanton, was the icing on the cake and I understand the car has been photographed for more than one magazine feature.
 
It’s a credit to Tony’s styling ability and Don’s perseverance and never say never attitude.
 

 
   

And so, after a couple of days bumming around with Don, it was time for me to head to LAX for my flight home.

And that my friend’s is how I managed to waste August 2017.