ALONG FOR THE RIDE

Saturday Morning Outing...

2012-01-29T07:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning and it is happening everywhere. It's a gathering of like minded guys and girls that take their rides out to show what they have, rat rods, billet cars, barn finds, concour cars, you tag it. A time to take the cover off, fire them up and head out for a 'Cup of Joe.' They're normally called, "Cars and Coffee" and a place to meet up with buddies or make new ones.

The weather here was great, so how could there be any resistance? I turned the key and headed out to make some new friends. Google a "Cars & Coffee" and find one close to you.

C'Bad's gathering in Carlsbad is held every Saturday, the large ones, the last Saturday of the Month, 7-9 am.
Image © "Along For The Ride"

More info on this gathering, can be found here.

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BANG 'EM Hard / Bumper Cars

2012-01-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

Shuffling along during the set-up day at the San Diego Auto Show, my foot hit an unstitched seam in the red carpet, and stopped me with a jolt. My head whipped around turning to the side rattling my teeth. Then with a raised eyebrow, to convey a reappraisal of what was in front of me, I saw old bumper cars...restored old bumper cars on steroids. How cool is this, which deserved further investigation.

They were Tom Wright's rescued Auto-Skooters and Dodgems from the Long Beach Pike Amusement Park. Tom restored the bodies and mounted them on a frames with four cylinder Honda's or Kawasaki 750's. He started with two, and now has a fleet of these So-Cal beasts. They are street legal and a couple have a claimed top speed of 160 mph, if you have the huevos. The only thing I would miss, is the creepy sparking sound that they made when the arm rubbed on the electrified metal ceiling. This got me to thinkin' about how these started.

During their heyday in the late 1920's through the 1950's, the two major bumper car brands were Lusse Brothers' Auto-Skooter and Dodgem. Dodgem being the first on the scene, it was a rear-steering, highly unmanageable ride, said to be invented by Max and Harold Stoehrer. Ray Lusse came along a few years later and understood that not only did people want to bang into each other, they wanted to choose who they collided with.

Eventually the Lusses realized that no combination of friction clutches and steering brakes were going to solve the fundamental problem of not being able to back up. The car had to be able to be backed out of a crash by simply continuing to turn the steering wheel. In essence the car had to go from forward to reverse without going though neutral. The Dodgems electric motor had been placed under the seat, the Lusses discovered by moving it to the front of the car and mounting it vertically, it solved the problem. This set free multitudes of hyped-up kids a way to offer payback to their buddies, pesky parents, and just unsuspecting others by ramming them repeatedly with some control. It may have been their first taste of freedom behind a steering wheel, foot to the floor, in its simplest powered form.

"Go where you like...If you can." Long Beach Pike Amusement Park.

Early Dodgems' with the motor under the seat.

Early unrestored Auto-Skooter. Image © Along For The Ride

Auto-Skooters started to take on the looks of popular cars of the time.

Tom Wright's cool fleet of restored bumper cars.

Nothing like zeroing in on a buddie!

A smile inducer, street licensed. Image © Along For The Ride

Little does she know...fasten that seat belt.

Not your typical "Staff Car." Image © Along For The Ride

Promo card for the Auto-Skooter.

A look inside an unrestored Auto-Skooter, check out the motor in front.
Image © Along For The Ride

A look at the drive wheel and steering of the Auto-Skooter.

Related post: Bumper Cars

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Tattooed Windows / Burger Run 2012

2012-01-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

What do you do when you get to a show first thing in the morning, chill in the air and there are 700 plus cars? If you're like me, first look for your buddies to hang with, grab a bacon cheese burger to drag along...then start checking out the badass rides. At a recent show, called the "Burger Run" in Vista, California that's just what we did.

Unleash that '57 Chevy.
Image © Along For The Ride

Way too many cars to shoot, so here are some tattooed windows, enjoy...

Dragmaster built dragster chassis and was founded by Dode Martin and Jim Nelson. Image © Along For The Ride

Schneider Racing Cams began in the early '60s founded by Dave Schneider.
Image © Along For The Ride

Carlsbad Raceway just north of San Diego, state-of-the-art with its uphill shut-down area in '64 was open from then, until 2004.
Image © Along For The Ride

Mallory has been igniting victory for over eight decades.
Image © Along For The Ride

Hurst racing tires was started in San Diego in 1961 by Ron Hurst first making "Cheater Slicks" and then got into making tires for sprint cars, modified, and stockcars.
Image © Along For The Ride

Before carbs, Holley produced cars with the Holley Motor Company making their first marketable car in 1902.
Image © Along For The Ride

John Holman started driving a parts truck for a 1952 Mexican Road Race. Ralph Moody was a mechanic, and star driver in the 1952 Indy 500. They formed their partnership in 1957.
Image © Along For The Ride

A '32 five window tattooed.
Image © Along For The Ride

R.I.P. Lions.
Image © Along For The Ride

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One Fast Lady / Betty Skelton

2012-01-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Once in a great while, someone comes along that turns the car culture on its ear. Betty Skelton not only turned it, she up-righted it. Her parents knew she was different because she was fascinated watching airplanes flying above her house and would rather play with models of planes instead of dolls. The handwriting was on the wall, she began taking flying lessons at age 10, had a private license at 16, and was a flight instructor at 18. She was addicted to speed and became a daredevil pilot, who was a three-time National Aerobatics Champion, which lead her to fast cars.

By 1951 Betty had become friends with Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR. Bill talked her into driving the pace car at the Daytona Beach Speed Week. At that point, she was the first woman granted a race driver's license by the Automobile Association of America. This lead her to be hired by Dodge to set a stock car record for women in a 1954 Hemi-powered Dodge Ram V8 on that same beach. Suddenly she had a new career, the first woman to be a test driver for the auto industry. The following year, 1955, Betty headed to the Bonneville Salt Flats as part of the Dodge team that set 395 new records during a 14 day endurance test. in 1956, General Motors and Corvette attracted her to become a spokeswoman for Chevrolet by appearing at auto shows, television commercials and national print advertisements. The Corvette bug had struck, and more was to come for Betty.

PR shot for her favorite car, the Corvette. Image, General Motors Media Archive

As you would guess, Corvette being the car of choice for her to drive on the street, she teamed up with Zora Arkus-Duntov and road racer John Fitch in February 1956, to head to the NASCAR Speed Week trials, all three driving white and blue Corvettes. Betty hit the sand running and averaged 145 mph for her flying mile, even with a strong headwind for her return run setting another record for women, just 3 mph slower than the men's record at the time. In addition to the 145 mph she reached in her Corvette that year, she set a transcontinental speed record driving from New York to Los Angeles in 56 hours, 58 minutes beating the men. Following up on that, Harley Earl and Bill Michell, taking advantage of her talent and good looks designed a special, translucent gold Corvette for her to drive to Daytona Speed Week to serve as the pace car in 1957. Speed Week was still being held on the beach at this time, it wasn't until 1959 that the Daytona 500 was christened.

Art Arfons offered Betty a chance in 1965 to have another shot at Bonneville. The cars were the jet powered Green Monster and the Cyclops, both built by Art. The land speed record had been established by Art in 1964 in his Green Monster and no one had yet broken it. He was now after a new record, that of the standing quarter-mile. He set the new record at 258.62 mph. Next, Betty climbed into the Cyclops wearing no more protective gear than an open-faced helmet and a windbreaker. She was gone, streaking down the black line topping 315 mph speed during one run and at the end of two runs her average was 277.62 mph setting her last speed record.

Throughout her lifetime, she would come to own no less than 10 Corvettes, and was inducted into the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame in 2001. Betty passed away in 2011 at the age of 85 still owning and driving the red one.

"I just like to go fast, I really enjoy it, I really do."- Betty Skelton

Betty became a spokeswoman for General Motors and Corvette at many of the auto shows by 1956. Image, General Motors Media Archive

Photographed during one of her record runs at Daytona Beach.

Betty joined Zora Arkus-Duntov and John Fitch, Betty setting a record for women.

PR shot for Corvette at Daytona.

Betty Skelton photographed at Daytona.

Betty Skelton readies to set the land speed record for women in the Cyclops on September 27, 1965. Image © Tom Mayenschein

Betty Skelton at the wheel of Art Arons Cyclops before her record run at Bonneville on September 27, 1965. Image © Tom Mayenschein

PR shot from Bonneville in 1965. Image © Tom Mayenschein

Betty Skelton after her record run at Bonneville setting a speed of 277.62 mph in 1965. Image © Tom Mayenschein

Betty also tried her hand at road racing.

Betty was the first female boat jumper, flying a boat over a Dodge in a publicity stunt in 1955.

One fast lady...Betty Skelton.

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Pork Juice and Burnin' Rubber

2012-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

For New Years Day most were thinking about going to the gym, Jenny Craig, or some other worthy diet goal. That's not for me! It was a "Burn Out Party," with pig-roast, all the fixings, friends, lots of smoke, open header noise and a little mayhem. Upon receiving an invite from my buddie Jon Guilmet, to Mike Hayden's annual New Years Day party for hot rodders, racers, and badass fast cars...how could I say, no.

This was the fourth year for this gathering at Mike's house, race car shop and "burn-out" strip for a worthy cause. Collect donations for the "Wounded Warriors Project" and have fun doing it. Picture this, Mike has a concrete hundred yard strip in front of his house to test cars he builds for customers. How bitchin' is that? Add to that, the "Shafters" a car club from Fallbrook that kept the hospitality going strong and one could see there was something special sitting back and watching the camaraderie at this party, the smiles never left, even with a blown tranny or two, and a dropped drive shaft on another. Oh yeah, you know you're having a great party, when the Sheriff shows up packin' heat. That just slowed us down in time to dig into the slow cooked gourmet grub donated by "pit-master" and racer, George Sevelle, along with his wife, Lani and son Cas, with help from Liz Dely. Then back on the strip after the bellies were full.

Some of you may have heard about the car club, "Shafters," for those of you who have not, it was started in 1949 by prominent drag racer, Dode Martin along with some friends. The club is out of Fallbrook, California and is still going full on, under the leadership of president "Clint" Campbell.

What better way to start the New Year with friends, for a great cause...thanks Mike for the good time!

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

The Shafters at Mike's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party," Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

The heat's on at Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

The shop at Mike's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Pit-master, George Sevelle at Mike's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

One fast Camaro at Mike's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

One dropped drive shaft at Mike's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © "Along For The Ride"

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © John Guilmet

Mike Hayden's "Burn-Out-Party." Image © J. Bittle American

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Knowing When To Click / Bill Garrett

2012-01-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

Knowing when to pull the trigger on the camera is only part of the art of photography. Also important is the composition of the shot, the lighting, the subject, a computer, and the ability to deliver something that's not just a snapshot of car culture.

One of my blogging buddies is capturing the sub-cultures within the sub-culture, within our culture. Bill Garrett has been taking great shots, that he's been posting on his blog. It's certainly worth taking a look. Check out some of these shots...bitchin' stuff.

Bill's a professional photographer and you can see more on his blog by clicking here.

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Speed Shops / Karl and Veda Orr's

2011-12-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

This little jewel of a "Speed Shop" looks kinda' lonely sitting there. Well why wouldn't it, it's one of the first Speed Shops that came along to help ignite the world of hot rodding. This is Karl and Veda Orr's shop that opened up in 1940 in Los Angeles after George Wight's Bells Auto Parts in 1923, Lee Chapel's shop in 1929 and Jim White's in 1932 years before the postwar hot rod boom. Orr's shop quickly became a hangout for local hot rodders as it was considered one of the best.

Karl ran his shop as a mechanic, parts supplier and early member of the SCTA(Southern California Timing Association). Both Karl and Veda were racers, however before WWII women were not allowed to belong to the SCTA. This did not stop Veda, as men went off to war and with her interest in racing on dry lakes, she introduced her own "California Timing" news publication pictorial featuring popular race cars of the period that she produced at the shop. When SCTA's activities were put on hold during the war, she extended her "CT" news to a special-interest mailer sent to hot rod interested military servicemen gratis, at least to ones she could locate. It was a little touch of home.

"She was the glue that held hot rodding together during the war years." - Tom Medley

Veda was granted membership to SCTA after the war and the speed shop continued at the original location in Culver City until it closed sometime in the 50's. The shop was reopened in the 60's on Sierra Highway in Mint Canyon, California.

The Deuce sitting outside the Culver City Speed Shop. Notice the track car inside the shop on the left.

Karl and Veda Orr with their "Speed Shop" parts truck. The letters at the bottom of the door represent different racing associations, such as Western Racing Association.

Inside the "Speed Shop" working on a trick set-up for their track car.

The 1932 Roadster with Karl's track car in tow outside their home in Culver City. Karl won the SCTA Championship in 1942 and held it through 1946 with the track car. It ran a 126.65 mph in 1946 with a Merc engine. Karl also was a big oval track fan as well as the dry lakes.

Karl came to California in the 1920's and raced in the land speed time trails as early as 1929 at the dry lake called Muroc. Racing a 4-cylinder modified he recorded a speed of 125 mph, which was supposedly the first to attain that speed on the Southern California dry lakes. He later recorded times of 120 mph in his '32 Roadster.

Veda in the Roadster at one of the dry lakes.

Veda fell in love with the whole aspect of land speed racing. She started racing with the Russetta Timing Association and after the war, the SCTA passed a special resolution giving her the full rights of membership and the ability to race at their meets. She set a record of 104 mph in a full fendered roadster class. Then in 1937 at Muroc she improved on that record by going 114 mph. In a borrowed modified car she turned a 131 mph at a SCTA meet.

The Roadster was repainted black and white, their favorite colors.

Veda in line with the black and white deuce getting ready for a record run. She was considered the fastest woman running.

Here's an image on Veda running the Roadster in the "C" category in 1947 setting a speed of 121 mph. Those were exceptionally fast times in those day with that type of car.

You can find more info on the Orr's here.

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That Time of Year...

2011-12-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

Well as the blog finishes it's second year, I would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every reader, subscriber, friend and devotee to "Along For The Ride" and wish you all, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas with a cartoon that harkens back to the likes of Ed Roth....

Finishing the first year there were 15,000 clicks to the blog...finishing the second year there were 65,000 clicks from readers all over the world; the U.S. leading the way, then in order, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Japan, Kuwait, Turkey, Slovenia, Mexico and others. Keep the faith, please share with a friend and keep on reading.

If you have old stories or photos to parcel out to others, please let me know. Email me here.

Now it's time to suck it up and head into year three...

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Bonneville / A Case Study in Experimentation

2011-12-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

The salt has called many a driver, and in 1966 it was Tom Bruch's turn with his 1956, 356 Porsche Speedster. However, this was a return trip after the previous year there with a VW, he had obviously caught the "Bonneville bug." It seems that once a driver touches the salt, he's destined to find his way back one way or another and why not, the Speedster was a more aerodynamic shape.

Back in those days drivers experimented without the aid of computers with engine modifications, such as "scrapers" to pull the oil off the cranks, cams, head designs as well as other engine tweaks, and including body aerodynamics. It was a giant test lab and still is today.

"You are trying to get the most out of whatever cc's you are playing with, but it's not just the engines and horsepower...you have to look at the whole system, which includes aerodynamics, gearing, and even the weather."- Tom Bruch

Dick Koenig did a wonderful interview with Tom that was published through the excellent "356 Registry" in 2001 along with photos from, Carter Kudrle and Mark Bouljon. It's a great read about the ingenuity that Bonneville competitors are up for. You can find the full story by clicking here.

The Bonneville crew; L to R, Dr. John Dickinson, Tom Bruch, Carter Kudrle and Howard "Bud" Jackson with the Speedster in 1966 sporting Goodyear "Blue Streak" tires.

Tom Bruch's Speedster on it's first record run at Bonneville on August 22, 1966.

Tom and the crew waiting for a return run. Notice the EMPI "Inch Pincher" VW in the background. Incidentally that same year the VW had been fitted with a supercharger on a 1600cc engine that produced 220hp. With that combination the car recorded it's best dragstrip time of 12.7 secs. / 106 mph at Carlsbad Raceway north of San Diego.

Bonneville impound area. Notice the Glaspar removable hardtop for better aerodynamics.

There's always work to be done on the salt.

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Just Passin' Time...

2011-12-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Joe tugged the corner of his sweat laden hat to bring it down over his left eye. A gray-blue whiff of smoke from his unfiltered Chesterfield brought his right eye to squint. The coffin nail twiched up n' down between his chapped lips as he asked, "Where you goin'?" Betty turned and looked back as a shell of a smoldering ash from his cigarette hit the dusty ground. She had already loaded two suitcases in the Meissen Blue Speedster. Her reply said volumes...

OK, you have to make up the rest...I'm just hanging out and playing with my cell phone camera. Thought I would try something different, which image is your favorite?

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"Magicar" / Time with... Bill Pitts

2011-12-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Imagine you are fourteen or fifteen, sitting on a wooden boarded grandstand with your dad, watching a golden colored dragster called "Magicar" blast down the local strip...now imagine forty-five years later you had rescued the outdated rail, restored it and had the opportunity to show it to a new generation. That is just what Bill Pitts is doing.

It goes along with the increasing popularity of survivor and historic cars. People are no longer looking at old race cars as outdated relics. They get excited about what they are seeing, hearing and the history of those cars. It's also about past owners, drivers and builders brought back to the surface, and we all get a glimpse of how it really was.

At many of the drag meets and local car shows there is a spectacle called "Cacklefest" where nitro-methane dragsters are started to wow the crowds. I had the opportunity to sit down at a Goodguys show, and do an interview with Bill to find out more about his "Magicar."

AFTR: When did you decide to get into an AA/F dragster?
BP: In 1988-89 I started going to current drag racing events and decided to not let life pass me by, I was coming up on 40 years old, so I asked my wife, "Honey, what do you think if I bought an AA/F dragster, I don't want to race it, I just want to show it off." I remembered my heroes from back in the day and thought why not get one of these not to drive and not to just static display, but do something in between, start it up in front of thousands of fans and try to put the original driver in it. By doing that it takes me back to seeing my young heroes as a fan, and it keeps them younger when you see the smile on their faces, it's magical.

AFTR: Did you ever see it run back then?
BP: I first saw it with my dad in 1965 at the March meet in Bakersfield when it was covered in gold leaf, I remember the announcer saying, "You gotta' see the car that's covered in gold, that would be the Magicar." I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen, even took movies of it, never dreaming that one day I would own it.

AFTR: What sticks in your mind from watching them back then?
BP: It was the beauty of the cars as well as the speed. They are like thoroughbred race horses, that's the only way I can describe it.

AFTR: What was it like at events in the 60's?
BP: You know, in the mid 60's over 100 AA/FD type cars would try to qualify for a 64 car field on Saturday. Then one would come out on top of the 32 car field on Sunday. Back then, you thought, wow, it's like this all the time. We didn't know how good we had it back then, until it went away.

AFTR: Where did this car run?
BP: It ran at Carlsbad in December 1964 just after the track opened in November. Also Pomona, Bakersfield, Lions, Fremont, Riverside in '65 at the Second Annual Hot Rod Magazine Championships, and at Palmdale which was called "Los Angeles County Raceway" when it opened. In fact it won "Top Fuel" at that first meet.

AFTR: How did it look back then and who drove it?
BP: It started out covered with gold leaf and then had 3 different body changes, 3 different paint jobs and 3 different drivers. One of the most famous was, Jumpin' Jeep Hampshire, also another driver was Gerry "The Hunter" Glenn. This was the first car Glenn ever drove down a dragstrip as a young man, he went on to be the NHRA 1972 Driving Champion.

AFTR: When you found it, what did it look like?
BP: Well, it needed a paint job and a motor along with other numerous small things that we were able to find.

AFTR: Who put the engine together?
BP: Rick McDonald assembled the Hemi and keeps it tuned, he's a master. It produces 1500-2000 HP. You know, Nitromethane burns 13 times more oxygen than gas and boosts the power by 2.3 times.

AFTR: What gets you excited about doing this kind of thing?
BP: Well, it's push starting the car at the Winter Nationals or Formosa Raceway in Bakersfield with the original driver from 1965 in the seat, when it comes to life, flames shooting out and you see his arm coming out over the tail waving to the crowd. There's nothing better in the whole world! It's been a great path, to be able to tell the history, show the car, start it up, see the smiles! It's my passion!

Kent Fuller, arguably the premier dragster chassis builder of the early 60's built the chassis.

Here you can see the texture of the gold leaf on the original body. The best speed and ET turned
was a 206.00 / 7.62

Jeep Hampshire blast off the line at the 1965 Bakersfield Meet. Some of the other drivers were, Gerry Glenn, Gary Casaday, and Jim Lynn.

The Magicar at the Goodguys Car Show at Del Mar. Image © AFTR

The Magicar at the Goodguys Show at Del Mar. Image © AFTR

Here's a video of the Magicar being started. As you listen to it you'll notice the sound as it's started on alcohol. Then at the 2:14 mark you'll notice how the sound changes and starts to cackle as it goes to 90 percent Nitromethane. This is when it changes into a living monster, you can just hear the horsepower, there's nothing like it!

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Drag Racing a 4 Cam... / Jack McAfee

2011-12-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

This is for all my Porsche 356 buddies. Jack McAfee, the Hollywood Imports and Burbank Imports Porsche Dealer was not only a veteran lakes and road racer, he also challenged the Model A and Model B motors that dominated NHRA's X/Dragster class with this 600 pound 4 cam strip car that he built. The new car was running competitive mid-11s at 107 mph in the quarter. Notice it has no starter motor, is topped with Solex carbs and is seen wearing skinny Michelin tires.

Does anyone out there in the 356 world know any more about this car?

Image © Eric Rickman

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Ramona Drag Strip / San Diego Raceway

2011-11-29T07:41:00.000-08:00

An email about the Willie's Pie Wagon kicked in my mental time machine...

Back in the 1960s with it's grand opening in 1963 and operating until 1966, Ramona Drag Strip was the place to race in San Diego. It was called San Diego Raceway and drew nationally known drag racers to run the strip. The venture was put together by Paul and Bob Darrough who leased the land next to the Ramona Airport, Lou Castenagna and Ray Richards also came in as managing partners. This was an effort to get kids racing on the streets like El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego to take it to a track.

The effort was successful as attendance varied into the thousands as kids came to watch or take part in the racing with special events, such as match racing with well know drivers or jet-engined cars drawing as many as 7,000 spectators. A new track in Carlsbad, called Carlsbad Raceway basically closed the doors on Ramona's strip.

This was nostalgia racing at it's best, no line-locks or computers doing the work. If you ran an automatic, belly up to the line, plant one foot on the brakes, the other on the accelerator, watch the count down on the Christmas tree and let her rip.

A fan favorite was the Willie's Pie Wagon running a flathead.

Two Hemi Rails. Image via Schneider Cams

San Diego Raceway. Image via Schneider Cams

San Diego Raceway. Image via Schneider Cams

In the later years the name was changed to San Diego Dragway. Notice the Drew Ford sign from La Mesa, CA.

San Diego Raceway. Image via Schneider Cams

Related post: Ramona Drag Strip, As Talked About, The Accident, Some Rare Images

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Remember When...

2011-11-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

No matter what type of car you had...when your buddies came over, this is what you did. It was as though everything in the world stopped, you would daydream about what could be...

Image © A. Y. Owen

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Deuce of Spades

2011-11-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

While scuffling along at the last Viva Las Vegas rod event, there's a black E-Z UP in the vendor area with a bitchin' '32 roadster sitting along side. Further investigating lead me inside the tent and a conversation with Faith Granger to find out about a movie the Deuce Of Spades. Purchased a copy to watch and wow...you gotta' see this film if you're into hot rods.

The Deuce Of Spades connects on an emotional level, it's an independent film made by a hotrodder, Faith Granger, for hotrodders. A film that doesn't come packed with made up special effects, but rather heart and soul with classic hot rods, music, and a look back in time. Faith is the creative force behind the full feature drama with a basic plot that goes like this,...when a hot rod girl finds an old mysterious letter dating back to the 50s hidden in her newly purchased roadster, she is left with nothing but questions. Tell me, don't you dig around in every car you buy, like a treasure hunt? She sets out to find the answers and retrace her deuce's past. But will learning the truth make a difference and can a broken man ever get a second chance at happiness long forgotten? The movie is set among a thriving car culture in rural So-Cal, 1952.

"American Graffiti is a feel good movie about cruising and coming of age… and having fun. Deuce of Spades, on the other hand, is an epic drama. It’s a long, intense, fun and at times a tear-jerker. It’s very dark and deep, inspiring, artistic and fun too! It’s a hot rod film with substance and that in itself has never been attempted.”- Faith Granger

'32 Deuce of Spades at Viva. Image © AFTR

Faith Granger and Tim McReynolds( lead actor) at Viva. Image © AFTR

Image © AFTR

Faith and her Deuce.

Faith had to finish the '32 before filming could start.

On location at El Mirage.

Classic shot.

Faith and the '32 at El Mirage.

On location.

Booming in a night scene.

"We had no money for motels so lead actor Tim McReynolds (JOHNNY CALLAWAY) was forced to sleep on a cott under the stars, anytime we filmed on location, which was 50% of our shoots." -Faith Granger

"Here, actress PeggieSue Honneyman Scott in wardrobe, is helping by holding the boom and my water while I block the scene. All my actors kept pitchin in to help make each shoot happen. They were really hard core about the film."- Faith Granger

"Here is my turn to fade out, as I had been working for 3 nights straight, with very little sleep and almost no food. And I can't say that the Deuce is the most comfortable bed." - Faith Granger

You can find video trailers, more on the film, or to find a copy, click here.

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Carmel-By-The-Sea Concour 2011...The Action Replay

2011-11-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

One of the adventures on my yearly list, is the trip to Monterey in August for an awesome week of car shows, memorabilia and racing. "Carmel-By-The-Sea Concour" is close to the top of that agenda. It's held on the streets of Carmel, the Tuesday of the over the top car week. This show is cloaked in car goodness, however, it was inevitable that I was going to miss one along the way, this year was it. The thought of this was driving me into deep depression...so what to do? Call one of the blog followers and father of the show, Doug Freedman, and plead for him to send photos for all of us.

If you have never attended or entered this show...make it a "must do event." Next years event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 14th, 2012. You can get an application by clicking, here. I've listed the "Cup" winners at the end, so read on.

Image via Rick Verbanec

Image via Rick Verbanec

THE DENNIS A. LEVETT BEST OF SHOW AWARD
for the entry that is the unanimous choice of the Chief Class Judges (selected from the First in Class winners)
1956 FERRARI 250 GT BOANO CONVERTIBLE S/N 0461 GT owned by ROBERT M. LEE

THE BARRY RILLIET PORSCHE CUP
for the Porsche selected by the Chief Class Judges
1973 PORSCHE CARRERA RS COUPE S/N 9113600858 owned by SCOTT MERCER

THE TOM AND VIRGINIA JENNARO FERRARI CUP
for the Ferrari selected by the Chief Class Judges
1967 FERRARI 275 GTB/4 S/N 09931 owned by PHIL WHITE

THE JOHN C. KERBY MILLER AMERICAN EXCELLENCE CUP
for the automobile that best represents the era when American cars turned heads around the world
1970 PLYMOUTH SUPERBIRD S/N RM23UOA167075 owned by ROLO AND BARBARA MALSCHAFSKY

THE CHRISTIE L. MILLER BRITISH CUP
for the automobile that best represents post-World War II British excellence
1955 BENTLEY R-TYPE FASTBACK S/N BC31LD owned by DENNIS NICOTRA

THE ROBERT J. RICHARDS CONTINENTAL CUP
for the automobile that best represents post-World War II Continental excellence
1955 PORSCHE 356 PRE-A CABRIOLET S/N 60771 owned by STANLEY GOLD

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRANS ATLANTIC PACIFIC CUP
for the entry that best represents speed whether in a straight line, around a track or on the street
1963 SHELBY COBRA 289 S/N CSX2001 owned by JON HAGSTROM

THE CARMEL FOUNDATION AWARD
for the automobile that might be seen in period on Scenic Road with the driver showing visitors the sights
1940 FORD DELUXE TYPE 79B STATION WAGON WOODY S/N 185691006 owned by DONALD B. OROSCO

THE MICHAEL T. LYNCH AWARD
for the entry that best represents excellence in engineering
1931 ALFA ROMEO 6C 1750 GS ZAGATO S/N 10814344 owned by RICK RAWLINS

THE SUE McCLOUD MAYOR'S CUP
for the individual that best represents the spirit of motoring and of CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE
BOB CANNON with 1964 PORSCHE 356C SUNROOF COUPE S/N 131040

THE MICHAEL FURMAN ARTIST'S CHOICE AWARD
for the entry that exudes design and aesthetic excellence that satisfy an artist's eye
1960 FERRARI 250 GT SWB BERLINETTA SCAGLIETTI S/N 1905 GT owned by PETER READ

THE ROBERT "CHARLIE" MAST AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE AWARD
for the entry that a magazine would most like to describe for it's readership
1958 PORSCHE 356A SPEEDSTER presented by ROAD SCHOLARS of RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

THE STEVE J. RANA PRESERVATION AWARD
for the entry that is the very essence of originality and authenticity surviving through the years without ever having been restored
1964 FORD GALAXIE XL CONVERTIBLE S/N 110907 owned by JAMES BARRON

THE MICHAEL G. TILLSON lll RADNOR HUNT CUP
for the entry that has been sympathetically restored
1956 AUSTIN HEALEY 100M S/N BN2L232323 owned by HUDSON VITAICH

THE SAM GARRETT OCEAN AVENUE MOTOR CLUB AWARD
for the entry that best represents the hard-to-define fun factor
1958 VOLKSWAGEN TYPE 2 23 WINDOW S/N 301965 owned by MARSHALL ANDERS

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"Hell Drivers" / Lucky Teter

2011-11-07T07:17:00.000-08:00

"Feeling the wind in your face, and hearing the screaming tires and roaring motor, and then knowing that you've mastered a wildly skidding car...all are a big thrill."-Lucky Teter

Earl "Lucky" Teter was an American stunt driver in the 1930s and 1940s who was an innovator and the first to use the label "Hell Drivers." Teter started out as a race driver of both autos and motorcycles and had been a former gas station attendant and weekend test driver. While making his own car polish and selling it at county fairs a passer-by offered him $300 if he would roll a car...from that the life of a "Hell Driver" was born.

Teter along with Robert "Spooly" Hutchinson went on and formed the "Lucky Teter Hell Drivers" in 1934 when Lucky decided to continue to try his hand at the thrill driving trade. The two men grew to a crew of sixty, and had hubs in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Langhorne, at the Langhorne Speedway. They put the hell drivers on the road and traveled as far as Cuba wowing audiences by flipping cars, leaping through the air on motorcycles and mastering precision driving skills. It was the first time the auto thrill show was conceived as a traveling attraction.

As the show grew larger it consisted of precision driving of new automobiles over elevated ramps, reverse spins, and added stuntmen to the show acting as 'daredevil clowns.' By the late 1930's, Lucky had started performing ramp to ramp jumps over large trucks or transcontinental buses earning around $50,000 a year.

On July 4, 1942, 41 year old Teter announced it was his last show prior to closing for the war effort. He made 3 jumps over a panel truck that day, each attempting a world record, beginning at 135 feet. His 4th and final jump was 150 feet and was dedicated "to all servicemen everywhere." Some reported they could hear the engine missing in his bright yellow 1938 Plymouth as he accelerated onto the launching ramp while attempting to jump two Greyhound buses, his car came down short at the edge the landing ramp. The crash broke his neck and he lost his life as the jump fell short just a few feet.

The "Teters" Hell Drivers were disbanded in 1943.

After Earl "Lucky" Teter's fatal crash at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis in 1942, the late stunt driver's show equipment was purchased by Jack Kochman, who debuted his World Champion Hell Drivers that summer and the show went on, but that's another story.

Lucky Teter's death car.

You can find more on Lucky here and here.

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Preserving the Patina

2011-11-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

As the camera clicked away, I stood back with amazement. Randy was putting his artistic spin through the lens.

It's been years since I've been to a photo shoot for a car. The last I can remember, was taking one of my cars to L.A. for a studio shoot back in the 80s. This was a different car, a different time...my car was now being shot to go into the Porsche magazine, Excellence.

The prefect location for the patina coupe. Image © AFTR

It started with a tape recorded interview listing all the existing and new details, mechanical and so on. Next was a drive out to the back country for the shoot. A deserted road near Julian to do the action shots with multiple passes back and forth, my wife driving the camera car with Randy precariously hanging out the passenger side rear window, camera in hand, click, click, click. The so called "beauty shots" were done at a old gas station in Guatay.

You ask, "Why use a car that's not shiny and bright?" Well, why not dare to be different? Shooting a car that has survived intact through the decades with it's historic reality incorporated into it's surface, it's original paint, plating, interior, the list goes on, can only be done once. After these items are replaced, the stuff of history is largely gone, even if the car is very pedestrian. Think of it this way, it has a style that can only be duplicated with time.

The car is in the November 2011 issue, now on the newsstand. I have to hand it to Pete Stout, Editor of Excellence and Randy Wells who did the issue photos and story for having the "chutzpah" to say, it's not a car just about the money or status...it's about being real. Some get it...others, never will.

The interior shots were done with my wife holding a remote flash bar. Image © AFTR

Randy Wells at work, clicking away. Image © AFTR

November issue with "Early 911 Rat Rod" emblazoned in type. Image © AFTR

"Rust Never Sleeps." Image © AFTR

Image © AFTR

Cruising the back roads of Julian. Image © Randy Wells

Real 7" Magnesium Minilites with painted on Mobil Pegasus. Image © Randy Wells

Rare GT or Ferrari drivers seat as it is called. Image © Randy Wells

Complete rebuild on the engine. Image © Randy Wells

1974 was the last time this ride was on the road. Image © Randy Wells

Image © Randy Wells

Check out Excellence Magazine, here.

Check out Randy Wells Photography, here.

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Jeepers Creepers

2011-10-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

It was a Saturday, late October evening. "Date Night" with a trip to Fosters Freeze, all that was needed was to pick her up in my new ride. She'll be impressed, I thought. A three window with a Merc flathead, a healthy cam, three Strombergs, chrome nutted and shaved Navarro heads, just the right stance with big and littles connected to a dropped front axle and a quick change rear.

I was running a little late down the long stretch of asphalt in the tule's. "Not much out here except a few black and whites grazing next to the barbed wire fence," I thought. "There's a shortcut coming up on the right...I never took it, but I think I know where it will dump me out - only a few short of my dates house." Streaking along towards the turn in my primered 34', I noticed a buzzard perched on one of the old gray, splintered fence posts. His glare somewhat unnerving as I flashed by. Feathers ruffled to life in the jitter of my rear view mirror, as the wind from my ride hit him. I chuckled to myself, "I don't like those nasty birds anyway." I tapped the brake pedal to wink my teardrop blue dots at him, and smiled once more. Yeah...I was feeling pretty cool!

As I approached the turn I stabbed the brake pedal to slow and easing it into a lower gear I tightened my grip on the banjo wheel and made a hard right up the dark, unfamiliar road. As I pushed on the accelerator the 97s popped and spit up through their naked openings, though as to say, "Not this road." I pushed harder to clear their throats and the rear tires let out a chirp as the flat black chopped coupe lunged forward. Up through second and third as the speedo nervously twitched and the fresh air blew through the open windows. This was a good choice I thought.

As I headed down the strip of weather beaten asphalt, I noticed it was covered with Sycamore's and Willow's that seemed crouched overhead along with some phone-lines pulsating and keeping pace next to me. I spotted peeking though the trees not a half moon, not a fingernail moon, but a full moon with a wafer of clouds skimming over top.

As the miles ticked off, the wind blew harder and became bitter cold, the shadows grew longer onto the occasionally potholed roadway. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, the resonating sound of the engine became hypnotic as the sky darkened to a deep black. My mind wandered to what might come later, maybe a race, but, first things first, I need to get there.

The thought of picking up my date late, was pierced by the beam of my headlights reflecting off a hitchhiker ahead. Strange, someone would be out here on this Godforsaken road. I guess I'll stop, give the poor guy a lift. I eased on the brake pedal and started to slow, edging toward the right sloping dirt shoulder. My ride rumbled to a stop, at the narrowest point in the road next to him. Leaning over, I yelled out the passenger window, "Need a lift into town?" He stood in the ground fog, shivering. Not a word came out, but he raised his head with a nod as to say, "Sure." I unlocked the door with a click and he eased his way in, first with a dark red stained leather glove holding a small dirt covered shovel, then his rather thin torso. I slid the gearshift into first and cracked open the throttle and sidestepped the clutch. The right rear tire complained and threw dirt skyward...we were on our way.

I asked again, "Going into town?" "Why yes," said the hitchhiker, with a crackly voice. "Good," I replied. "Well, then," he said, "I have one word for you, drive like the wind."

I caught my breath at the sound of his voice and my foot pushed harder to give my coupe more lead. It's low slung pointed grill split the air with ease. The wire wheels dug in and pushed me ahead with the spooky stranger. I asked, Why were you out here?" He gave me no answer, just a raspy cough rattling up through his lungs.

The hitchhiker was clad in a hooded barn coat, covering an ancient pair of overalls, out at one knee and a blue work shirt from which the collar was stained with sweat and dirt. The brightness of the night showed me these perils as clearly as by day, which was, perhaps, more alarming. It showed me, too, the face of the stranger. His cheeks were growing tight as the wrinkles etched deeper by the mile as he glared wildly through the quivering windshield. I could not see the color of his eyes, they seemed as black as coal, hollow and cold as steel. I asked if he had the time. He whispered, "You ask about the time...time is short son."My forehead began beading with perspiration and I could feel the wetness rolling down my back against the naugahyde tuck n' roll.

"You feel a little sick?" asked the stranger wetting his lips with his tongue. I began to hope for the best, fear for the worse. I could be gone with a capital DEAD. As more miles ticked off, he seemed to become struck stupid, all he could do was keep his eyes on the road occasionally whispering to himself. My life was flashing before me and wondering how to get out of this situation.

Then, staring straight ahead, I rounded a corner and saw the faint orange glow the the towns lights through the coupes wiper-less windshield, I thought, do I look over at him? With my head fixated, hoping he wouldn't notice, my eyes gave a quick look...he was gone, just a crumpled piece of paper remained in his place. I took my foot off the gas, the flathead popped once or twice and creped slowly to a stop. I reached over, pealed open the wadded paper and read. "Happy Halloween'en, friend, thanks for the lift!"

Sweet Dreams...

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Zippomobile...Lost and Rebirth

2011-10-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Are you a believer in the ghosts of space and time? Do you ever hear a sound and it takes you back like a time machine? One of those sounds is the lite metallic sound of a Zippo Lighter as it snaps shut. I can still hear it as I did many years ago fishing with my father on a windy morning next to a stream.

A unique design to ward off the wind introduced to the GIs. Image © Zippo

George Blaisdell founded the Zippo Manufacturing Company in the town of Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1932, naming the company “Zippo” as a more modern sounding alternative to the word zipper. During WWII the U.S. Government commissioned Zippo’s entire production to be distributed to GIs, which had the benefit of introducing the company and its windproof lighters to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Americans, thereby making Zippo a household name. I'm sure that's where my father was introduced to the lighter. Zippo inventor Blaisdell was also fond of productmobiles like the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile and Life Savers Pep-O-Mint car. With the Zippo's new found popularity Blaisdell decided in 1947 to convert a Chrysler Saratoga into the Zippomobile at a cost of $25,000 with two neon lite flames.

Image © Zippo

With its introduction in the late 1940s, the Zippomobile went far and wide on a promotional tour and participated in parades visiting every state in the Union. Eventually business at Zippo was so good that the Zippo Car fell out of favor and deamed, not needed, it was abandoned and subsequently lost at a Pittsburgh dealership to be rebuilt in the late 60s-early70s. In 1982 the company launched a search to find the car for the company’s 50th anniversary. But the search was all for naught. No doubt it was crushed or is collecting dust in a garage somewhere. While the original car could not be found and restored, in 1997 Zippo did reproduce the 1947 Zippo Car which can still be found at events today.

Image © Zippo

As the Zippomobile looks today...Rebuilt.

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Reutter - What's in a Name...

2011-10-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well not "Body By Jack LaLanne" of the 50s and 60s, but "Body By Reutter." That's one of the body makers for old Porsche, another was Karman. But, did you know Reutter Karosserie, was founded in 1906 by Wilhelm Reutter? Renowned for their elegant coachwork, Reutter Karosserie's body plant in Zuffenhausen was making bodies for Porsche, and was eventually purchased by Porsche in 1963 to continue work on the 356. However, Reutter was not out of business, they went on to continue to manufacture seats. The new name was then a contraction of the original name, Re-Karo, or Recaro.

These little badges are found on the lower right front fender of 356 Porsches.
Image via, elevenparts

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2011-10-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm Waiting For You...

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Coronado Vintage Races 2011...Replay

2011-10-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

Another "Runway Rumble" has come and passed. San Diego Fleetweek hosted the "Race at the Base," also called the Coronado Speed Festival. This is one of the premier vintage events held on the West Coast and the 14th edition. It featured 250 of the world's most pedigreed vintage racecars chosen to compete on the basis of their historic significance.

Also displayed this year at the entrance of the event were a multitude of current and historic Navy jets and helicopters celebrating the Centennial of Naval Aviation (1911-2011).

The San Diego Region of the Porsche Club of America again held a hospitality tent for it's members with a Porsche parking corral located next to the track. Over 275 Porsche parking passes were sent out with around 150 cars each day showing their best. The most overheard remark by Sunday afternoon was, "We can't wait till next year to do it all again." Two of our sponsors this year were "Hemmings Motor News" supplying the windshield profile cards and "Along For The Ride" supplying the ear plugs to muffle that wonderful sound.

San Diego Region's Porsche Corral and Tent. Image © Ingo

Some of the crew with Hemmings Motor News profile cards. Image © Ingo

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Pebble Beach...The Other Bad Boys

2011-10-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Most have heard of the ultimate of ultimate vintage car concours, Pebble Beach.

The location, perched on a cliffs edge of California coast-line between Carmel and Monterey. You say, "coast-line," and what comes to mind besides an awesome setting for a car show? How about pigeons, seagulls and crows, call them the dive bombing "Bad Boys." So what to do?...Read on.

The "Motorama" Display on the 18th fairway. Image via Corvette Fever.

Fellow blog reader, Kurt Gibson sent these shots of the "Badder" than "Bad Boys" predators. This gentleman's job is to un-cork his Peregrine falcon and a Euro owl to run off the locals. It seems one look at these dudes and the interloping dive bombers scatter.

The Peregrines diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds. Image © Kurt Gibson

The Peregrine can dive at speeds around 200 MPH. Image © Kurt Gibson

If you have ever heard an owl fly, you haven't heard an owl. They make no sound when they fly. Image © Kurt Gibson

The Euro owl is one of the largest types of owls, diet ...small birds. Image © Kurt Gibson

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What Are Friends For ?

2011-09-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

The car may have been different...but...dream back.

Can you remember hanging out with your buddies oil staining the driveway at your parents house? The rising mid-morning sun, clean, a good day ahead for you. Not a care in life, just girls, swapping lies and making the ride of your life faster, that's all that mattered.

Image via, H.A.M.B.

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"Immortalized: Rods and Customs of Distinction"

2011-09-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

"Art and Rods", what a bitchin' way to spend a warm Friday evening, a band, beer, wine, food and cool people. It was the opening reception of a "Rod" inspired art exhibition in a downtown Escondido gallery called ArtHatch with artist Robert Williams.

The reception was held with wine from "Vinz Wine Bar," beer from "Stone Brewing Co.," and sounds from Gino and the Lone Gunmen. All a benefit for Cruisin' Grand and ArtHatch. Oh yeah, the event had plenty of badass car art hanging on the walls, with more of the same in machinery on the street. After hanging out inside with show curator and speaker, artist Robert Williams, we came out to a sky heavy with stars shining down on some of the coolest rides on the earth.

It was a delicious night...

Immortalized: Rods and Customs of Distinction © ArtHatch staff photographer

Immortalized: Rods and Customs of Distinction © ArtHatch staff photographer

Check out some of these artists showing their work; Photoghraphers; Kurt Lightfoot, Will Gibson along with artists; Victor Roman, Sara Ray, Tom Fritz, Big Toe, Steve Waldron, Sharif Iman Carter, Laurence Gardinier and The Pizz. You can also see more art, by these featured artists, by clicking here. For some really cool art for your home or office, check out ArtHatch at 317 E. Grand Ave. Escondido. This "Rod" show runs through October 29th. Here's a link to their website, click here.

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Paint Me A Line / Pinstriping Hood Art

2011-09-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

Von Dutch, Dean Jeffries, 'Big Daddy' Roth among many others became "automotive tattooers" of the 50's. Armed with nothing more than tins of "1 Shot" enamel, thinner, some oil, a squirrel hair brush and a steady hand, they became artists that are now known the world over.

Today with so much art being computer generated, it may be worth a look at some of the current hand drawn art done by the young guns. These shots of "Hood Art" were taken at this years Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. This was such a bitchin' event...we're heading back.

Tools of the trade, pinstriping at Viva Las Vegas. Image © AFTR

Pinstriping at Viva Las Vegas. Image © AFTR

Pinstriping At Viva Las Vegas. Image © AFTR

Pinstriping at Viva Las Vegas. Image © AFTR

Abandoned Dreams / Daniel J. Rice

2011-09-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

While wandering around a local cruise night a few ago, came across this young guy with his vendor tent selling prints of his photographic work. Got to talkin' with him and picked up a smallish coffee table book he had published, called "Junkyard Reflections." Very cool images inside...

"For me photography has always been the means of remembering and sharing the beauty I find here on earth. I always even as a child was intrigued by the history behind abandon homesteads on the Oregon frontier. When I stumbled across the forgotten junkyard, on one of my many drives on the back-roads of Oregon, it was absolutely amazing. You could just feel the memories those cars provided for the individuals that drove them over time.

I have dedicated myself to the exploration of places in history. I look forward to visiting the Mayan ruins in Mexico next, which I am currently planning. And much more as time passes."---Daniel J. Rice

If you would like to see more of his book and some of his other awesome images, it's certainly worth the click here! You won't be disappointed!

"Junkyard Reflections" © Daniel J Rice

Daniel will be attending the El Cajon Classics Car show each Wednesday for the month of September, excluding the 14th. As well as hopefully October. His book is available on his website or at the show.

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America's First Racing School / Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving

2011-09-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

Carroll Shelby’s racing career grew out of a trip to a drag race in 1952. Later that year Shelby got behind the wheel of an MG TC and raced in his first road race, determined to win, and that he did.
In November of 1954, while racing in the Carrera Pan Americana in Mexico, Shelby crashed, flipping his car four times. It was his first serious accident. In 1955, he raced with his arm in a cast due to follow-up surgeries as a result of the accident. Later that same year, at Torrey Pines, Carroll beat Phil Hill while driving a Ferrari. Nothing was to keep him down.

In 1956 and 1957 Shelby was named "Driver of the Year" by Sports Illustrated magazine. He entered Formula One Racing in 1958, and in 1959 went on to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with co-driver Ray Salvadori. His last race would be on October 23nd, 1960 at the Pacific Grand Prix for Sports cars at Laguna Seca. He finished 2nd for the day behind the wheel of a Tipo 61 Birdcage Maserati. He was in such chest pain due to a heart condition after the race, that he called it quits.

Retiring from racing in 1961, he decided to open a Goodyear Racing Tire Distributorship and a driving school at a young Riverside International Raceway, called "Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving." He also called upon his friend, Pete Brock, to manage to operation. This school later became the Bob Bondurant school in 1968 at a SoCal drag strip and small road course called Orange County Raceway. When the Ontario Motor Speedway in California was built the school was moved to a dedicated road race/oval track. However, when Ontario was to be demolished after several years, the school was moved to its present location in Phoenix, Arizona.

Blog follower, Cameron Kane send in most of these photos from his father, Clark. Here's the story.

His father was at Riverside Raceway a lot in those days, and raced a H Modified Renault. Being a Sheriff in Riverside he was able to work the safety crew at the track. Which led to him being able to hang around with Shelby and Pete Brock at the driving school and when they did the 24 hrs with Corvairs at Riverside, also when the 1st Cobra was made.

PR. photo release for Driving School. Image Carroll Shelby Archives.

Pete Brock explains the fine art of driving. Image © Clark Kane

Pete Brock conducting the chalk talk with students. Image © Clark Kane

Carroll Shelby at the wheel with student, one of the first Cobras. Image © Clark Kane

Carroll Shelby laying rubber down the straight at Riverside. Image © Clark Kane

Carroll with last words of advice, Pete Brock's camera clicking away. Image © Clark Kane

How would you like to do a Driving School in a Cobra? Image © Clark Kane

Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving brochure. Image Carroll Shelby Archives.

Related posts: Shelby Cobras
Speaking of Cobras

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Hangar Rockin' 2011 / Only The Basic Best

2011-09-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

A hot rod is motoring at the basic best...a body, chassis, minimal amenities, and hopped up engine. Radio, what radio?...Ya wanta' hear the mill. That's the way it's gotta be...even in Europe!

Hangar Rockin’ has grown more and more and this year was the tenth edition in the festivals history. It has become one of the biggest Hot Rod, Rock’n’Roll, Kustom Kulture, Classic Car and Vintage Motorbike Meetings in Europe! The gathering was on the 1st and 2nd of July, 2011 at Airfield St. Stephan in Switzerland. The venue was set in the awesome scenery of the mountains between Zweisimmen and Lenk. The weekend was filled with first class live music and DJ's from the world over, also included, 1/8 mile Hot Rod drags, motorcycle show and race! There were also vendor tents, and you can't leave out the Hawaiian Bamboo Cocktail Bar, plus much more!

Check out the photos, hard to belive it's happin' in Europe...taking a step back in time.

Hangar Rockin', image © Sebgaidin.

Hangar Rockin', image © Raduni.

Hangar Rockin', image © Sebgaidin.

Hangar Rockin', image © Sebgaidin

More info on Hangar Rockin' click here.

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This Way Please / Zone 8 Porsche Concours

2011-08-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

The morning was dark, clear and heavy with stars as I put fire to my ride. Making my way to Shelter Island the sun rose out of the hills behind me, warming the smooth water on the bay next to the show site. I was there early to help direct cars, and couldn't help to think, this was to be a nice day. As I saw it, every blade of grass was ready to accept the perfect Porsches directed onto the ramps. Later on, not having a camera, and spotting Shannon Bowman with one in hand, I asked, "Will you take some photos for the blog?" Her face tightened, then her initial resistance broke way to a big smile. "Sure", was her response.

"I like to look for the beauty in the cars...

they're like art."--Shannon Bowman

The shutter in the camera clicked opened and closed with her creative blue eye looking through, carefully framing each image. So here they are, wonderful shots of Steve and Araceli Lopez's organized Zone 8 Porsche Club Concours. Enjoy.

San Diego Zone 8 Concours. Image © Shannon Bowman.

Shannon and Joel Bowman's 914. Image © Shannon Bowman.

Porsche 912 gathering. Image © Shannon Bowman.


*Three different ages. Image © Shannon Bowman.*

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Talking About Stirling / 1959 U.S. Grand Prix at Riverside

2011-08-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, well, whaddaya' know! With a past post on Stirling Moss, fellow blog follower, Marty Goldsmith sent this photo he captured of Sir Stirling back in the day. If you let your mind run, you can hear the rhythmic growl of the engine, the three air sucking Webers, and sense the smell of Castrol taking you to the time and place...

It was the United States Grand Prix for Sports Cars held at Riverside Raceway in 1959, with drivers such as; Phil Hill, Ken Miles, Bob Bondurant, Dan Gurney, Richie Ginther, Scooter Patrick and one lone woman driver, Josie von Neuman wheeling a Ferrari Testa Rosa. The affair was a 200 mile race, sadly Stirling when out with an engine issue after qualifying 6th on the grid.

Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel of his Aston Martin DBR2 entered by David Brown in the U.S. Grand Prix for Sports Cars at Riverside. Image © Marty Goldsmith.

The U.S. Grand Prix of Sports Cars 1959, Phil Hill won the race driving a Ferrari 250 TR.

Related post: Stirling, Say It's Not True.

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Stirling, Say It's Not True / Stirling Moss

2011-08-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

As the years would saunter by, I would usually see Stirling Moss at the Monterey Historics driving some kind of ancient machine. It was as if the world was still OK ... here's someone I never saw race, but always heard the amazing stories and there he was, out on the track.

There is little doubt that Stirling Moss was the greatest driver ever not to win the World Championship.

Where his friend, mentor and arch-rival Fangio excelled in Grand Prix racing, Moss was a brilliantly versatile all-rounder who could perform as well in grueling sportscar events such as LeMans, the Targa Florio or the Tourist Trophy as he did in Formula One. From 1948-1962 Stirling entered 527 races, races finished, 375, races won, 212.

Moss's active career in top line competition ended when his Lotus left the road at Goodwood during a Glover Trophy race in1962, and he received serious head injuries. In 1980 he made a brief comeback in British Touring Car racing with Audi. Since then he has been active in the Motorsports arena, including Vintage Car Racing. However, 60 years after his first race, he has announced his retirement from the sport.

Looking back, some 50 years ago he was just 800 meters from a win at the Targa in a Porsche RS60 when a transmission failure put an end to his day. Last year, in his own near-identical Porsche RS60 Spyder at the Monterey Historic Reunion, the car spun without warning during a morning warm-up and was hit hard by a Lotus XI. The car has since been rebuilt, and even though testing seemed promising at a recent practice day, he called it quits.

"This afternoon I scared myself
and I have always said that if I felt I was not up to it,
or that I was getting in the way of fellow competitors,
then I would retire" --Stirling Moss.

James Garner and Stirling at the 1970 Times Grand Prix at Riverside Raceway. Image © Bob Lampert.

Moss driving in the Mercedes Benz 300SLR in the 1955 Mille Miglia along with Denis Jenkinson. They won the race. Image © Daimler Chrysler.

Stirling Moss at the wheel of an Aston Martin.


*Moss in a Lotus winning the German GP at Nurburgring in 1961.*

Stirling Moss at the wheel of his Mercedes Grand Prix car.

Related post: Talking About Stirling

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The Runway Rumble / Coronado Vintage Races

2011-08-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

It's time for the Coronado Vintage Races, hosted by Fleetweek San Diego. Again this year San Diego Region of the Porsche Club will be hosting a Hospitality Tent at the races both Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th. If you are a member of the Porsche Club and would like to receive a free Porsche parking corral pass, or would like to read more about it, please click here.


*Our Hospitality Tent at the Coronado Vintage races. Image © Greg Phillips.*

If you would like to help the Vintage Race Committee, click here.

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Praying For Daylight...or...Was I?

2011-08-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

Tell me, do such things happen to you? After I hit the sack following an over abundance of food and drink, along came a dream about taking the cover off my cloaked in patina and pedestrian '67, tachin' it up, and heading to the next "Cars & Coffee". Look what transpired on the way! People tell me I have quite an imagination.

Former Playboy pinup and B-movie actress of the 50's Yvette Vickers recently died at the age of 82. But it wasn't until a year later, that her mummified body was found in her Beverly Hills home. A neighbor, found the "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" star lying on the floor of an upstairs room, after pushing open a barricaded front gate, "scaling a hillside", climbing through a broken window and pushing through stacks of "clothes, junk mail and letters" to reach her.

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Torrey Pines Road Races / More Lost Car RacingTracks

2011-08-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

During the early 50's European car road racing took off here in the states with returning service men wanting to try their hand at the wheel. Also, about this time Army and Navy bases were not needed and became the prefect place to let these cars stretch.

"Camp Callan" was located at the south end of Torrey Pines and accidentally became a hot-bed of racing from 1951 to 1956. The '51 race was scheduled for the fairgrounds at Del Mar when the negotiations broke down and the suggestion was made to use the asphalt streets of the old Army base at Torrey. Torrey Pines road racing was born.

The races were first organized by the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce and the California Sports Car Club. In the early years the races were sprint contest consisting of 6 lap events around a 2.7 mile course with names such as; the Del Mar Trophy Race, the La Jolla Trophy Race, the Balboa Trophy Race, the Cabrillo Trophy Race and the Torrey Pines Trophy Race. A little known fact about those early years, 3 lap motorcycle races were also held during the race weekends.

In 1955 the Sports Car Club of America joined in by sanctioning the races under the auspices of the Los Angeles and San Diego Regions of the SCCA along with the San Diego Sports Car Club and the California Sports Car Club. To Torrey's merit, it drew the like of who's-who in U.S. racing, Paul O'Shea, Carroll Shelby, Pete Lovely, John von Neumann, Ken Miles, Phil Hill and Jack McAfee driving Ferrari's, Porsche's, Allard's, Jaguar's and more.

On the final weekend of racing at the Pines it was a swan song for the course, it certainly afforded a pleasure for the drivers and spectators alike to come watch. In spite of the usual threatening fog bank offshore, a taxing six-hour endro race was held Saturday followed by six sprint races Sunday. The underbrush had been bulldozed away eliminating the former fire hazard at previous races and a large number of flags around the course gave it a fittingly festive air, with a spectator count of 35,000 at the end.

Shortly after, the San Diego City Council voted to turn the land into two golf courses and the Torrey Pines Road races sadly came to an end.

Just a note: most of these images are from the camera of fellow blog follower Bob Lampert, thanks Bob.


*Classic 50s' program art with an Allard drifting around a Torrey Pine perched on a cliff.*

Torrey Pines Road Races. The location of the 2.7 mile course was just west of Highway 1. The exit from the highway is where the now Torrey Pines Lodge is located.. Image via, Frank Sheffield.

Torrey Pines Road Races. Studying this photo is interesting. Note the number of spectators on the hillside and the incoming stream of cars. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torrey Pines Road Races. The Start/Finish as a sprint race gets underway with an Osca, Siata, Porsche left to right. MG in the background making a pass in the dirt. Image via, Frank Sheffield.

Torrey Pines Road Races. John von Neumann readies in the pre-grid with his daughter Josie looking on with the Gmund Porsche. Josie was also a driver. Image via, Frank Sheffield.

Torrey Pines Road Races. One of seven made Glockler Porsches sits in the pits ready for the race. Image via, Frank Sheffield.

Torrey Pines Road Races. Dan Gurney in his Triumph TR-2 leads a Jag and Porsche. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torrey Pines Road Races. John A. Porter, Jr. streaks by in his Porsche Spyder. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torrey Pines Road Races. Phil Hill in a Ferrari Monza co-driven by John von Neumann in the 6-hour endro. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torry Pines Road Races. Dr. Troy McHenry blasting by the PA system in his Porsche Spyder. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torrey Pines Road Races. The Nichols Panhard of Jack Wilder hits the hay to keep cars from going off course. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torrey Pines Road Races. Jack Wilder received no injuries, however the Nichols Panhard was not as lucky. Image © Bob Lampert.

Torrey Pines Road Races. John and Josie von Neumann with the 356SL Gmund. Before the 1952 race at Torrey, John requested to have the roof cut off the coupe to save weight, creating the first Speedster. Image via, Frank Sheffield.


*Torrey Pines Road Races. The loot at the end of the day. Image via, Frank Sheffield.*

Frank Sheffield's photos can be found here.

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356 Dana Point Concours / 356 Club of SoCal

2011-08-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

We went for an outing last weekend...and I had camera in hand, so, naturally, I took some shots.

Another well attended Dana Point Concours with over a hundred 356 cars, early 911S Registry guys and some 912 guys converging on Lantern Bay Park at Dana Point. Image © AFTR.

Blog follower, Cam Ingram of Road Scholars Restorations of Raleigh, SC. took first place in "Full Concours" and also won the coveted "Peoples Choice" award with a 1952 Cab, Fashion Gray with Blue. Image © AFTR.

"We were a little shocked to wake up Sunday morning to a rain storm in sunny southern California in late July. The hotel valet assured us that it was very rare, but his comforting words were lost on us.
We had spent countless hours on two cars, and had shipped them across county in a transporter to compete in the 356 epicenter. The last five years of concours experience has taught us not to panic when faced with diversity. Although, it was tough to remain calm when we ran out of towels by the third onslaught of rain."...Cam Ingram

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The Art of Bomonster

2011-08-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

Call him, Dear Bo, or Mr. Monster...I don't know. I first meet him at a Goodguys show and later we talked again at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. He goes by the name Bomonster and 'Art' is the name of his game, precisely in the world of art, it's called scratchboard. I was so curious and jazzed about his style, I asked him to do something for the blog.

You can call it Lowbrow, Hot Rod, Comic or Underground, it's just bitchin' and every hand stroke comes from his heart. If you're like me, trying to draw a simple line is hard, you can appreciate his talent.

A young Bomonster picked up on art watching his hot rodding dad create pen and ink drawings of cars. Later he saw a concept pen and ink by Ed Newton where Newton had used black lines and dashes of white paint on the ends to highlight the illusion of chrome...Bomonster was hooked. Today while not scratching away, he works as a professional in the advertising world.

I often hear my artist wife use the art world terms, loose or tight, his creations are loose, fun and inviting to gaze the small details. After you see how he does it, spend some time on his website to check out finished pieces. While you're checking them out, look for a very small 1964 Kellison Astra GT somewhere in each...his dream car.


*The finished art, read on to see how he does it.*

Flathead progress 1: I start with a new black scratchboard surface with my previously drawn image transferred to the surface. I like graphite. The Pizz told me he likes carbon paper. Wearing white archival gloves to keep skin oils off the surface (or is it to keep the black ink off my hands?), I start scratching, occasionally blowing off the the residue shavings so I can see what I’m doing. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead progress 2: My work is a lot of repetitive scratch lines. To simulate squishy brain matter, it’s all about curving the lines - sometimes letting the lines touch to create a highlight - and letting the edges stay black to define the direction. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead progress 3: For the flathead motor, I basically outline and and start to fill in details. What you don't see in this picture are the reference photos in the background. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead progress 4: For the chrome air cleaners, I scratch almost all the way to white but leave thin black parallel lines to look like chrome reflections. I added Ed Roth flies for low brow effect. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead progress 5: More brain matter has been added and the eyes start to take shape. Also at the base of the brain stem I added something I try to sneak into every one of my pieces - my car - a 1964 Kellison Astra. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead progress 6: After outlining the eyeball veins - which look a lot like flames in this case, I fill in the whites with more scratch marks. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead progress 7: Spinal cords and disks are added. Not exactly an anatomically-accurate rendition you’d find in a medical book, but close enough. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead 8: Here’s where the magic happens. My style has been described as a “high intensity drawing style” and I really liked that description. I was originally going to do something different with the background but felt that in this case “high intensity” could only help. So I start scratching and scratching and.... Image © Bomonster.

Flathead 9: ...and scratching. It’s important to keep the lines parallel and directional like they are glowing off the subject matter. Sometimes to make sure I’m on the right path, I’ll jump ahead and throw some little lines down where I’m heading so that when I get there I can check to see if I’m still keeping them going in the right direction. Image © Bomonster.

Flathead 10: This is a very important step. Once finished, I stand the work up and stare at it while enjoying a refreshing beverage. Inevitably, I’ll see something that can be better. Then I give it the “overnight” test. The next day, with fresh eyes, I always see something that could be better. Once done, I spray a matte fixative over the surface and frame for the show. Image © Bomonster.


Flathead 12: No matter how much you love your own work, there’s nothing more humbling than turning it over to a gallery for a public hanging. Here it sits at Gasoline Gallery waiting to be hung next to a bunch of very talented and much more famous artist’s work. Image © Bomonster.

Check out Bo's website for some bitchin' work at, Bomonster.com

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A Day at Crower / The Crower Car Show

2011-07-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Took the cover off the '67 and let her rip, heading down a concrete ribbon south, way south. Close to the border turned east to the Crower Car Show. Dragsters, close to a dozen, Bonneville Salt Flat Cars, Hot Rods, Low Riders, music and food, it was the third of these gatherings of extremes. Bad rides everywhere, but the bonus for the day was hearing Nitro burning beasts bark to life.

Have you ever heard real American horsepower up close? There's nothing quite like it. The deafening concussions pounding into your chest, reverberating every bone in your body. Each cylinder explosion crisply piercing the air...then the crack of the throttle and no other sound in the world can be heard, time stands still, every eye on it, every heart was poundin'. As it stops, you take a breath...just awesome!


*Image © AFTR*


*Image © AFTR*

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Just Like a Girl...

2011-07-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

Don't tell me, it's not just like a girl to be messin' with her hair rather than be worried about the car. And the guys...do you really think they're trying to solve the problem with the little British four banger...or do you suppose they have other things on their minds? Ah yes, the trials of life with our cars seems to start very early for us.

Image via, HAMB

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Onlookers

2011-07-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

We, my camera and I, decided to head to our local club autocross. As I clicked away, club guys kept asking me, when was I gonna' come drive again...not today, the two of us are onlookers me holding cell phone camera in hand.

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Speaking of Cobras / Allen Grant's Ride

2011-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

With a previous post about Cobras, blog follower John Bessey sent in an image of Allen Grant on the back side of an old Laguna Seca race program. This peaked my curiosity and I did some diggin'.

Allen started at Carroll Shelby's as a mechanic's helper and welder but quickly graduated to the office where he finagled a deal to drive a Cobra from Coventry Motor Cars of Walnut Creek as a "privateer." The paint scheme was designed by his then-roommate, George Lucas of later "Star Wars" fame. His first race was at Santa Barbara where he faced off against the A/Prod. Corvettes, winning both races on Saturday and Sunday. With another win at Candlestick Park near San Fran and a second place at Riverside along with a couple wins at Laguna Seca, Shelby was convinced and put Allen on as a Team driver, after he served some time in the National Guard.

Coventry Motors was the top dealer of CSX 2000 Series Cobra cars from 1962 though 1965, selling 25 examples.

Back cover from 1963 Pacific Grand Prix program at Laguna Seca. Image via, John Bessey.

Grant at the old turn 6 Laguna Seca in one of the most recognizable Cobras, yellow, black stripes and polished Halibrand wheels with black centers.

Allen Grant with George Lucas riding shotgun after a win. Image, Julie Grant Weiss Collection.


*Grant towed his race car with a matching Ford truck.* *Image, Julie Grant Weiss Collection.*

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Shelby Cobra / Carroll Shelby Right Place...Right Time

2011-07-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

A full moon was lookin' at me through the window last night while hanging out in the garage sipping a cool one. I took note of one of my favorite posters pinned to the wall. If there was a Genie in a bottle, I would be cruising in one of these.

The story of Texan Carroll Shelby is not new, he was at the right time...right place. He entered the world of manufacturing and selling after his doctor told him he only had a month to live. This happened after he had climbed to the top of Sports Car racing from the days of a chicken rancher after a stint behind the wheel of a MG TC, winning his first two races in 1952 and moving on to other cars. This all stopped in 1960 when his doctors told him his competitive driving days were over.

About the same time, Lee Iacocca became V. P. at Ford and wanted to have an impact on the juvenile performance market. He put in motion the development of a small V-8 for those performance oriented consumers, and in 1962 Ford was finishing that lightweight 221 cubic inch engine. Shelby, who knew some people at Ford, got his hands on an engine and stuffed it into a small British car called an AC ACE. The engine grew from 221 to 260, then a 289, and finally a fire breathing 427 with a different block. The resulting car was named Cobra, and first introduced in 1962 at the New York Auto Show. It was to be sold to the public in limited numbers and raced by privateers and a Shelby Team.

However, it was not a cake walk. The first car was built by a bunch of 'Hot Rodders' at Dean Moon's shop in Santa Fe Springs to attract financing, and painted a different color each time it was shown to the public to make it look as though there were several cars. Orders started coming in and then manufacturing moved to a shop in Venice, California. They quickly out grew that shop by 1965 when they started to add the Ford Mustang into the mix calling it a GT 350. The next move was to two hangers on Imperial Highway next to L.A.X.

With Shelby still smiling on what he envisioned, the Cobra was the right car at the right time and the rest is history.

Carroll Shelby with his new 289 cars, one for the road other for the track.

Carroll watches as his first Cobra is being finished at Dean Moon's shop.

The competition cars ready to roll.

Two new 427 Cobras head out to waiting customers.

The Baldwin Motion "Dagginsnake" a street car that was converted to a drag racer.

Action at the Targa Florio 1964.

One can only dream.

Billy Krause at Riverside Raceway testing the new 289.


*Even the "King of Cool" couldn't resist.*

Related post: Allen Grant's Ride

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Speed Shops / Makin my list and checkin it twice...

2011-07-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Before computers and ordering on line, all one had to do was head down to the local 'Speed Shop' to pick up what was needed for a Saturday project. Many an hour was spent just walking around checking out and dreaming about all the cool stuff you could put on your ride. "Hot Rod" Henry's was so typical of that kind of place, 'Lowering Blocks'...$2.99 or 'Moon Hub Caps'...$11.95. Life was so simple.

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Monterey Car Week ... 2011

2011-07-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

For all of you heading to heaven, here's a guide for the Monterey Car Week, 2011. Don't miss it!

August...13-14, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion. This is the second year this event has been open to the public with many of the same cars that run the following weekend. Prices are also reduced in comparison. Very low key without the hoards of spectators. Info. http://www.mazdaraceway.com

August...16, Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue. 11:00-5:00 This is such a cool event with the main street of Carmel closed for the Concours. All types of cars are shown with special classes for Ferrari and Porsche. Get there early and have a 'cup of joe' and pastry as parking can become a problem. Don't forget to take in the "Concours in the Windows" of the local shops. All this...and it's free to spectate! Info.
http://www.motorclubevents.com/

August...16-17, Automobilia Monterey. 10:00-6:00 Vendors selling original vintage posters, photos, literature, rallye plates, badges, and much more. If you have never been to an automobilia show, take this in. There is a small fee. Info. http://www.automobiliamonterey.com

August...17, The Pacific Grove Tiny Car Show. 10:00-5:00 This is the second year for this show, which includes gas powered micro and mini cars under 1,600cc. Info. http://www.marinamotorsports.org

August...18, The Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance. Cars launch from Pebble Beach at 8:30 and make their way along the 17-mile drive, down Hwy. 1 a short distance and back for lunch stopping for 1-2 hours on the main street of Carmel. Very cool to hear these cars run and get up close to take a look, but get to Carmel early as it gets very crowded. It's free. More info. http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net

August...18, Baja Cantina Gathering. 5:00-10:00 It's the ultimate car guy hangout and restaurant. Hot Rods, Sports Cars, Racers, you name it...it can show up! This is a great way to end the day! Located 3 miles east of Hwy. 1 on Carmel Valley Rd.

August...19, The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering. 10:00-4:00 Quail Lodge Golf Club. This year will feature Phil Hill's F-1 Championship. May be sold out. Info. http://www.quaillodgeevents.com/pages/thequail.cgi

August...19, Concourso Italiano. 9:00-5:00 Laguna Seca Golf Ranch. The woulds largest exotic Italian car show.
Cost is $130 day of event. Info. http://www.concorso.com

August...19, Legends of the Autobahn. 9:00-3:00 Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley. This is for the guys that would rather check out the German cars. Info.
http://www.mbca.org/event/2011-08-19/2011-legends-autobahn-west-coast-summer-concours

August...19, Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally. Cars line up at 1:30-5:30 and the tour begins at 6:00 p.m. A low key event that is fun and free to just look. Draws about 200+ cars. Info.http://pgautorally.org/

August...19-21, Retro Auto at Pebble Beach, 10:00-5:00 This event features collectibles and memorabilia with all kinds of cool stuff for a car guy. As of posting, there is no cost listed. I guess, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Info. http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net

August...19-21, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. This is the grand-daddy of them all when it comes to Vintage Racing. Held at Laguna Seca Raceway, if you have never been, you're missing out. Prices are under $100 per day. Info. http://www.mazdaraceway.com/

August...20, "Boys of Bonneville" Movie Showing. The new film will be shown in Carmel at the Sunset Cultural Arts Center. Info. http://www.boysofbonneville.com/screenings/

August...21, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. 10:30-5:30 This year will feature Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and 125 years of the Automobile as well as Italian Motorcycles. This is also the grand-daddy of Concours events, cost is $200 at the door. Info. http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net

Auctions:

August...18-19, Bonham's Auction, Quail Lodge

August...18-20, Mecum at Monterey

August...18-20, Russo and Steele Monterey

August...19-20, RM Auction Monterey

August...20-21, Gooding Company Pebble Beach

The Click of a Camera / Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend

2011-07-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

Shuffling along between the rows of cool rides at Viva Las Vegas, the click of a Canon EOS 400D could be heard. I swiveled around with curiosity, a young lad was clicking away totally obvious to my riveted eyes. He turned away from one car and moved to the next as if on a mission, lining up the perfect shot. As always, pimping for photos to use on the blog, I approached him with a card and said, hey if you're interested send me some images. He introduced himself as Nik Thyssen. Here's his story, read on...

"I live in Melbourne Australia, and I've been into hot rods for as long as I can remember. I'm a junior member of 'The Aces of Suede Car Club' and my dad and I are building my first hot rod, a 1930 Model A coupe. My dad is also into hot rods and Kustoms so I've grown up cruising in his '50 Mercury. I started taking photos when my family and I took a trip to Viva 2010 and met Roy Varga, a famous pin-up model photographer who spent some time with me teaching me about shooting. Since then I have been taking photos of all the cars I like at shows that we go to, in Australia and the USA. I like to shoot traditional style rods and chopped customs, and especially with pin-ups."

So now, here's the kicker, Nik is only 12 years old...how very cool is that! Check out his bitchin' images! Dude...you Rock!

If you would like to connect with Nik, this is the place to click.

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HHR's 356 Bonneville Build

2011-06-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Goal: To set a land speed record for the fastest 356, then be able to return the car to street use.

That's just what Graham Henderson is setting out to accomplish, his dream car. No small undertaking, it now stands at something like 150 mph and that's in a body design that's about 60+ years old. To do this he has enlisted the help of Kent Porter of Precision Chassis Works in Arizona who understands the task well. Part of the plan is to build a tube frame below the body, install a 911 engine, not hanging out over the back, but in a mid-engined configuration, do all the safety mods that are required, like a full roll cage and fire system along with all the small tuning to make the car run like a tiger out of the Malaysian Jungle.

Graham owns a few classic air-cooled Porsches from a 993 down, however he fell in love with Porsche 356A coupes when he was a very young architect working in London, and spotted a little silver torpedo sitting on a local street. He was smitten and decided that one day he was going to own one. Subsequently he found and bought a right hand drive, type A coupe in Malaysia. The car has been in storage for the past 13 years in Kuala Lumpur and just in the last week it arrived at the Port of Los Angeles where it will be trucked to Gilbert, Arizona for the beginning of the project.

The "Along For The Ride" blog will follow this adventure with Team HHR to record the story and show photo updates as the car is rebuilt to make a run at record speeds. A separate page (that can be found along the top header) will provide updates to follow all the way to "The Salt". Be sure to check it out and send your comments and questions here.


*The 356 A coupe minus widows and trim as rescued from Malaysia. Image © HHR*

'SENNA' The Movie

2011-06-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

A trip to the Sonoma Historic Races a few weeks ago lead to some cool side adventures. One was viewing the pre-release showing of the film, "SENNA" at the historic Sebastiani Theatre that was originally built in 1933 in the quiet town of Sonoma.

The long-awaited documentary about triple F-1 World Champion Ayrton Senna is about to hit the movie screens this summer. However, the movie is more than a documentary on the Brazilian driver, it starts with his young training, racing go-karts and progresses through his 11 seasons in F-1 along with voiceover interviews with family members and track rivals giving a clear insight into his mindset as a driver. Even with spectacular in-car footage this film also focuses on his personal feelings about the politics of F-1 with a 105-minute feature compiled from thousands of hours of period archive footage. Senna makes an important point about what he really enjoys about driving early on in the film and comes back to it several times throughout. I'm not going to give that point away, just take my word for it. The movie is a must see for anyone who enjoys F-1 or sports car driving. I'll give it my best Siskel and Ebert impression of two thumbs up!

After the movie, Monique and I walked across the town square to the Swiss Hotel bar. The bench racing was at full tilt in this cool little place. Next time you're in Sonoma, stop in and have a shot or two of whiskey, and if you're looking for a blue jeans kinda' place to have a great dinner next time you're at Infineon Raceway (I still call it Sears Point), try the Schellville Grill heading into Sonoma, the best BBQ ribs outside the South.

Sonoma Historic Mororsports Festival put on by General Racing

Historic Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma

Ayrton Senna

Aryton Senna

You can see a trailer for the film by clicking this link.

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Sun Worshipper / Bonneville

2011-06-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

With summer edging its way around the corner, thought I would run a photo of taking in some rays the way it should be done.

Yeah, the Bonneville Salt Flats may not be the white sandy beaches of the Pacific or Atlantic, but that didn’t seem to prevent this sun worshipper from soaking up the sun. While one of the guys worked on setting a speed record in his rear engined streamliner, their young lady friend worked on getting a record-breaking tan. Seems the other guy was too distracted to be of much help. Can’t identify the racers or the woman in the bikini, but this exposure was made during the ’67 Speed Trials. Eric Rickman shooting for Hot Rod magazine probably captured the image.

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Viva Las Vegas / Rockabilly Weekend

2011-06-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

Not far away headlights taillights run like a river down the neon strip. I aimlessly wandered among the chirping spinning rows of slot machines at the Vegas Orleans Hotel, taking in the cool dudes and their gals. Somehow it said, this weekend was gonna’...“Rock.”

Just imagine... take that said Hotel and fill it full of throw-back 50’s garb, hair cuts and dews, burlesque shows and bathing suit contests, pool parties, fashion shows, round the clock rock & roll bands, vendor areas, add plenty to drink, and supply it with over 700 badass rods... you have a weekend that’s certainly worth a clean shirt. As I think about it, it was as if everyone said, “Screw the world today, we’re opting out and heading back to a simpler day.” That’s what they did, with appetite.

It started on a Thursday with non-stop action in the hotel, and building to the rod show on Saturday with the crush of people gathered around the main stage outside. The Dynotones set the pace for Jerry Lee Lewis to later take the stage and pound the keyboards the only way he can. It was wonderful. As the music played I made a final purchase at the outside vendor area, only to realized the cars calling me back to meet up with more old friends of flat paint, chrome, pinstripes, flames and “Mag“ wheels.

So in a time of hopped up electronics, iPads, iPhones, iClouds and more, with most youth other than these having no idea why or how to do a build, this event gave me, as an older rodder, a little glimmer of hope that all the goodness of the 40's/50’s decades will not disappear. There will be a increasing number left to enjoy a time of mechanical innocence, imagination and the creativity to build a wicked ride and enjoy it with friends.

I recall, this gathering popped into my consciousness a few years ago, and now it's happened to me leaving nothing but a smile. Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend has been permanently etched into my inner cranial cells with only good thoughts. On Sunday morning setting off for home, I thought back to the drive heading to the event, and having never been before, it was a blank page in my mind,…now I’m glad it's full!


*Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Image © John Straub*

Hopefully the movement keeps growing, I just ordered our tickets for next year!

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend for April, 2012 is listed on the calendar page here.

Related post: The Click of a Camera

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Hand Built / Gene Winfield

2011-06-10T16:39:00.000-07:00

If you were hanging around in Gene's shop back in the early seventies, this is just one of the hand built parts that you would see fabricated.

Here's a look back at rod and custom builder Gene Winfield (left) and Jim “Jake” Jacobs (right) helping hold, in the process of punching 114 3x3/4-inch louvers into a rear decklid. The legendary Gene was and still is one of the custom kings still building badass rides today out of his Mojave desert shop.

Image courtesy, The Rod & Custom Archives

Even to this day Gene races a re-creation of one of his flathead powered El Mirage cars, and what could be more fitting for someone that was at the ground level during the juvenile years at El Mirage.

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U.S. Grand Prix 1960 Riverside / Start-Finish

2011-06-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Thinking back to the two previous posts on the U.S. Grand Prix at Riverside held in 1960, got me to thinkin' about the start/finish line at the time. Take a look at this image, it shows the "Hot Pits" on the outside of the track with tents lined up for the paddock. This pit lane was to be moved shortly after to the inside of the track and the area where the tents are was going to be for grandstands and a timing tower. I especially like the public standing track-side with no wall or barricade.

U. S. Grand Prix held at Riverside International Raceway in 1960. Image Copyright, Eric Rickman, Courtesy Hot Rod Deluxe

Related post: United States Grand Prix Riverside 1960

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Man Cave / It Takes a Village

2011-06-02T04:32:00.000-07:00

Settling down at the keyboard to work on a new blog post and the computer bongs that a new email just flew in. Sequim, Washington calling, fellow blog follower Bob Lampert sent this video. No it's not vintage, but still very cool. Check it out, don't let the first or last minute or two of the talking heads keep you from drooling. What do you dudes think...want one? After you watch the video, to comment, click here.

Here is the link to the video.
http://www.kare11.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=958137284001

Micro Art / Sports Car Racing Programs ...1950's #2

2011-05-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

A second look at micro art.

In this day of push-button high tech computer graphics, and high gloss print material, it's fun to look back to a time when covers of race programs were done with drawings, or B&W photos. Creativity done by X-acto knife in hand, with wax applied and pasted on thin cardboard layout boards. The words, images and colors were carefully cut overlays, photographed and burned into plates for printing. Most were two color, since the use of four color was cost prohibitive for most.

These images are of Sports Car Race programs in the 50's held in California, provided by blog follower Marty Goldsmith. They're simple little works of art depicting action, speed, humor and meant to stimulate spectators imaginations at race tracks that no longer exist.


*Pebble Beach Road Races Program, the last year held at Pebble Beach. Some of the drivers running, Phil Hill in a Ferrari, Walt Hansgen in a Corvette, and Ernie McAfee in a Ferrari and OSCA.*

These were the races that took over Pebble Beach now being held at a fledgling Laguna Seca with a new Laguna Seca Race Program. Some of the drivers running, Maston Gregory in a Maserati 4.7, Carrol Shelby in a Maserati, and Richie Ginther in a Ferrari Testa Rosa.

Fiesta Del Pacifico races being held in San Diego. Some of the drivers running were, Bruce Kessler in a Aston-Martin, Bill Krause in a Jaguar D type and Frank Monise in a Lotus VI.


*The first Pomona Road Races program. Check out the guys running at this event, Ken Miles in a Porsche 550, Bob Bondurant in a Morgan+4, and Dan Gurney in a Porsche Speedster.*


*Here's a Bakersfield Road Races program which was held at Minter Field. Some of the drivers, Dan Gurney in a Porsche, Ruth Levy in a Porsche, and Richie Ginther in a Porsche 550 Spyder.*

Related post: Micro Art #1

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Run to the Hills Car Show

2011-05-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday...took the cover off the '67 and boogied to the hills with Monique. "Run to the Hills Car Show" that is. This was the ninth year for this cool event and while there looking at the other entered cars meet a guy snapping photos. These are some of John O'Mara's images. Check them out.

Check out John's webpage for some badass photos at: http://johnomara.zenfolio.com/

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Speaking of the Riverside Grand Prix ...

2011-05-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

In the post on the United States Grand Prix of 1960 held at Riverside Raceway, Marty spoke about several of the race cars being driven to the track for the race and Bob saw one that he remarked about in the comments. However, for a lot of us, life was to young to remember such things. If you think about it, Riverside Raceway was basically a new track, and had no garages in their paddock area as of yet. Check out the following images. Can you imagine driving today's Formula one cars on the street?

John Surtees makes a pass between two Fords and a Chevy driving his F1 Lotus-Climax up University Avenue heading towards the raceway for the 1960 U.S. Grand Prix. Incidentally, he did not finish the race because of an accident.

Here Maurice Trintignant, on Highway I-15 heading south coming out of Riverside on his way to the track in a Cooper-Maserati. Maurice finished 15th in the race.

The United States Grand Prix at Riverside Race Program. Image via

Related post: United States Grand Prix, 1960.

Seeing F-1 cars on the street today is certainly worth a comment here.