Category Archives: Events

World Famous Swindles Poker Run 2012, Part one

Leave a reply

Well, it was time again. The end all, be all poker run held in the beutiful North West corner of Washington state. As usual, we gather in the picturesque town of LaConner. a town where history and time stood still. It makes for a great back drop as we line up our hot rods for things to come.

OK, the Pontiac in the foreground is not really a hot rod butit is cool enough to join the gang.

 

With the summer not wanting to quit, the day was perfect for some four wheeled hooliganism. Part of the mahem was this survivor old hot rod. I beleive it was featured in a magazine in 1964.

This model A from Kanada was just the “shitz”. Perfect detail work everywhere you look.

OK, let’s hit the road. With over eighty cars we had to stop at times to gather all the folks, The World Famous Swindles did an excellent job keeping everybody together.

It’s also nice to get out and strech your legs and check out some more cars.

Scott’s ‘banger powered Model A. Even with a leaky head gasket he showed up and tore up the roads. I understand he blew the gasket on his way home.

Another fine hot rod from Kanada

We invaded various parks and stopped to stretch our legs and swap lies.

Chris’ ’32 Roadster. An all steel rod bods car. Superfast small block and Tremec five speed. Built to use…and abuse.

Well made tub.

Tub office looks like it should…all business.

Another angle of this nice Canadian hot rod.

 More coming from this event soon…

More from the GoodGuys 2012 show

A good car show offers something for everyone and here are some rides that caught my eye walking thru the GoodGuys 2012 show:

Cars in motion is the bestest…can you say that?? Sure. Parked static cars are boring but to hear and see them roll by is always fun. Sometimes you can even feel them as they rumble by. This Buick looks great cruising the fairground.

Cars do not have to be perfect to look cool. This 1957 Chevrolet Nomad has the right stance and attitude to look right.  I suppose the mandatory surfboards doesn’t hurt the look either.

Maybe it’s my age but I am starting to like stock looking cars more and more. Also, a sedan like this car makes for a very comfortable and practical ride. Some modern brakes and suspension component underneath a car like this would be the “shitz” as they say.

This Chevrolet convertible was treated to a tastful custom job as well as a shave.
We dig.

Here is another clean and stock looking Ford sedan.

With an interior like this, how can you go wrong?

Lou Alderman from Yakima WA brought his 1934 Ford 5 window coupe to the event.

American Muscle at it’s best. Gotta live love the body lines on the 60′s and early 70′s Mopar cars. Most of them look like they are doing 100 mph standing still. I know the fit and finish was pretty bad when they rolled off the assembly lines so these are cars worth doing a better job than the factory when you restore them.

Cary Lang from Federal Way in Washinton brought this gorgeous 1970 Plymouth GTX to the show. The car is equipped with a 440 six pack and shifted through a Hurst operated four speed transmssion.

The oversize “GTX” emblems on this car makes sure any Ford or Chevy owner know not to bother with a challange.

Looks good in action.

 

“Hemi Honker” is owned by Dennis and Pam McColly from Salem Oregon. It is a 1964 Dodge Polara sporting a 605 Hemi shifted by a Jerico Transmission.

 

The thru-the-fenders exhaust adds to the all business look of this car.

Again…cars look thier best while moving…even if it’s just crusing around the failgrounds

.

Got wood? Bob Diachuk from White Rock, BC got some…in his 1948 Ford woodie.

The detail work on this car is impeckable.

This is how you set up an early fifties Chevy. Not too low, slicks in back. We dig!

Remember these?

In the department “Something different” we introduce this 1962 Studebaker Daytona.

John and Vicki Boivin from Puyallup brought this beauty.

1962 Studebaker Daytona

Powered by a tri-powered equipped small block it makes for a defferent and dependable cool car.

Abedebedebede…That’s all, Folks!

The Beggers Annual Hot Rod Show

Leave a reply

This event gets better and better. The local traditional car club Beggers is responsible for this affair. The setting at the local nursery could not be better.

They feed us great food and served up some serious rockabilly from Moses and his crew.

The weather was perfect and the setting couldn’t be better.

 

Let’s check out some of the rides:

Shoe boxes, anyone? One of the better years of Fords designs.

 

This roadster was featuring some very nice workmanship.

Not a traditional hot rod but the super nice Cadillac rolled in and we did not mind.

 

Mark Anderson’s 1931 Ford roadster.

Chad’s Rambler wagon.

I dig how the top roof panel opens up the whole cargo space.

 Gotta love his tool box. Yup, I  have tool box envy !

 

This Indian was restored to perfection. The side car started life as a military unit and civilian model chrome was added.

The nursery where the event was held has lots of old and vintage farm equipment on display. Makes for a great backdrop.

Thank You World Famous Beggers for a god time. See you next year.

Cascade Kombis Annual Meet

Every year the North West VW fans get together at the Shoreline Community College site for a  vintage VW show. would guess about 300 cars, trucks and buses showed up. Also, a rather large swap meet is there to help you find the hard parts. I am rather jealous as if this was a vintage Volvo meet there would have been…ahem…eight cars or so.

I also learned some of the lingo used to describe models or options…like…”divorce stand, fried egg blinkers, split window, spoon handle and bay-window” bus!!

This is referred to as a “low light Ghia” with the head lights at a lower position on the front fenders. I think it one of the most beautiful bodies out there.

Chris Shelton’s most excellent Thing…Yes, he has a Thing! He rolled in with it unwashed and looking like it was being USED…as it should. The top was found in the classifieds as it was missing. Way to go.

A very early example of the beloved bug.

Two 1967 convertibles although according the know-it-aller I was with the white one was sporting some 1968 equipment. Hybrid of sorts…maybe titled wrong?

Another beautiful convertible. Makes me want one…

 Convertible office. Yeah, I could be piloting this baby.

Let’s swing over to the bus section for a while. This coral and white beauty is just that…a beauty.

 

Growing up in Europe I used to hate these things. Now they are just coolness:

 

OK, I admit it…I used to hate the Karmann Ghia as well. Most of them were rusted up back then so it’s nice to see solid super straight cars like this:

 

More later…

 

 

 

 

If this

All Chevrolet Show

Leave a reply

The XXX restaurant in Issaquah offer something fun almost every weekend. I was riding by and since the camera was in the saddle bag it was a good excuse to swing in and shoot some cars. Do you know what they have at all Chevy shows?? A ton of…Chevrolets.

This all stock 1952 truck was a favorite. Owned by Ron Payne and Debbie Beatenbough it was sitting tall and proud on stock suspension.

An absolute orgie in turquise!

Bipty-sebben-chebbies are all OK but I prefer these older Chevrolets. This mild custom is tastefully excecuted.

“She’s so fine…Bla,bla,bla”

When did you see a Yenko Chevelle last?

John Byerley brought out his 1969 427 Yenko car.

Yenko tuned 427…all business.

Clean Bibty Sebben Chebby

1951 Chevrolet with a 235 6 cyl engine. Very nice.

OK, that’s enough Chevrolets for a while.

Local Cruise Night

Leave a reply

“Cruise” night to me means cruising, as in moving cars. Well these days it pretty much mean parking at the local grocery store parking lot and just hanging out.

I prefer to see American iron in action especially at dawn and night as the street lights adds to the effects of chrome and amber park lights. Having said that, this is a good social thing to do over a hamburger or a milk shake.

Sorry for the shadows. The rare occasion of sun shine has hit our state and we don’t know what to do with it! Anyway, deal with it and enjoy some cool cars.

Let’s start with this beautiful Ford 3W coupe.

i think these DeSoto coupes have some amazing lines.

This detail is an excellent example how they don’t make ‘em like the used to…

The dash isn’t too bad either…

Impala convertible…

…with a little bit of chrome!

I got a soft spot for these early fifties Chevrolets.

 

1959 Impala steering wheel is a nice touch as well.

Another favorite…1959 DeSoto

 Looks good from every angle.

Greenwood Show

Another “All American” show but this show attracts it’s fair share of imports and real hot rods.

Let’s start with the LAW!
The Seattle Police museum offered up a great selection of vintage cop cars.

Now, let’s check out the Swedish stuff:

…and some English rides: Minis anyone?

I am not big on Pro Strret cars these days but this super clean Dodge pulled it off.

Super clean install makes this car worth a second look. Way to go!

Super straight Old sedanette. Me want!

Everybody thinks there are all work $200,000 after the Barret Jackson sale but nevertheless, I want one.

The interior on these are just to die for…road trip any one??

The car was just bought with the intention of tearing off the fenders and slamming a big hemi in it. I suggested he takes my highboy 31 and butcher that one instead and let me be the custodian of this piece if history. Have not head back yet…

…till next time.

Billetproof 2012

Leave a reply

Even though the calendar shows June 23rd the “spring” in Washington state has simply not arrived yet so outdoor activities have to be mixed with a lot of H2O. The 2012 Billetproof show was held under soggy ass conditions and the rain did not let up during  the whole day.

This may be the reason why it was not very well attended and the quality was not anything to write home about. As a matter of fact…I did not write home about it.

I felt I had to struggle to find some decent cars worth showing:

 

OK, that’s IT. I am now officlally SICK of flat black cars. I will not shoot anymore flat black cars…EVAR ! It felt good saying that.

 

This car is obviously not flat black. Nice car but a 3rd break light tells us it’s a converted street rod. I don’t know why that bugs me…

 

I do like these wheel covers.

This beautiful all original Bonneville was violated with a modern 4 spoke Motolita type steering wheel…I don’t get it…sigh…

 

One of the few shiny cars at this event. Nicely executed channeled model A.

Rocket engine earns the builder some points.

That’s all folks. Nothing else really got me excited. Kinda dissapointing. Now I am actually looking forward to Goodguys…street rods and all. I know I will find quality there.

Cruising Colby street, Everett WA

Being in to traditional hot rods and properly respected imports I had a hard time finding anything I liked at this “All American Car Show”. Wading through nice original muscle cars violated with stupid large wheels and rubber band tires or brand new cars with tires so soaked in Armor All that it makes a puddle on the tarmac is…sickening! Wow…so you can make payments??

So why did I go?? Well, I will not have the opportunity to hit a lot of shows this year for reasons beyond my control so felt I should get out when I can. The Humble Editor’s ’32 Ford 5W is now sporting fenders and I am starting to like it.

Even after getting up at 5:00 and getting to the show early we ended up in a long line. However, I must say that your Humble Editor’s car and my friend Doug Grande’s highboy makes a pretty parade.

 

The most recognizable tail fin in the world: 1959 Cadillac. Your Humble Editor used to be oga-gaga over these things but these days…not so much. That’s a good thing, we can’t all have the same cars.

Bob Mollgaard from Snohomish brought his 1950 Mercury custom. It is an old custom that he freshened up.

Bob’s car looks good from any angle.

One thing that caught my eye is how the colors blend in to each other. Not only fading up but also down if that makes any sense.

I do dig these big Mopars…to look at.

 1960 Pontiac is a fine sight from any angle.

Snazzy!

Ok, one more Mopar. These Chargers look like they are doing 100 mph standing still.

Trevor is selling his super nice 1953 Ford Mainline. Brand new scallop paint job add to the value. 6 cylinder with a 3 speed overdrive. Contact your Humble Editor for contact information.

 

Austin Healey 3000

 

…with a super nice engine compartment

Nice Bronco

 

If you are in to over the top detailed hot rods…this would be for you.

I do have a weak spot for these 1957 Chevrolet four door hard top. It makes for a huge hard top opening and I like the sculptured “dip” in the rear door. Cool.

Kathleen Sexton brought her 1954 Chevrolet Bel-Air 2 door hard top.

Something for everyone: 1965 Opel Kadett Rally owned by Troy Moore from Lynnwood.

Corvair Corsa: I saw one of these in California once with a personalized license plate that said: “F NADER”

Evidence of your Humble Editor’s taste for odd stuff: Very nice Rambler wagon.

 

Byron Parson’s 1956 Plymouth Fury was restored to great original condition.

Patina schmatina…I am not sure if it was man made or nature…nice straight car regardless.

Then I ventured in to the VW alley…This is probably a little too red for my taste but a very nice car sporting the cool Empi wheels.

 

 

 

Karmann Ghia…

…with a very cool roof rack.

 Actually, this is the way I like bugs. Stock with original wheels. Can’t beat that.

Probably my favorite vehicle on the whole event. Unmolested original 1966 Bus owned by Beet Regan from Everett.

Of probably 700-1000 cars this was all that I found worthy of digital film…in my humble opinion.

VW: Pacific North West Spring Meet

As much as I like American hot rods I also enjoy other foreign cars like the vintage Volvos you have seen on this web site. Today we are going to visit a VW meet and see what all the fuss is about.

It was a cloudy but dry day for this event and I was very excited as that makes for great photography. I must say I was disappointed to find out that the meet was held inside a parking garage with incredible poor lighting. It was almost impossible to shoot these cars with the only light available was what came in from the side openings. So I am going to start this segment with an apology for the crappy pictures.

Also, the folks that arranged the show did not provide a name and model sheet to display so I can’t tell you the specific model year or the owner’s name that should get the credit.

Oh well, here are some cool German cars:

See what I mean about the light? Not even the Polaroid filter could master this.

The swap meet was just like any other swap meet except for the prices. There is some serious hysteria in certain must have VW parts.

The roof rack and vintage luggage thing has almost been overdone. Cool, but I have seen it now. Beautiful car, great colors.

Now wer’e talking! Buses are cool. It seems mandatory that they all have to sit on the ground like the suspension is broken.I understand the look but in an effort to “personalize” the vehicle they all look the same.

Matching bike.

This thing is interesting. Nice workmanship but it must offer a choppy ride with such short wheel base.

Bugs everywhere!! Get the exterminator!

 

I dig! Me want!

 

 

I like everything except the steering wheel. Your Humble Editor is allergic to billet and there is NO cure for this. The only thing is to stay away and not touch it!

Very nice bus though.

 

OK,  I admit it…this was my favorite. A totally stock restored 1965 Bug. Sitting tall and proud just like it was designed. Love the color too. I would drive this all day long.

Super clean Golf or Rabbit depending in what country you reside in. Nice!

.

.

As usual, the parking lot offered some cool rides. Besides, better light !

 

 Baja This !! Someone got creative. Why not?

Here we go again…another slammed one. I like it though, really like the fender mirrors.

As much as I like the multi/mega window buses i am kinda partial to these utilitarian looks buses. Looks good on those wheels as well.

 

Wheel detail. I dig the fact that it is not uber polished, just all business. I sure have a lot of opinions, don’t I ? Hell yes.

I end most of my event reports with: “It was a good day” because it usually IS a good day. I can’t remember a car, motorcycle or hot rod event that was ever ”bad” so you may see that phrase again.

Since there is not a “Hate us on Facebook” feel free to ”like us” below.

.