|
|
Another Social Lure56th Annual Grand National Roadster Show From the February, 2009 issue of Custom Classic Trucks By D. Brian Smith Photography by D. Brian Smith, Rich Boyd
|
|
On New Year's Day, Southern California's famous Rose Parade never sees a rainout. Folks across the U.S. watch and admire the creative floral-covered floats every bit as much as they long for some Southern California sun and mild temperatures. After seeing the Rose Parade on TV, some Easterners and Midwesterners become so enamored of the SoCal climate that they escape their hometowns and migrate to the land of fruits and nuts and car nuts. Yes, SoCal is also the mecca for most things automotive. We'd say all things, but we'd be certain to get some flak from Detroit and Dearborn dwellers. The Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS), along with Detroit's Autorama are two of the most prestigious and historic indoor custom car shows in North America. For over 50 years, the home for the GNRS was in Northern California. On Friday, January 21 through Sunday, January 23, 2005, the GNRS took place at the Pomona Fairplex of Los Angeles County, for the second time in its illustrious 56-year history. On those three sunny days of late January, we escaped our fluorescent lamp-lit offices and entered the Pomona Fairplex to view some finely built custom trucks, custom cars, roadsters, and roadster pickups. If you promise not to flee your environs in favor of SoCal, we'll show you the coolest of the custom trucks and cars assembled those three magnificent winter days. Besides, real estate costs far too much out here!  Simi Valley, CA residents...  Simi Valley, CA residents Jack and Kiriko Sorich showed off their fresh, Radiant Red '56 Ford F-100. Scott's Hot Rods and Customs, of Ventura, CA, built the beautiful pickup, which we plan to feature soon.  Built by renowned Bay Area...  Built by renowned Bay Area builder, Roy Brizio Street Rods, a gallant green, River Grove Farm-clad '39 Ford sedan delivery graced the Grand National Roadster Show floor. Perhaps Hailey, ID, is home for the hot rod, as well as the car's current caretakers, Bob and Debbie McDonald. A 351ci Ford engine, T- or C5 trans, and Ford 9-inch, powers the delivery.  John Park, of Los Angeles,...  John Park, of Los Angeles, CA, owns a school-bus yellow '52 GMC that may look familiar to many CCT readers. The reason being, the tasty truck was built on the cable TV show called Overhaulin'. Renowned designer/builder, Chip Foose and his crew constructed the cool custom Jimmy in seven days. The program aired in December, 2004.  Check out the comfy interior...  Check out the comfy interior of the Foose-designed hot rod hauler.  With flames by Lil' Louie...  With flames by Lil' Louie and the overall exterior paintwork by Jr's House of Color, Gary Ewing's '56 Ford F-100 is the opposite of understated. Under the sheetmetal lurks a 428ci Ford big-block mill, C6 trans, a Jaguar XKE roadster IRS, and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. The Effie offers a flamboyant dash to go with the exterior flash. Gary's pickup earned Outstanding Undercarriage, proving the underneath is every bit as great as the outside.  After conversing with Jack...  After conversing with Jack Hipp, the exuberant owner of a fully restored '50 Willys Woody, we couldn't resist photo'ing his truck for CCT. Dina and Jack reside in Beavercreek, OR. Their Willys is 100 percent stock, 95 percent original, and achieves 50 mph, or 60 mph in overdrive. They hauled home a $100 check and trophy for the Runner Up-Outstanding Individual Display.  In the Semi-Custom Delivery...  In the Semi-Custom Delivery Wagon class, Bill Hines of Garden Grove, CA, showed-off his smooth '59 Chevy El Camino.  In 2004, we featured Bill...  In 2004, we featured Bill and Carol Raper's gold-hued '54 Chevy 1/2-ton. If you're ever in their hometown of Peoria, AZ, you may get lucky and spot a glimpse of "Golden Rod" rumbling by.  Though the exterior is honey-hued...  Though the exterior is honey-hued sweet, the Raper's '54 Chevy interior's every bit as neat. Look in your CCT archives for the full scoop.  Ray and Carol Von Uhlit of...  Ray and Carol Von Uhlit of Fremont, CA, have a '51 Plymouth that's classified as a Radical Custom Delivery Wagon. They garnered three awards: Custom-Sweepstakes ($1,000, trophy, Meguiar's detail kit), Runner Up-Outstanding Professional Display ($100 and trophy), and Car/Truck-Outstanding Color Design (plaque). Congrats!  Earning the Outstanding Engine-Truck...  Earning the Outstanding Engine-Truck Award was Frank Abacherli, of Mira Loma, CA, for his '39 Ford pickup.  Nick Danyluk, of Olympia,...  Nick Danyluk, of Olympia, WA, calls his '61 Ford Econoline a '61 Chevy Econoline. The pickup gets power from a GM 468ci LS7 big-block that's Hilborn-injected.  Driving in a delicious done-up...  Driving in a delicious done-up '48 Dodge panel delivery, one would have a hard time not being noticed. Apparently, Dave Bertino, of Riverside, CA, doesn't mind the attention. Great job, Dave!  Wagons were first known as...  Wagons were first known as depot hacks. Hence, Mike and Donna Basso, of Alta Loma, CA, have a mighty nice '57 Chevy Nomad, 'er depot hack, that has a Paul Newman Corvette chassis and a Corvette LS6 drivetrain. Angie Carpenteira of San Bernardino, CA, built the bodacious Bow Tie.  Called Route '57 by the Bassos,...  Called Route '57 by the Bassos, Jim Kilpatrick trimmed the depot hack ('57 Nomad) interior all in leather. Gray's Paint Shop of Van Nuys, CA, splashed the exterior with red.  We never grow tired of seeing...  We never grow tired of seeing Siegfried, Brian, and Trent Montano's '40 Ford pickup. The Montanos live in Albuquerque, NM. They picked up the Outstanding-Truck Award prize ($200 and trophy), as well as the Steve Archer Award (custom trophy). Well done, Montanos!  Not only does the Montanos'...  Not only does the Montanos' truck have suicide doors, there's a side-opening tailgate and a trick chassis underneath the pristine paintwork. Chip Foose designed the interior, which Gabe Lopez, owner of Gabe's Custom Interiors, trimmed to perfection.  Young Brian Anderson of Fort...  Young Brian Anderson of Fort Bragg, CA, and his dad built a nice '33 Dodge pickup that has Chevy 350ci power. Stay tuned for more in a future issue (hint, hint).  Konocti Motor Company crafts...  Konocti Motor Company crafts complete '37 Ford chassis from aluminum or steel--in addition to building entire '37 Ford coupes or convertibles. They're located in Lower Lake, CA, and have an Internet address, www.konoctimotorco.com.  Finished one day before setting...  Finished one day before setting up at the show, Bill and Becky Lathrop, of Phillips Ranch, CA, brought their feature worthy '56 Ford F-100 small window.  Roger Bangle, of Yucaipa,...  Roger Bangle, of Yucaipa, CA, has a '56 Ford F-100 that shows great fit, finish, and attention to detail.  Renowned automotive artist...  Renowned automotive artist Kenny Youngblood was on-hand to wow an appreciative audience with some quick sketches.  Soncy Road Body Shop painted...  Soncy Road Body Shop painted the '29 Ford Model A roadster pickup a custom hue they call "Beer Bottle." Owners Royce Glader and his wife of Ft. Collins, CO, may have dreamed up the color after visiting a famous brewery in nearby Golden, CO. We're kidding. Please don't send letters (unless there's money enclosed).  The Gladers' truck garnered...  The Gladers' truck garnered three coveted America's Most Beautiful Roadster awards: Chip Foose Design Excellence Award (billet pencil), AMBR Outstanding Interior Award (plaque), and AMBR Class Award (trophy). The trick truck is powered by a '55 Dodge Hemi engine, which was built by Dan Jesser. Pro-Street rod shop, Pinkees Rod Shop, also in Colorado, crafted the intoxicating pickup. Watch for a future feature in sister publication, Rod & Custom.  Powered by a 502ci GM big-block...  Powered by a 502ci GM big-block and 700-R4 trans, Bob and Nancy Smith's, '55 Chevy Nomad is built to drive and show. With a Corvette front and rear suspension, we suspect the handling is also top-notch.  Though the AMBR awards ceremony...  Though the AMBR awards ceremony is over three hours long, participants and spectators were on the edge of their seats. Scant minutes after this photo was taken, the AMBR winner was announced--drum roll please.  Don and Sara Schumacher's...  Don and Sara Schumacher's '35 Ford pickup may have you saying, deja vu; we featured their truck in CCT. From the bodyman black bodywork to the jewel-like hotted Flathead V-8, to the road-rash free undercarriage, they built and own a truck that Henry himself would be proud of.  Paul and Erik Hansen of Pleasanton,...  Paul and Erik Hansen of Pleasanton, California, won America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award ($5,000 and trophy) for their '32 Ford roadster. If you'd like to know more, sister publication, Street Rodder, featured the '32 in the Feb. '05 issue. Congratulations Hansens!  The interior of the AMBR-winning...  The interior of the AMBR-winning vehicle looks as awesome as the rest of the roadster.  David Gongora's great '56...  David Gongora's great '56 Chevy panel delivery graced the March '05 cover of CCT.  Check out the interior of...  Check out the interior of Mr. Gongora's '56 Chevy panel delivery. Artful Expressions, of Pomona, California, trimmed the well-executed interior.  The West Coast Customs Outstanding...  The West Coast Customs Outstanding Nostalgia Rod or Custom Award winner went to a fitting entry: a Ford Model T roadster pickup, built and owned by Tom Pagano of Rancho Cordova, California, and Tomzkustoms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Thinker??? - Haul Monitor
Ryan talks about the friendly badgering that goes on around the shop and overcoming obstacles that seemly pop up out of nowhere during a project....
more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|