2010 Grand National Roadster Show - Pomona, CA

The 2010 Grand National Roadster Show was held in all seven Pomona Fairplex exhibit buildings plus surrounding grounds on Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31st. The 61st Grand National Roadster Show took over Pomona with 500 of the finest roadsters in the country. People traveled from all over the world to experience this amazing show.

Everyone had their eyes on the prize - America's Most Beautiful Roadster aka AMBR. The beautiful and flawless 1933 Ford named “Possessed” received the coveted award - America's Most Beautiful Roadster. "Possessed" is owned by Mike and Dianne Dingman and was built by Scott’s Hot Rods. See the picture below.

Check out this story about Possessed for victory--and just in time http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100201/CARNEWS/100209998

Below are just a handful of the finest roadsters in America that were all displayed in building 4.

Auto Clubs Council of Indiana

If you're looking to be involved in the hobby, join the Auto Clubs Council of Indiana (ACC-I) this Saturday for their 2010 kickoff meeting! The Council was formed to help govern car clubs in Indiana and also to fight for hobbyist's right in legislation. The 2009 year was extremely successful and we're looking forward to an even better 2010! To learn more information about the ACC-I, go to their website at: http://www.acc-indiana.org/index.htm
Here are some more details on the meeting:
The next meeting of the Auto Clubs Council of Indiana, Inc. is set for Saturday, February 6, 2010 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Gearheads Performance Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Address: 5125 Decatur Blvd, Suite F, Indianapolis, IN 46241
Directions: From I-465 on the Westside of Indy; take I-70 west (towards new airport) to Exit 68 (6 Points Rd/Ameriplex Pkwy) and go south on 6 Points Rd/Ameriplex Pkwy to Decatur Blvd. Turn left on Decatur Blvd and follow it around to 5125 Decatur Blvd, Suite F (hint: if you get to Kentucky Ave you missed the turn for Decatur Blvd).

Pomona - Grand National Roadster Show

I spent all day at the LA Fairplex setting up for the Grand National Roadster Show. Proceeds from the sales of GNRS programs will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Make a difference - come on out and join 40,000 other hot rodders for Haiti!

Show times are:

Friday, January 29th 12pm-9pm

Saturday, January 30th 10am-9pm

Sunday, January 31st 10am-7pm

For more information go to http://www.rodshows.com/gnrs/index.html.

My booth is in Building 4. See you all there.

26th Annual Charlotte in January

The 26th Annual Charlotte in January was presented my Tom Mack Classics (http://www.tommackclassics.com/), and didn't lack excitement with a full attendance of enthusiast!

This classic car event host a antique, classic & collector car auction, swap meet and car corral. The classic car auction moved more than 175 classics including a '68 Plymouth Roadrunner, '72 Super Cheyenne and a '68 Impala SS to name a couple from this great inventory of classics.

Below: Look at this '72 Super Cheyenne 400 with factory AC, and sold for $30,000!

The 25 degree cold temperatures outside the tent didn't slow down the bidding process inside! The Tom Mack Auction crew did an excellent job with the flow of inventory through the block, and enthusiasts had smiles during the show event.

The car corral and swap meet was inside the Metrolina Expo Center. The vendors included Dennis Carpenter Ford Truck, Ford Tractor, Ford Car and Cushman Restoration parts (www.dennis-carpenter.com), Charlotte Rod and Custom (www.charlotterod.com), Vintage Glass (www.vintageglass.com) and Double Nickel Chevy (www.doublenickelchevy.com) to name a couple out of the several who participated.




This camera photo doesn't do this piece any justice, but this all watercolor. Amazing work!

The artist is Dan McCrary, who was among the several unique vendors during the 26th Annual Charlotte in January event. Click on www.dmccraryart.com for complete watercolor technique on a wide selection of classic cars and themes.



Thank you to Tom Mack Classics for host an excellent event! The 10th Annual Spring Fling Auction is April 8th and 9th. Click on http://www.tommackclassics.com/auction/index.html for additional information.

See you at the April event!

2nd Annual New Years Day Ramblin Road Cruise

On January 1st, 2010, the 2nd annual New Year's Day Ramblin Road Cruise was underway! The cruise was presented by Cruisin Carolina Magazine (www.cruisincarolinamagazine.com).


Classic car enthusiast packed together at Puncky's Diner located in Concord, NC and cruised to Al's 50's Diner in Southern Pines, NC. There was approximately 130 classic car's making 80 mile cruise on the 40 degree day.


The cool temperatures didn't sway the spirits of the "car guy!" It was an exciting and scenic drive through the hillside to Southern Pines.

The Sandhills Classic Street Rod Association was gathered to greet the crowd of cruisers. The day started early and ended late, but it was great to gather together with fellow enthusiast to kick tires and talk classic cars! The 2010 classic car season start out with a bang!

Thank you to Punchy's Diner, Al's 50's Diner and Cruisin Carolina Magazine for making this event a success!

Looking forward to 2011!



See you on the road!

RM Auctions presents Icons of Speed and Style

RM Auctions was tasked with finding new homes for an amazing assembly of customs, hot rods and race cars. The Petersen Museum was the perfect venue to auction this diverse collection of motoring history. I was amazed at how many father son duo's arrive to reminisce about the historic cars that were before. I overheard a lot of stories and was able to share a few myself.

1965 Dodge A100 Pickup Truck "Little Red Wagon" greeted everyone as they entered the auction pavilion. It found a new home after the gavel fell at $550,000!

David Kinney, from Hagerty's Cars that Matter, and I swapped some stories about the Deora. Raise your hand if you still have the Deora Hot Wheel! The Deora later sold for $324,000

I loved this '35 Ford Rat Rod Pickup. Sold for $55,000.

1932 Ford Khougaz Lakes Roadster

Sold for $214,500

A great early example of the pioneering spirit to build the fastest car we could. This special roadster topped over 140 mph at the dry lakes in El Mirage

1964 Ed Roth Road Agent

Sold for $187,000

This was another car that gathered gaggles of onlookers who told wicked stories of when they first saw this car arrive onto the show scene...mind blowing they say!

SoCal Speed Shop with Billy Gibbons updated T-Bird

SoCal Speed Shop and the Petersen Automotive Museum teamed up to create a new retail outlet for SoCal Speed apparel. Stop by the Petersen museum to pick up your new favorite t-shirt! It wouldn't be a SoCal event if it didn't include a hotrod. Noted car collector and hot rod enthusiast, Billy F Gibbons, from ZZ Top commissioned his T-Bird for a face lift by SoCal. I was fortunate enough to be on site for the unveiling however, Billy was not, he was in Japan playing a few gigs. All was not lost, I was surrounded by several enthusiasts who were there to see the car anyways!

Both Alex Xydias from SoCal and Dick Messer from the Petersen Museum said a few words about the importance of SoCal Speed Shop to the southern California hot rod scene.

The anticipation is mounting!

Whoa! that silk parachute practically slipped right off the mirror paint finish!

In all its glory, another hot rod puts smiles on the faces of those that are around. The fit and finish on this hot rod are true to SoCal's legendary builds. My favorite was the custom two-tone interior. I am sure Billy is going to love cruizen his new bird!