WCKC Car Show

Carol Freshley May 31, 2015

My, that would be a long title for a blog if completely spelled out. It is the West Coast Kustom Cruisin' Car Show. Just so ya' know!!! My mother wrote to me about the 'parade' of old cars. She said she can remember when they were new!!! She loves the way some folks are committed to taking care of them, the time, effort . . . not to mention money! Enjoy these.

This 1936 Ford is an iconic early hot rod from the 1040s, recently found and restored.

An outstanding example of a typical Model A Ford hot rod roadster.

A 1964 Buick built in the 1960s style while the car in the background is a 1949 Ford, another iconic custom car from the 1950s recently found and restored.

Both the 1932 Ford and the 1936 Ford are cars from the past recently restored.

Full view of the 1956 Continental Mark II.

This is a 1953 Cadillac done in a classic leadsled style. So, I ask Tom, "What does leadsled mean?"  It refers to the choice of body filler.  In the past they used melted lead.  Now they use 'Bondo' body filler.  Just guessing it… — This is a 1953 Cadillac done in a classic leadsled style. So, I ask Tom, "What does leadsled mean?" It refers to the choice of body filler. In the past they used melted lead. Now they use 'Bondo' body filler. Just guessing it is easier with Bondo.

Pristine example of a 1935 Ford street rod coupe

A 1950 Chevrolet coupe with chopped top.

Tom's ride to the show.  This is Jerry's 1964 Galaxie.  It has the paint job that Tom applied to it in 1964.  Jerry bought it for himself for his 20th birthday and asked Tom to paint it with three color blend of transparent blue, gree… — Tom's ride to the show. This is Jerry's 1964 Galaxie. It has the paint job that Tom applied to it in 1964. Jerry bought it for himself for his 20th birthday and asked Tom to paint it with three color blend of transparent blue, green and purple. It won best paint award at the World of Wheels Show in Kansas City in 1966. It had been in storage since 1972 and Jerry just recently got it out to restore it. Paint job has held up well!!!

This is 'the' classic leadsled, a much lowered and chopped 1950 Mercury.  Kinda sexy in my opinion!! — This is 'the' classic leadsled, a much lowered and chopped 1950 Mercury. Kinda sexy in my opinion!!

Hot rodded Cadillac motor powering in an early model Ford hot rod. — Hot rodded Cadillac motor powering in an early model Ford hot rod.

A Buick V8 powering a Model A roadster, done in the style of a 1960s-built showrod.  This stuff gets rather technical and Tom appreciates the nuance . . . I just like the color a lot and like the way it pays attention to detail such as painting… — A Buick V8 powering a Model A roadster, done in the style of a 1960s-built showrod. This stuff gets rather technical and Tom appreciates the nuance . . . I just like the color a lot and like the way it pays attention to detail such as painting the inside of the carburetor induction scoops (that is why they call it a showrod).

"Show is over.  Let's go home! — "Show is over. Let's go home!

Tom is blessed with great friends. These are friends he has made over his lifetime, many of them going back decades. He stays in touch, nurtures those relationships. Many of his friends appreciate the older cars, restore them, show them off and invite him to come along. This was such a trip. There will be more. His photography of these events is becoming more and more appreciated by a wider audience. He has successfully blended one interest with another. Hard to beat that!!

Lonestar Roundup Part 2

Carol Freshley April 24, 2015

As promised, more images from Tom's trip to Austin for the Lonestar Roundup. Enjoy.

Another 1932 Ford . . . in this case a sedan.

Really!!  Another 1932 Ford.  OK, I am ready for a rat rod! — Really!! Another 1932 Ford. OK, I am ready for a rat rod!

Haha!  Well, Tom can't give me a good rat rod.  Would I settle for potty graffiti?  When this good, yes!  Are those cars rat rods? — Haha! Well, Tom can't give me a good rat rod. Would I settle for potty graffiti? When this good, yes! Are those cars rat rods?

A 1950 Oldsmobile.  Lots of room for suitcases in the trunk. — A 1950 Oldsmobile. Lots of room for suitcases in the trunk.

This model is called a 'bathtub Nash'.  It is rarely ever customized.  It is a 1950 (more or less).  I think it is rather elegant. — This model is called a 'bathtub Nash'. It is rarely ever customized. It is a 1950 (more or less). I think it is rather elegant.

Jerry's car.  A 1963 Ford Galaxie.  Paint job is holding up well. — Jerry's car. A 1963 Ford Galaxie. Paint job is holding up well.

Guess!!  Yes, you guessed correctly. — Guess!! Yes, you guessed correctly.

Sporting color.  It is a 1953 Chevy. — Sporting color. It is a 1953 Chevy.

1954 Ford.  What?  "Not a 1932 Ford?" I ask Tom not so innocently.  Nope, he responds. — 1954 Ford. What? "Not a 1932 Ford?" I ask Tom not so innocently. Nope, he responds.

1931 Model A.  Cute rear end.  Almost qualifies as a butt shot! — 1931 Model A. Cute rear end. Almost qualifies as a butt shot!

Tom said I made a good guess.  A 1932 Ford with a chopped top.  I think it has an attitude! — Tom said I made a good guess. A 1932 Ford with a chopped top. I think it has an attitude!

Really stand out with the clouds behind it.  Jerry's car. — Really stand out with the clouds behind it. Jerry's car.

I think I am catching on.  Six on a Cadillac?  Tom says, 'Yes." — I think I am catching on. Six on a Cadillac? Tom says, 'Yes."

An impromptu conference room. Lots of sharing goes on at these car show.

All from the show. Tom will be going back next year. Thanks for stopping by.

Lonestar Roundup

Carol Freshley April 21, 2015

Tom is back from shooting at the Lonestar Roundup. He has many great friends in Austin, stays with Lee Pratt, a highly regarded restorer of roadsters, and attends many of the social activities from open houses to barbeques (by invitation only). I think it is fair to say it is one of his favorite car shows. The weather was predicted to rain every day and you will see some of that. This is only the first set of images . . . more to come I am sure.

This is Jerry's 1864 Ford Galaxie.  Jerry just recently completed its restoration.  It was a hit at the show. — This is Jerry's 1864 Ford Galaxie. Jerry just recently completed its restoration. It was a hit at the show.

This is Lee's 1940 Ford.  It has been on the cover of Rodder's Journal. — This is Lee's 1940 Ford. It has been on the cover of Rodder's Journal.

A 1931 Ford Roadster. — A 1931 Ford Roadster.

That is Lee Pratt and his 1955 Chevy Nomad.  The gold 1940 Ford and Jerry's car (Jerry getting in).  They are preparing to caravan to the show. — That is Lee Pratt and his 1955 Chevy Nomad. The gold 1940 Ford and Jerry's car (Jerry getting in). They are preparing to caravan to the show.

A 1932 Ford Coupe, hemi-powered.  It was driven to the show from the East Coast. — A 1932 Ford Coupe, hemi-powered. It was driven to the show from the East Coast.

Another 32 Ford Roadster, the Deuce as it is known by hot rodders.  It was driven to the Lonestar Roundup from San Francisco along with 25 other cars in a caravan (must have been quite a site for folks along the road!!). — Another 32 Ford Roadster, the Deuce as it is known by hot rodders. It was driven to the Lonestar Roundup from San Francisco along with 25 other cars in a caravan (must have been quite a site for folks along the road!!).

A 1953 Ford.  This would be considered old style custom. — A 1953 Ford. This would be considered old style custom.

If you guessed that this is a 1932 Ford you are correct.  It is a 5 window model coupe.  Did you guess that?  In this car, the owner chose to retain the fenders. — If you guessed that this is a 1932 Ford you are correct. It is a 5 window model coupe. Did you guess that? In this car, the owner chose to retain the fenders.

The back car is a 1931 Ford roadster and the front car is a 1957 Cadillac, owned by Steve the show's promoter.

ANOTHER 1932 Ford roadster.  Hot rodders really love 1932 Fords. — ANOTHER 1932 Ford roadster. Hot rodders really love 1932 Fords.

A 1930 Model A Ford, close behind the Deuce as the second most popular hot rod body style.  Notice the fenders were removed. — A 1930 Model A Ford, close behind the Deuce as the second most popular hot rod body style. Notice the fenders were removed.

A classic hot rod engine, the early Ford flathead.

This is detail of a handmade throttle linkage on a supercharged Oldsmobile engine. — This is detail of a handmade throttle linkage on a supercharged Oldsmobile engine.

I mentioned rain.  This is actually a photo of the mist on the car's (Jerry's) paint. — I mentioned rain. This is actually a photo of the mist on the car's (Jerry's) paint.

While weather threatened each day of the show, it held off until the very end.  As cars drove out of the show the rain came down, very heavy at times! — While weather threatened each day of the show, it held off until the very end. As cars drove out of the show the rain came down, very heavy at times!

Tom is headed home and I am sure he will have more photos to share this coming weekend. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.