Grand National Roadster Show

Carol Freshley February 15, 2016

Once again Tom heads west to one of his favorite roadster shows. Good thing for us that he loves taking photos of these old 'grands'.

Recreated 1960 vintage show Model A pickup

Classic chopped and channeled deuce roadster

LA Roadsters

Carol Freshley June 22, 2015

We are treated once again to the best of a car show. This time it is the LA Roadsters. Enjoy!

A 1932 Deuce Roadster with super charged engine.

A 1932 Ford Deuce Roadster in formal black.

Another 1932 Ford Roadster with full fenders in sexy red!

Another 1932 Ford Roadster with full fenders.  It is a roadster show! — Another 1932 Ford Roadster with full fenders. It is a roadster show!

A 1934 Ford Roadster (my favorite of the bunch and Tom did not drive it home for me).

A row of roadsters in front of the Art Deco Avalon Ballroom at the Fairplex where the show was held.

Row of hot rods parked at the SoCal Speed Shop Open House held before the show.

A handmade roadster using parts from old Chryslers.  I swear this car is grinning at me! — A handmade roadster using parts from old Chryslers. I swear this car is grinning at me!

Vintage one seater speedster created using parts from many different cars.  In other words . . . a mongrel with speed. — Vintage one seater speedster created using parts from many different cars. In other words . . . a mongrel with speed.

A 1932 Deuce HiBoy Roadster with supercharger air scoop (that funny looking thing on the hood).  Each year cars are given stickers to show they are qualified to show their cars.  They are so prestigious that some owners leave them on … — A 1932 Deuce HiBoy Roadster with supercharger air scoop (that funny looking thing on the hood). Each year cars are given stickers to show they are qualified to show their cars. They are so prestigious that some owners leave them on permanently (you can spot three of them on the light on your right).

Detail of a scratch built Chrysler based car.

All original restored 1931 Model A Roadster.  This is what they looked like before they were made into hot rods.  Most of the cars in the show were built to look like hot rods.  This is their 'before' look. — All original restored 1931 Model A Roadster. This is what they looked like before they were made into hot rods. Most of the cars in the show were built to look like hot rods. This is their 'before' look.

1932 Ford HiBoy Roadster done in a late 1940s style.

1931 Ford 5 window coupe with Chevrolet engine and bare metal finish.

A 1932 classic black deuce roadster with super charged flathead power.

Tom's attempt at panning a 1932 Roadster.

These are 1960s vintage super charged fuel dragsters, generally created as a copy of famous drag cars of that era.  The attraction is that they start these up and they are the most powerful engines ever built for racing.  They are capable … — These are 1960s vintage super charged fuel dragsters, generally created as a copy of famous drag cars of that era. The attraction is that they start these up and they are the most powerful engines ever built for racing. They are capable of running a quarter mile in 4.5 seconds while attaining a top speed of 250 mph.

Early Ford flathead engine with vintage speed equipment, polished to perfection.

Abstract detail of 1932 Ford grill.  Air intake louvres provide an interesting pattern. — Abstract detail of 1932 Ford grill. Air intake louvres provide an interesting pattern.

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!!