Well that four letter word, rain, came up again this weekend....Friday night rained out, Saturday Brooke point show rained out. I hope this is not a portent of the season this year!? Some of us were able to meet for planning of the Mr. Ararat show in May, it should be better than last year!
We'll try again next weekend....two cruises and the show at NSHS! Bring it on. I still can't drive the RedRat so the Princess will be doing those chores next weekend....don't make the mistake thinking she is driving her docile 33....
If you see her on the street don't try to choose her....Go granny, go granny, go granny go....You might drive a goer but you'll never lose her....Go granny, go granny, go granny go....Well, she's gonna get a ticket now sooner or later'Cause she can't keep her foot off the accelerator....
And remember she is a "Professional" driver! hehehehe
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Awakening
Hi All....I just wanted to let ya'll know the Princess and I are getting ready for a busy season again this year. I am recovering from major ankle reconstruction surgery in January and should be able to walk without crutches in May. I haven't been able to do any work on the coupes this winter but will be able to start cleaning and tweaking again soon!
Our first show will be the NSHS show on April 4, 2009....it's a neat show that won't disappoint. Then the same day is the first cruise at A1 speed shop where they host the valve cover races. The Princess is so ready to race this year....we'll see! Then on April 11, 2009 a few of us are putting on the Inaugural Country Roads Rally....check out the Stafford Classics or Capital Cruisin websites for more information, it will be a hoot. We end at Foster's Grille for their first cruise this year and it's hosted by Virginia Stockers. We are going to stay closer to home this year with the Richmond NSRA deal in August probably being the farthest we will travel.
I will send notices to all that want them on every Tuesday for the events we are attending the following weekend. If you want on my "list" please email me and I'll be glad to add you. wherewereyouin62@comcast.net
The Princess and I hope to see you at shows, cruises or road trips this year....remember ya gotta drive them cars....the trip is the deal, not just the destination.
Our first show will be the NSHS show on April 4, 2009....it's a neat show that won't disappoint. Then the same day is the first cruise at A1 speed shop where they host the valve cover races. The Princess is so ready to race this year....we'll see! Then on April 11, 2009 a few of us are putting on the Inaugural Country Roads Rally....check out the Stafford Classics or Capital Cruisin websites for more information, it will be a hoot. We end at Foster's Grille for their first cruise this year and it's hosted by Virginia Stockers. We are going to stay closer to home this year with the Richmond NSRA deal in August probably being the farthest we will travel.
I will send notices to all that want them on every Tuesday for the events we are attending the following weekend. If you want on my "list" please email me and I'll be glad to add you. wherewereyouin62@comcast.net
The Princess and I hope to see you at shows, cruises or road trips this year....remember ya gotta drive them cars....the trip is the deal, not just the destination.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Time for everything to rest
Well it's snowing and way too cold here for a car without a heater....we don't have any more planned shows or cruises for this season. We will start up again in late March or early April, depending on the weather. This year we attended over 30 shows and 45 cruises! We put over 6000 miles on both cars and had very little trouble with them, which is a testament to their builders.... Don Stanley - the RedRat & Larry Maupin - the Princess Express. We made many new friends and continued to abuse the old ones! hehehe We have some neat things we are planning for next year but for now I'll do inside house repairs and update & maintain the coupes for next year.
The Princess and I thank you for your support and encouragement this year.
Happy Thanksgiving gobble gobble
Merry Christmas HoHoHo
Happy New year eeehaaaa
Happy Birthday to me! hehehehe
Monday, November 10, 2008
On the road again, and again, and again!
The Princess was getting cranky so we decided to make a run to BK in Manassas on Sat afternoon….just to run the hot rods. The cruise was about ½ the normal attendance. It’s getting cold! BK has an unusual car personality….they usually have more than a few Pro-Street cars there and this afternoon was no exception. The noisy green Duster was there and the yellow Camaro, nice. Steve’s blue/white Maverick although not a “Pro-Street” (tubbed) car, it is one fast little blue oval! A line of Deuce coupes…. and the Corvette guys got the memo to be there….a whole bunch of those plastic cars….and the flamed yellow blown one….too cool! Ed’s white ’57 Poncho always stands out. The Bull Run Street Rod club
was there as well as the Accelerators of Alexandria! For me the neatest car of the night was the light blue 58-59 Vette….It almost made me start looking for a Vette for me…. almost! We only stayed an hour or so….the Princess wanted to get back home, it was getting cold don’t ya know!
Sunday and back to BK in Manassas for the Lake Anna cruise hosted by Bull Run Street Rods.
We met in the parking lot and introduced ourselves and since Tom was leading I got his cell phone number incase I needed to contact him during the cruise. There was a number of car clubs represented, Prince William Cruisers, Culpepper Cruisers, Stafford Classics and some I didn’t know. We saddled up at 10AM and left about 10:10….pretty close to on time, it was going to be a good day.
We drove Rt 28 to Rt 29S to Rt 522S and on to Lake Anna. The countryside was great and the RedRat just hummed along! Please check out the pictures….some of them are a little blurred but I uploaded them anyway because I thought they were significant, especially the one of us going around the S turn with the cars all leaning differently! I also shot a short video so you can see why some of the pics are a little blurry! The RedRat is a drivers car, it demands constant attention, it will not let you just go along for the ride, you have to be one with the machine or it will bite you….kinda like flying an airplane! Driving the RedRat is not a spectator sport…. it’s a contact sport! From steering, shifting, not waking up too many rats at once with the right pedal, trying to listen to the walkie talkie chatter, trying to see out the chopped top on turns, and then taking one handed pictures at the same time….Multitasking? I like that….so I’m a happy camper! Enough of this, I’m starting to sound like Princess Whinesalot!
We arrived at a club member’s home and parked in the
grass near the driveway. You could tell whose car was the lowest by the sounds it made on the driveway and how the car was positioned on the driveway! grin They graciously opened their home for us to use the facilities and offered cold water and soft drinks….yeah buddy! We all stretched our legs a little and then saddled up to continue on….at that point we had 26 cars! There were three '40 Fords in the group....what does that mean? Should I buy a lottery ticket with the number 40 in it? We drove a few miles on Rt 522 to 
the Shell station where Rt 208 intersects Rt 522. We all gassed up and continued on to the lower area of Lake Anna. I have fished the lake a lot years ago and can tell you most anything about the water and the topo under the water but when on land I get lost real easy and we were being taken on roads I’ve never traveled! There is a marina by the dam that I don’t remember from the 80’s. It’s a cool marina and I would have used it whenever I was fishing the lower lake. There was a trailer that had a sign ‘The Crabby Pig’???? I knew Dan was going to be happy! We all parked the hot rods and walked around and used the restroom facilities. As we started to leave I was taking pictures from inside the RedRat and it started rolling back….toward the lake….I didn’t notice because I was looking out the camera viewfinder! Hmmmm Jim & Linda thought it was funny….I think they were waiting to see if the RedRat would float! Anyway I came to in time to stop the relentless march to the water….I wonder if those big tires would make the car float….hmmmmm
We all fired up the cars and rumbled out to the hard road again. Since the ground was very uneven each car was taking its own path to the asphalt, meandering around like lemmings going to the edge, since I was the vulture (last car, waiting for dead cars or parts on the road) I got to see all that, it was like a cat herd playing musical chairs….That was a neat stop, a good Kodak moment!
On to Lakeview Restaurant….around the bottom of the lake up the cold side to Rt. 208 and then to Rt 522 then to Rt 719 and on to the restaurant. We filled up the parking lot and had to park in some bizarre ways and places! One of the hot rods slid a little way….toward the lake….it was a metal car so I know it wouldn’t float….hehehe It stopped in time, no foul, no penalty! The host club had reserved a whole room and drove the wait staff a little crazy but they coped very well with a room full of crazy hot rodders! The food was good and all things considered the service was very good too. We finished eating and some wanted to run home because it was going to be dark in an hour or so and they didn’t want to be hit by deer? Naw that won’t happen….I think the RedRat noise scares deer? Some of us decided to run to Carl’s in Fredericksburg for ice cream….Carl’s was going to close in two weeks for the winter so we wanted to be sure to stop one more time before that! Ted got out his laptop and plotted the most direct route to Carl’s….whatta guy! And he’s a biker too! We followed Ted on some more roads I didn’t know existed and popped out on Princess Ann St in Fredericksburg! WOW We had ice cream then split up, Steve & Sally and Ted & his wife headed North and Dan & Ramona, Jim & Linda and the Princess and I went home too! We drove 180 miles through the magnificent Virginia country side, got to meet some old friends and make some new ones…. This over the road cruising has possibilities and the RedRat does like to run those roads….hehehe
was there as well as the Accelerators of Alexandria! For me the neatest car of the night was the light blue 58-59 Vette….It almost made me start looking for a Vette for me…. almost! We only stayed an hour or so….the Princess wanted to get back home, it was getting cold don’t ya know!Sunday and back to BK in Manassas for the Lake Anna cruise hosted by Bull Run Street Rods.
We met in the parking lot and introduced ourselves and since Tom was leading I got his cell phone number incase I needed to contact him during the cruise. There was a number of car clubs represented, Prince William Cruisers, Culpepper Cruisers, Stafford Classics and some I didn’t know. We saddled up at 10AM and left about 10:10….pretty close to on time, it was going to be a good day.We drove Rt 28 to Rt 29S to Rt 522S and on to Lake Anna. The countryside was great and the RedRat just hummed along! Please check out the pictures….some of them are a little blurred but I uploaded them anyway because I thought they were significant, especially the one of us going around the S turn with the cars all leaning differently! I also shot a short video so you can see why some of the pics are a little blurry! The RedRat is a drivers car, it demands constant attention, it will not let you just go along for the ride, you have to be one with the machine or it will bite you….kinda like flying an airplane! Driving the RedRat is not a spectator sport…. it’s a contact sport! From steering, shifting, not waking up too many rats at once with the right pedal, trying to listen to the walkie talkie chatter, trying to see out the chopped top on turns, and then taking one handed pictures at the same time….Multitasking? I like that….so I’m a happy camper! Enough of this, I’m starting to sound like Princess Whinesalot!
We arrived at a club member’s home and parked in the
grass near the driveway. You could tell whose car was the lowest by the sounds it made on the driveway and how the car was positioned on the driveway! grin They graciously opened their home for us to use the facilities and offered cold water and soft drinks….yeah buddy! We all stretched our legs a little and then saddled up to continue on….at that point we had 26 cars! There were three '40 Fords in the group....what does that mean? Should I buy a lottery ticket with the number 40 in it? We drove a few miles on Rt 522 to 
the Shell station where Rt 208 intersects Rt 522. We all gassed up and continued on to the lower area of Lake Anna. I have fished the lake a lot years ago and can tell you most anything about the water and the topo under the water but when on land I get lost real easy and we were being taken on roads I’ve never traveled! There is a marina by the dam that I don’t remember from the 80’s. It’s a cool marina and I would have used it whenever I was fishing the lower lake. There was a trailer that had a sign ‘The Crabby Pig’???? I knew Dan was going to be happy! We all parked the hot rods and walked around and used the restroom facilities. As we started to leave I was taking pictures from inside the RedRat and it started rolling back….toward the lake….I didn’t notice because I was looking out the camera viewfinder! Hmmmm Jim & Linda thought it was funny….I think they were waiting to see if the RedRat would float! Anyway I came to in time to stop the relentless march to the water….I wonder if those big tires would make the car float….hmmmmm
We all fired up the cars and rumbled out to the hard road again. Since the ground was very uneven each car was taking its own path to the asphalt, meandering around like lemmings going to the edge, since I was the vulture (last car, waiting for dead cars or parts on the road) I got to see all that, it was like a cat herd playing musical chairs….That was a neat stop, a good Kodak moment!On to Lakeview Restaurant….around the bottom of the lake up the cold side to Rt. 208 and then to Rt 522 then to Rt 719 and on to the restaurant. We filled up the parking lot and had to park in some bizarre ways and places! One of the hot rods slid a little way….toward the lake….it was a metal car so I know it wouldn’t float….hehehe It stopped in time, no foul, no penalty! The host club had reserved a whole room and drove the wait staff a little crazy but they coped very well with a room full of crazy hot rodders! The food was good and all things considered the service was very good too. We finished eating and some wanted to run home because it was going to be dark in an hour or so and they didn’t want to be hit by deer? Naw that won’t happen….I think the RedRat noise scares deer? Some of us decided to run to Carl’s in Fredericksburg for ice cream….Carl’s was going to close in two weeks for the winter so we wanted to be sure to stop one more time before that! Ted got out his laptop and plotted the most direct route to Carl’s….whatta guy! And he’s a biker too! We followed Ted on some more roads I didn’t know existed and popped out on Princess Ann St in Fredericksburg! WOW We had ice cream then split up, Steve & Sally and Ted & his wife headed North and Dan & Ramona, Jim & Linda and the Princess and I went home too! We drove 180 miles through the magnificent Virginia country side, got to meet some old friends and make some new ones…. This over the road cruising has possibilities and the RedRat does like to run those roads….hehehe
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Opps....another show!
During the cruise at Orange BK in September I was approached by a teacher, Rick Schaffer, from Locust Grove Middle School, about a project he was working on. He teaches 7-8 grade Social Studies and he asked if I would be interested in bringing my hot rod to the school and share it with the kids in his class….I thought about it, for about ½ a second and said yes! Huh? I like to talk about my car but kids can ask the darnedest questions sometimes, I wasn’t sure I was the right person to represent the hot rod culture to kids that probably had never seen a hot rod. Rick said he would email me with an exact date and time so I waited…. I thought I would seek another person that could take a car and go with me. Safety in numbers and all. It had to be someone that liked to talk about his car, someone that could take off Friday in the middle of the day and go to Locust Grove, about 35 miles one way. I first thought of Ron Cournia….he is always talking to people about his car and his car is a great representation of the hot rod culture. He can also schedule his day to be there with me I thought! I called him and without hesitation he said yes!
Friday at noon, Ron and I left Stafford for Locust Grove. We didn’t know what kind of traffic was before us so we allowed enough time for delays….as soon as we got on I-95 the traffic began to slow….hmmmm We had 34 miles to go and we were creeping along at 5 mph! Luckily it was just some paint chipping gravel that a truck had dropped on the road and as soon as we passed it we were up to speed. No more traffic glitches all the way to the school, but we were about an hour early when we arrived! Ron and I got instructions on where to park the cars so we did and then waited for the kids to come out.
My wife, the Princess, has driven a school bus for over 24 years and she said that Middle Schoolers could be the worst behaved of all! That she would rather have a root canal performed on her than transport
Middle Schoolers! To say I was apprehensive was an understatement! I had thought about the ‘introduction speech’ I was going to start with for a couple of weeks. It began with ‘how many of you have seen the movie, American Graffiti? When the kids came out and circled around us and I said that….no one raised their hand….no one….deer in the headlights came to mind….I knew I was in trouble! So I gave the kids a Readers Digest version of what cruising in Southern California was like in the 60’s. I don’t know if I was effective on telling the story? Then I started talking about my car and the questions started coming….great, I can answer questions! Then it was Ron’s turn, he held the kid’s interest much better than I did and then it was a question and answer session for both of us. The kid’s questions were great….one of them asked me what size fuel line I had in the car?….HUH? No one ever asked me that! I said 3/8” aluminum and he said he & his dad used ½” with big motors?! These kids aren’t supposed to know stuff like that! I think that kid is just a 35 yr old that looks young and they just tried to trick the old guy with those questions….hehehe The rest of the questions were pretty normal till the other teacher asked me what my fuel mileage was….I said around 14 mpg unless I pressed the right pedal too much, then it could drop to 7-8 mpg! She also asked how much the tires cost and something about where the spare tire was? The conversation felt like it was going down the Volvo road and I was beginning to regret not bringing the air bag I made for the car! Then one of the kids told me she liked my shoes! I hope my youngest daughter, Melissa, reads this….she is a charter member of the fashion police, she would be happy that her dad is wearing socially acceptable shoes….for 8th graders! grin I had to wear cowboy boots for 8 years while she was in school so she wouldn’t bug me about the color socks I was wearing when I went to work! The questions wound down and it was time for the kids to go back to class. They thanked us for coming out and we thanked them for their interest. They were a great bunch of kids, very respectful of us and the cars (except for the ‘trick’ questions), Rick can be proud of the way they behaved. Next time I will be much better prepared to share the essence of the hot rod culture….I won’t miss another opportunity like that! Ron and I cruised back to Stafford, it was a perfect day to be driving hot rods!
Friday evening….Halloween! We arrived at VA BBQ early to save a bunch of parking spaces for some who still work! hehehe Ron C.
arrived then Jim & Linda then T-Bucket John…. John had a passenger and John was in costume! I always thought about what kind of person would drive a T-Bucket….now I know, a crash dummy! Check out John’s costume, it was perfect. Sue was Michael Jackson….or Boy George! Paul came as Stephen Stills, Gary was Count Cruisela, Westly was a joker, Evelyn was a ghost then turned into a pumpkin later? Other adults and kids were in costume….see the pictures. John’s passenger was activated by a remote mic. ….which the Princess made use of most of the evening! She startled both young and old….she was having too much fun! Ed was assaulting John’s passenger whenever he thought he could get away with it, Carolyn needs to do something with him! Kim, Sue & Pop and Company decorated the place and kept the spirit of the event going. Count Cruisela was the MC/DJ and things rolled along just fine, thanks Count! It was getting cold so the awards were given out around 8:30, I think! The crash dummy won two awards….both well deserved, he will have to get a trailer for his bucket if this keeps up! It was an evening of treats and not to many tricks!
Saturday a small group of drivers met at Bob Evans for breakfast and left for the show at Zoan Baptist Church. Jim & Linda, Dan & Ramona, Andrew (Happy Birthday Andrew), the Princess & Me. We cruised to the show and arrived right on time, there were about 15 cars already parked when we got there. Frank and his silver Z06, Sue, Kim, Paul & Evelyn, Jim & Maria were there, Jon & Marla came in and Dom brought his Model T later and Brent came about 11:30…. There were about 75 cars total with a great mix of types from 1915 to 2008! The yellow ’53 Plymouth was very unique….the yellow convert in front by the church sign was very
nice as was the very red blown Camaro….very trick, check out the hood hinges! The blue Nova post with the Clifford 6 cyl, a very different way to go fast! I got some time to look over the ’60 T-Bird pretty good, it’s what I want to end up with at some point….I think a 427 Cammer or a 429 Shotgun motor should fit just fine, I can’t believe the room under the hood. I got a lousy picture of the black Torino but it was special too, I used to have a ’71 429CJ Ranchero! Dom had a good time sharing his Model T with anyone that would listen….he is such a good representative of the car culture around here. There were many outstanding cars, please look at the pictures to get 
a flavor for the quality of the cars. The church had a variety of activities going on during the show that kept the ladies busy…. The Princess purchased more items for a yard sale, I know she had $50 but she said don’t worry she was using the checkbook, ouch! Lets see, she pays $50 for an item, we sell it for $5 or give it away, she told me not to worry because that’s trickle down economics! There was some horseshoe pits that were being used most of the day by the event participants….nice touch….horseshoes near the Mustangs….
Kenny, the owner of Big Foot Speed & Custom, was the sponsor of the event. He did a great job of making sure everyone was enjoying the show and probably talked to a few potential new customers too! He has a great selection of go fast thingies for your hot rod....I wonder if he has something to keep the tires on the RedRat from spinning so much? I caught him skulking around on top of his trailer….see the pics. Please patronize the businesses that sponsor our local car events, it pays to support local sponsors! The awards were given promptly at 4PM…. The Best of trophy was won by the ’60 T-Bird….coincidence? I think I voted at least two times for it! The trophy was as tall as the kid that came up for it….too funny! Andrew, Brent, Dom, Jim & Maria, Dan & Ramona, Jon & Marla, Pop & Sue, Paul & Evelyn and I got a very nice ‘Top’ award….the Princess forgot to open her hood….the Princess didn’t get anything….the Princess said I should have opened her hood for her since she cleaned both cars….and she can’t think of EVERYTHING….and she has been sick….and she had to keep checking on the stuff she was bidding on….and it was hot….and she forgot her sunglasses… the Princess says it’s not her fault she didn’t win anything….she is such a poor looooooser….I didn’t say that….see the last pic in the album! I must have hit some tire shine on my way out, the red rat’s tires kept spinning around, I hate it when that happens, it gets so noisy inside that little coupe! Hehehehe A perfect sunny fall day in the 70’s, driving hot rods around…. what’s not to like?
Friday at noon, Ron and I left Stafford for Locust Grove. We didn’t know what kind of traffic was before us so we allowed enough time for delays….as soon as we got on I-95 the traffic began to slow….hmmmm We had 34 miles to go and we were creeping along at 5 mph! Luckily it was just some paint chipping gravel that a truck had dropped on the road and as soon as we passed it we were up to speed. No more traffic glitches all the way to the school, but we were about an hour early when we arrived! Ron and I got instructions on where to park the cars so we did and then waited for the kids to come out.
My wife, the Princess, has driven a school bus for over 24 years and she said that Middle Schoolers could be the worst behaved of all! That she would rather have a root canal performed on her than transport
Middle Schoolers! To say I was apprehensive was an understatement! I had thought about the ‘introduction speech’ I was going to start with for a couple of weeks. It began with ‘how many of you have seen the movie, American Graffiti? When the kids came out and circled around us and I said that….no one raised their hand….no one….deer in the headlights came to mind….I knew I was in trouble! So I gave the kids a Readers Digest version of what cruising in Southern California was like in the 60’s. I don’t know if I was effective on telling the story? Then I started talking about my car and the questions started coming….great, I can answer questions! Then it was Ron’s turn, he held the kid’s interest much better than I did and then it was a question and answer session for both of us. The kid’s questions were great….one of them asked me what size fuel line I had in the car?….HUH? No one ever asked me that! I said 3/8” aluminum and he said he & his dad used ½” with big motors?! These kids aren’t supposed to know stuff like that! I think that kid is just a 35 yr old that looks young and they just tried to trick the old guy with those questions….hehehe The rest of the questions were pretty normal till the other teacher asked me what my fuel mileage was….I said around 14 mpg unless I pressed the right pedal too much, then it could drop to 7-8 mpg! She also asked how much the tires cost and something about where the spare tire was? The conversation felt like it was going down the Volvo road and I was beginning to regret not bringing the air bag I made for the car! Then one of the kids told me she liked my shoes! I hope my youngest daughter, Melissa, reads this….she is a charter member of the fashion police, she would be happy that her dad is wearing socially acceptable shoes….for 8th graders! grin I had to wear cowboy boots for 8 years while she was in school so she wouldn’t bug me about the color socks I was wearing when I went to work! The questions wound down and it was time for the kids to go back to class. They thanked us for coming out and we thanked them for their interest. They were a great bunch of kids, very respectful of us and the cars (except for the ‘trick’ questions), Rick can be proud of the way they behaved. Next time I will be much better prepared to share the essence of the hot rod culture….I won’t miss another opportunity like that! Ron and I cruised back to Stafford, it was a perfect day to be driving hot rods!Friday evening….Halloween! We arrived at VA BBQ early to save a bunch of parking spaces for some who still work! hehehe Ron C.
arrived then Jim & Linda then T-Bucket John…. John had a passenger and John was in costume! I always thought about what kind of person would drive a T-Bucket….now I know, a crash dummy! Check out John’s costume, it was perfect. Sue was Michael Jackson….or Boy George! Paul came as Stephen Stills, Gary was Count Cruisela, Westly was a joker, Evelyn was a ghost then turned into a pumpkin later? Other adults and kids were in costume….see the pictures. John’s passenger was activated by a remote mic. ….which the Princess made use of most of the evening! She startled both young and old….she was having too much fun! Ed was assaulting John’s passenger whenever he thought he could get away with it, Carolyn needs to do something with him! Kim, Sue & Pop and Company decorated the place and kept the spirit of the event going. Count Cruisela was the MC/DJ and things rolled along just fine, thanks Count! It was getting cold so the awards were given out around 8:30, I think! The crash dummy won two awards….both well deserved, he will have to get a trailer for his bucket if this keeps up! It was an evening of treats and not to many tricks!Saturday a small group of drivers met at Bob Evans for breakfast and left for the show at Zoan Baptist Church. Jim & Linda, Dan & Ramona, Andrew (Happy Birthday Andrew), the Princess & Me. We cruised to the show and arrived right on time, there were about 15 cars already parked when we got there. Frank and his silver Z06, Sue, Kim, Paul & Evelyn, Jim & Maria were there, Jon & Marla came in and Dom brought his Model T later and Brent came about 11:30…. There were about 75 cars total with a great mix of types from 1915 to 2008! The yellow ’53 Plymouth was very unique….the yellow convert in front by the church sign was very
nice as was the very red blown Camaro….very trick, check out the hood hinges! The blue Nova post with the Clifford 6 cyl, a very different way to go fast! I got some time to look over the ’60 T-Bird pretty good, it’s what I want to end up with at some point….I think a 427 Cammer or a 429 Shotgun motor should fit just fine, I can’t believe the room under the hood. I got a lousy picture of the black Torino but it was special too, I used to have a ’71 429CJ Ranchero! Dom had a good time sharing his Model T with anyone that would listen….he is such a good representative of the car culture around here. There were many outstanding cars, please look at the pictures to get 
a flavor for the quality of the cars. The church had a variety of activities going on during the show that kept the ladies busy…. The Princess purchased more items for a yard sale, I know she had $50 but she said don’t worry she was using the checkbook, ouch! Lets see, she pays $50 for an item, we sell it for $5 or give it away, she told me not to worry because that’s trickle down economics! There was some horseshoe pits that were being used most of the day by the event participants….nice touch….horseshoes near the Mustangs….Kenny, the owner of Big Foot Speed & Custom, was the sponsor of the event. He did a great job of making sure everyone was enjoying the show and probably talked to a few potential new customers too! He has a great selection of go fast thingies for your hot rod....I wonder if he has something to keep the tires on the RedRat from spinning so much? I caught him skulking around on top of his trailer….see the pics. Please patronize the businesses that sponsor our local car events, it pays to support local sponsors! The awards were given promptly at 4PM…. The Best of trophy was won by the ’60 T-Bird….coincidence? I think I voted at least two times for it! The trophy was as tall as the kid that came up for it….too funny! Andrew, Brent, Dom, Jim & Maria, Dan & Ramona, Jon & Marla, Pop & Sue, Paul & Evelyn and I got a very nice ‘Top’ award….the Princess forgot to open her hood….the Princess didn’t get anything….the Princess said I should have opened her hood for her since she cleaned both cars….and she can’t think of EVERYTHING….and she has been sick….and she had to keep checking on the stuff she was bidding on….and it was hot….and she forgot her sunglasses… the Princess says it’s not her fault she didn’t win anything….she is such a poor looooooser….I didn’t say that….see the last pic in the album! I must have hit some tire shine on my way out, the red rat’s tires kept spinning around, I hate it when that happens, it gets so noisy inside that little coupe! Hehehehe A perfect sunny fall day in the 70’s, driving hot rods around…. what’s not to like?
Monday, October 27, 2008
And so ends the 2008 show season
Since the Princess is dealing with an allergy attack of mold from a school bus she was using last week, we couldn't go to the VA BBQ Friday night. And it rained all day Saturday. But Sunday the Princess was feeling a little better and since this was the last show of the season and since the Princess was determined to get her 'pumpkin' trophy this year we decided to go to the Hoppers Show in Winchester.
Ron in his '28 Dodge, Ed in his '39 Ford, Dan & Ramona in their '55 Chevy, 
Jim & Linda in their '08 Vette and the Princess & me in our coupes all met at Bob Evans and loaded up on artery clogging food....I say ya just can't have enough MSG, riboflavin, #74 red dye and lard! Wow that was fun, burp!
Jim & Linda in their '08 Vette and the Princess & me in our coupes all met at Bob Evans and loaded up on artery clogging food....I say ya just can't have enough MSG, riboflavin, #74 red dye and lard! Wow that was fun, burp! We left Stafford and cruised to Warranton to meet some friends from Custom Cruisers at the Liberty station. As we were turning off Rt. 17 onto Rt. 29 I told everyone to look out for a Liberty gas station then I saw a guy running down the side of a parking lot waving his arms....It was Dallas! Sometimes driving my coupe is like looking out a gun slot of a tank, I really don't have much field of view....I missed the Liberty gas station. After some very unconventional lane changing and way too much talking over the walkie talkies, we got to the meeting spot and shut down the cars to meet the people who were waiting for us. We met Les & Peggy with their '67 Olds 442, Phil and his red ' 70 Ford, Dennis and his green Chevelle, Marsha and her yellow Firebird and Dave & Sue in their red Chevy SUV. Dave had some major engine work done to himself and is recovering....I don't know how he thinks he will fully recover driving around in those foreign cars? hehehe After some reacquainting and using 
the facilities at the gas station we formed up and left. Dallas led, which is OK with me as I like to just follow someone once in a while, it is so much easier than leading....and I don't get blamed if we get lost! grin While on Rt 17 heading for I-66 we passed a Sheriff deputy so I took a pic of my speed....just in case! Outside Winchester we stopped at the Sheetz station and met up with Larry & Sandy with their black '55 Chevy and then cruised to the show.
the facilities at the gas station we formed up and left. Dallas led, which is OK with me as I like to just follow someone once in a while, it is so much easier than leading....and I don't get blamed if we get lost! grin While on Rt 17 heading for I-66 we passed a Sheriff deputy so I took a pic of my speed....just in case! Outside Winchester we stopped at the Sheetz station and met up with Larry & Sandy with their black '55 Chevy and then cruised to the show.We parked and setup, Hot Rod & Lila showed up and parked with us....the Princess started her schmoozing by putting her decorations on her coupe....she wasn't going to be denied a trophy today! Someone (they drive a blue '08 Vette) put a frog/toad in my car....actually they put two animals in my car! I wonder what the message is here? Mr. Toad's wild ride comes to mind....I am trying to be more socially responsible with the RedRat.... It is now classified as a hybrid car, it burns gasoline and rubber! AND I have installed an additional safety device, a passenger side air bag! Whatta guy! Now if I can just get my atomic powered lazer directional stabilization device tuned a little better I can be able to keep the car pointed forward when I step on the right pedal....hehehe Ed put a stem on his car and turned it into a pumpkin....funny Ed....Special Ed....hmmmmmm
The show is a collection of varied and special cars. There were many we had not seen before. The '66 red Vette was one of the nicest Vettes I have seen, he has late model undercarriage and a gorgeous paint job! My favorite was
Terry's red '64 Dodge with the big block dual quad short ram motor. This car was straighter than any car I have seen! There isn't anything on this car I didn't like! The attention to detail was superb....check the photos This is one fine Mopar, please take the time to go over it when it is at a show with you! There was a '54 Chevy custom drop top that was painted with a bronze/copper color, very nice engine details. And 3 black '55 Chevies....and a black '56 too. There were more Tri-fives at this show than I can remember at any show we have gone to this year! And the blue & orange Ford GT-40 was a hit, people said "Why this color?"....I guess they didn't know that was the color they were painted originally when they were raced in France! The little orange Lotus was cool as well as the candy apple red VW! A very clean champagne '34 Chevy, I remember that car from last year, it's still a stand out! There were so many exceptional cars, please take the time to look at the pics....As you all know I like to talk to people about my car....today a guy was talking to me about the RedRat and the conversation evolved to airplanes, my first love. It seems he owns a T-6, a very nice T-6 that I have photographed a few times over the last couple of years....in fact I photographed it a few weeks ago at the AirFest in Culpeper! It is the one with the red and yellow checkerboard cowling. Anyway he is considering building/buying a hot rod and wanted to know a lot of details about the RedRat....Airplanes and hot rods....the perfect mix! That would be Mechanical Nirvana....
Terry's red '64 Dodge with the big block dual quad short ram motor. This car was straighter than any car I have seen! There isn't anything on this car I didn't like! The attention to detail was superb....check the photos This is one fine Mopar, please take the time to go over it when it is at a show with you! There was a '54 Chevy custom drop top that was painted with a bronze/copper color, very nice engine details. And 3 black '55 Chevies....and a black '56 too. There were more Tri-fives at this show than I can remember at any show we have gone to this year! And the blue & orange Ford GT-40 was a hit, people said "Why this color?"....I guess they didn't know that was the color they were painted originally when they were raced in France! The little orange Lotus was cool as well as the candy apple red VW! A very clean champagne '34 Chevy, I remember that car from last year, it's still a stand out! There were so many exceptional cars, please take the time to look at the pics....As you all know I like to talk to people about my car....today a guy was talking to me about the RedRat and the conversation evolved to airplanes, my first love. It seems he owns a T-6, a very nice T-6 that I have photographed a few times over the last couple of years....in fact I photographed it a few weeks ago at the AirFest in Culpeper! It is the one with the red and yellow checkerboard cowling. Anyway he is considering building/buying a hot rod and wanted to know a lot of details about the RedRat....Airplanes and hot rods....the perfect mix! That would be Mechanical Nirvana....Hoppers Car Club runs a very well organized show....they had time points to hit and they did! Everything ran smoothly and efficiently, the club members were very helpful with any questions or requests....a class act! There were inside restrooms and very good food choices....in fact the Princess liked the food so well she went back twice! The sound system was improved from last year and we could hear t
he music and announcements even in the cheap seats! The announcer/DJ guy (I forgot his name) agreed to present the Princess with her much deserved trophy....She got a pumpkin trophy for the whinniest female driver on the planet! Our oldest daughter, Michelle, painted it for her, it's the "Princess Whinesalot" trophy. I thought it fit pretty good! She said she liked all the attention but she will have to enlighten me as to what REAL whining is all about! I'm glad she still has to work to pay for car parts and I'm home by myself at least 6 hrs a day! grin There were over 110 cars at the show and some of us got a top 30 plaque....the Princess got one too! I'm so glad she got one....the winter will be much nicer now....I didn't say that!
he music and announcements even in the cheap seats! The announcer/DJ guy (I forgot his name) agreed to present the Princess with her much deserved trophy....She got a pumpkin trophy for the whinniest female driver on the planet! Our oldest daughter, Michelle, painted it for her, it's the "Princess Whinesalot" trophy. I thought it fit pretty good! She said she liked all the attention but she will have to enlighten me as to what REAL whining is all about! I'm glad she still has to work to pay for car parts and I'm home by myself at least 6 hrs a day! grin There were over 110 cars at the show and some of us got a top 30 plaque....the Princess got one too! I'm so glad she got one....the winter will be much nicer now....I didn't say that!The show was over and someone from the Custom Cruisers suggested to
run to South St. Grille in Front Royal for dinner....we all deliberated, about .04 of a second, and agreed that would fit just right! So with Dallas leading we cruised to the Grille and finished off a great day! The food was great and the service was instant, as usual. You have to try the cherry cokes if you go there and I didn't hear anyone complain about the food....except Ed....I think Carolyn needs to go with Ed to control him....he is so....special!
run to South St. Grille in Front Royal for dinner....we all deliberated, about .04 of a second, and agreed that would fit just right! So with Dallas leading we cruised to the Grille and finished off a great day! The food was great and the service was instant, as usual. You have to try the cherry cokes if you go there and I didn't hear anyone complain about the food....except Ed....I think Carolyn needs to go with Ed to control him....he is so....special!We ran Rt. 55 to I-66 to Rt 234 to I-95 to Rt 610 and home....a magnificent day and the "official" end to the show season! We will still do some cruising till December but will then put the hot rods to rest till March! Another great day with friends, new and old, driving hot rods....It doesn't get any better....I love that car!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Fall is here
Saturday morning six cars left Bob Evans for Bowling Green, VA and the Fall Festival there. Ron and his 28 Dodge, Ed and his 39 Ford, Jim & Linda and their 08 Vette, Dan and his 55 Chevy and the Princess and I with our coupes. John arrived with his T-Bucket soon after we set up, ask him if he was cold! This is a neat show where the town closes down the main street and sets up vendors, displays, bands and a car show to celebrate Fall. This year makes the fourth year the Princess and I have attended the event and it seemed to be a little down on attendance this year....not much but it just didn't feel as crowded as years past? There was over 150 cars in the show and as usual many that we 
haven't seen before. The most unusual was the '39 Fiat Topolino that appeared in stock configuration outside. I have seen one other Topolino with fenders and stock hood....usually these little cars are used for Altereds in drag racing. Many famous AA/FA cars were made with the Topolino bodies .... Bradford and Mondello are two cars that come to mind. Anyway it was neat to see one in near stock external condition. Another unusual car was the '64 Studebaker Wagonaire....I have never seen one....it is really trick the way
the roof slides open for more room in the back, check out the pics. There was a '37 Ford sedan delivery with trick mirrors, it un-clutters the outside but I think it complicates the interior to the point it might be distracting? Check them out! The AMC Marlin was a unique piece too. The evil little Triumph....my dad had one of those and it felt like the thing was falling apart every time I drove it....and the door was so low! I'm not into jacked up trucks much but there was a red Ford that was pretty impressive. Jim's remarkable '54 Ford glasstop from Lorton just about took my breath away....I'm a hot rod guy and am not usually impressed by a 'stocker' but Jim's '54 was an exception, you have to look this car over when you get a chance....and Jim has a '54 Ford museum in Colonial Beach....we have to visit it next year!
haven't seen before. The most unusual was the '39 Fiat Topolino that appeared in stock configuration outside. I have seen one other Topolino with fenders and stock hood....usually these little cars are used for Altereds in drag racing. Many famous AA/FA cars were made with the Topolino bodies .... Bradford and Mondello are two cars that come to mind. Anyway it was neat to see one in near stock external condition. Another unusual car was the '64 Studebaker Wagonaire....I have never seen one....it is really trick the way
the roof slides open for more room in the back, check out the pics. There was a '37 Ford sedan delivery with trick mirrors, it un-clutters the outside but I think it complicates the interior to the point it might be distracting? Check them out! The AMC Marlin was a unique piece too. The evil little Triumph....my dad had one of those and it felt like the thing was falling apart every time I drove it....and the door was so low! I'm not into jacked up trucks much but there was a red Ford that was pretty impressive. Jim's remarkable '54 Ford glasstop from Lorton just about took my breath away....I'm a hot rod guy and am not usually impressed by a 'stocker' but Jim's '54 was an exception, you have to look this car over when you get a chance....and Jim has a '54 Ford museum in Colonial Beach....we have to visit it next year! 
There were many car clubs represented too....The Tri-County Cruisers came in force and they brought the Red Camaro that deservedly won the Best of Show award. Thanks to Steve we had two '34 Fords at the event and they were all red! The Virginia Stockers came with Jerry's yellow Willys (I wonder where the Dragonfly is?) and all the rest of their primo cars....and that wild and crazy guy, Willie, looked like he was having way too much fun. And I'm glad Mary didn't have to wear Dave's sweatshirt again! Some of the other clubs represented were Fredericksburg Street Rods, Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club, Stafford Classics, Culpeper Cruisers and others I didn't know. The Princess bought some little rubber ducks....some for Dan and one for herself....she says now she can schmooz the judges at the Wings, Wheels & Ducks show next year! I didn't know the Princess schmozed? Please check out the pics as I can't do justice in this commentary to all the cars that attended.
The day was perfect and they had the awards a little early and the Princess did not win one....Dan and I did but the Princess didn't, and she didn't win the 50/50....does that make the Princess a looser now? I didn't say that.
The day was so nice we decided to take a route to Orange on roads less traveled. We left Bowling Green on Rt. 2 then took Rt. 605 to Rt. 1 to Rt. 606 at Thornburg then to Post Oak and Rt. 208 to Rt. 522, then to Rt. 20 and on in to Orange and Rt. 15 to the BK. We arrived at 3:30 and there were already 20+ cars there! It was going to be a big deal since it was the last cruise of the year and I guess a lot of people wanted to get good parking spaces. DJ Ron was spinning the tunes and made the deal more fun. He had contests with the hula hoops and costumes that all enjoyed....the Princess said I could go up as an old unemployed slacker guy....she has such an evil sense of humor sometimes....I need to find her a job with more stress so she doesn't have the time to think these things up. There seemed to be a lot more 'traditional' hot rods, primer & rust, than before....the blue '32 r window with the dual quad W motor was there, I didn't get a chance to talk to the owner about his crankcase ventilation system, I first saw it at the
Occoquan show this year. The neatest car was the yellow '32 roadster, that is one trick Deuce! The '30 Ford gunmetal sedan with the dual quad SB Ford is always nice. And of course Paul's '34 lakester with the passenger....good thing Anita wasn't there! I think there was over 200 cars there in the end but it was getting very cold so we left about 7:30. It was a long day and we drove about 160 miles but that's what them cars are for....driving!
Occoquan show this year. The neatest car was the yellow '32 roadster, that is one trick Deuce! The '30 Ford gunmetal sedan with the dual quad SB Ford is always nice. And of course Paul's '34 lakester with the passenger....good thing Anita wasn't there! I think there was over 200 cars there in the end but it was getting very cold so we left about 7:30. It was a long day and we drove about 160 miles but that's what them cars are for....driving!
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