(Car mad you lot)
(Car mad you lot)
Cord? Project had arrived on the Saturday it is aparently Andy Saunders new project... I
heard someone say that they felt Andy had'nt improved the look of the Mulsanne
with the Mods he had done?? I say take a look at the build up Book, tell me then
the original is a better looking car......... I think it is Stunning. You could
imagine some Arab oil sheik paying big bucks for it. Andy's Mentally
Insane Mulsanne Is a Koool Kustom in my eyes........... Aint it to you?
Anyhow, woke up early Sunday my lips stuck together and my tongue glued to the roof of my mouth yep I felt great and the heat was already overpowering......... water....... water!!! Lovely!!! yuuuckkk! warm water......... urghh! If the cold water is warm, I may aswell have coffee eh. So after a few cups and some grub, I walked slowly to my sad dust covered Rod with my head low and my neck burning from the heat... I half heartedly dusted her off, gave her a quick wipe with a towel and that was all I was capable off *groan*.... Many Cars had already gone to the show field already. I really did not feel up to it, or felt my 34 was clean enough to be on there.. But me and Puddz had filled in our give away forms and felt the 40's Truck was ours, so we had to go to the field anyway so might aswell park the Rod while we were there saved us walking didn't it.
As we jumped in the Rod to take it to the show field................ I realised Sheeeeeeit it's Sunday I never went to the Pat Ganahl seminar *damn* Pat Ganahl a big Rodding name from the States was invited over and he was also promoting his Book about the life and cars of Big Daddy Roth and I number one Numpty didn't remember until it was to late. I missed out big style, just hang on one minute while I kick my own R's................. Nowt I could do there was no seminar today....so lets get them tickets in for the give away truck. Me and Puddz gave the truck a once over and decided just how we would do it, after we won it, I would 5.0efi turbo and dump valve it and leave it looking outwardly much as it was Ha Ha. While Pudzz was going the small modern engine route and shiny paint! Dream on Dudes!
We had a
slow meander back to the camp site, as now we were to break camp and that was
gonna be a real task in this heat for sure. Bad enough if you are young, fit and slim but
Me I'm unfit,
worn out and Fat.. Man I was up against it today!!! I had to down the Awning
and gazebo empty Bog etc etc all in the blazing heat.... It damn near
killed me off but it was done and it was time for a ceremonial Dump and then a
shower..... Now I felt Ok.. Fit enough in fact to have a proper look round the
cars on the show field.
So along with my Misses, Daughter, Puddz and his gang we all traipsed over the show field and it looked fairly Rammed on first impressions, though I did get the impression that there were a lot less cars than Knebworth 2yrs ago??? We decided a look at the trade stands would be our first trip round the field followed by the Cars.. I think this was the biggest turn out of Rod related trade stands I have seen at a Rod Run with some welcomed new ones like the tool stall and some even for the women. I could of spent a fortune at the Rod Stalls but as I don't have one, I didnt :>(
The women were flagging by the time we had done the trip round the trade stands and with little enthusiasm they tried to look at the cars assembled, that looked some how depleted than when we first arrived??? did some go home or back to the camp site early?? The women and Puddz said they couldn't handle the heat and were going back to the caravans for some shade and a sit down... While I soldiered on, mind you I have been swapping e-mails with a great Guy from Belgium called Filip, he owns a 55 F100 same as I do though his is lowered and he is also building a Nostalgia 32, some photos soon.
We did say if we could we should meet up at the Supers and said if we were both by my car at 2pm we could say hello. Well it was 1.59pm so I made my way up to my Car and low and behold good old Filip was there along with his lovely girlfriend as promised. He was pretty much as I thought he would be, a real nice guy and we got on great, even though he must be at least 20yr my junior, I guess such s our hobby age don't come into it. Though we do sit on different sides of the fence in our personal taste of Rods we like. We had a good old chin wag and it makes you feel embarrassed and lazy as everyone has to learn English and he speaks it perfectly..... we bade our goodbyes as he had come a long way and I didn't want to take up all his time at the Supers as there was plenty still to see for him *nice one*... Seeya again soon Fil...
These two A's (did I get that right) really stood out to me. I just loved their overall look Cool
don't ya think!
I think the Red one is Chris Ranstead's, the guy who writes the Japan Rod Run
reports for Custom Car!
( Left) This red 60's style 32 with std roof height was awesome, I loved
the slicks, Radar wheels, whitewalls and east Coast style, channeled with a
stock roof height and did ya check out the interior go look at the trick bits page if
ya didn't it was in the top 10 come prize giving .. (Right) Geordie Paul's
latest creation built for a customer. He does seem to have a certain style that he
brings to his Rods, this was also voted in the top 10 aswell.
You didn't think I could do a Rod Report without any of my personal would love
to own Trucks did ya!
(left) Gaz O'Connor's Just Perfect 34, Hemi powered with a 5 speed THE ORIGINAL
Chico built Moon truck Gaz has taken pains to keep it as it was, this
truck was originally chopped in the 50's. Moon's Chico added his flare, Gaz has
just spruced up the original Colour and only changed the carbs and manifold a
part of history ehGroovy! (Right) I also love this 34? again..
lowered lights, pizza cutter tyres, zoomy
headers, three deuce carbs, screen visor oh yeah and it was painted shiny Ha
Ha........ Hey what more do ya want.... These would definatly be in my top ten!
Mind you there is really something about Pete Dempsey's latest creation. Just
sit back and look at it...................Aint it really something! It's a 37
with a truck grill replacing the old 35 one and It looks like it has arrived
through a time vortex. You would almost bet ya house the owner, builder, driver
will have a quiff or at least slicked back black hair, Drain pipes on and
sneakers wouldn't you and like both kinds of music Rock and Roll....... But Nope
not our Pete from Fleet. Though he does make the pilgrimage to Paso Robles and
is into his Jalopy 40's/50's style Rods he does not let it take over everything
he does. The proof being when Pete came over to our camp Friday for a Natter he
was the only one who recognised I was playing the Groove Armada in my 34, yes a
Modern Dance type Band. I love his approach to our scene/hobby and his approach to
his Cars, of which he always has three or four projects on the go at once and
now is no exception...... I had a
sit in Pete's Truck as I had the previous day in Gaz O'Connor's 34 Truck, Pete's
truck I love, Gaz's I would love to own! I think that's the difference
just cus you say you like something you don't have to desire it, and just cus
you desire a certain Rod it doesn't mean you cant like many others?? Er does
that make sense?? But looking out through the split screen is wild and seeing
the gaps where you see the engine and the road just add some character to
Pete's, the
seating is comfy with a sunken Jag seat which was a surprise. Pete stayed and had a real good conversation with us and when he left
Puddz said what a nice guy he was! And he is for sure
When I get talking to these guys who are really really clued up on our scene, who live the dream going to the states and doing the Rod Runs meeting the big names in fact even knowing the big names on first name terms. I wonder should I really be the one doing this web site? calling it UK Hotrods like I know what I am talking about........... some people must laugh at my ramblings & naivety and Bad Rod spotting. I cant get to many Rod runs and cant really talk on the same level about Rods & Rodding with these guys, but somehow people do enjoy it and it chuffs me ta buggery when respected Rodders say they read it & enjoy it...... Mad aint it!
(Left) Red suede paint std Roof again and whitewalls make this 32
look dead right (Right) I loved this 32 Highboy aswell this was really finished right
to perfection with stunning detail right out of the 32 hiboy cook
book I'd say Groovy!
(Left) 39 Ford looked right on the Money and I think was in the top 10.
(Right) Part of the T Party line up. What do you think these guys are saying? I
reckon the guy on the right is saying " I like the Red one"
while the guy on the left is saying "Well I like the Blue
one" or they are saying "where do you think all
the cowboys are?" ;>)
(Left) This Prefect looked Reet Dandy with prefect er I mean perfect stance
and no BS finish. (Right) Terry Griffin's ABC whoops sorry HB2 Nope wrong again
T...A....B :>) So Called because it is influenced by all these style of cars
T's A's & B's was built by Tim Hammond what a craftsman he must be! I heard
one of the stipulations by Terry was no opening doors, so he had to climb in.
I saw this great looking 32 in the trade stands but there was no advertising
to say who they where?? It looked like a well put together Rod....
Voted Participants choice was this low key Jalopy... Whoops looking at the
wrong photo again. I mean Mega Blown, Mega everything 40's Willys of Tony
Osborne Wild!!
Well the day was hard work for me, maybe because I over revved the night before, maybe it was just to damned Hot to enjoy it but I was so uncomfortable I didn't even stop and look at the cars I liked properly. All I did was take some photo's and that was it really. A welcome break was when I heard "Hey H" in that unmistakable Cockney accent of Toad! He was organised with shade and cool drinks.... er though I didn't get one of the latter :>) but the shade was welcoming and I stopped and had a chin wag with this larger than life character. You cant help but feel happy when you get in his company *nice one Toad*.... I was now up for some more looking round, but was soon flaggin again and went back to the caravan admitting defeat.... I was astounded at just how many Rods and cool cars were back at the camp site????? The show field would of been full if they had all bothered their R's's to put them on there *hum?* why don't they help put on a good show for the public? *weird*
It was now nearing trophy time, which to be honest I am not
into at all! But it is a recognised part of our scene so who am I to question
its validity!
Proceedings were called to a halt as John Price announced there was a car in the
River and the officials had to help get it out before the show could go on. Oh
and don't all go over to have a look as we might tip the field up :>)... I wasn't
going to look, but curiosity got the better of Puddz so we decided to go have a
gander! Oh No I couldn't believe it, Man it was a peach 56 Chevy owned by Pop
Parts it had been knocked out of gear or handbrake knocked off or similar and it
had rolled down the hill into the lake......... I could of wept for the owner
and it was full of Pop Parts... er..... Parts.!! And guess what for the first
time all weekend I didn't have my camera with me .... I felt so sorry for the
guy I didn't have the heart to run back to camp and get it either!! But I have
nicked this one from another web site but don't tell anyone will ya sssshhhhh..
The Chevy was retrieved from the lake soon so now the prize giving could take place. I can remember Bob Welstead's 36 got Best of Show. Pete Whiteside's debuted 36 was in the Top Ten. I remember Jon Golding, Tony Osborne and Andy Saunders names being in the prize giving and they had all gone home...... celebrities eh! :>) The Ex Billy Gabb blown 34 now owned by Ray ? was also a worthy winner, it was great cus just before the trophy's were handed out Ray came over and introduced himself to me, adding he loved my web site Man that was so cool and he seemed a very nice guy and really loves his 34 and so does his Miss'es by all accounts which makes live so much easier going to Rod runs.
Maurice Takoor was also in the Trophies along with Langy... Oh I cant remember everyone but all the Rods/Kustoms in there were definatly worthy of our admiration Top Stuff oh and Nick Taylor's Kugal speedster has just sprung into my mind being in the trophies. Pat Ganahl pulled John Price up for calling it a Zipper, well he told him its proper title anyway.... The give away winners were all there, which was good talking of which when the Moon gauges were drawn nobody came forward, John Price kept shouting the winning name out ..... still nothing...it was then the mandatory minute and the last seconds where counted out by the assembled crowd... 10...9.....8...7....6...... then a Truck came tear R'sing over the field with its horn blaring and light flashing. We all turned round to see a very very amply proportioned Lady alight from the truck in full flight.................................. Do you every remember the advert where Malcolm's Mum came running down the stairs to give Malcolm some cough mixture cus he said "I cant do my exams, with a blocked up Dose"..... *sniffle* and dear Old Mum comes running down the stairs saying "Course ya can Malcolm" and her bosom's were wobbling everywhere...... Well that was what we were all looking at, but ten times larger Bussy's everyone turned round, then everyone started cheering Hey and we all know why!!! Again wish I had my camera Nah scrap that, wish I had me video!!! It was like two bears fighting under a duvet ....... I best go have a lie down eh!
I just liked this Truck the 70's are back by the look of the wires but
where are the three wipers!!!
To cut a long story, long, we didn't win the truck, but the guy who did had just been up to Scotland to buy one the same the week before, I guess off big Ian Caldwell... he didn't buy it but now doesn't need to has he won one Cool eh! So if ya want one Big Ian still has one.. Well we had a fair old journey home and it was still sweltering Hot. So we had best get on, the Trophy giving and prize give away had run way to late really but we had to stay to the end... We could of done with being on the road home a good two hours ago. There was a bit of a jam getting off the show field, and I still had to fit my tow mirror and tow hitch yet and load all the stuff into the caravan and Rod before we could start our journey home so it was till going to be a good hour yet!! Mind you it was ace watching all the Rods on the move! As we never saw one single Rod all the way down to the Supers or all the way Home.. :>(
Once loaded it was time to say our goodbyes, which I hate. Once out on the road, it was a clear Run to Cumbria, no probs. Though we did hit a massive down pour, which was quite frightening but was also quite refreshing to get cooled by the rain coming in through my open window... That was it Home in just 5hrs a good 600+mile round trip, did £120 worth of Fuel and had a Bazzing great time. It would be more fun if my daughter and Misses had enjoyed it .... Then I know we would be going next year we'll just have to see.
I thought Old Warden was Ok, but I really did enjoy Knebworth more, it may of been because I was there with my mate Puddz and it was my first major Rod Run dunno! I would definatly go back to Old warden though, I think it has the makings of a great Run, it has more going for it I think.. The NSRA Guys and Galls who put so much effort into making these Runs happen for us to enjoy, deserve all our praise, Help and encouragement they do a fantastic Job. NSRA and Helpers I Thank You!
Footnote: Why does Dave Browns Awesome A40 van never get in the Trophies? I mean not even in the top 10?
Oh just a few photos to finish off sent to me by Steve Walker (Acme Rods) Enjoy!
Titled More Bull Sh*t here ya can see Dusty Laugher looking like he has just
stepped out of Burtons window! Langy looking like he just stepped out of MacDonald's,
me looking like I just stepped out da Shower while Brian Lucas looks like he
needed to sit down and step out of the Sun!
Chris Ranstead's Fine detailed A... dig that crazy Interior Man!