Anticipation

I am so ready to get going. Weekend is going to be a blast, Social Distortion tomorrow night, car show Saturday. Hours are just draaaaaaggggggggiiinnnngggg by, cannot wait to get on the road, get to LA and start the party. Meeting up with friends, family and my Phantom Brothers. Of course I'm taking my camera so I will be posting pictures next week, so wish me luck!!

Linda Vaughn

Pics borrowed from the H.A.M.B The lovely Miss Linda Vaughn the legendary Hurst shifter girl. Great thread about her on the H.A.M.B check it out if you want to see more of her and other trophy girls from the past

The Look

Do the stars of today have the same staying power as the stars of the past?

Hollywood

Woke up yesterday and look what was on the TV. Do not know how accurate this movie is but from what I have heard and from what I have read it was a poor portrayal. Still it was good to watch with my coffee and pan dulce

Preservation

The Burbank Choppers and The Shifters. 2 Car Clubs that have been into traditional Hot Rods and Kustoms since back in the late 80's early 90's. Some people say that these 2 clubs helped keep the old style alive and brought it back from the dead. What they really did was show that you didnt't need to have a 100,000$ hot rod to be a hot rodder.They did away with all the chrome and fancy modern gadgets and built cars the way it was done in the early days of hot rod kulture.

Plaque

Ok as promised here is the new plaque for Los Phantoms. Designed by club member "Chubbs" it came out pretty frikin nice. Los Phantoms will be invading Grand National Roadster Show in 8 days, I cannot wait

Remember When

Last night I was looking for some old parts I had stashed in the garage and I ran across my skateboard I used to ride when I was much younger and skinnier. It brought back memories of beer fueled days and smoke filled nights skateboarding with my friends. We didn't need fancy ramps or skate parks, all we needed was smooth concrete and we were fine. The last pic is something all older out of shape skaters like me should live by- Old School Punks Shouldn't Skate. Notice the cast on the skelly

O'Sullivans

Cell phone pic of the inside of the mens room door at O'Sullivans Pub, Santa Maria Ca. Last drawing is what they called 2 am. Can't recall if I have ever experienced beer goggles, and if I did I will not admit to it

Fords

Some chopped Ford pictures that I have collected. Most Fords look better chopped, some just need few improvements to give them that Kool factor. Bottom pic is from a friend in The Shredders, South Bay L.A area. I almost bought it from him a few years back, but he wouldn't come down on the price. He ended up selling it to some guy in New York for alot of money. I loved that car, color, stance, roofline were all perfect

Icon?

Flipped on the tv yesterday morning and saw "American Graffiti" was on. I had not seen this movie for a while. The cars were cool, and the story is a good one. Some would say it is one of the all time great movies right up there with the classics.

Old Gold Garage

Last year's Old Gold Garage Open House party pics, borrowed from Dan Collins' Blog http://oldgoldgargeco.blogspot.com,/ if you look close you can spot my car in the last pic in the overflow parking. Also if you look close in the 3rd and 4th pic you can spot me, did you see me??

Shows

Tomorrow Night a good little band from Fresno are playing in town. Sort of Rockabilly sort of country, lets call it Countrybilly. Met these guys a few years back and have been a fan and a friend since then. If you have nothing to do tomorrow night  and want to hear some good live music in a crowded bar and have a few beers be there- All the cool kids will be there

Hachiko

Borrowed this from My Friend Alberto's blog http://albertovenezia.blogspot.com/
It's a story about a dog and his loyalty to his Master. The Master died, but the dog kept waiting at the train station at the same time every day, for years until the dog passed away. The statue is dedicated to the dog-Hachiko and is at a train station in Japan. Go to the blog, read the story, then wipe the tears from your eyes
Humans are never that loyal

Tattoo

I am a fan of Tatto's and Tattoo art. I got my first tattoo at the ripe old age of 13, which was a long long time ago. Way before it becam the hip thing to do or was on a tv show. Back then people with tattoo's were considered low class, or thugs or they must have been in prison was the thinking. My friend's sister did the honors and tattoo'd my name in my right shoulder ,with a sewing needle wrapped with thread, dipped in India ink(yea stupid) and gave me my homeboy dot on my right hand between my thumb and forefinger. Since then I moved up to art pieces and colored ink instead of just black. These pics are from the artist that works on me, Jimmy Coffin

Paso Show

It all started with a small show at Lake Nacimiento. Then it moved to Paso Robles. It was great and it was fun and it was and will always be know as The Paso show. The people in charge of Paso Robles decided that the show no longer fit the image of the city. So they made up a bunch of lame excuses, blamed it on crime and tried to charge West Coast Kustoms an arm and a leg to have the show there. I have read a lot of people saying it will go back to Paso someday, I say give up on that idea and have fun at the show where it is at in Santa Maria. Paso does not want it back

The H.A.M.B

So if you have read this blog you know one of the web sites I frequent, or at leat talk about is The H.A.M.B -which translates to Hokey Ass Message Board. It's a forum for traditional hot rod and custom car people. Traditionalist tend to be a bit on the snobbish side, sorry if they take offense to this but they are very close minded..Anything that they don't see as being traditional as far as cars or anything else is usually shit on and made fun of.Well someone posted on the site that Social Distortion was looking for 1930's cars for a video they were going to make in the LA area. Well the haters came out. I am not sure what their beef is with Social D or Mike Ness but all I can say is they are all a bunch of haters. Love them or hate them or even if you don't know who they are-Social Frikin D has been doing it for over 30 FRIKIN years, Mike is 48 and he kicks ass at every show. He's a guy in a band that loves Kustoms, Hot Rods, Bikes and is livin the dream a lot of us (especially me) wishes we were living.

Holy Shit!

I was doing my usual morning blog check when I came across this car. First on LowTech's Blog, then I had to go look at it on HopUp Blog. I had read about this car on the H.A.M.B but I had not seen any pictures. All I can say is Holy Shit! Rudy Rodriguez just killed it on this one, a Matranga clone and to top it off it will be debuting at GNRS in Pomona. They might as well just give this car the 1st place trophy now. I need a smoke after this visual orgasm

Mooneyes Yokohama Show

Just a few shots from Mooneyes Yokohama Hot Rod & Custom Show. Toshide aka The Local Hero posted these on the H.A.M.B and on his blog. At this show the guests of honor drive into the hall where the show is held. Photographers line each side of the lane like papparazi at some Hollywood movie shindig.Last 2 pics are Kirk Hammets (Metallica Guitar player) ride, with King Cole behind the wheel. I have asked Cole what it is like to drive into that hall and be treated like a rock star. He just smiled and said-"Bro, you have no idea how emberassing it is, I just build cars I am no rock star". Gotta love King Cole

Braveheart

Started watching Braveheart as I was falling asleep last night. I can watch this movie anytime it is on I like it that much, Mel at his best before he went all psycho. Favorite line from this movie-"The Problem with Scotland is it is full of Scots. If we can't run them out, we will simply breed them out". Longshanks was a prick and showed just how vicious the British were when they ruled. FREEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shows

I have been looking forward to this show for a while now for a few reasons. 1st 2 of my Brother's from Los Phantoms will be debuting their rides. A pair of matching Lincolns built by the legendary Kustomizer Mr.Bo Huff himself. These 2 cars have been in the making for over 2 years and from what I have seen so far they should kick some major ass. 2nd reason is I started reading on The H.A.M.B about the Kustoms-Then and Now display. Too many legendary cars to list, it is going to be a who's who of Kustom builders. 3rd reason I just love car shows period and this is a great way to start off the year. Social Distortion at The Palladium the night before and car show next day. Does it get any better??

Santa Came Thru

Santa Clause came thru with the good gift this year. Although I appreciate the sox and underwear I usually get and I usually need. This year I was given the camera I had wanted and hinted about for a while. I am still learning to use it and hopefully I will get better with it soon. Gift came just in time for Grand National Roadster Show at end of month. I will be posting pics from that and more shows and other stuff whenever I can

Shows

25 days and counting.