WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS HOT ROD

Posted on March 18, 2023 by MartynL

Bruce Meyer donates the WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS HOT ROD – ’32 Ford McGee Roadster – to the Petersen Automotive Museum. “The McGee Roadster is so much more than just a car. It is the symbol of an entire era and generation of innovative hot rodders,” said Terry Karges, right, executive director of the Petersen. “We are honored by Bruce’s donation and proud to preserve this piece of history.” Constructed by noted hot rod builder Bob McGee, the McGee Roadster introduced an aesthetic that qui...

ORIGINAL ’32 FORD V-8 COUPE!

Posted on December 13, 2021December 13, 2021 by MartynL

No one car celebrates hot-rodding more than the ’32 Ford. And this preserved, not restored, classic Deuce coupe powered by its original Buick V-8 deserves to be the ‘poster’ car for hot rod history. ‘Best Preserved’ is how Rod & Custom historian Pat Ganahl describes this ORIGINAL ’32 FORD V-8 COUPE! There’s no better word for it. I looked in the Thesaurus. Of all the hot rods I’ve seen – and that’s a lot – I’ve never seen any better preserved in its original condition than this one....

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: ’32 FORD

Posted on January 25, 2020January 25, 2020 by MartynL

In 1965 Larry Jaworske was building car models, mowing lawns and learning about building drag cars from neighbors and his older brother, Gary. And, he couldn’t get enough of the Mamas and Papas Grammy-winning rendition of California Dreamin’. Unlike the narrative of the hit song that deals with escaping the cold to head to warmer climes, Larry’s interest had little to do with weather. It had everything to do with hot rods and muscle cars. More than anything he wanted to cruise around Southern ...

HOT ROD HEAVEN: DEUCES ON 101!

Posted on October 25, 2019October 29, 2019 by MartynL

’32 Fords flock the Zaca Creek Golf Course fairway for the Deuces On 101 Inaugural Car Show. CGC’s Jim Palam runs the numbers: 3+2 = ‘10-out-of-10.’ Let’s check his math. Henry Ford didn’t like the numbers. The Great Depression and higher horsepower competitors like Chevrolet had broken his monopoly of the American automotive industry. So he decided to double-down: 1932 would be the year to introduce the Model B and Model 18 – and Ford’s new V8 motor – to lead the cylinders war and fire-up sales...

DUECE COUPE: OLD SCHOOL; NEW SCHOOL!

Posted on December 22, 2018December 23, 2018 by MartynL

Ronnie Staples’ flamed classic ’32 Ford has gone through a number of engine-transmission combos over the years, but it’s all sorted out now and ready for serious cruising thanks to a modern five-speed. Ronnie Staples is a serious carguy with a very large garage filled with Pro Touring customs and hot rods that he drives as well as shows. His collecting mantra is simple: NO TRAILER QUEENS! Some are designed and engineered to “bring back the good old days”, while others feature state-of-the-art b...

’32 FORD: OLD SCHOOL’S THE BEST SCHOOL!

Posted on February 2, 2018February 4, 2018 by MartynL

The Pacific Gun Sight Special is more than a picture-perfect Highboy roadster. It represents a four-wheeled ‘window’ into the history of a uniquely American hobby. Kim and Mitch McCullough are consummate, hands-on car guys. They collect cars, but more importantly they drive and compete with the cars they have acquired. Trailer queens have no place in the McCullough collection. Cars are the focus of both their vocations and avocations. Kim is Vice-President of Marketing for Jaguar Land Rover ...

ICONS OF AMERICAN CULTURE: HOT RODS & CUSTOMS!

Posted on March 16, 2017May 15, 2017 by MartynL

The Historic Vehicle Association will be showcasing a ’32 Ford hot rod, ’51 Mercury custom and a ’64 Chevy lowrider on April 12 to May 4 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The vehicles will be exhibited in the HVA “glass case” on the walkway between the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum and National Gallery of Art. The vehicles are privately owned and are being commemorated and recorded as part of the HVA National Historic Vehicle Register in partnership with the U.S. Departme...

BENT AXLES: SHOWTIME IN OLD TOWN!

Posted on July 22, 2016May 15, 2017 by MartynL

The 36th Annual Bent Axles Car Show is all about cool cars, BBQ and raising money for local charities, blogs Jim Palam. Established in 1980 to showcase the Bent Axles Car Club's love of hot rods and Santa Maria-style barbecue, this casual and fun, small-town show draws spectators and participants from all over California. This year, approximately 150 cars were on display in the heart of Old Town. Proceeds from the show are generously donated to local charities. According to Ford's brochure, ...

POWER & PETALS: RODS & ROSES AUTO SHOW!

Posted on July 2, 2015May 15, 2017 by MartynL

Jim Palam captures some of the highlights of the annual Carpinteria hot rod, classic and muscle car show. "Car and Flower Guys" came together again on historic Linden Avenue in seaside Carpinteria, CA last weekend to showcase captivating examples of American engineering and California agriculture. Proceeds from this popular show benefit local non-profits such as Future Farmers of America and Carpinteria Education Foundation. The weather was perfect – as were these “cream of the crop” ...