HOT RODS & CUSTOMS: HOT TIME IN OLD TOWN!

The Bent Axels Car Club shut down Old Town Orcutt, CA, drawing car guys, vacationers and BBQ lovers. Jim Palam, our man on the Left Coast, loves nothing  more than great BBQ and cars. The 35th Annual Bent Axles Car Club Show drew crowds hungry for Santa Maria style Tri-Tip BBQ and pre-1972 hot rods, customs and vintage vehicles. This popular, easy-pace show started Friday July 17th with a Strawberry Social and buttoned-up on Sunday the 19th with a Poker Run and Picnic. Proceeds and dona...
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POWER & PETALS: RODS & ROSES AUTO SHOW!

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” ...
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MUSCLE AND BEAUTY: 2015 STATE STREET NATIONALS!

Musclecars, hot rods, classics and sports cars are proudly displayed in  Santa Barbara, California’s Riviera. Organizers are calling the 2015 State Street Nationals Car Show a rousing success. Thousands of visitors enjoyed more than 300 vintage, exotic and collectible cars that lined 11 blocks of downtown Santa Barbara last weekend. The Page Youth Center and The Goleta Lions Club are two of the charities benefiting from the show's proceeds. Our Jim Palam reports. Ain't she pretty? Th...
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POMONA FAIRPLEX: ULTIMATE SWAP MEET & CAR SHOW!

There's something for everyone - rods, customs, sports cars, racecars, trucks - at the premier swap meet and show in Southern California If you're a car guy and live in Southern California, you've probably dragged your body out of bed at 5 AM on a Sunday morning, grabbed a wad of cash and your Radio Flyer wagon, and headed over to the Fairplex in Pomona. That’s the home of the biggest and best event of its kind. Well that's what Car Guy Chronicle's Jim Palam did this past Sunday – leavin...
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MONTECITO MOTOR CLASSIC: CONCOURS FOR A CAUSE!

Our intrepid California ‘shooter’ Jim Palam brings us highlights of the Third Annual show that benefits the Santa Barbara Police Activities League. Bill Ceno's wicked ‘03 Ferrari Enzo has a young show-goer almost falling off his Gulf racing livery Nikes! John Yzurdiaga's customized, seldom-seen ‘41 Graham “Hollywood Supercharged” is menacing in Montecito. "Hammer's Slammer" is low for the show – another head-turner from Michael Hammer's impressive hot rod and custom collection. You're ...
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THE ART OF BUGATTI: ART DECO AT ITS FINEST!

Jim Palam brings us highlights of the Mullin Museum’s incredible Bugatti show in Oxnard, CA, open until March 31, 2015 and not to be missed. According to many in the automotive world the ‘37 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic  is one of the greatest cars of all time. The magnificent ‘39 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante. Back in 1932 the essence of style and power was this beautifully balanced Bugatti Type 55 Roadster. The now infamous ‘25 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia Roadster that was salvaged in ...
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10th ANNUAL WHEELS ‘N’ WINDMILLS: SOLVANG, CA!

Balmy weather, blue skies and lots of shiny (and rusty) vehicles lined the streets of the picture-perfect Danish town. Packed with happy tourists and locals, the show supports local and National charities. In 2013, the Show donated $30,000 to health-related charities. Jim Palam brings us highlights of this year’s event.
 Rick Kistler is a Car Guy and large-scale metal artist from Gaviota, CA. He created this "Throw Away The Blueprints" chopped '29 Ford Sedan.
 You want thick, wavy and rust...
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LOMPOC POLICE REVVED-UP: CAR SHOW & BENEFIT!

Lompoc’s 11th annual fundraiser at Ryon Park for Special Olympics draws cool cars & big crowds. Jim Palm was on the ground to capture some highlights. Study in Color & Power: Blown '32 Ford snugged and secured on a customized '51 Chevy 5700 "COE" hauler. The owner of this rig has a sense of humor. When you peek over the big shiny grille you see a three-horsepower scooter motor! Overhauled! On the grass were two Chip Foose designed Chevy's that were featured on the Overhaulin'&n...
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RODS & ROSES: CARP CARES FOR YOUTH!

17th Annual hot rod & custom show in Carpinteria, CA benefits a great youth support charity. Our Jim Palam captures the highlights. This year’s show drew approximately 125 classics, hot rods, customs, motorcycles and even vintage tractors! One of the big drawing cards this year was the ’32 DSR Ford roadster, powered by a supercharged Ford Coyote 5.0-liter engine and built by Rob Smith, shown here with his wife, for collector-restorer Richard Varner, founder of Champions Moto. The Coyot...
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RALLY FOR KIDS: SANTA BARBARA, CA!

Jim Palam covers car guys doing good, rallying for the United Boys & Girls Clubs. Benefiting the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, this past Saturday’s Rally For Kids was co-chaired by Dianna Starr and Montecito "Cars & Coffee" founder, Monte Wilson. Monte's wicked red Ferrari Challenge Stradale was the event’s lead car. 
There were some 35  cars competing, including Michael Hammer's Lincoln, the 2005 La Carrera Panamericana class winner. A growling...
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