CRUISIN’ NATIONALS

CRUISIN’ NATIONALS
The 43rd Annual West Coast Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals rolls cool rides and party vibes into Santa Maria for a moto-fun Memorial Day weekend! For its first 25 years the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals was held in Paso Robles, CA. But then an elixir of politics and pride forced a move of the popular car show from "Paso" down the coast to the city of Santa Maria’s Fairpark event center. With West Coast Kustoms founders Rich and Penny Pichette's indefatigable energy and dedication, the show h...
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SWEET EMOTION: HIPPIE DODGE VAN

Dan Fisher blogs about a reborn Dodge Tradesman - SWEET EMOTION: HIPPIE DODGE VAN – that pays homage to a famous Aerosmith song.  For as long as he can remember, Ohio native and Englewood, FL resident Junior Sammet, always had a fondness for the vanning lifestyle. In 1975, fate led Junior to a junkyard his Dad owned in Painesville, OH, right up to the wreck of a ‘75 Dodge Tradesman 200 that he bought for $900. “It was my first hippie van,” Junior said. “It used to be a plumber's van unti...
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HIROHATA: MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MERCILLAC

HIROHATA: MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MERCILLAC
Truly iconic, Bob Hirohata’s Barris-customized ’51 Mercury sells for $2,145,000 at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida auction. Rod & Custom historian Pat Ganahl documents the history of the poster car of the 1950s, HIROHATA: MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MERCILLAC There’s no question the hot topic among rod and custom car enthusiasts this week–this year…ever…–is the sale at auction in Florida of the Hirohata Merc for 1.95 million dollars. I’m not here to analyze, debate, or even discuss the ramifica...
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WEST COAST KUSTOMS CRUISIN’ NATIONALS

Classics and customs flaunt fins and flames at Santa Maria Fairpark for 40th annual WEST COAST KUSTOMS CRUISIN' NATIONALS, one of the premier California carguy shows. Despite a 2021 Covid-19 rescheduling of its popular Cruisin' Nationals from May to October – and then a pending storm moving in on the Santa Maria Fairpark location – the resilient folks at West Coast Kustoms still managed to rev-up West Coast car enthusiasts and host their 40th Annual show with a flamboyant flash of fins, flames...
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WEST COAST KUSTOMS: CRUISIN’ NATIONALS!

WEST COAST KUSTOMS: CRUISIN’ NATIONALS!
It’s all about fins and flames at the Fairpark, blogs CGC’s Jim Palam! Let’s call it a mash-up of pinstripes, cuffed-denim, fins and flames – tucked and rolled into a colorful celebration of Kustom Kulture at the Fairpark in Santa Maria, CA. Now in its 38th year, the family-friendly 2019 WEST COAST KUSTOMS: CRUISIN’ NATIONALS! proved once again that interest in and passion for customized American cars continues to sizzle. Thousands of show-goers participated in WCKCN events, including the popul...
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CLASSIC AUTO SHOW: MOTORS & MYSTERY IN LA!

CLASSIC AUTO SHOW: MOTORS & MYSTERY IN LA!
The ‘Mystery’ is the mysterious Mysterion and Mike Brewer’s two different shoes, reason enough to keep checking the latest at http://CarGuyChronicles.com , blogs Jim Palam. Taking inspiration from the UK’s Classic Motor Show, the US Classic Auto Show was promoted as “The largest three-day indoor classic car show in the U.S.” My hopes were high as I escalated to the second floor of the LA Convention Center and got a friendly wave from Wayne Carini, star of Chasing Classic Cars. This was the seco...
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WILD-EYED & REVVED-UP: RODS AND ROSES!

It's become a tradition: The High Noon Engine Rev at the Rods & Roses Car Show in Carpinteria, CA. The show celebrated its 20 Anniversary on July 1st – and the roar of the engines this year was a loud salute to local automotive legend, Andy Granetelli. There were over 150 wicked, wonderful and wild-eyed customs, classics and musclecars lining Linden Avenue, Carpinteria's main thoroughfare that delivers you to the "World's Safest Beach" on the Pacific. Proceeds from this always-enjoyable sho...
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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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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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RODS & CUSTOMS IN CLIFTON: LIONS ROAR!

The Clifton Lions Club presents its 15th annual Labor Day Car Show in Clifton, VA. Mike Matune brings us highlights. Benefiting local charities, the show has become a staple on the Washington, D.C. area car calendar. Here the Fairfax County Police Color guard presents the colors at mid-day. From the buildings in the background, you get an idea of the show’s setting in historic Clifton, about 25 miles West of Washington. In addition to cars, the show featured live music and a Chili Challeng...
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