MAGAZINE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Muroc will be interesting, because the second year was more like an El Mirage meet. It was fine, boys. Most of us scruffy spectators were there for lakes racing and to be around lakes racers, not for the seemingly superficial reasons most guys were there the first year. But there has been a ton of publicity about it Some of us think the quality of these nostalgic events is inversely proportional to the attendance. We'll see.

The first official Rod Stop in our area will be on while you're reading this and we will go along to see if any of you cats brought out your gennie-lived in the barn-was a real rod back then- hot rods or customs. If so, we can replenish the ol' dream drawer with some more poorly-shot photos to share with you in cyber space.

The modified craze is another month older and it looks like a real FAD by now. We probably should demean the whole concept 'cuz we're so far behind the rest of you, what with no parts accumulated, no vision, and no "I'm gonna's having been spoken. It's on the big list, Ol' Boy. It's on the list.

This month we have news that our friend Rusty took his Spencer-clone deuce back to gold country for a coupla modifications after he saw the real one at RCRRIII. The following picture shows the roadster parked on what is a dandy piece of Hiway 49. It was a rare El Nino Was On Vacation day last month, and the Rust Man was gettin' into a one man boogie back to civilization, thinking what a nice coincidence it was to meet his new fabricator Leroy (Not Tex) Smith at RCRRI. They lived close to one another, Smith had all the talent necessary, Rust Man had a need to move on some projects, Smith was a true believer in traditional hot rods and, like they say, "Why are we stopped on the side of the road?" What? This is embarrassing. We won't tell you why, because we want you to devil Leroy about it. Call him. Ask him . "Hey, Leroy. I saw that deuce you were working on out on 49 on the hook. What's up?"

Don't let him up. Hold him down. Ask for all the details of his taillite warranty! (Work is warranted until the taillites are out of sight) .Nobody is perfect, Leroy, and I've done worse; and often! Even the craftiest of the craftsmen can goof, and if it wasn't for his huge talent, we wouldn't harass him so bad, but what are friends for? Inquiring Hop Up guys want to know: What did the expert do? Chase him, boys.

IT WAS THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE ROADSTER RIDES UNTIL..................

SAVE YOUR SHOEBOXES

A couple of my ol' car club buddies from high school still dig cars like the rest of us and, even though one has a cool 'Flattie '39 Convertible, a '48 Woodie, and a '53 Skylark (He only just lowered the sucker after we rode his ass for 3 years), he got to thinking about a '51 Ford Convertible. Maybe because it was the kind of cars guys had on the streets when we started out: a stocker with twice pipes, slammed, and a Norelco toaster record player would usually be all that had happened to one of them. So he looks around and looks around and nothing turns up that's any good. But the need gets fulfilled when he finds a Victoria Hardtop that has a half fast good restoration on it.

She sits a little high, lacks a little character, but these things are NO MONEY! So Big Dougie hammers the guy and drives the short straight over to Richards for some blocks and torch work. Job One, done. In the weeds, Son. Now there's at least no embarrassment

I WANT ONE JUST FOR THE BULLNOSE

driving it around to get shoed with some radials, repaint the steelies, and a hundred odds and ends that really are fun to do.

But what about the other pal? He looks over the Victoria, says "That's a good idea", and goes and 'steals' a CONVERTIBLE that's just got on the market. Now Big Dougie should not be trifled with (or, is someone with whom you should not trifle.) 275 Pounds of short-fused car nut who just lost his thunder because a pal agreed with his concept ain't a pretty sight. But we've all seen it before: He' been gonna kill me since we were in the seventh grade.

Dougie flails his arms around, raises his voice a couple of octaves, and makes you agree that he's a victim and.....it's all OK. He loans Ol' Dub some parts, shows him where he got everything for the Victoria, and helps him put the stuff on the car. He wasn't really pissed, any way.

The point is, that the cars cost under 10K for the hardtop, and not too far over 10K for the convertible.$500 worth of correct customizing, a little hands-on replacement of rubber and cardboard stuff and SONS-OF-A-BITCH!!!! A slick street piece that will surely bring a profit at the next meet. If your sellin'.

This is alot of fun for not too much scratch. It's not a rich mans' sport.

"DOUGIE, LOOK AT THIS!"

STILL FRIENDS