Hopupland

HOPUPLAND

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THIS MONTH’S COVER

Our Pal Tom McIntyre writes:

“Ferrari 375 Indy

After clinching F1’s first two championships Alfa Romeo withdrew from Grand Prix racing. This left Ferrari as the only serious competitor for the 1952 championship. The governing body decided to run the 1952 and 1953 world championship under F2 regulations to attract more manufacturers, leaving the 375 obsolete. The 375s were not retired, but instead modified with a slightly smaller engine and a longer wheelbase for the 1952 Indy 500. It proved to be quite disastrous with two of the three cars not managing to qualify and the other one not making it to the finish.

One of the four 375s built to ‘Indy spec’ is featured below. It was entered in the 1952 by Hal Keck as the ‘Piston Ring Special’ for Johnny Parsons. The man in the suit is Mr. Gerry Grant of Grant Piston Rings.

I’m sending you this because I noticed the crewman on the wall behind Mr. Grant. The rest is history….”

 

 

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BUY HOP UP VOLUME X ‘REVELATION’ NOW

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LET’S CALL BULLSHIT

Read today that the CARB (CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD) is trying to ban black automotive paint because it takes more ‘energy’ to cool a dark colored car than a light colored one.

This Civil Servant Masturbation…on OUR clock….this justifying-of-their-existence, this political correct horseshit has got to stop.
These dweebs could put one one-hundredth of the energy in to pursuing clean air standards on one steamship entering LA Harbor each year and do more good.

OR MAYBE CLEAN UP A SCHOOL BUS ONCE IN A WHILE?

Are you gonna let them get away with this waste? Are you gonna let them create another thousand not-for-profit jobs…bureaucrat’s that are going to be paid for by taxes? Are you gonna let them make our cars uniform..? Just might lead to uniforms for all of us. Think about it.

This political smut is part of a trend toward taking individual freedom away and leaving certain politicians living like successful capitalists. Hmmmmmm.

UPDATE: People from all sectors did what we called for above: they called BULLSHIT, and these idle bureaucrats rolled over.
I really do think there is a Revolution afoot. May be in time.

ANOTHER UPDATE 4/1: Our President is ordering GM and Chrylser out of Nascar. Do you really think they’ll forgive the tacky hemi in your 78 year old Ford? They’re coming to take you away, away.

How ‘bout outlawing roadsters/convertibles because of sun damage-risks? NEXT?
Who is John Galt?

update 4/6:
California Bill to Require ANNUAL Emissions Tests for Vehicles 15-Years Old and Older; Hearing Scheduled for April 13 .
WTF? Get heard on these over-zealous, chauvinistic, quiotic gestures. This is class envy: they think that because you have     disposable income for a lousy hot rod that you are the ENEMY. You’re a RICH GUY.

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“Sweet is the honey from the honeycomb
Sweet are the grapes from the vine
but there’s nothin’ as sweet as you darling
and I hope some day that you’ll be mine…..”
Hollywood Flames

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BEAN BANDITS WEB SITE IS UP
(Photos are from the Fred Angelo Collection - Original Bean Bandit)



PHOTOS ARE PROPRIETARY, PROPERTY OF BEAN BANDITS
PLEASE ENJOY AS SUCH, BUT DO NOT COPY OR USE, OK?

Yes, yes, the site is under construction and already has these and more unseen images of the historical and hysterical escapades of those fast ‘chicanos. It will grow and prosper with your attention. Arriba!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.beanbanditsracingteam.com/

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OFF TOPIC

Bruce’s Rod Shop is someplace I call on when I drive thru Texas. Ya see, I’m a Transtexual; I got people there, will eventually have a place there, and find myself there lots,sometimes undercover.
How else am I gonna see enough of Ronnie Marshall, Sid Cruce, Jim Pendleton, an’ the Hooligans…ya know?
Now, back to the subject at hand, I saw a ‘List of Dangerous Hamburgers” where they told about a Burger Blog, The ‘Texas Burger Guy’ or something and his current favorite is Mels’ Country Cafe in Tomball. “Hell,” I says to self, “Thats where Bruce and Kay take me and I have never ordered a burger.” (You’d thank Danny would give me a CLUE????)

Then, lo and behold, I see another Top Ten list and there’s O’Connels Pub in St. Louis where Jack Stirnemann took me and DAMN! I did have the burger there and knew right away it was a corker. Never imagined it would be on a major list.

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RIP F.O.
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THIS IS A NEW PICTURE

Bily Crewl worked for John Carambia and while there saw a picture of the Calori roadster and got a bad fever: he had to build the car. It was the same picture that I had seen about 15 years before and…knowing what a bitchin car it was..wanted to do one similar. I photo-copied the picture, blacked out the pipes with a felt marker, cut out the front tires and wheels and raised them up to lower the front…and we built Rodzy (the Rodzy) using the marked-up photocopy as a model.

It’s my favorite for a lot of reasons, one of which it was Calori-inspired.

But this. This bitch. This tin replica, clone, tribute…whatever it is…is gut-wrenching nostalgic. I haven’t even seen it in peson yet.

But we have been denied the pleasure of the original car for so damned long….God Bless Billy (and John, for nerfing him) for making it in real time so we can touch and sense it in person. The photos look like an old car. I don’t think anybody wants to fool anyone..and suggest it’s a restoration…but damnit, it feels good to know it’s in the hood..whatever it is.

One thing in it is, is bitchin.

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RIP J.D.
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If they lose their will or their skill..or both….move on.

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Have ya noticed the departure from bigs and littles in some places?

Yeah, yeah, yeah..“back in the day”.

(Yawn.)

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WHY DON’T WE DO THIS?

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PAUL BOS FORD IS JUST THE MOST RECENT OF A LONG LIST OF COOL HOT RODS

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MORE FRIENDLY PERSUASION IN MORTS SHORTS