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MAGAZINE

March '98

WHAT'S HAPPENING

San Diego Swap Meet

The Big Three Swap Meet in what used to be Jack Murphy Stadium (I haven't memorized the new business-name-contraction) was one of great timing: one week after the torrents of rain suffered here, a 90 degree weekend of parts galore on a rolling paved parking lot. Fords, classics, a sporty car here and there, and everybody you expected to harass when there , was there. Parts swaps are part social, and part hobby/business because you (I) employ intensive study, soul-searching, and budget-bashing deciding if ya really need the part. Or car.

Never much on swaps, I find I want to go when I have need for a specific part and less for the social part; the silver lining is that there are only a few morons at these things, and fewer posers.

LET'S FACE MECCA AND TALK 5 WINDOWS


LET'S FACE MECCA AND TALK 5 WINDOWS

50th ANNIVERSARY OF EVERYTHING

1948 was just long enough after the war that the action was really starting: the races, streets, magazines, the beginning of the big 10 years. Thus, 1998 will feature a lot of celebrations, most of them with plenty of merit. But expect some Philistines to come along. Some of them will be 'experts', learn all the lingo, and repeat time after time all the trick phrases that they've longed to hear themselves say. Don't waste your breath on Hop Up Guys. Our guys will be there for self-improvement and to feed the core of the 'believer'; don't cheapen it by being there for braggin' rights. . .

WEATHER REPORT

So what! Now left-coast Rodneys are reminded what it's like to really have a winter. That's what side-curtains are for; that's why God made rooster tails. It is kinda fun yearning for sunny weather like we had on the last weekend of February. Vine Vide Roadster. Earlier in the month we went for a rainstorm ride in a 60+ year old Ford pickup that has been in the barn for 35 years and - guess what? The windshield and cowl vent seals are shot - wetter than the roadster! Mr. Toad's Wild ride: wiper motor couldn't pull any vacuum, windshield fogged up, water poured in on your tennies, headlights were shorted out so the other Lunk-heads on the road couldn't see ya, 6.00x16 front tires aimed kinda straight through the deep parts, and Oh, Jeezus! I hope I didn't get those '40 brake linings wet...........she ran real good , though.

PERSONALITY

LYNN BIRD

You might have seen his name in a real mag as the owner of this car or that. For example a double throw-down real, steel Deuce Vicky with Boyds, and a few billet doo-dads, right stance, etc. That was early, mid-eighties and those treatments were a passing fancy for guys who had already done lots of cars. Lynn redefined himself (and the Vicky). See, it had never occurred to long time rod builders that there was a major decision to make - a club to join - an opposing view to take; you just did cars that were bitchin. Although sometimes you missed by a little bit. He didn't.

When Lynn started new projects after the Vicky, he realized that he had a certain theme in mind and - lo and behold - looking over his shoulder.....the Vicky no longer was on it. No problem. Detox it. Americans (Hop Up-approved), Gennie 25 louver hood (does every one know there's a different count on some? I think they call 'em a California hood, late year, more louvers, more venting, more vexing), '39 taillights, new mirrors, and the rest. It's not that big a deal to make a smooth car a little bit lumpy again. One of our constituents foresees more of this in the future, but we think there will probably always be two fairly distinctly different styles in rods.

VICKY KEEPER

So he fixed the '32 while among other things, his '29 highboy was going together. Boy. The cat is pure hot rodder. 50's flavor here. Neat purple with pinkish accents, bobbed rear fenders, '40 column and wheel, interesting suspension treatments, www, saddle blanket - give me peace!


VICKY KEEPER

'29 WON'T GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON, EITHER

Never a dull moment for Lynn (raising a family, too) he did the obvious. He beat us to a modified, and we show some in-progress shots here. I'll betcha the mod is kickin' up fine dust particles at Muroc this year. And there's a '36 in the works. He'll beat us to that, too. Maybe we should quit talking about them and start building on them!


'29 WON'T GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON, EITHER

SHE'S A THREE-SPRINGER

NOT TOO NARROW TO TAKE A BUDDY FOR A RIDE AT THE LAKES


SHE'S A THREE-SPRINGER


NOT TOO NARROW TO TAKE A BUDDY FOR A RIDE AT THE LAKES

He builds the cars, drives the hell out of them, and must think about them an awful lot. 'Sounds like a Hop Up kinda guy, doesn't he? Yup. If you think you're a cool rod guy, measure yourself here: He doesn't court the magazines, suck up to celebrities, or pound his chest. Genuine as that Tin Vic. He may not even like this bit of praise. Too bad, Ol' Pard...you're this month's Hop Up model of real rod character. But I'll still cuss you for beating me to that T body at Turlock.

Hey, Lynn. Are ya going to go to the Rattle Can Nats? Looks like the end of May. That mod will probably not even have the Muroc washed off yet, will it?