GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat paint

Damn slacker! Oh well, better late then never.

I did take quite a few shots at in the Suede Palace at the 2008 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA. For those of you who missed it, the Suede Palace is a show within a show featuring vintage hot rods and customs that pushes back against the modern looking 20+ inch-wheeled billet monsters of the main hall. Some might say that’s where all the “rat” rods are, but look closely, there’s more to the Suede Palace than just flat paint. With help from his wife Celeste, Axle from the Shifters Car club puts the best of live music and vintage hot rod movies together with DJ’s playing doo-wop, rockabilly, rhythm and blues and surf. The vendors inside sell the unique items Suede-folk are looking for. Also, 2008 marked the first year that Bombshell-n-Ink will host a vintage style pin-up contest sponsored by PinUpGirlClothing.com. Somehow I missed the pinup contest… don’t miss Pinupgirlclothing.com… it might be better than the Victoria Secrets catalog!

You can learn more about the Suede Palace at their Myspace page: Suede Palace or check out the sister show at the Sacramento Autorama (we already missed it) called the Suede Pavilion. It’s the same idea, just up in Norcal.

So here are a few of the shots I like… the rest are over in the events picture page. Hot rod and custom car pictures: Click HERE to go.

If you have any good shots, be sure to let us know, especially if you have pics from Sacramento. Feel free to comment too. Did you know you don’t have to be a member to comment?

(Click on the pic to see it full size…)

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GNRS Show Cars, The Under-over

If you’ve never had the chance to visit a premier classic/hot rod show, then you might be wondering, what’s it take to hit that level? It’s trivial to say, “You need alot of money.” While that’s true, it’s like they say, “Money can’t buy love” and you can see and feel the sometimes years of effort it takes to put a top quality car together. A new friend from over at icwires.com would also like everyone to know that alot of the big builders farm out work too. Not everyone’s an expert at everything! From the concept illustrations to the wiring to the paint and body, these cars must be done right. Alot of times, they define right and set the trends for the next super show cars.

So take a look at the ultimate Under-over. These pics show the detail you could put into your rod or muscle car if you wanted to. Before the “You gotta drive it” crew chimes in, I agree. But if these cars sit on blinged-out rotating displays with their rotors chromed and headers polished and nary the tiniest oil stain on their white engine blocks for a year before being driven, that’s cool with me. It’s your ride. It’s your choice. My Ride is Me, not you.

Start with this 32 from Squeeg’s Kutsoms in Mesa, AZ. I met these guys preparing this car for the microscope of the Grand National Roadster show. They were re-polishing the exhaust because this car had been driven (and enjoyed) by Doug before the November 2007 Goodguys Show in Scottsdale. Dig the scallops with pinstripes, all cut and polished UNDER the car. (Click on any of these pics to see them full size.)

Then, I’m pretty sure this is a 1949 Mercury. If you’re gonna shoot a big show like this, I recommend shooting the show card too! I love the contrast of the paint and chrome. Who’s the tired cat who polished all this?

Then I shot this one to show that you don’t have to be all chrome. The big striping works and is a perfect compliment. Dig the spotless, armor- alled tire tread too!

There were several non-rods on display in the main hall at the GNRS too. This corvette is as nice as they come. This shot through the wheel opening show the details (properly lit for the full effect) under the car even though it was sitting on the ground. (this is one of my favorite shots!)

Then, there’s the mirrors under the cars that help us see the details. I found them pretty much impossible to capture in a decent photo, but they were cool in person. I’ll show a couple so you get the idea. I’m waiting for someone to do a display where folks can walk under and over the car. That’d rock!

Last but not least. Tube frames are cool, look racey and all, but how’d you like to be the guy who painted and buffed it for the bottom of the car?

What do you think? Too much? Great? Let us know. Next time I go into the tailpipe of an actual show winner to see what they had to eat.

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2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

The complete story with 3 additional pictures is at MyRideisMe.com

The votes are in for the 2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award from the “Grand-daddy of them all” the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California held last weekend, 1/26-27. Thanks to the show’s promoter at Hotrodshows.com, I found the basic description for the AMBR:

“The judges at this show are looking for excellence in: Display, Engineering, Paint, Engine, Interior, and Detail. All AMBR entries must be able to start under their own power and move forwards and backwards. All AMBR entries will be displayed in 20 X 20’s in Building 4. Winner is determined by a point system from the judging staff, and producer.”

Good luck guys! ALL of the cars looking to win the AMBR are nearly perfect. What am I saying? They are perfect! But let’s break this down a little. Before we do, here’s the winner: (you can click on it to make it bigger)

The 32 Roadster owned by Rudy Necoechea called, “Undisputed”

As I’ve mentioned before, writing about another contending car, (previous blog, click here) the judges for these polished wonders have the painstaking job of finding things, “wrong” with these cars. Taste judgments are not allowed, so what else are they gonna do?

I’m curious though, is the requirement, “All AMBR entries must be able to start under their own power and move forwards and backwards” enough for you? I’m not sure. Does this rule mean the cars can be driven? Check out this next picture, look at it closely… at MyRideisMe.com!

Don’t forget to check out the complete story with 3 additional pictures is at MyRideisMe.com

While you’re there, you might as well join! Also, feel free to comment on the AMBR, the show, this blog, whatever! Did you dig the show? Which cars did you like? (I probably got a picture of it and they’re on the way to the MyRideisMe.com picture gallery. Stay tuned.

Oh, and don’t miss the story about this ride either:

Click the pic to go to the story… This was probably my favorite car from the show, built by Old Gold Garage Co.

Also, don’t miss this one from the GNRS: “Show Cars, The Under-over”

 

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