Hunnert Car Pile-Up

Went to the car show with Surly and another guy on Saturday at the Grundy County
Fairgrounds. They've about outgrown the venue judging by all the cars that were there. The show is for pre '64 traditional hot rods, motorcycles and the occasional bicycle. Lots of early 60's Falcons and station wagons this year. Plenty of open wheel cars with small blocks, early coupes and sedans, rat rods, lead sleds as well as swap meet and vendors, pinstripers and you name it. It's all there.

Some of the rat rods are just too ratty for my tastes. Just throwing crap together and calling it a car isn't exactly my cup of tea. I'm more impressed with good craftsmanship. Some of those rust buckets I wouldn't take for a ride around the parking lot, let alone drive them seventy miles per hour on I-80 to get there. I did like the chopped International truck with the flat bed, though. In fact, the latest issue of Invention and Technology magazine has an article about Glen Curtiss and his Aerocar. The chopped International with a fifth wheel on the back would be just right for pulling some type of streamlined/Art Deco trailer. I love those old trucks and the possibilities are endless when it comes to building a trailer. If I decide to upgrade from the teardrop, I'll have to see about building some kind of rig like that.

The silver rod is Back Seat Betty and is a product of Hot Rod Chassis and Cycle. I've seen this one in a magazine. It's a testament to the highest level of the fabricator's art. They've got a nice web site with pictures of this car and other work they've done. If you're into hot rods at all, it's definitely worth a look.

It was a good day for checking out the cars and gave us some time to talk about the louver press, since the three of us included a die designer, a machinist and a fabricator. Pretty much the triumvirate of talent required to actually get the thing built. The only thing left out of the equation is the time needed. That always seems to be the limiting factor. The midget would look really good with some louvers, though.