That's me, I'm him...

DISCLAIMER: Although I am a car guy this is not solely a car blog. I will talk cars, but this is also a blog about how I view the world. Just ask my mom and she will tell you my first word was "car". I do have a slight fascination with them. Luckily I have a supportive family and a very understanding wife...

Friday, February 29, 2008

Wish every Friday was like this!

Hahaha! Today was a slack day for me...

It started out by waking up just a little later than usual - 6:45 AM. And after a sensible breakfast, remember kids it is the most important meal of the day, the Mrs. and I head for the garage. We finally got the hood on the truck, and although this does not seem that grand to probably anyone reading this it made my day. It tested my nerves a few times, but I have to say "thanks hun!"

After that was done we took the truck out for a spin - she REALLY had to twist my arm. We cruised up to the local gas station and just around our neighborhood. It was great. I was a little nervous because all the truck has is a 1956 California license plate with a 1960 registration sticker!

"Ah,honest officer I did not realize the registration had lapsed, really..."

Anyhow I stopped at the local softball field an snapped a couple of pics.

Later that afternoon we stopped by the credit union to pay on my wife's car, that is why I prefer 54 year old vehicles, before heading over to the Salt Lake Autorama. What a good time. I am not into alot of the cars there, but there are always a dozen or so that I really enjoy.

After the Autorama we headed over to a local spot, ate some dinner, and then headed home.

Just a carefree, laid-back, great day...

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Love him or Hate him...

he left his mark on the hot rod world. Another legend is in that big garage in the sky. Boyd Coddington has passed away according to the information super highway. I met Boyd and his wife Jo this past year at Bonneville and I am glad I did. He was a trendsetter, innovator, and helped countless others "break into" the industry.

Here is an article I pulled off line:

Boyd Coddington 1944-2008

Hot Rodding pioneer Boyd Coddington passed away this morning in Southern California. He had been hospitalized for several months with various health complications. He was 63.

Coddington remained at the forefront of the street rodding world for nearly 30 years and was involved with Goodguys from the very beginning selecting his legendary Boyd Coddington Pro’s Picks at Goodguys events around the country. Boyd spearheaded the great renaissance of the street rodding hobby in the late 70s and early 80s and is the father of billet wheels and “smooth” style street rods, hot rods and customs. His impact on our industry is gigantic and unprecedented. A quick look back at the cars he and his team gave to our industry is mind boggling. The Vern Luce Coupe, CadZZilla, Chezoom, the Smoothster, the Boydster, the Aluma Coupe, the list goes on seemingly forever.

Besides his own prodigious talents, Coddington worked on special projects with some of the top designers in the automotive aftermarket. Chip Foose and Jesse James both worked in the Boyd Coddington hot rod shop for several years and now each have their own cable TV shows. Other well-known designers such as Thom Taylor, Larry Wood (Hot Wheels designer), Todd Emmons, Chris Ito (International) and Eric Brockmeyer happily collaborated with Boyd over the years. Larry Erickson, currently with Ford Motor Company (Chief Designer, Mustang), worked with Boyd in the late Eighties to develop the enormously popular Cadzzilla, a radical custom based on a Fifties Cadillac for Rocker Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Some would say that this is one of the finest custom-cars of all time in design and execution. Boyd's hot rods won the prestigious "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" an unprecedented seven times, the Daimler-Chrysler Design Excellence Award twice, and he's been inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame, the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame, the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame, the Route 66 Wall of Fame, the Street Rod Marketing Alliance Hall of Fame, and was voted "Man of the Year" in 1988 by Hot Rod Magazine.

The Smithsonian Institution also recognized Boyd’s work, when his own '33 coupe was part of a 1993 exhibit titled "Sculpture on Wheels." Cars from the Coddington shop have also won the Ridler Award and the Al Slonaker Award.

In 2005, Boyd and his wife Jo founded the Coddington Foundation to provide a unique opportunity for terminally ill children to experience their dreams through building hot rods which are then auctioned for charity. The Coddington Foundation also provides work opportunities, job experience, and financial sponsorship for mentally challenged adults 18-60 in order to assist them in entering the workplace and raises funds for other non-profit organizations such as La Habra's children’s programs and the Elwyn Foundation through various charity events including the annual Coddington Foundation Car Show and Fundraiser.

The impact of Boyd’s passing will be felt far and wide and for many years to come. Former Goodguys Gazette editor Steven K. Anderson, now with Buckaroo Communications reflected on Boyd saying “I was close with Boyd for 25 years. Boyd welcomed me into his inner circle back in the 1980s. He gave me some great opportunities. He selected me and Hot Rod Magazine editor Rob Kinnan to drive CadZZIlla across country in 1990. Boyd more than any other person changed the face of hot rodding and brought it into the mainstream of the automotive world. He was a great marketing mind. Without Boyd – hot rodding would not be on the level it is today. Anyone making a living in today’s industry selling wheels and hi-end cars owes a debt of gratitude to Boyd Coddington.”

Back when the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association was gathering steam in the late 1980s, Coddington came along for the ride and remained active with Goodguys until his death. “Boyd was there with us since the very get go,” said a somber Gary Meadors, founder and Chairman of Goodguys. “He was one of the founding fathers of this whole street rodding movement and resurgence. His smoothie cars revolutionized and gave a re-birth to a giant segment to the hot rodding hobby. He brought pride and clout to our deal. He put hot rodding into the mainstream with his work, his recent television show and his charitable work. His presence at our events and his Pro’s Pick awards meant a lot to our event participants and members. Boyd was indeed a Goodguy. We will really miss him.”

Coddington is survived by his wife Jo, and sons Boyd Jr., Chris, and Greg. Funeral arrangements are pending…

Monday, February 25, 2008

What is this?

I think I am witnessing the seven seals of the Apocalypse... In the last week we have earthquakes, a blood red moon, and now this. Tomorrow I bet we have toads!




Thursday, February 21, 2008

A few pictures from Wells, NV

I did not take these:




I feel the earth moved under my feet…

and no, I am not practicing for the next season of American Idol.

As I sat here this morning this eerie feeling came over me. It took me a second to realize what it was, I haven’t felt it in a few years, but we had an earthquake!

The epicenter was around Wells, NV – between Elko, NV and Wendover, UT. It was a 6.3 magnitude quake around 7:15 AM which is pretty good for this part of the country. There have been about a half dozen aftershocks too. It is being reported that people have felt it from Boise, ID to here in Salt Lake City, UT throughout Nevada and down to Arizona and So. California.

Of course I immediately called my wife, who did not feel a thing… She’s not a morning person.

The good news is we are all ok. Pray that the people in Nevada are ok.

Now, hunny, just go check on my truck…

Check out some links here:

http://www.seis.utah.edu/

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/us2008nsa9.php

http://www.kenvtv.com/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_re_us/nevada_quake_3

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Oh no! Valentine's....

So, I still haven't gotten around to buying my wife anything for Valentine's Day. Honestly I don't think I have gotten around to buying her anything for the last three Valentine's Days...

Anyhow, sweetie, I just wanted to tell you I love you!

And to everyone else if you see no posts after this one, well, you now know why...

Why I was late...

To whom it may concern,

Just so ya know why I was running late today:

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Force is strong...

You know me - I am a car guy. I love 'em. I love anything do with them. My favorite car oriented sport has to be land speed racing, but my oldest favorite is drag racing!

Ok, I admit I used to partake in the "not so" sanctioned drag racing events held on the county roads of my home town (my mother just just got light headed). Oh come on mom - you thought different? Man, I loved my Nova... :D

Anyhow, back to what I was saying... drag racing. I love when February rolls around. Pomona, CA the air is thick with nitro and the roar of supercharged motor through open headers! I'm talking about the Winternationals! This year was great, because one of my favorite guys, John Force, was back in the seat.

John Force had a pretty serious wreck last year in TX and his career was kinda up in the air.

But he was back and did fairly well. In the first round of eliminations he went up against Tony Pedregon AND that was an awesome race! Tony exploded. It burned so bad it went through the fire suit. Check out the clips of that on nhra.com .

John didn't win the Winternationals, but he is back. And he is strong. Keep your eye on him again this year.

Oh yeah and hunny... there are only 23 more races this season.

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