carbs & chrome

End of the road...

2011-01-29T18:38:00.000-08:00

After almost 3 1/2 years, 474 posts, and 21,000 + views I have decided to bring this blog to an end. I've had fun, but I feel it is time to focus on something different. Thanks to all of you that have followed me and I hope you enjoyed the ride...

25 years...

2011-01-28T00:07:00.000-08:00

Wow...

2011-01-27T10:18:00.000-08:00

There is nothing else I can say...

Crazy 'bout a Mercury...

2011-01-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

I have a true fetish for the '53 - '56 Ford F100. I find its cousin that was marked north of the 49th parallel just that much more appealing.

Unfortunately Shannon just doesn't understand...

Does something smell hot to you...

2011-01-23T11:53:00.001-08:00

Kinda like burnt rubber?

Pretty cool...

2011-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Please be seated...

2011-01-06T16:45:00.000-08:00

Bomber seats are the hot thing in the last couple of years, but surely not this hot...

Barry Lobeck passes...

2011-01-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ohio hot rod builder Barry Lobeck passed away today. Barry, who has been building cars for four decades and owned Lobeck's V8 Shop, had been battling health issues for several months.

RIP Barry...

2011...

2011-01-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here is hoping that this decade begins better than the last one ended!

2010 in review...

2010-12-31T13:16:00.000-08:00

2010 wasn't the best for me - personally and blog wise - but here a few of the "highlights of the past year...

January:

Jeff Decker sculpture goes missing from Utah HD dealership

Later sculpture is "recovered" at Decker's studio.

Bob Tasca Sr passes.

February:

Quick visit to the Salt Flats Speed Shop

I start the rebuild of Lorraine.

I'm e-plubished on MyRideIsMe dot com.

Fire destroys Jason Graham's shop.

March:

I show up again over at MyRideIsMe.

Pullin' my motor.

April:

A date with Alice.

Hacking up Lorraine.

May:

5 year anniversary!

The teenage years hit.

June:

No Blogs...

July:

More rebuild.

Great show for a great cause!

Larry Watson passes.

August:

Max moves in.

September:

9 year anniversary of 9/11.

October:

Happy Halloween!

November:

Nationally published!

December:

30th Anniversary of John Lennon assassination.

Emerson College looks to go viral.

Christmas twenty-ten...

2010-12-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

2010 has been kind of a rough year around here. A lot of time spent on the job hunt. I was worried about Christmas and it being kind of "small".

But as it has came to Christmas Eve I believe it may have been one of the best we've had. Although we don't have anything under the tree we are blessed with great family and friends. Reasonably good health. A nice home. No debt - other than a house payment. Shannon's income. Clean clothes and food to eat.

Some of the best things don't need fancy paper or shiny bows. Merry Christmas everyone...

Emerson College - gaga for Gaga...

2010-12-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

30 years...

2010-12-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

John Winston Lennon
October 9,1940 – December 8,1980

You'd think...

2010-12-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

You'd think with as much time as I've had this year I would have a better blog, maybe written a book, produced a film, cured disease, or something.

But no, I've spent a lot of it on this...

December 1st...

2010-12-01T13:38:00.000-08:00

I don't know what is more alarming - another year ending or a new decade starting. Where has the time gone...

6 months...

2010-12-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

Or 3 1/2 years - depending on how you look at it. Man, I love this guy...

Over the river and through the woods...

2010-11-29T13:24:00.000-08:00

To my childhood house we go.

Yep, Thanksgiving with the WY fam. We left a day early to beat the "blizzard of the decade", which was nothing like they thought it would be. Top 10 of the trip:

1. Drove 11 hrs, because of bad roads only to end up in about -20 weather (probably closer to -40 with the windchill).
2. Ate at Taco John's - a must whenever we are close to one!
3. Spent a couple of days seeing family and friends.
4. A fabulous Thanksgiving feast.
5. Slept too little.
6. Suffered some damage to the car.
7. Watched Max make new friends and go through the anxiety of adjusting to new places.
8. Wildlife watching / spotting.
9. Farson ice cream.
10. Shannon's induction into the Rocky Mtn Oysters eating club.

HP and the Deathly Hallows pt. I

2010-11-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Wow two movies in a week. Are we developing a habit here. Not really - Shannon received premiere passes from here work.

I must say I have never read the books, but I have enjoyed the movies. Now with the end so close I am starting to feel a little sad...

See you in July!

I thought i would never say this again..

2010-11-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

I'm getting the pig!

Shannon and I just saw the movie R.E.D.

For me movies are bad right away and never change OR I tend to like them the more I have time to think about them. This movie falls into the latter for me.

I should have know - I mean how can you go wrong with John Malkovich, Bruce Willis, and Morgan Freeman...

3 years, 1 month, 9 days = 1134 days = 27,216 hours = 1,632,960 minutes = 97,977,600 seconds...

2010-11-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

This is how long it took me to reach a personal goal I set, and no matter how you look at it it seemed so much longer to me. Probably didn't help that there was a leap year in there...

Yesterday I was able to check one of the bucket list though when I received a text from one of my buddies saying he just saw pictures in a magazine that were mine. Yes that's right my name, and photos, are finally in print. Truth is I have know it was going to happen for awhile - I just couldn't let the cat outta the bag.

So if you feel so inclined go down to your local newsstand and pick up the January 2010 issue of World of Rods magazine and check out a few shots by yours truly in the Speed Week coverage.

5 months old and losing his "onions"...

2010-11-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to warn him for weeks, but I fear Max has no idea what is happening today...

Good luck little buddy!

It's a Halloweekend...

2010-10-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

And like any good parent ya let the kid dress up...

9 years of 9/11...

2010-09-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

Next year I would like to be there...

The fam is growing...

2010-08-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well we have talked about adoption - just not like this. Say hello to Max...

Well said...

2010-07-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Larry Watson passes...

2010-07-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

July 21, 1939 - July 20, 2010

You can read a good write up about him over on Kustomrama.

Hood scoopin'...

2010-07-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

Back in December I had a post where I mentioned I was looking for a factory hood scoop for Lorraine. I found a guy on ebay selling one and bought it. As fate would have it it was the same one I "borrowed" the picture of...

"Keep On Rollin"...

2010-07-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

“Keep on Rollin” is a Classic Car Show organized to raise money for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury. All of the money raised will be donated to the Foundation. It will be held July 17, 2010 at the Brighton Ski Resort. Come out and enjoy the day while supporting a great cause!

When we last left our hero (in your best narrator voice) ...

2010-07-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Yeah it's been a while, but it doesn't mean I haven't done anything. Been working around the house, on the house, and in the garage. Seems like my summer is almost over and I don't feel as I've really accomplished anything. Here's an update on Lorraine...

Removed this lower steering column support:

Removed this homemade steering column bushing:

While the motor was out I decided to switch out the mounts. The good one is on the right:

And after all the machine work assembly began.

NOS from Egge:

Ready to start going back in:

Back in:

Thanks Shannon, Brian, and Lindsey!

I'll post some updated photos in the next few days.

Independence...

2010-07-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last night we celebrated with fire...

And food...

What...

2010-05-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

I have a teenager!?! Happy Birthday Lex!

Wow, 5 years...

2010-05-11T00:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary!

Still dig Jimmy's truck...

2010-04-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Crossmember dismemberment...

2010-04-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

One thing I was never really fond of in my F100 was the powersteering rack and crossmember the previous owner installed. Although it seemed to function around town ok I am not sure how it would have handled at higher speeds or long distances.

Another drawback was it was just a POOR fabrication job and looked hideous.

Well with the motor out of the way for the time being I decided to trim a little excess weight off the front end.

Here's what I started with. Forgot to take a shot of the steering column hooked up though:

A little cutting with a sawzall:

Pull it out:

Factory tie-rod back in:

Mocking up a stock steering box:

Some people's fab and bodywork ROCKS!

Dream truck of the week...

2010-04-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

Groovy baby! Check out this heavily customized slant cab F100. Not sure where this was taken, but it looks like a '70 plate on the rear.

The truck is chopped (but with stock rear window), shaved, and panel painted. The fenders have been molded and tucked in. The custom bed is finished of by an upholstered cover.

Cougar taillights, side pipes, wide and wider mags, and Firestone meats round out the package.

Throw in your favorite eight track, crank up the 6X9s, and let's cruise...

Happy Easter...

2010-04-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

Whether you're thoughts are with the man, the bunny, or just a spring day - enjoy!

"Big Daddy"...

2010-04-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ed Roth (March 4, 1932 – April 4, 2001)

Mopar Brings Jeep and Ram Truck Concepts to Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari...

2010-04-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, Chrysler’s Mopar division said it would unveil its annual batch of unique off-road Jeep and Ram truck concepts during the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Utah. With the Safari underway and the covers unwrapped, we now have full details on eight “Moparized” Jeeps and Ram trucks.

The eight vehicles are six one-off image models and two are near-production-ready vehicles. The image vehicles represent Mopar’s best “no holds barred” efforts and include five Jeeps and a Ram Power Wagon. The breakdown of each vehicle at the Moab Safari can be seen here.

The one that really stood out to me is the Nukizer 715 concept whch pays homage to the military-spec Kaiser M-715 truck from the 1960s:

- courtesy trucktrend.com

Not exactly dream "car" of the week...

2010-04-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

This week's dream ride is not a car, but a chopper. Jesse James' Sturgis Special. I don't know if it's the springfever getting to me or all the talk about Jesse and Sandra in the tabloids, but this is what's on my mind lately...

Through the looking glass...

2010-04-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

I mentioned before I have a closet Alice in Wonderland fetish. It's my favorite of the "classic" Disney cartoon films. Unfortunately Shannon has never shared my enthusiasm over it.

I've been excited every since it was announced that Tim Burton was doing a new Alice movie. It's been in the theaters for a little less than a month and with everything going on we hadn't even made it to see it - until last night. Yep, Shannon took me for a belated birthday, or was it an unbirthday, present?

I just have to say W-O-W this movie is great. If you are an Alice fan, Tim Burton fan, CGI fan, 3D fan, or ALL of these you need to see it if you haven't yet. Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter are awesome. I only hope that when this is release, in June according to all the rumors, that it is offered in 3D again...

Foolin' from Hotwheels...

2010-04-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hotwheels posted this on their site today as a 2011 "sneak preview". I wonder how many people caught onto the joke...

Good lookin' Ford 300/6...

2010-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Sounds good too...

All for the sake of progress...

2010-03-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Last night my buddy Brain and I pulled the hood of my F100. As I mentioned before the motor became increasingly week at the end of last summer. Well today Jacob and I pulled it out and after wiping some of the carbon residue off one of the pistons I noticed a little "080" stamped on top. That's right - she's been severely punched out somewhere along the line. So much for the "all original - never gone through" status. Not too sure what the future has in store now...

Dream truck of the week...

2010-03-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Hey this week's dream truck is a cool little slant cab F100 of Gary Egbert's I found on line. I don't know anything about it really other than what is visually apparent.

A mild chop, custom paint and striping, cantered quads and a tube grill.

Just a cool classic push truck...

She's after me lucky charms...

2010-03-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

Like I've said before Shannon, as well as her family, are probably the "most Irish proud" people I've ever met. It should have come as no surprise how excited she was she found the Irish coat of arms with my last name on it.

Needless to say she is now convinced I, myself, surely has...

I mean I guess it seems to make sense - I like corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and fish. Every morning I lather up with Irish Spring. I like the Boston Celtics. And I do enjoy the occasional bowl of Lucky Charms!

Make it a Ruben...

2010-03-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

And I'm not talking about the sandwich.

I have to say one of my favorite hot rod artists is Ruben Duran. I have plugged him a couple time on here, and there is a link to his site below. He is just amazing!

About a month ago I saw this piece:

Photoshop fun with Bad Bob's new ride...

2010-03-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Bad Bob recently traded his Model A Coupe for this 1938 Ford pickup:

He mentioned he will be running the Old Crow Speed Shop logo on the doors this year at El Mirage and Bonneville. Naturally I had to mess with the above picture. By combining it with this shot I took in 2008:

I came up with this:

Can't wait to see it on the salt...

Chris Hecht's first generation Scion xB concept...

2010-03-11T18:41:00.001-08:00

I drew this up for Chris Hecht so he could see his ideas on paper. It was also used as a short tutorial on the myrideisme website, and can be seen here.

Hosted on Fotki

That'll buff out...

2010-03-11T00:32:00.000-08:00

D-A-N-G !!!

New Iron Man 2 trailer...

2010-03-09T10:45:00.001-08:00

Creeping up on that mid-life crisis...

2010-03-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

Dream car of the week...

2010-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

This week's dream car is the mid 60's TV Batmobile. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big Batman fan. So it is only natural that I would dig his car.

I'm sure this will be the only one I ever own though...

Tragedy...

2010-02-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

Fire ripped through Jason Graham's hot rod shop in TN a few days ago. Here are some pictures of the devastation:

Man, these have to make anyone sick. Car guy or not...

I've been e-published...

2010-02-27T05:08:00.000-08:00

Check out the article about me done by Chris Hecht on the myrideisme website.

Thanks Chris!

Dream car of the week...

2010-02-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

This T bucket just has the look. Why aren't more people into these things?

'Nother blog...

2010-02-24T18:35:00.000-08:00

I've started another blog that will only have my automotive art and photography. You can view it by clicking here.

Enjoy!

Utah Bill to Ban the Use of Aftermarket Exhaust Systems...

2010-02-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

A substitute bill (S.B. 106) to ban the use of most aftermarket exhaust systems has been introduced in the Utah State Legislature by Senator Patricia Jones(pjones@utahsenate.org) and passed by the Senate Transportation Committee. The bill now moves to the floor of the Senate for a vote by all members. Under the substitute bill, all vehicles must be equipped with an exhaust system that is “installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified; or meets specifications equivalent to the muffler installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified.”

Click for the bill and it's amendments.

Utah State Senators

Senator Luz Robles
Phone: 801/521-0407
Email: lrobles@utahsenate.org

Senator Ben McAdams
Phone: 801/359-2544
Email: bmcadams@utahsenate.org

Senator Patricia W. Jones
Phone: 801/322-5722
Email: pjones@utahsenate.org

Senator Karen Mayne
Phone: 801/968-7756
Email: kmayne@utahsenate.org

Senator Michael G. Waddoups
Phone: 801/355-1136
Email: waddoups@utahsenate.org

Senator Ross I. Romero
Phone: 801/844-7229
Email: rromero@utahsenate.org

Senator Karen W. Morgan
Phone: 801/538-1406
Email: kmorgan@utahsenate.org

Senator Wayne Niederhauser
Phone: 801/558-4766
Email: wniederhauser@utahsenate.org

Senator D. Chris Buttars
Phone: 801/561-0535
Email: dcbuttars@utahsenate.org

Senator Mark B. Madsen
Phone: 801/361-4787
Email: mmadsen@utahsenate.org

Senator John L. Valentine
Phone: 801/373-6345
Email: jvalentine@utahsenate.org

Senator Margaret Dayton
Phone: 801/221-0623
Email: mdayton@utahsenate.org

Senator Curtis S. Bramble
Phone: 801/226-3663
Email: cbramble@utahsenate.org

Senator Peter C. Knudson
Phone: 435/723-6366
Email: pknudson@utahsenate.org

Senator Jon J. Greiner
Phone: 801/629-8226
Email: jgreiner@utahsenate.org

Senator Allen M. Christensen
Phone: 801/710-0315
Email: achristensen@utahsenate.org

Senator Scott K. Jenkins
Phone: 801/621-5412
Email: sjenkins@utahsenate.org

Senator Davis Jerry W. Stevenson
Phone: 801/430-2575
Email: jstevenson@utahsenate.org

Senator Davis Stuart Adams
Phone: 801/546-6000
Email: sadams@utahsenate.org

Senator Davis Daniel R. Liljenquist
Phone: 801/294-2378
Email: dliljenquist@utahsenate.org

Senator Wayne Ralph Okerlund
Phone: 435/979-7077
Email: rokerlund@utahsenate.org

Senator Rich Lyle W. Hillyard
Phone: 435/752-2610
Email: lhillyard@utahsenate.org

Senator Kevin Van Tassell
Phone: 435/789-7082
Email: kvantassell@utahsenate.org

Senator David P. Hinkins
Phone: 435/748-2828
Email: dhinkins@utahsenate.org

Senator Dennis E. Stowell
Phone: 435/559-8143
Email: dstowell@utahsenate.org

Senator Stephen H. Urquhart
Phone: 435/668-7759
Email: surquhart@utahsenate.org

Senator Gene Davis
Phone: 801/484-9442
Email: gdavis@utahsenate.org

Senator Brent Goodfellow
Phone: 801/556-4871
Email: bgoodfellow@utahsenate.org

Senator Howard Stephenson
Phone: 801/972-8814
Email: hstephenson@utahsenate.org

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Dream car of the week...

2010-02-19T05:28:00.000-08:00

This week's dream car id Richie Whalen's Rolling Bones built '32 Ford 3 window.

Someday I hope to own one of their cars or build one that is highly influenced by them...

I coulda had a V8...

2010-02-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

But after seeing this little 223 it still might be cool to run a "6"...

Yeah I'm lookin'...

2010-02-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

Let me know if you hear of anything!

Dream car of the week...

2010-02-05T00:47:00.000-08:00

While looking a coverage of the Grand National Roadster Show I noticed this little black beauty owned by Dan Sobieski, formally of Boyd's Garage and American Hot Rod, and now owner of Poor Boys Hot Rods.

If this doesn't see some print soon I will be surprised...

Had a couple hours to kill...

2010-02-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

So I decided to pull the head on the straight six and see if I could tell why it wasn't running right. In all actuality I was very surprised at how good a 56 year old motor looked...

Yeah it shows its age, but who knows how it was taken care of prior to me.

I was expecting a lot worse.

Salt Flats Speed Shop...

2010-02-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

I finally got a chance to stop by Salt Flats Speed Shop today and meet Chris Davenport. There are a couple of neat projects in the shop including a Model A coupe that is a little on the "rat" side, a '33 Tudor sedan converted to a Vicky by Chris, and his personal project this '32 Bonneville inspired sedan:

I won't give away to much of the final plans, but be assured I will post again when he debuts the car.

If you find yourself with a little time to kill in the Orem Utah area I suggest you stop on by, kick up a little dust, and see what's happening over at the Salt Flats Speed Shop and this talented young gun.

New "old" sign by Andy's Pinstriping...

2010-02-01T16:16:00.000-08:00

Billiards with a little more power...

2010-01-31T14:48:00.000-08:00

Last week while watching Barrett Jackson something caught my eye. It wasn't a car, but yet something that closely resembled one.

This just maybe the coolest thing to happen to the Mustang since Iacocca was VP at Ford. For more information on the Mustang pool table click here.

The future of Force...

2010-01-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

FORCE FOCUSED ON 2010 CHAMPIONSHIP ADDRESSES ECONOMIC ISSUES

Completes Year-long Consolidation of Racing Operations at Brownsburg Facility

YORBA LINDA – 1/28/2010 - Responding to an unpredictable economy drag racing icon John Force on Thursday outlined a plan to insure both the competitive and financial viability of John Force Racing, Inc., for years to come. The plan has been a work in progress for over a year.

The cornerstones of Force’s initiative are (1) a reduction in the number of cars the team will support next season in its bid for an unprecedented 17th NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car championship; (2) re-location of all JFR racing resources to the Brownsburg facility; (3) creation of new revenue streams through production of the BOSS 500 engine and the JFR chassis; and (4) personnel consolidation.

“In this economy,” Force said, “I’m having to re-evaluate my programs and my people to create a game plan for the future. It’s all about the Next Generation.”

“I have invested with the IMG group, headed by George Pyne, to help look for new sponsorship opportunities but I also know that I need to insure that my current sponsors, primarily Castrol, in our 25th year together, Ford, Auto Club, BrandSource, and Mac Tools are getting more value than they expect. We will continue to hit the media hard and work with them to make sure that our message along with our sponsors’ messages reaches the fans.”

Whereas JFR has fielded four Ford Funny Cars the last three seasons, Force said he is parking, at least temporarily, the Drive One Mustang directed to a season-ending victory by 2008 Rookie-of-the-Year Mike Neff.

His team’s 2010 lineup will feature only three Ford Mustangs: his own Castrol GTX High Mileage entry; the Auto Club Mustang in which Robert “Top Gun” Hight will defend his Full Throttle championship; and the Castrol GTX Mustang in which reigning Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champion Ashley Force Hood will try to become the first woman to win the Funny Car title.

The 126-time tour winner said Mike Neff, crew chief for Gary Scelzi when they won the 2005 Funny Car world championship will join Austin Coil, the most successful crew chief in drag racing history, in support of his bid for a 15th NHRA driving championship.

Bernie Fedderly, Coil’s partner for the last 17 years and one of only three crew chiefs to have won NHRA titles in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, will continue to be in the mix but will adjust his travel schedule after 30 years. He will also assume the new role of Special Projects Manager at John Force Racing, Inc. as well as contributing to the Coil-Neff alliance.

As Fedderly’s role changed it opened the door to one of the most intriguing crew chief partnerships in recent history. After winning the 2005 NHRA championship as crew chief to Gary Scelzi, Neff spent the last two seasons at the wheel of the Ford Drive One Mustang, earning 2008 Rookie of the Year honors before winning the Auto Club Finals last November at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Coil has won more NHRA races and more championships than anyone – including Force. The man who started as a line mechanic at a Chicago dealership enters 2010 with 16 championship trophies and 133 tour victories. Before joining Force in 1985, he won seven races and two NHRA championships (1982 and 1983) with his own car, the ChiTown Hustler, driven by Frank Hawley.

Significantly, the makeover of Force’s team extends well beyond the crew chiefs. In fact, all but one crew member will be new to the team with the start of the 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals, Feb. 11-14, at Pomona.

In addition, the car itself will be new, front to back, utilizing JFR’s in-house chassis that Neff took to victory for the first time last year, the Ford BOSS 500 nitro motor developed by JFR’s John Medlen, in conjunction with Ford Racing, the new, sleeker 2010 Mustang body, new logos and new metallic paint featuring silver highlights that recognize the 25 seasons Force has shared with Castrol.

Neff’s crew chief, John Medlen, will concentrate his efforts on managing The Eric Medlen Project, which will continue to focus on racing safety, as well as the in-house engine and chassis programs he helped create which will generate new revenue streams through production of the BOSS 500 engine and the JFR chassis. Medlen will also be available to team up with crew chief Jimmy Prock and car chief Eric Lane to create a potent tuning triumvirate for the 2009 Funny Car Championship Auto Club Ford Mustang team.

“I am dropping the fourth car for the 2010 season strictly as a business move,” Force said, “because in this economy we haven’t been able to fund it properly through new sponsorship.”

Moreover, to underscore the seriousness with which his teams are pursuing the 2010 title, Force has added track specialist Lanny Miglizzi to work with his crew chiefs and with son-in-law Dan Hood, who last year served as track specialist while also developing as a backup for Fedderly in his role as inventory manager and personnel manager. The combination of Hood and Miglizzi also gives JFR more personnel to monitor the ever changing track conditions as race cars compete throughout the day in Funny Car and the Top Alcohol Dragster.

Miglizzi will also work out of the Brownsburg shop leading the JFR in-house clutch program. For years he operated one of the sport’s most successful clutch management businesses with his late father, Tony. He is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable, detail-oriented experts in the field of track-mapping.

Another change is the consolidation of all race car operations at Brownsburg. The last of Force’s race cars to make the move from the West Coast facility in Yorba Linda, Calif., was his own Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford. Furthermore, the machine shop operation, which previously was split between the two facilities, has been centralized in Brownsburg.

Force’s attention has not just been focused on on-track performance. One of the strongest brands in motorsports has also been looking at ways to insure his corporate backing can weather the up and down economy with his teams.

“I’ve had to re-evaluate everything from show car programs to midway displays to help activate programs for the sponsors and help cut costs,” Force said.

“I’ve talked a number of times with Tom McKernan, the CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California, who helped keep the Auto Club profitable even in tough times, to help me re-evaluate our JFR business plan,” Force said.

“Last year I started talking with Brian Wolfe, who came over from Powertrain where he was instrumental in managing Ford’s mass production capabilities. We talked about how to produce products in-house not only for our team but also to generate revenue by selling to other teams. I will continue to speak to Brian in this area as time permits because he is the expert. In Phoenix I had the chance to speak with Jamie Allison, the new Director of Ford Racing, and it was business as usual. We have to continue to be cost efficient but at the end of the day Ford wants to win.”

“One of my biggest losses was the recent passing of Bob Tasca Sr. He introduced me to Ford in 1997 and he wrote the book “You Will Be Satisfied,” about how to sell to the next generation of consumers. He was one of the icons with Ford and I pray that I listened enough.”

“I listen to these individuals because they’re successful in what they do and, with the 25th anniversary of JFR and Castrol and the continued growth of the NHRA, we need to know where we’re going for the next 25 years,” Force said.

“My priority right now is to execute this business plan, and make sure existing sponsors like Castrol, Ford, Auto Club, BrandSource and Mac Tools can activate trackside and elsewhere. I am investing in show car trailers to help make that happen.

“It’s a tough economy, but these are exciting times, too, because of the way we are responding to the challenge. For me,” Force said, “the key word is ‘activate.’ We need to activate for our sponsors but we need to activate for ourselves, too.”

Dream car of the week...

2010-01-29T00:23:00.000-08:00

My infatuation was reignited for this little Vicky while checking out some older Rod & Customs. Man she is fine...

courtesy of Rod & Custom magazine and Tim Bernsau

Potential...

2010-01-28T18:19:00.000-08:00

I recently saw this old 'fridge for sale. I have always been into these old trucks ever since I talked my dad into stopping and looking at a black one on Hamilton Street when I was a young kid (crazy what you remember). Is it just me or does she have a lot of potential?

the Mountain Pearl part 2...

2010-01-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

These are some original build pictures posted by doctorZ over on the HAMB.

the Mountain Pearl...

2010-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

By far one of the coolest customized F100s ever built. It recently went up on eBay and was a no sell @ over $65,000. From the eBay listing:

The Mountain Pearl had a brief but illustrious and influential career in the hot rod and custom circuit in the early 1960’s.

Based upon a stock 1953 Ford F100, purchased in October of 1956 by Otto Rhodes, The Mountian Pearl has been modified from stem to stern by Otto and acclaimed builders Bill Dickie and Howard “Smokey” Gentemann. The restrained chopped top gracefully transitions into the wildly period nose featuring the front fenders pulled inward 5”, custom roll pan and a smoothed hood. The wild grill stylings are based upon a pair of canted 1958 Lincoln headlights framing a sectioned and inverted grill from a 1955 Chevrolet pickup that is used to border expanded metal adorned with drawer pulls and gold backings. All frenched in by round 2” tubing that has been welded and leaded to to make the wild face of the truck flow seamlessly. 1958 Oldsmobile bumper tips, acting as running light surrounds, were frenched and molded in to the front roll pan to match the canted 1958 Bel Air tail lights in the rear; both surrounding custom license plate recesses formed to match the grill. Out back another custom rollpan and fenders follow the inward sweep given to the bed, following the theme of the nose. The truck was coated in pearl over white to accentuate the compound rolls and curves of the truck and give it depth. Red candy paint beautifully offsets the chrome and polished surfaces while juxtaposing the white cab, fenders and interior.

The Mountain Pearl was debuted at the Sabers’ car show in the Denver Colliseum where it took home five trophies in the late spring of 1961. Otto’s time showing the car was short lived, however, when his draft number was pulled in October of 1961 and he was sent to Berlin. Bill Dickey continued to show it around the region, winning trophies and gaining enough fame for it to be featured in Hot Rod Magazine in July of 1962. In August of 1962 Hot Rod Magazine released its first color issue and brought The Mountain Pearl back a second time to be featured in full color.

Upon his return from Berlin in 1963, Otto Rhodes tore the truck down to be revamped before returning to the show circuit. Progress slowed over the next decade. A new front crossmember was formed and a twin I-beam front end replaced the straight axle. The stroked Oldsmobile rocket motor was replaced by a Ford 360, adorned with a Galaxie 406 Tripower intake a backed by a C6 transmission, and was traded for the copious amount of chrome under the car. Including the springs, axles, track bars, pedals, master cylinder, running boards, etc. The interior was gutted and firewall removed before marriage and a family took precedence and progress came to a screeching halt in 1973.
Fast forward a few decades and the truck still sits stagnant. The cool and dry mountain air has preserved the chrome parts and pristine metalwork beautifully. But Otto finally realizes that he will not be the one to finish it and decides to sell it to Tom Pagano .

Tom Pagano, who, with the aid of his son TJ, runs Pagano Rod and Custom out of Sacramento, California. For the last few decades he has been showing cars around the Western US recieveing trophies, articles and acclaim of his own. Nearly a half century earlier Tom had seen The Mountain Pearl at local show in Colorado and attributes his entire career with custom cars to that specific event. When he undertook the task of restoring The Mountain Pearl, the responsibility weighed heavily on him and he stayed in touch closely with Otto throughout the build.
The body was kept virtually untouched with the exception of body and paint. Being a masterful leadworker, Tom was determined to keep with tradition and finished the body in lead and without the use of filler.

Inside the cab, the interior beckons back to the futuristic theme that overwhelmed 1960’s customs. NOS 1964/1965 Ford Thunderbird gauges hang above the plexi-glass firewall that displays the engines candy and chrome. A floating steering column accents the sparse motif and is topped by a 1961 Oldsmobile steering wheel. The frames of swivel bucket seats out of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo were customized and covered by famous upholsterer Howdy Ledbetter who kept the followed the color and style themes throughout the rest of the interior and inside the bed.

Since its restoration, The Mountain Pearl has received tremendous acclaim and placing first in virtually every car show it has attended. In addition to being a cover car for Rod & Custom in October of 2009, Hotrod and Restoration in August of 2009, and the not yet released fall 2009 issue of Kustoms Illustrated, it has been featured in the Goodguys Goodtime Gazette in June 2009 as well as being featured in many show coverage articles in numerous magazines.

I'm rich...

2010-01-21T17:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, I made a dollar-thirteen on my retirement investments last quarter... With the total balance I am good for brunch and a matinee!

the DMV...

2010-01-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

Funny thing happened while I was at the DMV today. If I was smart I would have captured it on my phone. An elderly woman was in at one of the stations while I patiently waited. When it came time for her eye exam she scooted a little to her left and put here face down on the machine - the debt card machine! Now the sad part is along with not being able to see she also couldn't her the examiner trying to explain to her it was the next machine down...

Oh yeah and for those of you wondering - she got a license.

Dream car of the week...

2010-01-15T18:41:00.001-08:00

This week's dream car is little more than a concept drawing from AZ based artist Jimmy Smith. I first saw this drawing in the October 2006 issue of Classic Trucks. I was instantly drawn in by its simplistic beauty. Jimmy noted he envisioned the truck with a hopped up Y-block, toploader 4 speed, and stout 9". Interior consisted of just the basics - rubber floor mat, stock wheel, and big shifter. The truck also rolled on 16" black steelies wrapped Coker bias plies and set off by early Ford V8 caps.

I enjoyed this truck so much I actually had all of the parts, except the bias plies, to build my old '56 like it.

The '56 went down the road a couple of years ago and never saw completion by me.

But hey there's always room for another project...

6.5 magnitude quake...

2010-01-10T14:17:00.000-08:00

This quake hit yesterday whereI used to live in California. I first saw breaking news last night about 40 minutes after it happened. Kind of glad I wasn't still there - now I just have to wait out the "big one" they say is going to hit here...

Better photos here:

Bob Tasca Sr passes...

2010-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

Bob Tasca Sr., an NHRA innovator and prominent Ford dealer, died Jan. 8. He was 83.

Tasca Sr. was the grandfather of NHRA Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III. Tasca Sr. is credited with bringing the Cobra Jet 428 engine to drag racing in the 1960s and helping with the development of the Ford Thunderbolt drag racing car.

Tasca Sr. started working at a Ford dealership in 1943 and bought a dealership in 1953. He had stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Cobra Jets modified at his dealerships were legendary at the track, and Tasca Sr. coined the phase “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.”

He also was a force in Ford quality for years, maintaining a close relationship with Henry Ford II. Tasca Sr. penned a 1996 book, “You Will be Satisfied,” which was the slogan for his dealerships.

Tasca Sr. maintained a long friendship with Carroll Shelby after helping him assemble an early Cobra.
Services are pending.

- story courtesy of autoweek.com

the Snake retires...

2010-01-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

Don "the Snake" Prudhomme Announces Retirement from Drag Racing

DRAG RACING ICON & MOTORSPORTS LEGEND ENDS HISTORIC CAREER

VISTA, Calif. (January 8, 2010) – Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, one of the most accomplished drivers and revered team owners in the history of motorsports, announced his retirement today, thus ending a career spanning five decades in the sport of drag racing.

Prudhomme’s 47-year career saw him behind the wheel for 32 seasons before he retired from driving at the end of his 1994 "Final Strike" campaign. He then transitioned to the role of team owner where he led his teams and drivers for the past 15 seasons. Overall, Prudhomme has totaled an impressive combination of six National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) World Championships and 112 National Event victories.

"I feel very fortunate to have been able to make a living in drag racing and to have enjoyed some success along the way," said Prudhomme. "I would like to thank all of the great sponsors we've worked with over the years, everyone at NHRA, the many track owners, operators and promoters, our past employees and team members, and all of the drag racing fans that have supported Snake Racing."

Check him out when he visited Jay Leno's garage here.

75...

2010-01-08T05:12:00.001-08:00

What is the age of Elvis Aaron Presley, Alex? ('cause we all know he is still alive living on the mother ship!)

Dream car of the week...

2010-01-08T00:07:00.000-08:00

This weeks dream car is a lot like last weeks. I first saw it on the HAMB. It's a Ford. It's blue. And it's a true survivor!

Steve from Limeworks Speed Shop first posted up pictures and a little history about this 5 window a couple months ago.

Story goes the lil' coupe was found by a kid while being used as housing for some farmers chickens. A deal was struck and the coupe was picked up for $25. After a lot of cleaning to remove all the nesting, feathers, droppings etc. the coupe was hopped up with a flathead motor , dropped axle with reverse eyed spring and 46 juice brakes. It was painted the blue you see below and trimmed out with white pleated interior with blue piping. It was rodded around by the kid a few years, only to be stored away where it remained for nearly half a century.

The car was recently given to the original builders son who took it to Limeworks to receive an needed freshening up.

Below is a true surviving, unmolested hot rod.

Enjoy it in it's unchopped, full fendered, high school hot rod glory:

Land Speed sculpture part III...

2010-01-04T16:45:00.000-08:00

$100,000 statue stolen from dealership found

January 4th, 2010 @ 4:05pm
By Sam Penrod

LINDON -- The mystery involving the disappearance of a statue worth $100,000 from a motorcycle dealership in Lindon over the weekend appears to be solved.

The statue was found at the home of the artist who created it. It seems he believes the statue is his and was on loan, while the Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership listed it as an asset in its current bankruptcy filing. Now Lindon police are investigating the artist.

Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore says, "He has expressed his opinion that it is his property. He has admitted he was involved in arranging to have it removed from Timpanogos Harley-Davidson's property. So again, we are determining if there was anything criminal in this incident."

Store managers called police Saturday morning and reported the 4-ton metal statue on a rock slab, title "Land Speed," was missing.

When news got out Saturday about the theft, police received numerous calls from people who saw it being removed by a crane truck.

Detectives eventually tracked down the statue at the home of the artist, Jeff Decker, in Springville.

Cullimore says, "He is of the belief it was just loaned to the dealership for display. He allegedly has a buyer for the artwork, somewhere back in the Midwest, and that's is what he states his intentions were, was to sell the artwork he believes is his."

Police say Decker did know the dealership had listed the statue as an asset in its bankruptcy filing in late November.

The artist claims he told the dealership he was coming to get it and was told he could not, but apparently he did take it on Friday.

The police will pass the case to prosecutors, who will have to determine if it is a criminal case or a civil one.

Regardless it appears the statue will be fought over in court.

-courtesy of KSL.com

Land Speed sculpture part II...

2010-01-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

Jeff Decker has followed up yesterdays post with a picture of Robin Hood on his blog with the heading "Don't feel sorry for ROBINHOOD" - interesting.

Land Speed sculpture missing from Timpanogos HD dealership...

2010-01-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

4-ton statue stolen from Lindon business

January 2nd, 2010 @ 6:17pm

LINDON, UT -- Some determined thieves stole a statue weighing roughly four tons from a Lindon business Friday night.

The manager of the Timpanogos Harley-Davidson store said someone stole the work of art titled "Land Speed" by Jeff Decker. It's a giant metal sculpture of a motorcyclist mounted to a giant rock slab that was sitting outside the store.

Somehow, thieves brought in heavy machinery, lifted the entire sculpture, rock and all, and hauled it away.

Lindon police are asking anyone who saw a crane or forklift in the area Friday morning to call them at 801- 229-7070.

The statue is a life sized tribute to the 1937 land speed record set by Joe Petrali of 136.183 mph. That record would hold for 11 years until Rollie Free finally broke the mark on a Vincent at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Timpanogos Harley Davidson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last year as protection to stall a legal battle over millions of dollars in alleged unpaid debts to several lenders and there is speculation that Decker has repossessed the sculpture. Decker has publicly replied on his blog only with a post titled "slander".

Happy New Year...

2010-01-01T13:36:00.001-08:00

Wishing you a great 2010!

Travis Pastrana leaps into the New Year...

2010-01-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

Travis Pastrana was the center attraction at this year’s Red Bull New Year No Limits event. He celebrated the arrival of 2010 by successfully shattering the old car-jumping record of 171 feet after launching his tiny Red Bull sedan off the Pine Street Pier going 90 mph. Pastrana officially flew his car 269 feet over the water before landing hard on a floating barge and skidding into a barricade that prevented him from going into the drink. The X-Games legend (9 gold medals) made his name in motocross, but Pastrana’s 450 HP Subaru WRX STI rally car has become his vehicle of choice. He’s also become one of the most renowned daredevils. When he was 18 years old he jumped his motorcycle into the Grand Canyon. A few years later he jumped out of a plane without a parachute. After spending months of trial and error in the desert training for this stunt, Pastrana thrilled the crowd by sticking the landing perfectly.

Dream car of the week...

2010-01-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

I first saw this little hauler a couple of months ago when Bob “Bleed” Merkt posted it up on the HAMB.

Story goes Bob found this late '50s - early 60s survivor on eBay. It had spent the last few decades in Ontario, New York were it had lead a fairly sheltered life. The truck is pretty free of rust and never wrecked as far as Bob can tell. It was listed poorly and the owner kept avoiding any questions about the age of the truck - almost like he thought a survivor was a bad thing.

Now it looks like the pickup will spend the rest of it days cruisin' the streets of Austin...

Don Purdhomme visits the Jay Leno Garage...

2009-12-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

Funny...

2009-12-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

As long as it does't happen to me.

Merry Christmas everyone...

2009-12-25T04:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a li'l something I wrote a few years ago and posted before. Hope your holiday is a good one!

‘T was the night before a car guy Christmas

‘T was the night before a car guy Christmas,
when all around the house

Not an engine was revving,
not even my small block Chevy - a.k.a. “the mouse”.

The wrenches were hung
on the peg board with care,

In hope that St. Nicholas
soon would be there.

The children were nestled
All snug in their beds,

While visions of Weber side draft carburetors
danced in their heads.

My wife in her Victoria’s Secret,
and I in a So Cal Speed Shop cap,

Had just settled our brains
for a long winter’s nap,

When out by the garage
there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed
to see what was the matter.

Down to the driveway
I flew like a flash,

Threw open the door
to check on my car stash.

The moon on the breast
of the new fallen snow

Gave a luster of midday
to all my hot rods below.

When what to my wondering eyes
should appear

But a candy apple red sleigh
and eight high octane reindeer.

With a little old hot rodder,
so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment
it must be St. Nick!

More rapid than Nascars
his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted
and called them by name:

“Now, Duece! Now, DeSoto!
Now, Plymouth and Bel Air!

On, Comet! On, Fairlane!
On, Corvette and Corvair!

Like a top fuel dragster
Stay out of the wall!

Now peel out! Burn out!
Lay rubber and all!”

As belly tankers
on dry lake beds do fly,

They meet with an obstacle,
and launched toward the sky,

So up to the rooftop
The coursers they flew,

With that sleigh full of power tools –
Oh yeah and St. Nicholas, too.

And then, in a twinkling,
I heard on my roof

The prancing and pawing
of each reindeer hoof.

As I gathered my head
and was turning around,

Down my old chimney St. Nicholas
came with a bound.

He was dressed in Levis and Dickies
From his head to his feets,

His clothes were all soiled
with oil and grease.

A bundle of vintage speed parts
he had flung on his back,

Like a Pomona Swap Meet vendor
just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled!
His dimples, so merry!

He had a tattoo of a heart,
in it the name Cherry!

And the beard on his chin was
like one worn by Bo,

It was long, wavy, curly
the color of snow.

A cigar like Bill Hines
he held tight in his mouth,

smoke encircled his head,
like a big ol’ burnout.

He had a old face
and a little beer belly

It shook, when he laughed,
like a bowl full of jelly.

He was one of a kind,
the true O.G. hot rod elf,

I should give him a thumbs up,
I thought to myself.

I knew at that moment
I had nothing to dread

St Nick was a hip cat
he probably drove a flathead.

He ported and polished,
just kept to his engine work,

not until he had balanced and blueprinted,
did he turn with a jerk,

And laying a finger
alongside his nose,

While giving a nod
up my chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh,
to his team gave a whistle,

And away they flew
like a new fangled missile.

But I heard him exclaim,
As he raced out of sight,

“Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a hot rod built right!”

Dream car of the week...

2009-12-25T00:58:00.000-08:00

This week's dream car is George Poteet's Bonneville prepped 'Cuda nicknamed Blowfish.

Iron Man 2 trailer...

2009-12-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

Rat poison...

2009-12-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

With the announcement by GM today that they are discontinuing the Saab name I can't help but feel this has been overlooked...

GM Tonawanda pulls plug on V-8

The end of the line — and end of an era — has arrived for what has been a staple product for more than 50 years at the General Motors Tonawanda engine plant.

On Friday, Dec. 18 the last variation of the “big block” class of V-8 engines that were made since 1959, is scheduled to roll off the line.

A late morning ceremony is planned to primarily honor those of the plant’s more than 800 employees who worked on the latest version, which has been produced since 1999.

The big engine was developed in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s and was used to power millions of Chevrolet vehicles over the years.

“As American automobiles grew in size and weight the engines powering them had to keep pace,” said Nina Price, a spokeswoman for the local plant.

The first big block V-8 engine, the W-Series, was first produced in 1958 with the next version, the Mark IV series, being introduced in 1965.

“Following this was the Mark V series big block V-8, which started production in 1989, and finally the L18 V-8 (Vortec 8100) engine started production in 1999,” Price said.

The plant’s current V-8 production equipment was installed for the Mark V series, Price said.

The V-8 was the plant’s longest-running engine line, but new trends in the auto industry made GM’s trademark automotive engine obsolete.

Currently the plant's main engine line is the L850. It also makes inline 4- and 5-cylinder engines.

Dream car of the week...

2009-12-18T04:38:00.000-08:00

I don't know much about this highly customized '57 - '60 Ford F100 other than I like it. These once orphaned Fords have really gained popularity in the last few years, but I have always liked them since the first time I saw a black one with white interior as a kid.

There are so many changes to this one from the custom '56 grill, chopped top, shortened wheelbase, rolled pans, belly-burners - just to name a few.

All it needs is some candy coating, metal flake, or panel paint!

I always had a thing for a girl named Alice...

2009-12-16T18:26:00.001-08:00

I want one of these...

2009-12-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

This is a factory option Ford hood scoop that was offered on the "Big Job" Ford trucks. If anyone out there knows of one please let me know. Thanks.

Sometimes it's cool to be flakey...

2009-12-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

Dream car of the week...

2009-12-11T00:37:00.000-08:00

Red paint, nerf bars, and polished Halibrands - what a great li'l Ford:

It finally happened...

2009-12-07T04:37:00.000-08:00

After an unbelievably long "Fall" I finally awoke to something like this:

I just solved my parking problem...

2009-12-05T08:13:00.001-08:00

Dream car of the week...

2009-12-04T00:03:00.000-08:00

1955 is by far my favorite year of the "tri-5" chevys and this one is a great example why. It looks great with stock trim, the mismatched "racer" wheel package, and sans hood. The white firewall, black vinyl interior, and dash mounted tach really help drive the message home.

Yeah, what he said...

2009-12-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

So tonight as we pulled into our neighborhood Shannon tells me she thinks we need to put up Christmas lights. Now keep in mind a couple of weeks ago it was 60 degrees and now it is 15. Why didn't she have this revelation a month ago?

Hunny, I am more than willing to put up the lights. Keep in mind though at this point I feel more like the guy on the right:

I can't wait...

2009-12-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Deep down - I'm just a big kid!