Reader's Comments...

MAN! I love it when I hear from readers. Let's just say it 'makes my day' to hear that folks are finding some enjoyment in reading about 'what's in my head'. :) Today, I've posted one such letter. Thanks Ian! I hope that by posting this, folks will check out the album of pictures of your AWESOME Pontiac (we all know we will be seeing fewer Pontaics now that GM has announced their fate!), and check out the kool websites you've built.

Hey Scruffy,

Just wanted to drop you a line and say how awesome I think your blog is. I've been reading it for years, its one of the first things I check when I get online in the morning, and always keeps me interested and entertained throughout my day at work.

I was introduced to your site through my buddy Jesse, who runs Just A Car Guy (http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/ ) [Scruffy says, "This is a great site"!] and told me about your site when I was looking for some pictures of scalloped cars to get ideas for painting my '56 star chief. I found a ton of scalloped stuff on your site, which I gave to my buddies over at San Diego Rod N Custom (http://www.sandiegorodandcustom.com/  - I built their website) for ideas when they painted it.

I've been meaning to email you and show you some pictures of the finished product, after all - your site gave me the ideas for the paint job! [Scruffy says, "I am truly humbled....your Pontiac looks GREAT!] I know you were thinking of scalloping your 1950 Chevy, so this might give you some ideas now. Feel free to post any pictures on your site if you are interested, I have it documented throughout my process, from the original car when I got it, through all the bodywork that was done to remove a ton of rust, through the paint job, and the finished product. [Scruffy says, "Readers...you've got to check out Ian's album which documents the "build"...you can see it at: http://picasaweb.google.com/icgrist/1956PontiacStarChief# ]

Also, thought maybe you could post up about a new San Diego online community that my brother and I have been working on - Hot Rod SD. Its a local San Diego community for Hot Rodders, kind of like a local HAMB, where people can get together, talk cars, and meet up. I run a web and graphic design company (Redline Designworks - http://www.redlinedesignworks.net/

) with my twin brother here in San Diego, and we are always looking for new ways to get people involved in the things that we love! (He has a '64 Plymouth Barracuda too!)

[Scruffy says, "You can view Ian and his brother's online community at: http://www.hotrodsd.com/ ]

Its a work in progress, but its coming along.

Anyway, hope things are going well for ya, keep up the good work!

Ian Grist

Scruffy's Response:
Ian,

Wow! Thanks for the email and the kind words....and how incredibly kool is it that you credit my blog with the design of the sik scallops on your sweet Pontiac...I am truly honored.

Your letter is a great example of why I started my blog in the first place. To share my interest in traditional hotrods, to share ideas, and to meet some great people along the way.

I had a brief opportunity to check out the website you built for SD Rod and Custom. All I can say is "wicked"! GREAT WORK! I really enjoy messing around with my blog and would love to be able build sites for folks. Everything I know about the computer (as well as cars) is pretty much self-taught. Just jump right in and "get at it."

Again, it is truly an honor to get some "kudos" from a "West Coast" guy. It's great to think that the Internet allows global exposure to a lot of Midwestern events and cars that would most likely be overlooked by most publications.

The pictures of your Pontiac have actually got me thinking in a WHOLE new direction concerning scallops on the Nifty Fifty. I've got some scratches and paint issues in several locations that I'd like to fix. I've also got a set of fender skirts that I've been wondering how to color match...(also don't like the color of my new sunvisor). I REALLY like your flat black/green scheme. Maybe the answer for the Nifty Fifty is a reverse mask. I like the custom blue color of the '50, but the blue/creme scheme just doesn't have that "kool" factor. Maybe creating a mask that leaves some blue scallops and creates "fields" of flat black is the answer. Thanks for making me "think outside the box".

Have a GREAT week!

Kirby "Scruffy"


p.s...still dreamin' about takin' a trip out your way some day via Route 66. Old rod or bobber, either way, the trip would be worth bloggin' about!

[Scruffy asks...."What's YOUR story? Would love to hear from more readers like Ian. Got a kool car, truck or bike? Maybe a new "project"? Tell me about it.]

Still More Pictures from Richmond, Indiana

Man, the weather was great Saturday. It was certainly a nice start to the car show season.

I've seen this Chevy several times over the past few years, but still think it's a great looking car.

Wow, How kool is a flamed Willys?

Country Cruiser Website....

I had the opportunity to meet Tom Midlam yesterday at the IVY Tech Car Show in Richmond, Indiana. Tom is an avid car enthusiast and has been taking pictures at car show

Since I too enjoy the same, I was eager to get home and check out his website. Tom....all I can say is "WOW"! Totally unbelievable! The picture quality is magnificent and the number of photographs on his site is truly amazing.

The koolest thing, is that I checked out a show that I knew my father and I had attended last fall. Lo and behold, Tom had a shot of the Nifty Fifty and dad's Primed '47. I quickly shot dad an email to which he responded with an even greater discovery.

Dad's email was simple, "Look in the background of your friend's '53 on page 2." Well, guess what, Ol' Tom captured a pic of Ol' Scruffy and his father. How kool is that?

I would HIGHLY recommend you checking out Tom's site at http://www.countrycruiser.com/. I would also suggest you make a bathroom stop and get a snack before you set down to look at his site. With the number of shows and pictures, you're going to be glued to your monitor for a LONG time!

Keep up the great work Tom! Your site is truly amazing!

More Pictures from Richmond, Indiana

O.k., o.k., you traditional hot rod purist can quit your belly-aching. I know this was probably the BIGGEST trailer queen at the show, but it doesn't affect the fact that it was still down right kool!

This little Ford had a BIG block Chevrolet (502) under the hood.

There is a very large group of Model T owners in the great Richmond area. In fact, there is a Model T museum between Richmond and Centerville, Indiana. And the 100 year celebration of the Model T was held in this area last summer.

I got to be honest, I'd rather own one that looked like this one!

This flat black Ford roadster and this purple Chevrolet Panel Truck looked great side by side.

Another great show at IVY Tech in Richmond, Indiana

Well, the car show/cruise in season in "my neck of the woods" got off with a BANG today. My father, son, and I have made the short trip to Ivy Tech in Richmond, Indiana for several years now. The show has always been one of the first of the season in this area, and seems to grow bigger every year.

This year's show did NOT disappoint. The weather was incredible ( a little windy, but pushing near 80 degrees and sunny). And the cars were out in record number. This year's event actually was held in a little different location than previous years. Ivy Tech has a brand new building on campus (You can see it from Interstate 70) that has a nice, large parking lot.

I was a little disappointed in the fact that there where NO rat rods, and very few "home-built" traditional hot rods at the show. (Although a friend of mine's hubby drove his "Rat" to the show, he decided not to enter it....I did however take some pictures as I was leaving....you'll see it posted here on Suede and Chrome in a few days). There were however lots of kool vehicles.

Because this blog is dedicated to traditional hotrods. I don't plan to post ever picture I took at this weekend's show. However, I have already posted the entire collection in an album in my virtual garage at: http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/scruffy50chevy.

I absolutely LOVED this little bobber. I would love to have something similar to "tool" around on.

Deuce of Spades

Just read about this movie the other day. Sounds like it should be pretty good. I think it's due for release this summer.

For MUCH more information, check out the "official website" at: http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com/.

A Couple of Kool Upcoming West-Central Ohio Events

My friend Vinylynn sent me both of these flyers via myspace. Looks like a couple of kool opportunities within driving range for Ol' Scruffy. I might have to try to get to these.

Looking forward to June 20th

Well, the car show and cruise-in season is quickly approaching here in the Midwest United States. I'm planning to hit one or two area events this weekend. With expected Friday, Saturday, and Sunday temperatures near 80, it should be a great weekend.

Members of our car club "The Righteous Rodders" have been meeting to discuss and plan for our first "hosting". Custom hotwheels and trophies are being created, flyers have been printed and are being distributed, my friend Vinylynn from Whiteline Design (http://www.whitelinedesign.com/) is working on some sik club decals and an AWESOME new club banner (see preview of design above). She is also working on some custom cardstock for the back of the custom event hotwheels that we will be giving to first 50 entries.

I'm really hoping mother nature cooperates this year. Last year, I helped a buddy organize this same show (prior to the formation of our car club). We had to hurry the awarding of trophies and top 15 recognition so that everyone could scatter before a BIG thunderstorm rolled in. It was the first time I had driven the "Nifty Fifty" in the pouring rain, and I learned that the old vacuum windshield wipers are not nearly as effective as today's wipers!

Well, you can bet I've got the camera batteries charging for this weekend's events. The IVY Tech show in Richmond, Indiana always has a decent turn out. It is schedule for Saturday. I'm planning to go and pass out some flyers for our show. National Trail High School in New Paris, Ohio (right off of US 40....hence the name of the HS) is hosting a show on Sunday afternoon. I may try to get over to it as well.

Have a great weekend! Hope the weather is great in your neck of the woods!

Car Show Planning Underway...

Well, a few of the Righteous Rodders got together to "officially" plan for this year's Wilbur Wright Birthplace Festival Classic Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show. The Festival has been going on for 17 years, but last year was the first year for the car show. I helped a buddy of mine organize and run it last year. Since then, we've formed our car club, and since both of us are members, we thought it would be kool for our club to "officially" sponsor this year's event.

We've enlisted the help of other club members, and we think this year's show will be even better than last year's.

Tonight, I've been working on the flyer design (see the results above). Hope to be able to get them printed this week and be able to pass some out at a couple area events on Friday and Saturday.

I will be posting more information concerning the event in the left side bar of Suede and Chrome in the days to come. Watch for more info.

I Really Need to Stop Again....

Every day on my way to and from work, I pass a 1959 Chevrolet stepside pickup for sale. I actually stopped and looked at the truck last fall. It was in "barn find" condition. A nice patina and the orginal interio and drive train. Well, the truck came up missing a few weeks after I looked at it, and I kicked myself for not going up to the house and inquirying about the asking price.

Well, now that the Spring weather as came to the midwestern United States, the truck is sitting back out for sale. However the doghouse is now in the bed of the truck, and the original drivetrain has been removed. I don't know about you, but whenever I see a car or truck for sale, I get images in my mind as to the potential the vehicle has. In my mind, I can see this truck being fixed up into a really kool looking Ol' Skool shop truck.

Well, today as I was surfin' through vehicles that are currently for sale on eBay, I ran across this beauty out of Napolean, Ohio. The truck is VERY similar to the images I conjure up in my head every day as I pass the '59 sitting along the side of the road. In my mind, '59 Chevy and GMC trucks are SOOOO ugly that they are kool. Does that make any sense? I guess what I'm trying to say is that they are so unique looking from anything that was built before or after, they have a great look.

This particular truck has everything that I have been thinking I would do with the one I pass everyday. Low stance with airbags. Wide white wall tires with custom rims (although I think a set of Astro Supremes or Radir wheels would look even kooler), and a kool looking door logo painted in a "vintage" weathered style. (I'm thinking Suede and Chrome Garage would look great.) Finally a reliable drivetrain and comfortable interior round out the look. Very kool and "Suede and Chrome worthy".

Did You Think I Was Still Alive?!?!?

HEY Readers!!!! Did you think I was ever going to post something again?!?! I'm still battling wireless dial-up issues here at the Suede and Chrome Garage. Not a lot of shows in the area, but in the next few weeks the schedule will get started. Thought I'd post some pictures tonight of a few chances to the Nifty Fifty. Got my beauty rings via UPS on Thursday. Finally had a chance to get them on the car this afternoon. Also got some chrome bullet valve stem caps to replace the blue dice caps I had on the car. I'm not 100% happy with the "Rustoleum" paint job on the wheels....but the beauty rings and bullet caps combined with the spyder hubcaps look sweet! I've got a little paint touch up and wheel cleaning to do before I take her out, but I think the wheel treatment looks great, and it was a heck of a lot cheaper than a set of Astro Supremes.

I was helping my kids clean out a toy box this weekend and ran across this little hula dancer toy from a McDonald's happy meal. The kids tell me it's from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. At any rate, thought I'd see what she looked like on the dash. I've been thinkin' about a glow-in-the dark Jesus, but until I find one I like, this little hula girl will do just fine.






Still don't know if I'll ever put a headliner in the car. I've been slowly putting dash plaques and the like on the roof for right now. I was thinkin' I might just paint the underside with a flat blue or something. At any rate, I've been trying to think of a good place to keep track of my sunglasses. I have a history of sitting on them or lossing them. My 2002 Impala has a nice little "cubbie" above the rearview mirror. This old Tiki mug I've had since I was a kid seems to do the job nicely and fits with the decor.

Lots of kool stuff in the works for the Nifty Fifty. A buddy located a set of fender skirt for her, and another friend is working on a scallop design. My neighbor saw me out working on the car this afternoon and drove his newly acquired 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo down for me to check out. It's a "barn find", pretty good shape with only 52,000 miles. Anyway, we got to talking and he told me he's got a split manifold for the Nifty Fifty I can have! SWEET!

Have a GREAT week!

Scruffy

Update on Project 39

Well, I appreciate the emails and comments encouraging me to continue to post. And I certainly apologize for the lack of new posts over the past week. Several things have contributed to my lack of new material on Suede and Chrome: #1) Internet issues. I haven't been able to use my wireless connection the last couple of days. Back to good ol' dial up! #2) Lack of events in the Midwest. The indoor stuff is over and the outdoor events haven't really started yet. #3) Spring Break. Trying to get some stuff done around the house and on the Nifty Fifty during the whooping TWO days I had off for Spring Break this year. (We made up 3 snow days on M, T, and W, so we only got Thursday and Good Friday off.)

Well, I did have a chance to talk to my friend Rocky during the past week. He gave me a call when he ran across some fender skirts for the Nifty Fifty. Thanks Rock for picking them up for me. Can't wait to figure out a way to get together to get them from you.

And speaking of Rocky, he sent me a few more update pictures of "Project 39". It's been great to be able to follow the build even though he lives a couple of hours away. When I talked to him last week, he told me he plans to drive the '39 to Beatersville in Louisville, KY in May.

Archiving Pictures from Last Year's Shows

These pictures were taken last summer in Nashville, Indiana at the 2008 Hotrods and Hillbillies event. You can see more pictures from the event, as well as other events that I attended in the previous years, on the Hub!

Thought I'd "make my contribution" to the online car community by starting to archive my cruise-in photographs in my virtual garage at www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/scruffy50chevy

Yeah, I know I've posted all of these photographs throughout the past couple of years on Suede and Chrome, but I think it's a lot easier to access them when they are organized as they will be on the Hub. And...if you want to see all of them, there is ONE catch, you have to become a Hub member (why not IT'S FREE!).

I've already uploaded pictures from 3 events (that's close to 300 pictures alone!). It's time consuming, so I'll try to "recap" an event or 2 a week. Hope you enjoy!

Reader Video Link...

Well, this AIN'T "traditional hotrods", but it is definitely KOOL! A friend, fellow 'hubhead' and avid reader of Suede and Chrome sent me this link. His brother is a part of "Team Sik". It's my understanding that he is BIG into rock crawlin' and mud boggin'. Great Video! Thanks for sharing! YOU ROCK BEN (no pun intended!)

If my story is correct, Ben is the spotter in this video. He's the guy in the red shirt stayin' a few steps ahead of the Jeep tryin' NOT to get run over! :)

I Think I've Got Camaro Fever...

O.k...this post isn't related to traditional hotrods, but I ran across these photographs today and thought they were kool. If you are like me, you've been anticipating the return of the Chevrolet Camaro since GM made the announcement SEVERAL years ago. Production delays have put back the release date, and now I'm hearing that the government bailout coupled with GM's current finiancial issues may reduce the production of the Z28 to a "limited production". This will undoubtable drive the price right out of most buyers range!

At any rate, was good to see these photographs this morning. Looks like the Camaro has been chosen as this year's Indianapolis 500 pace car. And the nice thing is the decal and paint package is actually tolerable! (Unlike some of the Corvette pace cars of recent years...sorry if you are an owner of one of those ugly purple Corvettes with yellow wheels and interior!!! YIKES!)

The Chevrolet Camaro first paced the Indianapolis 500 in 1967 with one of the most loved Pace Cars of all times, followed by the 1969 Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car with the hugger orange paint scheme. Just 40 years after that car made its mark as a Pace Car favorite, the Camaro will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the Indy 500 pace car! 2009 marks the fifth time the Chevrolet Camaro has been selected to pace the Indianapolis 500 (1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2009).

Man these things are KOOL. My oldest daugther will be turning 16 this summer, and she thinks she needs a car to drive to sports practice, etc. Now HOLD ON....I know what you're thinkin'! Heck no...I wouldn't even think of it. NO...I'm thinkin' she might like her dad's Impala. No...her dad puts about 100 miles a day on cars traveling to and from work. I'M the one who needs a NEW CAMARO...don't you think?

A buddy of mine sent me this recent photographs taken at the GM plant that is manufacturing the new Camaros....doesn't it just make you eager with anticipation?!?

Getting the Nifty Fifty Ready for Spring

Well, I finally had some decent weather today. Thought I'd try to get the Nifty Fifty's rims repainted. You can't really tell from this picture, but the paint was pretty beat up where the original hubcaps used to be. The rims also had a couple handpainted pinstripes that where white that I never really liked.

Here is a shot of 3 of the rims in various stages, I tried to set up an "assembly line" of sorts so the prime could dry on one and a coat of paint could dry on another while I got the next masked for paint.Here are a couple of pictures I took by late afternoon after a good day of work. I think the new paint gives the car a little more of the "retro" look I was going for. And the funny thing is that separated by the "field" of blue, the paint I used on the rims looks like a perfect match to the top of the car.

O.k....while I had the masking tape out, thought I would do some "visual thinking". I've had this idea that I'd like to put some scallops on the car. What do you think?