Holy Smokes this is KOOL!

Well, at the end of yesterday's post, I said I would start posting some pictures I took at the 2009 Indianapolis Auto Show, but those can wait til tomorrow. Today I'd like to let Suede and Chrome readers know about a very kool dvd that I recently had the opportunity to review!

Wow! I recently had the opportunity to review a copy of Vintage Torque's dvd coverage of the 2009 Hunnert Car Pile Up, and let me tell you, it is freakin' kool!

I don't care who you are, or whether or not you made it to this past year's Pile Up, I can't think of ANYONE who wouldn't enjoy this video. If you went to the show like I did, this video will stimulate every cerebral memory you have of the event. You'll recall the sites, the sounds, the music, and even the smell of that sweet mix of exhaust fumes and fair food. If you weren't as luck as I was to be there, this video is the next best thing to being there. Heck, I would say that even if traditional hot rods and kustoms are not your "cup of tea" you will still enjoy this dvd and have a much better appreciation for the "scene" once you've seen it.

This video captures the 8th year of Hunnert in fine detail. Since this was the first year I ever had the opportunity to attend the event, the thing that amazed me most was being able to just stand at the entrance of Grundy park and watch kool kustom after kustom, traditional rod after rod, and rat rod after rod run through "entrance inspection" as they entered. Vintage torque videographers did a GREAT job of capturing the essence of this scene in the first chapter of the video. The Chrome Czars (club that hosts the annual event) have strict entry requirements that they adhere to. It was cool that the video even captures some of the cars that were turned away at the gate.

John Wells, the brain-child behind Vintage Torque, and his crew do a great job of not only capturing the hotrodding spirit of the event, but also capturing the "mood" of the show with shots of spectators, the bands, the food, and some of the pre-event activities that happen in the streets the night before. Lots of sweet video of flamethrowin' and muffler rappin', burn-outs, and just down-right hotrod greaser fun are depicted throughout the video.

One of the koolest aspects of this dvd is how the video footage was shot. While watching the video, the camera angles put you RIGHT in the middle of the action. Watching, one feels like you are right there, hangin' out with good friends and enjoying the Pile Up and the events surrounding it for yourself.

Probably the most surprising to me was the amount of "koolness" on the video. Total running time is over 90 minutes, but the fun doesn't stop there. Also included is a sweet set of  photographs from the event...all synchronized to some wicked music. John has also included lots of  lengthy footage (previews) from some of the other event coverage dvds Vintage Torque has put out over the past few years. It was cool to see that Vintage Torque has dvds covering some of the other traditional hotrod events in the Midwest United States that I've attended, but it was also sweet to see some previews of some west coast, and even Japanese events. Being currently "snowed-in" in Indiana,  I can't even imagine what it would be like to cruise in the Nifty Fifty virtually year round like those katz do in California. Kooky man!

If the previews weren't enough to send my cerebal cortex into "Koolness Overload", there is also bonus footage at the end of the dvd from the 2008 Hunnert Friday Night Pre-Party.

All being said, this dvd is out-of-sight! And if this video is any indication of other event videos produced by Vintage Torque, you can bet Ol' Scruffy will be layin' down the greenbacks to add a few more to his video library. Thanks to John Wells and the rest of the gang at Vintage Torque for giving me the opportunity to review this dvd...TWO GREASY THUMBS UP FOR THIS ONE BROTHER!

The only questions I'm left with after watching this video are: 1) Will the Chrome Czars decide to host a 9th Annual Pile Up (pleeze say it's so!) and 2) Who the heck is the guy on the flamethrowing bicycle? Holy Smokes this thing is kool....I think I'll go watch it again!

You can check out more information about this and all of Vintage Torque's videos at their website: www.vintagetorque.com

If you would like your product reviewed and featured on Suede and Chrome, send a sample to the attention of Kirby Tipple @ SUEDE AND CHROME, 13900 E. CR 400 S., Parker City, Indiana 47368.

Jerry's Ice Cream Parlor Car Show, Parker City, Indiana 2009

Well, I was plesantly surprised yesterday evening when I drove the Nifty Fifty the 4 mile trip over to a local car show. Jerry's Ice Cream Parlor is a local "legend". It's been there for as long as I can remember, and everyone goes there after ballgames, school events, etc. It is located on Indiana State Route 32, in Parker City, Indiana.

I was expecting maybe 20+ cars, so I didn't leave home until about 6:20 (Registration was between 5 and 7 pm). What I found when I got there was closer to 100 cars! In fact, when I registered, I was #93. The '34 Plymouth pictured above took the "Jerry's Choice" trophy. It belongs to one of my neighbors and is one of th nicest coupes I've seen.

This GMC pickup took home one of the Top 20 trophies. I took a lot more pictures throughout the evening, so just like the Beatersville event, I'll be making daily posts!

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.

2009 Detroit Autorama Post #2

WOW! This little two-door woodie wagon was really cool! Wish I would have taken some more pictures of it!

You can't go wrong with a simple black 32 Ford!

No need for fancy graphics or wild billet wheels. Another fine example of a very simple car that looks incredible.

I've seen this car named "ShaBoom" at the James Dean Festival for the last few years, however, I've never seen the crazy looking Caddy (pictured below) that seems to belong to the same owner. (Sorry...the caddy is out of focus....another bumped "kodak moment").

O.k.....I'll admit it, I haven't seen the recent movie, but when I was a kid, I used to love to watch "Speed Racer".
Man....I wish I had seen this guy sooner OR saw him again during the show. This guy was walking around dressed like "Jake" from the Blues Brothers movies. If I would have seen him again, I was going to have my wife take a picture of us together, unfortunately, I didn't, so all I've got is this side shot over the top of my wife's head! :) It certainly made me chuckle and reminded me of a "simpler time". I've got a buddy that's over 6 foot tall and he and I dressed like the blues brothers more than once during our high school days.
This sweet little Woody go cart was being raffled off for Special Olympics. This will make any kid the envy of his neighborhood!

You can't beat the looks of a '57 Chevrolet!
I'm not a big Ford fan, but you can't deny the subtle metal work, paint scheme, pinstripes and lowered stance all work together to make this little Effie a VERY sic ride!

More pictures from the 2009 Detroit Autorama tomorrow!

Detroit Autorama 2009

Well, my wife and I made it back from another year at the Detroit Autorama. Let me tell you, this event doesn't disappoint. Lots of incredible cars on the main floor, and like last year, lots of sic traditional hotrods in the basement.

Even though there were cars from about every era, you wouldn't see too many shots of late model cars in the pictures I took on Saturday. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that I'm mostly "into" pre-1965 vehicles.

It was great to see some old acquaintances and to meet several folks from the Hub Garage. The Maynard's had their Mopar Mafia car there. It was kool that they had brought along a large bag of car hats that they donated to the Positive Behavior program that I've started at the middle school were I work. THANKS MAYNARDS! Wish we could have stayed around for the awards Saturday night, sounds like their son Kameron was going to be honored. Rumor has it that Chip Foose and Chris Jacobs from Overhaulin' were going to come downstairs and sign the dash of Kameron's car. Hope that worked out....very kool! (heck....maybe next year I'll just take Ol' Blue up and put her in the basement and stay all three days!)

Well, with every show, you always seem to learn something that you will probably do differently if you come the following year. The show starts on Friday, and I'm thinking that it would have probably been a lot easier to take pictures on the first day. Saturday's crowd got larger and larger as the day went on. Seems like every time you got ready to take a picture, someone would bump into you (see picture below) or walk in front of your shot. Nevertheless, it's always great to see so many awesome cars.

I really enjoy seeing all the "high dollar" cars upstairs, but what I really like about this show is the basement at the Cobo Center. I'll have plenty of pictures from the basement in the days to come.

O.k....my 2-year old son made his second annual trek to the Detroit Autorama. This picture is for him. :) Funny thing is, he gets a little freaked out when any "character" gets close to him. At the Indy Autorama, he was NOT amused with "Sponge Bob". At Detroit, he covered his face as we approached Diego and Dora.
The truly amazing thing about this year's event was getting to put faces with some of the folks that I've met through the Hub. I got to meet Larry from Singlefinger Garage as well as Jay and his son "Big E". The Hub had a nice booth set up and I ended up buying a "hub garage" hat...very kool. Jay was busy throughout the day filming some video clips that I'm sure will appear on the Hub. "Big E" had the awesome responsibility of spending the day with Chip and Chris. (where can I sign up for that gig!?!?)

I've got some 80+ pictures that I'll be posting this week from Detroit. I'm also hoping for some drier weather here in Indiana. I've got some new stuff for my car AND I need to get back over to Custom Metal Finishers to finish out my bumpers!