Getting Ready to Leave the Basement...

Here are a few more pictures taken from the basement at the Cobo Center during the 2008 Detroit Autorama. I really like this little roadster pickup!

I think this is the first car I've seen with metal flake scallops. This 1932 Ford Sedan was one of the last cars I checked out before we returned back upstairs at the Autorama. We still had 1/2 of the main level to visit!

I was very surprised to see this car. Last summer, it was on a trailer parked right behind us at the Aesthetic Finishers Customer Appreciation Cruise-In in Piqua, Ohio. At that time, the car was not finished. The owner had started his focus on the engine and engine "accessories" at that time. Last summer the car was not running, absolutely no interior, glass, etc. Nice to see that it's finished!

Can You Believe It? Still More from the Cobo Center Basement!

I feel in love with this truck the minute I saw it. This is an absolutely beautful Chevrolet. The stance is right, and the red steelies are complimented by the simple lettering on the cab doors. The ratfink bicycle in the bed adds an additional "fun" element to the overall look of the truck. The choice of color (which appears to be something close to vanilla shake), gives this truck a slick, unique, one-of-a-kind coolness.

I can't remember were the owner of this rod was from, but if I recall, he must belong to a club because several of the cars in this area all had hand-carved tikis on display. Just another great example of a traditional hot rod.

I thought this early Ford pickup was unique. The owner went with the fenderless, patina look with the body, but chose to use a more unique approach with the running gear. Narrow spoked rims up front, with wider spoked rims in the rear. The wide whitewalls along with the bright white powdercoating on the wheels really make them contrast with the patina of the truck's body.

Trucks Daddio!

I dig trucks! I learned to drive in my dad's '67 Chevrolet pickup truck out in the field. (Just don't ask my younger brother about the experience, his recollection is a bit different than mine!). I've always liked driving trucks too. One summer while I was in college, I worked on the summer maintenance crew at Taylor University. They had an old International Harvester dump truck and an old Ford 1 1/2 ton flatbed that we got to drive around campus. Both trucks were very "broke in" and were a blast to operate. The truck pictured above has just the right "unique" features to make it one of a kind and really "Suede and Chrome" worthy.

Those of you who are "veteran" readers of Suede and Chrome know that last fall I was trying to get an Old Navy truck. I had learned that Old Navy was getting rid of all of the "prop" trucks from their stores. I've been watching eBay and trying to find one close by. I even called the local Old Navy and spoke to the manager. At any rate, I'm still pursuing the idea. I couldn't help but wonder if the truck in the photo above is a former Old Navy truck. When I saw this truck at the Detroit Autorama, it was like someone reached deep into my skull and pulled out the vision I've had. If you've read previous posts, you know I really dig the look of blitz black (flat, suede, whatever you want to call it). Wide whitewalls are cool in my book too. I think the truck above looks "just right".

O.k....I do like the looks of most "rat rods", but where do you draw the line? This truck looks more barn fresh than this morning's grade A eggs! What do you think? Please feel free to comment.