Happy Camper here, pleased to pose with the first trophy I’ve won! RiffRaff CarClub’s pick. All about the trophy is with the image in my FaceBook photos, as you may have already read there. Dopest trophy ever. The other half of the story is that during the raffle, my eighteen month old was bearing down. This was near end of day, and I had made many a trip to the toilets between the two kids. Once more, I gathered a diaper and wipes and whisked her away for a quick change. Upon returning outdoors, Shane stormed my path to announce I won something and needed to report to the announcement canopy. Pleased for the good news, Cody of RRcc muscled the minimum of forty pound trophy and placed it in my trunk while I lamented I had been changing a diaper during the announcement. We chatted and parted ways. I returned to my Menup Posse to learn that Shane had reported to the announcer, thinking to receive the trophy himself, stating that I was “in the bathroom” to which the MC promptly reported over the microphone that I was “taking a poop.” We had good belly laughs over that. The one time I’m receiving an award, and that’s how it goes. Haha! I am still chuckling.
I adore these men from Grass Valley and hanging out with them every chance we get.
Rolling thunder of roaring engines make my insides gelatinous, my gut to grow warm, and I become highly suggestive. Must have something to do with growing up around cars and motorcycles, the vibrations trigger this notion that someone I love is near. However also highly possible is a more carnal explanation. Roaring engines are HOT!
These motorcycles rolled up in a pack, all could hear them coming from far off. Their exit was similar, and perhaps a pinch more thunderous as all engines fired up to make the grandest of departures. The Cash Prophets were playing, as this fabulous band oft does at car shows, and paused to note the awesome sounds this bike crew created. How can bike engines out-scream cars? All that exposure and no bonnet to keep them covered must surely play a roll. Trevor and Matt nearly had to catch me as the bikes thundered away. That feeling when your ride rumbles your seat…be still my heart.
Speaking of roaring engines, this award winning truck rolled in with the bikes. Decked out for the season, the truck bed is adorned with Santa’s slay cut-outs over the truck bad. Full-time adornments include a huge old-fashioned floor gear shifter which nearly touches the ceiling, prison bars over the back window with a huge ring of keys…I will just show you some pictures. Trying to keep the amount of images down, but so much detail goes into these rides! What’s that popping through where the gas cap should be?
Another custom truck with Character. A wee motorcyclist hood ornament tops off the look.
I love the “Rat Rods” up close and far off, so much character and detail goes into building them. Growing up in a ’55 ’56 ’57 Chevy Club, I was exposed to many “pristine” vehicles. Owners hopped up their engines sure, but generally aimed toward shiny paint jobs, immaculate interior, and shiny engine compartments. Drilled in my brain is a “do not touch” mantra which is a legitimate rule to play by when at any car show without express permission by the owner. My dad’s ’56 two door Sedan was fully stock, except the blue paint job. Toward the end of our time doing the car show circuit, dad’s interests turned toward custom builds. Possibilities are endless, and since stock parts are more rare, custom is also practical. Rat Rods take those notions to whole new heights. I dig.
My favorite car of the day is Bobby McCullough’s 1923 Ford T. “Tumbleweed” is the name of a 1950s cartoon where an old man drove a car just like this one. Cute story, told in Bobby’s Southern accent. Hopped up engine, Bobby did all the work himself except the paint job. Understandably so, as I recall the months my father built himself a paint booth to shoot paint on his custom truck, a seven-year garage project. Those were some days of cussing and spitting.
What a fun ride, right?! Bobby says he can go 140MPH. Yikes! It is just like that 1950s cartoon. Similar to Santa Claus’s slay, Bobby allows kids to climb in and sit as did mine. Baby girl enjoyed holding onto the steering wheel, I think she takes after her mama!
These owners take the term “Rat Rod” to a literal level. A giant rat also sat on display in front of the grill, donning a red and white Christmas cap stood next to a black “Nightmare Before Christmas” Tree. Gotta enjoy that holiday spirit!
Speaking of Spirits, this Rat Rod truck has the largest and coolest hood ornament I’ve ever seen! Fill ‘er up!
Another fun Rat Rod custom: bones for passengers. This one even has a dog, dressed for holiday. End of day at a car show, many likely feel bone tired and ready to rest.
Speakeasy Photos
MUAH: Self
Dress by Unique Vintage, slip by Malco Modes, coat was my mom’s in high school and she passed it to me
