I got a call the other day from a jammed up young rodder who I've known for about a year and encouraged to do it right the first time. Being a "traditional" rodder he wanted a rod like you read about in the Magazines, and sometimes that is far from right. That's what he built and has had a great time driving it. Until the other day.
While cruising down a country road it became skittish in a corner and went off the road hitting a guide wire from a utility pole in the process. Due to location the State Police became involved. When the Trooper saw the vehicle he didn't know what he was looking at and had the vehicle impounded.
The owner called me to find out if I could help him out of his jam. The impounding Garage was an old acquaintance of mine and told me how it usually goes down. First the trooper could just release the vehicle, not likely to happen. The trooper could have it towed to Augusta for the Forensic Vehicle Team to thoroughly examine the vehicle, but as nobody was seriously injured and nothing other than vehicle was damaged, this wasn't likely either. The final solution would to have an Inspection Mechanic who is acquainted with Street Rods, inspect the vehicle to determine if it is safe to operate on Maine roads.
Option 3 was chosen and you guessed it, I was called.
I met with the Trooper and he and I inspected the vehicle. I explained to him how things were constructed and why this was done that way and how old technology was not always the best technology. The Trooper asked real good questions and admitted to me he was Street Rod illiterate. I explained that if he wanted to learn I'd teach. He and I spent over an hour looking over the vehicle and talking to each other, like we've known each other a long time.
It was determined that the vehicle was indeed safe but not legal and the owner was given a citation for an uninspected vehicle. The vehicle is now at home resting easily awaiting repair.
What else was determined was that this Trooper was smart enough to realize he was out of his comfort zone and needed help. He asked the right people and came up with a new respect for our hobby. I now have a new respect for the State Police due the fact that he asked for help, and listened intently as I explained the Street Rod Inspection, which hopefully will lead to a better working relationship in the future. The owner of the vehicle now has a lot more respect for guide wires and us "Old Guys" and plans on building a better rod.
Not a fairy tale but a tale just the same.
7/7/10
7/5/10
Sizzle
And that is what we did down in Bath at the Front Street Shuffle. Shuffle was about all you could do as the heat beat you down that much.
I didn't stay long and headed home to a somewhat cooler area of the house as soon as the Temp reading on the Bank said 93 F. To the hardy souls that baked in the Sun hope it was fun. The place was packed and parking at a premium. Shade? Only if you knew Big Mike, and could get him to stop walking.
Did get to talk to a couple of people from different clubs and one of them asked if I would pay $1.00 for the Motor Menders book of Shows and Cruises. They are rather perturbed at the Cruise Maine Edition with its mistakes and its Advertising filling most of the pages. They seem intent on making a come back next season. Worth more than a buck and better organized in my eyes.
I didn't stay long and headed home to a somewhat cooler area of the house as soon as the Temp reading on the Bank said 93 F. To the hardy souls that baked in the Sun hope it was fun. The place was packed and parking at a premium. Shade? Only if you knew Big Mike, and could get him to stop walking.
Did get to talk to a couple of people from different clubs and one of them asked if I would pay $1.00 for the Motor Menders book of Shows and Cruises. They are rather perturbed at the Cruise Maine Edition with its mistakes and its Advertising filling most of the pages. They seem intent on making a come back next season. Worth more than a buck and better organized in my eyes.
7/4/10
Collector Car Appreciation Day
The Federal Minions that somebody voted for Finally seem to be getting their shit together for one Day and that Day is July 9th. Congress has decided to declare that the 9th of July, conveniently a Friday, is Collector Car Appreciation Day.
The Nation wide celebration of this includes Cruises, Shows, Cruise Ins and anything to do with cars.
So I decided that here at the Hole in the Wall Garage, we needed to do something. So on the 9th of July, we are cooking some dogs and burgers for those that show up in their collector cars. We can have our own little Cruise In at the Shop and enjoy the evening.
We are going to kick it off at around 4 or 4:30 and let it go till 8:30 or so. A 50/50 will be drawn at 8 :15 with all proceeds to the 3 winners, 50% to 1st drawn and 25% to 2nd and 3rd drawn.
The real nice thing is, its on me if you show up in your Collector Car. I'm not doing the Drinks so supply your own, Adult or Otherwise.
If you have a favorite dessert or salad and want to share that's cool but don't go nuts. This is a Sunshine only event and may be rescheduled to a later date if it Rains.
E-mail the Blog or Road Scholars for more info.
The Nation wide celebration of this includes Cruises, Shows, Cruise Ins and anything to do with cars.
So I decided that here at the Hole in the Wall Garage, we needed to do something. So on the 9th of July, we are cooking some dogs and burgers for those that show up in their collector cars. We can have our own little Cruise In at the Shop and enjoy the evening.
We are going to kick it off at around 4 or 4:30 and let it go till 8:30 or so. A 50/50 will be drawn at 8 :15 with all proceeds to the 3 winners, 50% to 1st drawn and 25% to 2nd and 3rd drawn.
The real nice thing is, its on me if you show up in your Collector Car. I'm not doing the Drinks so supply your own, Adult or Otherwise.
If you have a favorite dessert or salad and want to share that's cool but don't go nuts. This is a Sunshine only event and may be rescheduled to a later date if it Rains.
E-mail the Blog or Road Scholars for more info.
Surprised
As the last Firecracker fizzles out and the "rocket's red glare" fades to black I figured you've all been waiting for this rag to say something.
Today's Wiscasset Show was a great time. The gate was run the way it should be with good solid classifying done by 4 of the more knowledgeable people in the hobby. Ok 3 knowledgeable minds and a sheep herder.
The classes were well chosen for the first show put on by this group and next year I think the ones that didn't work will be adjusted for an even better show. Room was not a factor as the size of the lot used was deceiving. good vending and a timely awards ceremony were the icing on the cake. The ticket calling was a little long but that was minor.
Another good thing was the debut of sorts of the Mustang that Connie Peacock has told us so much about in the past few years. This car is black or a very dark blue and straight with a ( do I dare say ) Purple rag top and is as unique as they come.
A great day with a few surprises is always good. Today was that way.
Today's Wiscasset Show was a great time. The gate was run the way it should be with good solid classifying done by 4 of the more knowledgeable people in the hobby. Ok 3 knowledgeable minds and a sheep herder.
The classes were well chosen for the first show put on by this group and next year I think the ones that didn't work will be adjusted for an even better show. Room was not a factor as the size of the lot used was deceiving. good vending and a timely awards ceremony were the icing on the cake. The ticket calling was a little long but that was minor.
Another good thing was the debut of sorts of the Mustang that Connie Peacock has told us so much about in the past few years. This car is black or a very dark blue and straight with a ( do I dare say ) Purple rag top and is as unique as they come.
A great day with a few surprises is always good. Today was that way.
7/2/10
4th of July and Apple Pie
As American as Apple Pie and the 4th of July is the American Automobile.
This 4th is the Lincoln County Firefighters Car Show in Wiscasset, To Benefit J. Gordon Regional Training Facility(Put on by the Lincoln County Fire Fighters Assoc.) a more than American Pastime, supporting our Firefighters. But let us not forget the other events of the weekend which include a 4x4 Jamboree at Hunnewell Valley, the second installment of the Maine Coastal Cruisers Saturday Cruise Night in Biddeford and of course all the Throwback 60's hippies in Oxford for the Nateva Festival (someone needs to tell them that the Grateful Dead has broken up and Jerry Garcia is now an ice cream flavor at Ben & Jerry's).
The Wiscasset show is a first for the Association but is being helped along the correct path by some veteran car show people and may prove to be a good day.
On Monday we have a favorite of mine and that is the Front Street Shuffle in Bath. It is Not A Show, but more like a gathering of Gearheads with the intent of showing off their respective rides to a large crowd of spectators and eat more than their share of wholesome Fair Food. Always a great time.
A word of caution. It is supposed to be HOT and Humid on Sunday and more so on Monday. Stay Cool if you can. Hydrate even if your not thirsty. Watch yourselves and try not exert yourselves.
Till Next
This 4th is the Lincoln County Firefighters Car Show in Wiscasset, To Benefit J. Gordon Regional Training Facility(Put on by the Lincoln County Fire Fighters Assoc.) a more than American Pastime, supporting our Firefighters. But let us not forget the other events of the weekend which include a 4x4 Jamboree at Hunnewell Valley, the second installment of the Maine Coastal Cruisers Saturday Cruise Night in Biddeford and of course all the Throwback 60's hippies in Oxford for the Nateva Festival (someone needs to tell them that the Grateful Dead has broken up and Jerry Garcia is now an ice cream flavor at Ben & Jerry's).
The Wiscasset show is a first for the Association but is being helped along the correct path by some veteran car show people and may prove to be a good day.
On Monday we have a favorite of mine and that is the Front Street Shuffle in Bath. It is Not A Show, but more like a gathering of Gearheads with the intent of showing off their respective rides to a large crowd of spectators and eat more than their share of wholesome Fair Food. Always a great time.
A word of caution. It is supposed to be HOT and Humid on Sunday and more so on Monday. Stay Cool if you can. Hydrate even if your not thirsty. Watch yourselves and try not exert yourselves.
Till Next
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
