Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Started off 2023 with a bang!

The craziness that happened around March 2020 put a major dent in my plans for the next few years. Long story short after 2 years of putting a California trip together we managed to get down there in late January 2023. We managed to get pretty much everything done that had been planned. Highlights being visiting Count's Kustoms and get an amazing tour by Ryan. Having Rose give us a great tour of Gene Winfield's shop in Mojave. Having a self guided tour of the Galpin Speed Shop. Getting a guided tour of the Cambra Speed Shop by Ron. Meeting Terry Cook, former editor of Hot Rod Magazine and one of the main instigators of the 1st National Truck In. Meeting Ira the amazing airbrush artist who did the Moreland Choppers Chevy. Going to the Grand National Roadster Show over 4 days and seeing 12 custom vans on display! I wanted to get this up now, will tweek it as time allows. Have some major projects coming up with regards to the 50th National Truck-In in Sterling Colorado     



We got to see Ryan's Master Vandal at Count's. He also gave us a full tour. 


Ron was gracious enough to give us a guided tour of the Canbra Speed Shop. They were putting the finishing touches on 3 vans that had the GNRS the day they moved them in! Here's Deathwish an iconic van from the 70s that they did an amazing job restoring. 

One of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display


One of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display



Coby and I in front of Vango. It was great to see him again. He had 2 vehicles in the show including one of the most talked about hot rods of 2023 Saint Christopher. 


The Boogie Van, one of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display. 
Jeff is planning at the 50th Nats with it.



Brian's great looking Dodge, one of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display



Ron's Octopus's Garden, one of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display that Ron also  coordinated.



Deathwish in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display.



Squarebody Syndicate's Smokebox.


Jason's A100, one of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin van display



A very nice Evel Knievel themed early Chevy.


A very nice Evel Knievel themed early Chevy. One of the vans in the GNRS Keep on Truckin display.

A van in the Grand Daddy Drive-In .


A van in the Grand Daddy Drive-In .



California Street Vans in the Grand Daddy Drive-In .



California Street Vans in the Grand Daddy Drive-In 


California Street Vans in the Grand Daddy Drive-In 


Rose gave us intro into making bubble windows! 


Gene Winfield's backyard! 


A shot in front of Gene Winfield's shop.

The California Street Vans Cruise to the GNRS.


The California Street Vans Cruise to the GNRS.


Dave was super busy so he let us take a self guided tour of the amazing collection in the Galpin Speed  Shop. 

Coby with Saint Christopher, his 34 Ford coupe that won the Good Guys Hot Rod of the Year last weekend in Nashville Tn. 


The December page from the 2022 Showvans calendar signed by Ryan and Dave.It would have great to get Gary to sign the Disco Van picture but we ran out of time to go that far north. 


The Boogie Van leaving the GNRS.


Met up with Chip during the awatds on Sunday. Doesn't that Chevy look like the one they overhauled for Mike, but in orange :).  


We walked into a sandwich shop beside Foose's and a guy called out: "Are you guys vanners?". It was Terry Cook, more about him coming up soon.


Catherine let me display my 50th Nats banner all weekend with her van. Billo also had one on display outside in the Grand Daddy Drive In.  


THe Cambra Speed Shop display featured this great looking Chevy.