Royboy’s August Schedule

 


June and July are the slow times for me, just a couple of shows to hit and lots of weekends that I’m not on the road, it drives me crazy to sit at home that much. Mid August is when the schedule ramps back up and runs nearly without a weekend off until around Thanksgiving.

For me in 2013 it starts back up at the H.A.M.B. Drags held in Asbury, MO at the MO-KAN  Dragway on Aug. 17th. We usually show up to the hotel in Joplin on the 15th, head to Springfield, MO to a swap meet on the 16th and then it’s all day long at the drags on the 17th.

The next weekend has been the Blacktop Nationals in Wichita for the past 3 years. Last year I arrived to Wichita in a torrential downpour. Something that I did not think my camera would enjoy so I effectively skipped the show last year. But the previous two I was there and here’s some of what I saw. This year the event goes down on Aug. 24th.

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Following that is Aug. 31 and the Labor Day weekend goodness that is the Greaserama in the KC area (Tracy, MO to be exact). I’ve been attending the Greaserama since before my car could make the drive somewhere around 2007 or so, I’ve always had a good time and I’ve always wished it wasn’t over when it was.

That’s it for what’s coming up in August on the Royboy Schedule. If you will be at any of these events or on my way to or from them and  you want a custom photo shoot of your vehicle, book a shoot with me then to save $ since I can combine the travel, shoot me an email for more details.

See you at a show,

Royboy

For all those coming to Salina, KS this weekend…

So if you’ve been following along with my stuff at all lately you know that this weekend is the 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular in Salina, KS. Since Salina is basically my hometown, I figured I’d give everyone a bit of a list of some notable places in town. Click on the links to go to the location on google maps, if you are viewing this on your phone you should be able to then navigate to the location. First off, registration for the show is now at the Ramada Inn on West Crawford.

Thursday

Officially the show starts on Thursday, many early comers are at the park and hanging out on Thursday before the official festivities begin. Come out and enjoy the Open House at Bright Built Hot Rods that evening.
After the Open House head back to Oakdale Park to line up to take part in the Cruise on Santa Fe Ave from 7:30p to 8:30pm. If you just want to hang out and watch the cars instead of cruising just find yourself a place along Santa Fe between Walnut St. and Ash St.

Officially that’s it for Thursday.

Friday!

Again head back to Oakdale Park for the show opening up at 9 am (officially, but many show up well before that, I usually hit the park at 8am). We hang out all day at the show until it’s time to head up to the Run What Ya Brung Drags held right next to Dean Evans Stadium on Markley Road.  At 1pm on the stage in the park is the Pinup Contest. The drags officially start at 5, but I will try to leave the park for the drags around 4pm.

The drags are a blast. Last year there were some logistical issues with the layout, I hope that the city’s committee has it figured out this time. Its about an 1/8″ mile course, with flag men (or women) on each end of the track and it’s all about fun. Yes there are some true drag cars that come out, and to be honest I don’t agree with most of them being there but that’s a different discussion for a different day. If you want to make a pass or 12 in your ride, this is your chance to do it. If you just want to watch some fun drag racing action, come out and enjoy yourself.
Friday evening at 9:30pm at the Ramada Inn is the KKOA Tonite Show where the 2 2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Inductees are announced.
Also Friday evening at Calvins Customs on Santa Fe is a party open to all KKOA participants, to get your car into the party you must have the show registration displayed in your windshield and to get into the shop where there is typically free beer (to those 21 and over) and some good eats, you need to be wearing your show wrist band.

Saturday

Back to Oakdale Park for the biggest day of the show. The car counts and the crowds will be the biggest on Saturday. For those with kids coming along don’t forget that there is a really bitchin’ water park just east of Oakdale Park, this is a big show but sometimes you need something for the kids to do outside of the show, I understand. Also for the ladies, downtown Salina has a bunch of antique and unique shopping opportunities just a couple of blocks from the park.

Again at 1pm the Pinup Contest goes down, come and cheer on your favorite lovely lady.

All day Friday-Sunday an all star crew lead by Bill Hines will be chopping a top live in the park, its something to see for sure.
There is usually another major car mod going on in the park at the same time, the last couple of years it’s been a section job, stop by both spots and watch the cars get the kustom treatment all weekend long.

Saturday night at the historic Stiefel Theatre is the “One Night With Elvis” show. You can buy concert tickets at the registration booth or the T-Shirt booth.

Sunday

Sunday is usually a fraction of the cars that were at the show on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a day to attend. Some of the best of the best kustoms around are all in the park on Sunday of the Leadsled Spectacular. Come hang out with kustom legends, see the awards ceremony and squeeze every last minute you can out of the KKOA weekend in Salina.

Good places to eat and drink in Salina.

Salina has a bunch of great places to eat.
BBQ:
Hickory Hut, routinely voted as one of the best in town.
Hog Wild Pit BBQ, technically a chain but a small one and VERY good for chain bbq.
(20 miles away in my hometown of Gypsum) Big D’s BBQ, this is some really good BBQ in a small town atmosphere that cannot be touched in the larger city. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive they are only open from 5-9pm on Saturday
Pizza:
There are 2 local pizza places fairly near to the show that both have great pie
Scheme (they do not accept plastic, so bring cash or a checkbook) you may want to make reservations, they do get busy.
And one a little farther from the show but still good stuff. Big Cheese Pizza
Burgers:
There’s a small KS chain called Spangles that has a great 50’s pop culture atmosphere and pretty good food for a fast food joint, two of them in town. One on South 9th St. and one on West Crawford.
One of 2 Salina institutions is Bogey’s, one of my personal favorites, if you want a great shake and a burger this is the place to go.
The other Salina institution for burgers in the Cozy Inn. You’ve probably heard about them, at some point in the weekend you need to go buy a sack (6 small sliders) they are pretty darn good, even if they stink so bad 🙂
Mexican:
I have 2 recommendations here, I can’t decide which is my favorite.
Cotijas, fairly new to town, and lots of authentic and some TexMex style, delicious every time I go
Lenore’s, been in town a long time and one of my favorite places to eat in Salina.
There are all of the normal chain restruants in Salina too but come on if you wanted to eat at a chain joint  you can go to any city in the country right?
 
Bars:
My all time favorite bar is the Paramount Bar just a block from Calvins Customs, the P has been in business since 1946 and it’s my favorite place to kick back and enjoy a drink, tell the girls that Travis sent ya and make sure you tip them well 🙂 enjoy the patio out back with the forecasted cool weather.
Another 2 blocks south is 111 Ultra Lounge, a nice little joint to enjoy some lively libations.
There’s also O’Malley’s in the Ramada Inn where a few of you are staying, decent bar, I don’t care for their food offerings but after a few you can’t tell that its not the best food ever
Out of the way a bit from where the show and hotels are is Speakeasy, nice bar with a patio and some decent food.
On the way to some of the south of town hotels is the Blind Pig, some basic bar food is available as well, and a nice patio.
I’m sure I’ve missed something. Please comment below if I have and I’ll try to find something for you. I’m damn proud at how the show has grown since coming to Salina and I hope to get more and more traditional kustom and hot rod folk to attend every year. Stop by the Royboy Productions booth and say hi, buy something if you want to, book a shoot if you can, above all safe travels and I’ll see you at the show.
Royboy

Feature Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Barn Find

Feature Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62

Continue reading “Feature Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Barn Find”

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 4

 Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11


JEFF MYERS – Lives and breathes kustoms, and his personal driver is a layin’ low, chopped ’57 Caddy hardtop, layered in purple candy. His “Premier Body & Paint Shop” in Arkansas City, Kansas is growing a kustom reputation to the level of the nationwide “hot” shop’s in the 50’s and 60’s. Sleds are his game, and ol’ skool kustoms like Dennis McPhail’ ’52 Chevy, and ’56 Chevy 2-dr. prove it. We here at KKOA also dig Jeff’s candy red ’63 Ford cement-slider.

Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11
Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11

Kool! Why he’s deserving! He dedicated, and many remember watching Jeff hammer his kustom touch on TV’ “Monster Garage” with Starbird, Winfield, and Jessie James, a few years back. Like I begun this with, and have to end it waaay to short, due to page space! Jeff Meyers is 100% kustom, 24-7, a fact you can bet on. He’s made his torch mark, and now he’s certainly deserving of the kool reputation he’s built, and does everyday in his land of Oz Kansas shop.

Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11

DICK HUCKANS – Dick is better known to his friend’s and follower’s as “The Bearded 1.” Starting at the age of 14, in a small shop in Van Nuys, California, Dick learned from the best how to do body work and paint. After learning the kustom body & paint trade, Dick moved from L.A. to Oklahoma in 1966 to pursue his famed The Bearded 1 Kustoms career, where he is today. His career leaned more toward his outstanding kustom paint theme’s, and his trick paint work could be found on just about anything thing in racing and kustomizing. From Sox & Martin pro stock championship cars to famed funny Car’s, drag boat’s, slingshot dragster’s, and super modified track cars. But, Dick’ love is the true kustom car, especially the leadsled’s. He’s built many for himself and customers over his 75-+ years, with one of his finest being Jack Walker’ unbelievable clone of Lyle Lake’ famed ’52 Buick The Blue Danube. Recently, Dick was inducted into the Darryl Starbird Hall of Fame & Museum.


RAY ERICKSON – Ray built his kustom career during the hey day of hotrodding in the mid-50’s, when the supreme task was to chop, channel, or section a kemp (car or truck). Remember those days? Born and raised in Salina, Kansas in 1928, Ray, along with his family moved to Kansas City in 1940 just as Ray was turning into a rebel with a cause teenager. Hotrodding was, and still is running through his veins, and in 1955 he was a founding member of the Kansas City Timing Association (KCTA). And, in 1956 he was a key player in hosting the NHRA Drag Racing Nationals. Later Ray would change the club name to the Cranktwisters.” Over the years he would build many hotrods and kustoms (’35 Chevy, ’49 Ford, ’34 Ford, etc.). One being a ’52 Ford, full kustom that he called “Whistle Bait” because it was his wife Joan’ daily driver. With a heavy chop and all the right touch’s it was easy to see why. Ray’ hard work paid off when a radical ’48 Merc he built and tagged the “La Hoya” made a full feature story in Car Craft magazine. Still living in K.C., Ray now chats on the Jalopy Journal H.A.M.B. about the good ol’ days, and many feel has paid his dues to the kustom kulture. So do we here at KKOA.
Jalopy Journal article on Ray
Kustomrama page on Ray

 

See you at a show,

Royboy

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 3

 


As of the writing of this post we are 1 week away from the 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, I hope to see you there!

Each year at the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular 2 new members are inducted into the KKOA Hall Of Fame. Since the show is just a few weeks away I thought I’d take the time to introduce you all to this year’s nominees. There are 9 total, here are the 2nd two on the list, see this post for the 1st two, and see this one for the 2nd two. When I have photos of their work I will show it and when I don’t I will link you to where you can see it.

FRITZ SCHENCK – Fritz was/is influenced by many of the greats of kustomizing, and he particularly likes the radical kustoms of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. He did a ground-up restoration on Roth’ original “Druid Princess”. and Roth’ “Pepi Bike Hauler, and he has built a perfect clone of Roth’ famed “Outlaw” roadster. However, the car that put him in the kustom spotlight and on many magazine covers, was his one-off original design creation “The Roswell Rod.”

2011 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Saturday

Currently his newest creation is another one-off design, loaded with Fritz tricks and a Starbird style bubble on top. A few years back Fritz and his wife Carrol moved from Long Island, N.Y., to the ouskirts of Kansas City, and now both Fritz’s are busy doing exactly what they want to do! Build one-off kustom show rod creations, and produce how-to-build-kustoms video’s to help other up and comers create their dreams. Truly a complete kustom family.

 2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS


GENE PIERCE – Fellow KKOA member James Fine felt compelled to notify the KKOA about a unsung hero living in his hometown of South Bend Indiana, and nominate him for a possible induction into the KKOA Hall of Fame. After researching Gene, KKOA has found that he’s not the kind of guy who toots his own horn, but his works speaks for himself. Gene chopped his first Merc when he was 15, and has even been offered a job by another Gene! The legendary Gene Winfield, a offer that he was honored to be asked. He works out of his two-stall shop (just like the good ol’ days), and treats customers with a quoted stick-to price. No hidden costs when they come to pick up their kustom. His credits range from many chopped and kustomized fat-fendered sedan’s and coupe’s, to layin’ low leadsled’s, to Fad-T hotrod roadster’s. Gene is a 100% traditional builder. His quality of work is exceptional, as verified by KKOA Hall of Famer, Mike Alexander (A-Brothers Team)
 (note: I don’t have any photos of Gene’s work that I know of but I’ll do my best to get some next weekend at the KKOA.)

1 more post tomorrow with the final 3 nominees.
See you at a show,

Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show Pt. 3

Event Coverage: 2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show Pt. 3

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Next up is the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular in Salina, KS
See you at a show,
Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show Pt. 2

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show Pt. 1

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1 more post tomorrow. Don’t forget about the Special deal at the KKOA, book your shoot today and say you saw the Double Secret Deal mention and get the package for $50 that’s 1/2 of the normal price, but you have to mention the Double Secret Deal.  Email here to book today.

See you at a show,

Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show Pt. 1

2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show Pt. 1

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I’ve been attending this show off and on for a lot of years. It’s typically hot, starting at 4 in the afternoon, and as soon as the heat breaks the crowds come out in force making it hard to capture any decent images. The participants are a varied group of all styles of cars and bikes.
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More to come tomorrow, click on any of these images to see the full gallery.
See you at a show,
Royboy

Heading to Wichita tomorrow…

Heading to Wichita tomorrow Saturday July 13th for the 2013 Automobilia Moonlight Car Show here’s a slideshow from the last trip I made to the show.

If you are at the show and want some photos of your car look for a big guy in a red hat with a big ‘ol camera.  You can’t miss me.

Sunday it’s off to Winfield and Mulvane for some photo shoots for the Marauders, book a shoot for your club today by using the contact form. Club shoots are a great way to get photos for a club calendar, or just create some great images to promote the club or print and hang on the wall.
See you at a show,
Royboy

A look ahead: 2013 H.A.M.B. Drags

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5 weeks from now folks from all over the country will be rolling towards Joplin, MO to assemble for the 2013 H.A.M.B. Drags

For the last few years (2012, 2011, 2010) I’ve been heading down to the time capsule that is MO-KAN Dragway in Asbury, MO between Joplin, MO and Pittsburg, KS.

This year the H.A.M.B. Drags are going down on Aug. 17th, many like to get to Joplin early and head and hour or so east on Friday the 16th to check out the huge swap meet. So if you’re going to make the trip to the drags you might as well head over and see if you can snag a deal on that one part you need.
So book your room, plan your time off of work and I’ll see you at the H.A.M.B. DragsRoyboy

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 2

2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS

Each year at the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular 2 new members are inducted into the KKOA Hall Of Fame. Since the show is just a few weeks away I thought I’d take the time to introduce you all to this year’s nominees. There are 9 total, here are the 2nd two on the list, see this post for the 1st two. When I have photos of their work I will show it and when I don’t I will link you to where you can see it.

LARRY GROBE, aka: “VooDoo Larry” – VooDoo Larry operates out of Schaumburg, Illinois, and has turned out some of the most original, innovative, unexpected and leading edge Kustoms you’ll ever see.

 2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
Larry will do anything from a ground up restoration, to a custom one-of-a-kind kustom or hotrod, to painting and pinstriping that’ll blow your mind and everything in between. With 30 years of experience under his belt it is easy to see Larry has really perfected his unique craft. His reputation is built on turning out hot rods and kustoms that set new boundaries. His attention to detail, gifted craftsmanship, creativity and ever changing pallet of work are renowned with the Old Skool Kustom culture.
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Larry is the personification of passion – passion for his work and the Kustom Kulture. He is the president and founder of the VooDoo Kings Car Club, a club that over the past 10 years has grown to membership that now extends to 6 different states. Although easily the King of Kool, Larry Grobe is one of the nicest, most down to earth guys you’ll ever meet.


“Speedy” BILL SMITH – The best way to explain Bill Smith is simply imagine “The Godfather of Hotrodding.” To many & most of his fans & customers it’s “Speedy” Bill, owner and still operator of America’ oldest and largest speed shop, Speedway Motors, located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 1952, Speedway Motors is a hotrodder’s friend, no matter what year hotrod or kustom you’re building. You want a a-dapt-tor kit, to hook a ’49 Caddie motor to a ’59, as Johnny Cash wailed, “Speedy” Bill probably has one sittin’ on the shelf in the massive warehouse of Speedway Motors. What a career Bill and Joyce Smith has built, and their shinning star on the hill is their Museum of American Speed that opened in 1992. Unbelievable is the best way to describe it. “Speedy” Bill Smith. It would be a honer to have him in the KKOA Hall of Fame.

The following are a couple of photos from a tour of the incredible Smith Collection in the museum at Speedway Motors.

 

I highly highly highly recommend a tour of the Smith Collection if you ever get the chance. It’s worth whatever drive it takes you to get there.

See you at a show,

Royboy

Hope you had a great Indpendence Day!

I’m going to take the day off from showing you car show photos and share some fireworks shots with you. Hope that’s okay, back to the car-centric posts tomorrow!

For the last few years some good friends of mine have invited me out to a relative’s farm where we can really blow some stuff up on Independence Day. Usually we spend the day in the pool or on the deck enjoying drinks and stories then move out to the farm for a grilled feast and more good times with great people.
As I’ve shown for the last couple of years I’ve experimented with some long exposure photos. Here are some from the last couple of years:

  This year I did some long exposures for the bigger fireworks as well.
My favorite shot of this year.
These kind of remind me of wheat.
I hope that you enjoyed these. If you’d like to experiment with long exposure photography you need 2 things, a steady place for your camera (either a tripod or just a steady place to set it but I highly recommend a tripod), and a camera that allows you to adjust shutter speed to a few seconds. Set your camera up for the composition that you’d like and then experiment with a long exposure of a few seconds to see how much light it lets in and different apertures and ISO. Remember that a lower f-stop (aperture) will let in more light but will also have a more shallow depth of field and that a higher ISO will make grainy “noise” more likely. I’ll be doing some more long exposure low light shots this year at a few events that go later into the evenings.

If you have any questions on specifics of how to do these shots, feel free to contact me directly.

See you at a show,

Royboy

A Look Ahead for the rest of 2013

Earlier this week I showed you an overview of what I’ve been up to so far for 2013. This will be a look at what’s planned for the rest of the year.

Click on any of the photos to go to a gallery of that show and see if you’d like to attend this year!

July 13th- Next up for my schedule is the Automobilia Moonlight Car Show in Wichita, KS

July 19-20- I’m not able to attend but I wanted to hit Krome N Kandy in Minneapolis, MN

July 25-28 – Then it’s the local show, the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular in Salina, KS (1600+ cars, Run What Ya Brung Drags and tons more)

Aug. 3rd- A week after that there is usually a small show in Lindsborg, KS just down the road from me as well.

Aug. 17th- Then there’s an open week before heading to the H.A.M.B. Drags in Asbury, MO (outside of Joplin)

Then it’s back to Wichita for the Blacktop Nationals Aug. 23-25

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Then it’s off to Kansas City for the Greaserama, in it’s new location in Tracy, MO Aug. 31-Sept. 1

Then it’s back to Wichita for one of my favorite shows of the year, the Starliner Sept. 6-7

Sept. 14th I’ll be in Georgetown, CO for the Hot Rod Hill Climb

Sept. 21st- the long running Ol Marais River Run in Ottawa, KS

Sept. 28th- There are 4 shows that I’d like to attend but I will be at the Rumble in Wichita (formerly Rumble in Delano)

Oct. 5th- This is my birthday weekend, there may be a big party or it may stay low key, no word yet.

Oct. 12- My 2nd trip to Woodstock, IL for Iron Invasion

More info on these later!
Oct. 18-19- BluesMasters At The Crossroads

Oct. 20th ZZ Top in Salina, KS

Nov. 2nd – Stray Kat Feed

Nov. 9th – Pistons N Paint in Denton, TX

Nov. 16th- Hobo Happening in Douglass, KS

Dec. 14th- The Mid Decembrrrr Run

Hope you go along for the ride!

See you at a show,

Royboy

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day from Royboy Productions!

Here are some red, white and blue rides all from the Starliner show held in Wichita, KS this Sept. 6-7. As mentioned on this week’s Episode 170 of Friction In The Static Podcast.

I hope you all have a very happy and safe Independence Day.

See you at a show,
Royboy

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 1

 

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 1

Each year at the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular 2 new members are inducted into the KKOA Hall Of Fame. Since the show is just a few weeks away I thought I’d take the time to introduce you all to this year’s nominees. There are 9 total, here are the first two on the list. When I have photos of their work I will show it and when I don’t I will link you to where you can see it.

KEITH DEAN – Anybody who’s into kustomizing, especially the classic ’49-’51 Mercs knows there’s two famous “Dean’s!” The original rebel without a cause, James Dean, and the world famous kustomizer Dick Dean. Carrying on the torch in his late father’ footsteps, Keith has kept many high end kustoms rolling out the doors of his South End Kustom Shop, in Hemet, California, with many waiting in the wings.

 

One being the winner of the coveted 2011 KKOA 777 Custom Crown, owned by “Tranney” John Saltsman. A wild, space age ’49 Studebaker Pickup re-named the “Atomitron.” Keith’ gracious personality has offered his shop and time to be the one where the “Memories” 1954 Mercury project kustom is currently being built as a tribute to another late KKOA Hall of Famer Rich Pichette. When completed it will be titled to some lucky kustom kat, with the proceeds going to financially benefit Alzheimer’s Research. Great cause, great guy. Thanks Keith. see photos of the Memories project here
To hear an interview with Keith Dean on Jonnie King’s “Legends of the Rod & Custom Hall Of Fame series click here.


 

DICK SCULLY – From his early days in the 50’s, customizing and wrenching in his grandmothers garage on wild customs of the “mod” 60’s and 70’s to custom hotrods and leadsleds Dick has been on the bleeding edge of style and innovation. His hands-on approach of fabrication, blown bubble tops, custom grills, stick steering controls, chopping, channeling and sectioning are just some of the things that he tackles willinging. Lacquer paint runs through his veins from when he started doing blends, lace, candies and fades for custom cars, hotrods, and race cars. His asymmetrical signature “ribbon” flames seemed to be his crowning touch and just one of the reasons for his loyal following. Dick’ early days of custom activity let him work solo, or with other great builders on projects that made many, many magazines. Like the “Electra”, the “X-Cel”, and the “Trendero.” The beauty of his career keeps him grounded in what he believes and what he wants to create. The passion for what he creates brings others to him for his talent and vision. Many believe that Dick deserves and belongs with the other great custom car and hot rod builders in the KKOA Hall of Fame.
See some examples of Dick Scully’s work go to Rik Hoving’s site here.

The next two will be early next week, stay tuned! The show goes down in Salina, KS July 25-28, go here to find out more about the show, and go here to see my shots of the show from 2012.

See you at a show,

Royboy

A Look Back at 2013 So Far

Wow. July. Already?!?

January 2013

I can’t believe the year is half over already, it seems like just a few weeks ago I was picking my car up from Jeff Myers’ Premier Body & Paint in Arkansas City, KS and headed home with my new old school paint.

Of course on that very trip home the generator finally gave up the ghost. I’d been nursing it for awhile and it was just time to finally do the upgrade, read all about the nightmare that turned into here.
The first event of the year was about 2 weeks after I picked up the car from Jeff, and I was going to be showing the Galaxie for the first time at an indoor show. The legendary Starbird show in Wichita, now the Starbird-Devlin show, but still pretty damn cool for someone that has been going to that show for 30 years. The show was a lot of fun, parking my car with some of the legendary Fundamentals cars was a huge honor. See the show coverage here Part 1, Part 2, Part 3  and Part 4

The show was just too much fun.

February 2013

February is always a bit busier than January around here. Kansas City hosts the World of Wheels Autorama, Darryl Starbird does his show in Tulsa, and The Chill goes down in Park City, KS.

Going to KC always means seeing my buddies of Los Punk Rods. They are always working on something interesting. KC WOW Show Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Then it’s off to Tulsa for the Starbird show. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Then it’s time for The Chill in Park City, KS Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

 

 March 2013

March is always a bit slow in the area here. This year I went down to The Chill in Denton, TX, it was worth the trip and I plan on going again and again. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Then a couple of weeks later it was time to head back to Texas for the Goodguys Spring Lonestar Nationals Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

April 2013

The first trip of April is typically the Lonestar Roundup in Austin, TX. This was the first time the Galaxie went and it was awesome! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Art Shots

A couple of weeks later we gathered for the HAMBBQ

2013 H.A.M.B.B.Q.0004_5_6_Tonemapped Color.tif

The next day I took advantage of a chance to go hang in the pits for the #20 Matt Kenseth car for the  NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
Then it was off to Mulvane, KS to Chaotic Customs for their Open House. Chaotic has been responsible for helping me sort out some of the mechanical issues that were out of my mechanic knowledge or out of my time frame. Thanks! Part 1, Part 2
 

 May 2013

The first Friday in May is always Stray Kat 500 time in Dewey, OK. It rained, it sleeted, it may have snowed a touch but it was still perfect. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5Part 6

Then it was over to Abilene, KS for Motor Mania.

June 2013

June started off with a trip to Marysville, KS for AutoFest
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Then the Galaxie and I headed off to Springfield, MO for the Queen City Riot
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Father’s Day weekend is always the time to take Dad to the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure’s Father’s Day Show Part 1, Part 2

Big Brothers Big Sisters held a small 100 car show at the JC Penny’s parking lot in Salina, KS

Winfield Garage Car Show was a lot of fun, hanging out with some great friends at a nice event, we need to make this a 200 car show next year! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Thanks for going along with me for the ride so far, there’s still a ton of events left to go for this year so get yourself out to one and say hi. If you want some custom photos of your car, give me a yell using the contact link above.

See you at a show,

Royboy

Auto Shop, Inc. of Beatrice, NE Customer Appreciation Party

2011_AutoFest_0051

A couple of  years ago I just happened across a show on my way home from another event. That show was the Marysville AutoFest. At that show I see this super low, bagged black Edsel that was under construction, fast forward to the next year’s show and it’s all done and awesome. The owner and I become friends and he tells me that he couldn’t have finished the car without Auto Shop, Inc. in Beatrice, NE.

A few months ago the owner of that Edsel, my buddy Bill, tells me that I should come up to Beatrice, NE for the customer appreciation party at Auto Shop, where a lot of the custom body mods on his Edsel were done. Sounds like a good excuse to hop in the Galaxie and go for a drive to me…

Auto Shop has all manner of projects going on, from muscle cars to old school restorations on 20’s vehicles on up.


So for anyone in the area needing quality work done, give Auto Shop, in Beatrice NE a call at 402-223-4546, what I saw on this shop visit was great craftmanship and a whole bunch of satisfied customers, two things that tell me a lot about a shop.
See you at a show,
Travis

Upcoming Event: Automobilia Moonlight Show

Each year I try to make this show, but last year was the first one where I was happy with my photos from it. The show attracts all manner of rides from the region and a huge amount of people. Getting there early for photos was the only way to go.

I’m a sucker for Caddys
All the way from WI I believe for this 60 El Camino, we crossed paths again at Iron Invasion later in the year as well.
This wasn’t the first or the last time seeing this great little hot rod pickup last year. I really dig it.
A row of alligators.
This 49 Ford Coupe was new to me.
John Sinfellow’s gasser is just too kool of a barn find.
I should have come back and shot this again in the dark.
Those are some of my favorites from the show from 2012. The 2013 show goes down in Downtown Wichita on July 13th.
See you at a show,
Travis

A Look Ahead: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular

As I type this we’re about a month out from the 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular. The KKOA in Salina is one of my favorite shows on my schedule, not just because it’s only 20 miles from my house either.

The show goes down in Oakdale Park in Salina, KS July 25-28, 2013. For all of the info on the show go to the KKOA website. Click any of the photos to see the full gallery from 2012.

Doug Reed and his Toad rolling into the show.
Kustoms in motion.
True road warriors, one from CA one from WI, both drive their rides everywhere.

As I mentioned here, I will be giving an award away at this year’s KKOA Leadsled Spectacular. The criteria for the award are as follows: be younger than me (38) and bring a finished or in progress traditionally styled kustom, hot rod or gasser that I find kool. Yup, it’s totally up to me, i do accept bribes of steak dinners and booze but they will not have any effect on the outcome 🙂
The award will be accompanied by a prize pack including gift certificates and discounts from:
RJay’s Speed Shop
Devilles Barbershop
Premier Body & Paint (Jeff Myers’ shop) Give Jeff a call at (620) 441-0820
Kool Rides
Murpho’s Rod & Custom
more to come soon!

Thanks to all of the incredible sponsors who are stepping up to help make this award something special. The goal is to promote the younger generation and encourage the winner to keep building kool rides.

In the coming weeks we’ll look at the past KKOA Leadsled Spectacular’s, and we’ll look at the nominees to the Hall of Fame as well, stay tuned.

See you at a show,
Travis

Event Coverage: Winfield Garage Car Show Part 3

And yes that is ride height. Not my thing but well built and powered by a slant 6, something about it kept me sneaking a peek at it.

You don’t see many of this model Mercury around
Jeff’s Stude again
Larry James’ beautiful Caddy

That’s it for the 2013 Winfield Garage Car Show from my point of view. You need to attend next year, its’ a great little show with a whole bunch of great people at it, only $15 to enter your car and I had a fantastic time.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

See you at a show,

Travis

Event Coverage: Winfield Garage Car Show Part 2

More shots from the Winfield Garage Car Show in Winfield, KS

I shot this entire show so that I could do HDR and play with other aspects of the image, it takes a lot longer to prepare the photos but you’ll see in this post how much more flexibility it gives me when editing.

Here’s an example of a normal shot from a car show.

Here’s with a slight bit of manipulation
HDR shots
Steve’s Tiki Taxi
Kevin’s 64 Galaxie
Jeff Myers’ Kustom Stude Pickup
Voodoo Jim’s Corn Cobb Coupe
Mickey’s 60 Chevy
Butch’s 56 Gasser

Jack’s 51 Ford
Should I shoot this truck for a feature?
Part 3 tomorrow! What photo was your favorite? Comment below!
See you at a show,
Travis

Event Coverage: Winfield Garage Car Show Part 1

For the 2nd time I was able to attend the Winfield Garage Car Show in Winfield, KS, this being the first time with my car.

The morning started early rolling out of my home town before 7am.

I didn’t have time to snap any photos of the crew that I rolled into the show with, but there were some beauties in our row of hot rods & kustoms as we headed towards the show.

Original Image

HDR version with lens correction
It’s for sale…

That’s it for the first post, more to come tomorrow,
See you at a show,
Travis

Royboy’s Weekend Update!

Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11

On Thursday this week I announced that I’ll be giving an award away at the 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular. Included in that announcement was the initial list of sponsors that are kind enough to add to the prize pack that will accompany the award.

Award Sponsors:
RJay’s Speed Shop : 15% discount on any RJay’s built items like these. RJay’s has also been kind enough to offer 10% off of most everything else that they carry. Let’s hear a big round of applause for RJay’s being the first sponsor. Thanks brother!

Devilles Barbershop: A traditional barbershop in Wichita, KS Devilles understands that you need to look as good as your ride so they’ve offered up 2 free hair cut and shaves. A $26 value. Thanks!

—————————–New to the list!!!!—————————–

Premier Body & Paint: My friend Jeff Myers of Premier Body & Paint in Arkansas City, KS has been generous to extend a 15% off to the award winner. Jeff has had a hand in some of the koolest kustoms to come out of Kansas in the last 20 years. Give Jeff a call at (620) 441-0820
Examples of Jeff’s work:
Jeff Myers of Premier Body & Paint in Arkansas City KS 57 Caddy Seville at the Stray Kat Kustoms Starliner show in Wichita, KS
Here’s Jeff’s personal 57 Caddy.
2011 Lonestar Roundup - Austin, TX 
Shea’s killer shoebox
2011 Lonestar Roundup - Austin, TX
60 Fairlane that was formerly McPhail’s

Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11
Jeff’s 63 Galaxie Kustom

There are more examples of Jeff’s work and I just don’t have time to list them all. Check out Premier Body & Paint for all of your kustom body & paint work needs. He was also responsible for the new kustom paint on my own personal 63 Galaxie seen here.

Thanks Jeff for helping out the cause!

See you at a show,

Travis

Event Coverage: BBBS Car Show in Salina, KS

As far as I know this was a first time event. Over 100 rides showed up to this free car show held in the South parking lot of Salina’s Central Mall next to JC Pennys. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina put the show on and with the exception of needing a bit more room for the photos to look good, but that’s me being picky :).


 
See you at a show,
Travis

Coming up at this year’s KKOA Leadsled Spectacular…


Chad Kolman’s stunning 47 Buick at the 2012 Leadsled Spectacular, this ride won the coveted 777 Award last year.

Coming up at this year’s KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, the Royboy Award. Okay so the name might change, but the long and short of it is that I’m giving away an award at the KKOA this year. My idea is to find someone at the show that is younger than I am (38) and has brought a finished or under construction traditional style kustom, hot rod or gasser. No rat rods, no big billet wheels, no digital gauges. I will allow airbags, and other modern items as long as they don’t take away from the general vintage appearance.

I am working to gather up some sponsors to offer a prize pack as well as the award that my friends at the Sign House are helping me create. The goal is to give the winner a prize pack full of offers to save money in finishing their ride or building a new car. A 15% discount for any RJay’s Speed Shop built item (or 10% off items they sell but do not create) is the first prize that’s been offered up. Because you can’t have your ride looking good and yourself looking bad our friends at Devilles Barbershop in Wichita, KS have offered up a prize at well. I’m in contact with a couple of other companies to offer more discounts for paint work, body work, and hopefully a lot more.

If you have a company that would like to do a small part to help grow the industry by helping a younger car owner then send me a message to find out how to become a part of the prize pack!

See you at a show,

Travis