On Friday night Feb. 28th at the Go Away Garage in Wichita, KS I saw more kool art than I can even describe. Artist At Large had a gallery show with friends from all over the country at the Go Away Garage.
Here are some cell photos of the event.
See you at a show,
Royboy
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March Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a kustom art piece from Chaotic Customs (shown below), a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Stray Kat Kustoms!
Here’s the prize package from Chaotic Customs including a custom painted bowling pin, a Chaotic Customs T-Shirt and a Harvey’s Seatbelt Wallet in your choice of trucker wallet on a chain or regular. (Motor Not Included)
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
Today’s blog post was supposed to be a new video feature that I shot last weekend. Honestly after hearing the news about a good friend who passed I just don’t feel like fighting some software that needs updates so that I can do the final edits. I’ll push the video back and show it to you later. Today’s post needs to be about DaddyO. If any of you would like any of these photos without the watermark (it’s automatically applied by my site) let me know and I’ll send you a clean copy.
My first introduction to Jamie (DaddyO) was hearing Pushrod play at the Stray Kat 500. The rowdy loud rockabilly sound was fun, the silliness of all of the guys in the band made the performances epic.
Later that evening Pushrod played again, this time in the tiny conference room of the host hotel. I didn’t know anyone at the show yet really, but the guys laid on an intense and insane performance for a standing room only crowd. Over the years I caught up with the band in Austin on Lonestar Roundup weekends and became friends with the guys. Actually in Austin I became the chauffeur for the guys and their ladies when some of us had a drink or two. Again the performances were epic.
Somewhere in here was when Atlas Speed & Custom became official. T shirts and hats advertising the shop were being sold at the Lonestar Roundup and Daddy-O invited me to stop by some time. “It’s a cool old quanset hut building, looks awesome in pictures.” I was sold and planned to come down to Denison for the KKOA show in October and finally go to Atlas and check out the shop and some of the projects that Daddy-O was working on.
That Friday night I went to a local bar, Smitty’s I believe was the name. Pushrod was playing and I had a handful of friends in the audience, but other than that the entire packed bar were complete strangers. I hadn’t been feeling well earlier in the evening so the band was on stage and rocking when I showed up. The boys stopped in the middle of a song to welcome me to the bar like I owned the place. It was always a good time watching Pushrod perform.
The last 2 H.A.M.B. Drags weekends Pushrod performed. It was good to see the guys someplace north of the Red River.
Host Hotel Parking lotHost Hotel Parking lotHost Hotel Parking lotHost Hotel Parking lot at the H.A.M.B. Drags
Then in 2013 I made a trip down to Texas for the Texas Thaw, money was tight and Daddy-O knew it. He generously offered up a cot in his pad for me to save some bucks. Every time I was to be in the area, he always invited me to stop by the shop. Many other folks echo the same thing when they were coming through town. Daddy-O was always up for showing off what he’d been working on, and it was always stuff that’s cool.
Atlas 1 in Atlas Speed & Custom
Later in 2013 I was back in North Texas for Pistons N Paint. On Sunday before heading back to KS I met up with Jamie and we went for a ride in Atlas 1 and did a little photoshoot. I had a blast riding around getting the comedic version of the history of Denison, TX. Afterwards we were back at the shop for a bit, talking life, women, music, hot rods and kustoms. It was a great time and that’s where the first photo at the top of the page came from.
I miss you my friend, the world is a less kool place without you.
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
The view from the main level to the lower level was pretty good.Murph (in the hat in the chair) brought this wild kustom pickup out to show off again.
It seems that Darryl emptied out most of the museum to show off at the show.I’ve seen this car around for a few years and I dig it every time I see it.
Floyd’s 58 Edsel Roundup. Beautiful brand new mild kustom.Daniel Dolan came down from Colorado to hang out for the weekend.I looooove it. I need to get up to Colorado and shoot some video of this ride.California to OK at 80 mph and 23 mpg. It was great to see Bill Hines and John at the show.
Doc’s T is always one of my favorite’s and definitely on my list for a future feature video.It’s been fun watching this wild kustom come together!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
Last Monday on “Friction In The Static” Podcast episode #201 I was interviewed by Tiny. I had a blast, you should go to Set To Stun Productions or search for “Friction In The Static” on itunes, stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks again Tiny!
See you at a show,
Royboy
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February Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
Monday on “Friction In The Static” Podcast episode #201 I was interviewed by Tiny. I had a blast, you should go to Set To Stun Productions or search for “Friction In The Static” on itunes, stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks again Tiny!
See you at a show,
Royboy
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February Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
The West end of the building typically doesn’t have much that interests me. Yes I love most any kinda car but come on, a row of nearly identical muscle cars all with the same restoration, all with their hoods up… yeah I’ll walk on by that. The farther East that you go the more interest I have in the cars in this show typically.
Monday on “Friction In The Static” Podcast episode #201 I was interviewed by Tiny. I had a blast, you should go to Set To Stun Productions or search for “Friction In The Static” on itunes, stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks again Tiny!
See you at a show,
Royboy
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February Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
After working 7-10am at the day job, driving 3 hours to Kansas City, shooting the KC World of Wheels and then driving 4 hours to the south side of Tulsa, I was beat. I settled in at my buddy’s house and watched some racing and got to see the awesome advertising that was Chevrolet’s pace car catching fire in front of the whole world. Good job Chevy.
The next morning I went over to the Fairgrounds in Tulsa and hit the 50th Annual Darryl Starbird Rod & Custom Car Show. To my eye the show looked to have a ton more cars than I’ve ever seen in the building before. Especially obvious was the lack of the silly Monster Trucks and the addition of a whole bunch more floor space that was occupied by mostly occupied by the majority of the cars from Darryl’s museum, some previous Fine 9 contestants and the KKOA Village.
Hot Rod and Kustom fans, bear with me. This post won’t have much in it for you. It seems like most of the cars in the show have broken down and the owners were out getting new parts so they just left the hoods up in this most unattractive fashion while they were gone.
My friend Robert’s beautiful 59 Chevrolet. Fresh back from a stay at Hot Rod Garage where the car received a few updates to get her ready for a road trip to the west coast. I wish I could follow along in the Galaxie
In stock or restored forms this body style does very little for me. Like this, I can see it’s appeal, except for having it’s hood and trunk open showing all of it’s naughty bits like a cheap stripper…
You see all those lights in a row on the ceiling? That’s the size of this building and it was 90% used for the car show. That’s a lotta lugnuts.
More good looking cars ruined by having the hoods open. Yeah yeah yeah, judging, trophies, blah blah blah. Want a trophy? Go buy one, it’s way cheaper than building a car.
I’ve never seen a buggy like this. I don’t know why, I live the old Manx bodies but having a bit of the original sheetmetal on looks pretty okay too. Now where’s the map to the Little Sahara?
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
Monday on “Friction In The Static” Podcast episode #201 I was interviewed by Tiny. I had a blast, you should go to Set To Stun Productions or search for “Friction In The Static” on itunes, stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks again Tiny!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, aRoyboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
Continuing coverage from the 2014 KC World of Wheels. No offense to anyone’s cars but the show this year just wasn’t up to the level that the last few years. Not having the Los Punk Rods club do the pre-1961 section is a huge problem. That part of the show was for the most part lackluster. I’m sorry folks there just needed to be more kool rides. What is shown here is the best of what I saw except for a couple images that didn’t come out.
I’m normally not much of a muscle car guy but I’m liking the craftsmanship on this one.
Pete & Jake’s display always has good stuff.
Your truck is coming along man, keep up the good work.
Today on “Friction In The Static” Podcast episode #201 I am interviewed by Tiny. I had a blast, you should go to Set To Stun Productions or search for “Friction In The Static” on itunes, stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks again Tiny!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, aRoyboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
As I type this it’s 4AM on Sunday. I woke up just now and realized I’d passed out last night as the photos were uploading to the site but I’d not yet wrote this post. Luckily for you, my subconscious woke me up :).
I’ve been attending this particular indoor show in KC for a few years now. Some years I feel it’s pretty awesome, sometimes I wonder if it was worth the drive, this year leans more towards the latter. I’m sure that can mostly be attributed to the fact that there are just too many major indoor shows on the same weekend only a few hours apart. However as a good sign, this was the most spectators I’ve ever seen at this show, they were everywhere, and I’m sure you’ll notice that in the photos. Since I was in a hurry to get the show covered and get on down the highway to OK where I currently am, I didn’t have time to wait for the best photo opps for each car. Some just have bystanders in the shots, that’s the unfortunate byproduct of bad timing and a great spectator turnout.
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, aRoyboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
This weekend will be a bit of a bear. There are two major indoor shows going on this weekend in my area, actually there’s 3 but only 2 that I regularly cover. I’m hitting both of them again this year even though they fall on the same weekend. I really wish I was able to hit all 3!
Today (Friday) I will work the normal day job 7a-5p (Winter hours have us out at 5 instead of 6), then I’ll be off to the Paramount Bar to see a band and possibly shoot photos of that performance. The Paramount is the end base for the Mid Decembrrrrr Run each year and this year on Saturday night of the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular weekend it’s also the home of a party thrown by Royboy Productions and Stray Kat Kustoms. At that party is where I’ll be giving away $1000 cash, want to know what that’s about? Click here to find out.
So then around 1am Saturday I’ll head back home, catch a couple of hours of sleep and head back to the day job for our required 3 hours every other Saturday morning. At 10:01am I will run home, pick up my dog and my dad’s dog and take them into the kennel before heading to Kansas City for the first of the two shows. 3 hours on the road puts me downtown in KC for the Autorama World of Wheels at Bartle Hall. 3 or so hours should have me through the whole building, but lately I’ve been spending a ton of time talking with so many of you that I should set aside an extra hour or so. In any case, by around 5pm I should be headed out of the building.
Kansas City is a city full of great places to eat and hang out, I’ll be blasting past all of them headed south at full steam, Oklahoma bound. 256 miles and 4 hours later I’ll get to my buddy’s place and the most comfortable spare bedroom mattress on the planet. Jared and Marie are so awesome to always put me up when I’m in the Tulsa area, they give me that awesome spare room where I sleep better than anywhere else, they feed me and we always have a great time hanging out. Then it will be time to edit the photos from the day and start uploading them to the site and prepare a blog post for Sunday.
The next morning I’ll be up early to head to the 50th Annual Starbird show in Tulsa. The Quiktrip Center is about 30 minutes away, so that’s an easy part of the journey. The show is a bit bigger this year due to there not being any silly Monster Truck show. That entire area is now filled with killer hot rods and kustoms. I’m assuming 3-4 hours for this show as well, and then it’s out the door and heading home. Another 4 hours and about 250 miles will get me home. Edit and upload those photos to the site and prepare a blog post for Monday.
So in a great big nutshell, that’s the plan for the weekend. The plan is to give you constant car show posts all next week and weekend until I’ve run through both shows. Sorry that I can’t give it all to you at once, but to be 100% honest I need content for that following week. So there you have it folks, that’s what it takes to give you all of the car show coverage that I can shoehorn into a weekend. If you want to support the cause, buy a shirt, buy a hat, buy a photo print of any of these 40,000+ images. I really appreciate it.
See you at a show,
Royboy
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February Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Thank you to the first 2 sponsors of my site, quite frankly the only 2 that I’ve asked to sponsor the site so far. If you’d like to help sponsor Royboy Productions and provide the koolest car show coverage to folks worldwide, click here to ask me about it.
On Friday my facebook feed was full of friends’ photos of the kool stuff that they were buying at the Wichita Model A Club Swap Meet in Park City, KS at the Pavillions next to what used to be called the Kansas Coliseum, the same location of the upcoming Chill car show at the end of the month. Unlucky for me that I couldn’t go until Saturday because there was a ton of good stuff that people were picking up. Not that I was going to pick the items up or that I would have even been able to spot them but it’s good to know that some gold was found on Friday.
Here are some photos from walking around on Saturday:
When I saw this, I immediately thought that my nephews needed it.When I saw this, I immediately thought that my nephews needed it.Some of my vannin friends will appreciate this.The lesser known show on after Austin City Limits?Wide wide wide. 15×14’sI wheely got tired of seeing how many wheels were for sale.Some kool bikes were available.Both in the motorized and people powered variety.And even more bikes.This little guy seemed determined to check out what powered this pint sized ride.Another that my nephews would love to have.Just in case you think your slicks are cool. They aren’t this cool.
See you at a show,
Royboy
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February Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Sometimes I get caught up in the traveling cycle and I forget to go visit a friend’s local shop to see what’s up. Calvin Customs is a customizing shop that is in the heart of Salina on Santa Fe Ave located in a former dealership from the 50’s & 60’s. Except for this last year when there was a scheduling conflict owner Calvin Calp has been gracious enough to open the doors to the shop for the entire crew on the Mid Decembrrrr Run so usually I have at least 1 shop visit post a year based on that. Lately I just have not been by there enough.
Calvin’s ground up build the “Tubester” is a shop show piece with 100% full custom build, he has plans to change up the frame in the near future so look for it to reintroduced to the public. Behind the Tubester is a factory fresh restoration project waiting for some fresh NOS parts.This tilt front end 59 Ford Pickup project has been in the owner’s possession since about 1961. There’s been a lot done over the years to this truck and more custom touches are on the way.2-1-14 Calvin Customs Shop VisitThe tail gate has had it’s operation switched to open up from the side as Calvin is demonstrating here.
Another customer is working on this panel with a 7″ chop and a ton of custom mods on the way.Waiting it’s turn in a future project is this Jag independent rear end.Some updating being done on this Mustang.2-1-14 Calvin Customs Shop Visit
Thanks again Calvin for meeting me down at the shop on a Saturday to show me around. Everyone go bookmark Calvin Customs as their site should be updated soon to show some new projects, don’t forget to come to the party at Calvin’s shop on Friday night of the big KKOA Leadsled Spectacular weekend.
See you at a show,
Royboy
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February Subscriber Giveaway!
If you want to this blog in your email inbox each time the blog goes live, go on up to the top right hand corner of the website and enter your email address. The last day of each month I randomly pick 1 subscriber to win a prize package. This month’s prize is a pinstriped piece from Pinstriping By Lizzie, a Royboy Knit Winter Hat & a shirt from Hot Rod Hill Climb!
Last year Mother Nature was not kind to car shows in the area. That started with The Chill held at the Pavillions at Park City, KS with a big snow storm a few days before the show. Load in day for the Chill still had up to 6″ still on the ground, and you could tell with a low turnout car wise. Hopefully this year the weather will cooperate and the Chill will be full like it normally is.
I’ve been attending the Chill for a couple of years, The unique 3 building arrangement of the facility allows for the show to look like a couple of different shows. The first room that you walk into is filled with motorcycles, a stage and some vendors. Then it’s on to a room that typically is cars and vendors and finally a room that’s mostly cars. Being inside at the end of February is a good thing in Kansas. 🙂
As I type this, it’s 10:45 on Thursday night, less than 12 hours until this post goes live. About 8 hours until I have to be at my day job… and I as started this post I honestly had no idea what I should write. Today, Thursday Jan. 23, 2014 is the largest traffic day that this blog has ever had. After a slow winter where I struggled to find you good fresh content, finally I got to get out to my first show of 2014 and I can see that you appreciate the fresh content. Over 700 views today with a previous record of 560 for the blog, what did I do to deserve that? Thanks folks, when I see that you dig what I’m doing enough to check it out that much, it’s all worth it.
The Future
Here we are at the end of January, before I know it I’ll be up to my eyeballs in car shows and I won’t remember how boring this winter was. February has 3 events that I’m planning on attending, should be putting about 1100 miles on the car. I am hoping to spend an afternoon with a family I know in Wichita that is full of gearheads with a killer collection of rides. The following weekend the plan is to head down and check out the Model A Club Swap Meet. I typically don’t buy much but there’s always that one thing that you see someone else got that you need and had the cash for. So I go… and I never seem to find it in time.
After that it’s a big windshield time weekend. First heading to Bartle Hall in KC to cover the World of Wheels Autorama for you. Later that afternoon I make the trip from KC to Tulsa to an old buddy’s spare room. Sunday early I’ll head to the Quiktrip Center and the Darryl Starbird Car Show. This is the 50th edition of the show and it promises to be a good one. Finally we have a weekend where I don’t have anything planned…yet. Either it will get filled with a couple of shop visits or shooting some features, either way the weekend will be used to create some fresh content for you folks to enjoy.
For the month of March I should be at about 1400 miles, it adds up quickly! Magazine articles can help offset the travel costs but those don’t pay until month and months later, if at all. Another way to offset that is for get paid by you folks to shoot your rides when I’m on the road. If you have a car that you’d like me to shoot, let me know here and we’ll figure out a time and place, I’m very affordable. 🙂
The first weekend of March I’ll be off for another double header weekend. First up will be the Texas Thaw drags and car show held at the Northstar Dragway in Denton, TX. That evening I’ll make my way up to Wichita to catch a hotel for the night. Sunday morning will be off to the Chill in Park City before returning home to edit photos and get them up on the site. Then there’s an open weekend that I hope to head to KC and catch up with some friends and shoot their shop and hopefully feature a couple of their cars.
After that it’s off to Texas again for the Goodguys Spring Lonestar Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. A 12 hour drive for a 5 or 6 hour stay at the show. Hopefully I find something that I can shoot a feature on for the site while I’m there. The two following weeks are open as of now but I will be looking for cars to shoot those weekends. That’s a basic rundown of what’s going on between now and when I leave for the Lonestar Roundup at the begin of April.
Why?
Why the hell do I do this? After putting in more than 50 hours a week at a day job why do I spend all of my extra money traveling all over the midwest to shoot car show coverage, edit it, pay to host it online and then just give it all away to you for free? I’m nuts. Well that’s what most think. I’m hoping that I can create enough kool content to keep you coming back every day, and maybe kool enough that you’ll share it with your friends and they’ll come check it out too. If we get enough viewers here then maybe the future sponsors can cover all of that gas money, all of the hotel money, all of the show entry fees, all of the website costs. That would be a dream come true. Well, that would be partly a dream come true.
The real dream, the one that haunts me at my day job, the one that keeps me from concentrating on much of anything else is doing this full time. Selling my house and everything that won’t fit in an RV which is big enough to pull my Galaxie in a trailer. Spending each week traveling from one show to the next, stopping at pro and private shops along the way, shooting shop visits, tech articles, and features as much as possible to keep you folks full up on the best content possible. Maybe I am nuts. Or maybe that’s how this thing goes to the next level.
It’s going to be a busy couple of months but when you folks pull me aside to tell me thanks for all of the effort, it’s worth it. When I see a Royboy hat or beanie or shirt from across a show, and I have no idea who it is that’s wearing it. It’s worth it. When someone attends a show for the first time or gets their car done so they can get to a certain show that I’ve featured and they tell me that it’s my coverage that made them do it. It’s worth it.
For those that saw me at the Starbird-Devlin show that I’ve been covering all week long and wanted to know where to get one of my Model A Hot Rod Stencil Shirts I put up a new page here for you to order them. There are a few sizes in stock now from my last order, for those that are not in stock put your order in now to get one. I can’t afford to have a bunch printed and just sit in my trunk for 8 months so if you want one, you’d better get one ordered.
Stay tuned next week for some news on the Royboy New Blood Award that I’ll be giving away at the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular this summer.
For those that don’t know you can catch all kinda good links from my Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ and a bunch of kool stuff on Tumblr and Instagram.
John recently got this bad ride back in his collection. I could tell how proud he was to have it back. I hope to do a feature on his collection soon.Here are John’s 2 entries in the show. I can’t decide which I’d rather drive, but my heart says take the yellow one. I know it has a big block 🙂Alongside John’s cars is Butch’s 56. This car has been all over the last few years and Butch has sure done his best to find all of her weak links.Mike’s Front Engine DragsterI need to catch up with the owner of this car. It’s damn cool!One of a few highly finished Camaros at the show.There have been a few new to me orange hot rods around lately. I wouldn’t have thought it was a great idea but it works! Another great looking ride that needs a feature on this site!Just pure beauty.A couple more photos of Floyd’s killer Edsel Wagon.Stray Kat Proud. Ron Myers pinstriping on Floyd’s Wagon’s surfboard.More Ron Myers pinstriping in the door jambs and some of Aaron’s work from Fast AL’s Upholstery.Hot Rod Garage’s build of this 57 Chevy took home the Magnificent 7 Award at the end of the weekend.Not much I can say about this gorgeous drop top. It’s pretty damn nice.Another shot of Troy Pate’s killer new rod.One of Norm Grabowski’s unique shift knobs in Troy’s display.Eugene Vik brought his kustom shoebox down from Minnesota to show off for us.Another shot of Eugene’s shoebox.Tammy Titus’ beautiful VetteTammy Titus’ beautiful VettePrimary Club members rides. The McGregors have a lot of kool in their garages.Jeb McGregor’s coupe 38DD. This rod is all about attitude, Jeb said he might be re-doing it soon as more of a 50’s style hot rod. so I’m paying attention to see what he’s up to.Matt Smith’s kool pickup will be in front of my lens again soon… 🙂Joe McGregor’s Caddy has been one that’s caught my eye for a few year years now. Most times when this car is on the road on the way to a show, it’s usually full of people. Fill it up with folks and fuel and go enjoy a car show weekend.This pickup started life as a sedan.One of the smoothest shoeboxes around.Chaotic Customs has a big crew and the girls decided that they needed their own kool ride to take to the shows. So this Thunderbird was built, kustom paint, flame throwers, and some kustom body mods make this Chaotic ride stand out.Some great panels in the Chaotic Customs display.
I was wearing one of my Model A Hot Rod Stencil T-Shirts this weekend and had a ton of people ask me where they could get one. Here you go! I have a few in stock now and I’m taking pre-orders for the next batch. The long and the short of it is that I can’t spend my cash buying these shirts to have them sit in stock, that cash has to go into the traveling account to get me on the road to a few more shows. If you want one, get one ordered! Every shirt you pre-order will allow me to get down the road farther on the way to the next show! Click here to go to the order page.
Goren’s 48 Merc. He took home a couple of awards on Sunday.Micheal’s Coupe was also an award winner.Micheal’s ride as with anything that he owns is all about the details. He was one of the founding members of the legendary Fundamentals club.Corey Conyers made it a point to bring me over to see this beauty that he’s been working on. I hope to be able to shoot it soon.Another shot of Corey’s latest creation.
There will be some duplicate cars here as I made multiple laps around the show with different lenses at different times.
Mike’s Front Engine Dragster, I’m looking forward to getting some shots of it running this year.Mike’s Camaro is an interesting mix of old and new.Sweet El Camino!A pair of highboys.Variations on the highboy theme.One of the Magnificent 7 Finalists5 window 34Interesting tail light treatment with the 54 Chevy tail lights canted at an angle.Don’s Big Beautiful Buick. I hope to be be able to shoot it for a feature soon.
My friend and mentor Doug Reed’s 49 Oldsmobile The Toad.Hub and Gloria Harness’ beautiful 1960 Olds Invicta named “Cinnamon” One of my favorite kustoms.Hub and Gloria Harness’ beautiful 1960 Olds Invicta named “Cinnamon” One of my favorite kustoms.Hub and Gloria Harness’ beautiful 1960 Olds Invicta named “Cinnamon” One of my favorite kustoms.Rocky Burris’ Wild Winged Kustom TruckJack’s 51 Ford KustomThe Cook’s kool mild kustom Chevy.Johnny Hammann’s 58 Chevy has been pretty much unchanged since January 1976.Larry James’ awesome Caddy. I have shot this for a feature, hopefully soon we can get together and get the story written so I can share it with all of you.
There are only 6 Trucks Edition 2014 Calendar for Charity left! Get one now before they’re gone!
Sunday morning I woke up and went back into the show just as the gates had opened to try to get you some photos of the show without as many spectators in the background.
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There are only 6 Trucks Edition 2014 Calendar for Charity left! Get one now before they’re gone!
2014 is the 3rd year of the new ownership/management of this show and it seems to be getting better and better. The contenders for the Magnificent 7 were amongst the best the show has ever had. Late in the evening I finally started shooting some photos, some of which you saw yesterday, here are some more…
I love Joe’s Caddy.It’s not the traditional style that I enjoy but there’s a certain something that it has that just makes me smile.Matt’s pickup was swamped with people all weekend.Clean.Gotta love a Rivi.
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There are only 6 Trucks Edition 2014 Calendar for Charity left! Get one now before they’re gone!
Saturday of the 2014 Starbird-Devlin show was packed. Packed with cars, packed with spectators, packed with friends. Most of my day was spent hanging out with friends and family. I kept waiting for the crowds to die down so the photos would look better, plainly said, it never happened.
Enjoy the photos 🙂
The kids area was so over packed with awesome. I just hope that all of this encourages some of these youngsters to be car folk. 🙂
For the 2nd year in a row I’ve been asked by my friend and mentor Doug Reed to include my car in the Kustom City display in the Starbird-Devlin Car Show held in Wichita’s Century II Convention Center. To me, it’s an honor. I get to display my car along side some of my favorite kustoms and hang out with some of my favorite people. Today was the move-in for our group, so early this morning I fired up my Galaxie and made the 80 mile drive down to Century II. An early morning drive with some great tunes in my favorite car is an amazing thing for my attitude.
As soon as I pulled in I was greeted by one of my friends from the Kustom City display, I was waved into the building and directed to my parking spot with a bunch of rides that far outclass mine. As last year, some of the cars in the display are immortalized on Dennis McPhail’s Kustom City poster, it’s a real big deal to me to even be in the same display as all of these cars.
After getting the cars into position I spent about an hour hand wiping down the car. In my haste to get to the show and see my kustom family I forgot to stop and hit the car wash. Thankfully I had a fresh bottle of Meguiar’s Quik Detailer in the trunk, I cleaned every damn surface of the exterior with the stuff. 🙂 Then it was off to walk around the show a bit and see who else was already set up or in the process.
Out for a morning drive in my Galaxie 500 with my bug collection.
Here are some of the photos I took while walking around.
Floyd\’s 58 Edsel Wagon kustom. The car features a bunch of great pinstriping and a full kustom interior by Fast AL’s Upholstery amongst more kool touches.
Floyd’s Edsel Wagon. We talked today about me shooting a feature on it for a magazine, I can’t wait!
I keep running into this beautiful Mercury from Nebraska, and I’m not mad about that.Troy Pate’s newly finished hot rod. It was his uncle’s street beast back in the old days and was finished just before the show. I REALLY want a ride 🙂
Michael Behrendt’s 34 Ford Coupe. The car was given to him years ago on the condition that he someday build the car. Nothing on the car is newer than 53 except the 59 Olds steering wheel. The east coast channeling lends to the car’s Norm Grabowski’s Kookie Car-esque profile. I’ve been given a ride in the car and it was a blast!Goren brought this beautiful 48 Merc up from Texas.Chaotic Customs has their normal huge display full of just about everything you need for you hot rod or kustom. The new sign is kool too.Devlin Hot Rods shop is just up the street from Century II and they had some very nice rides in their display. There’s a giant glass wall behind that curtain so look for more photos of these rides later, I’ll shoot them when the sun goes down tomorrow.These are the cars parked in front of me in the Kustom City display. Johnny Hammann’s 58 Chevy (as it was built in 76), Terry Cook’s Chevy, and Jack’s 51 Ford.Looking back down Kustom City. We have 10 cars this year in the display, I’ve been asked to help round up cars for next year and I’m an ambitious fella. Let’s shoot for 20 cars for 2015. If you have a kustom and want to hang out with some awesome people, send me a message here.Hub and Gloria Harness’ beautiful “Cinnamon” One of my favorite kustoms on the planet. They have been so amazingly supportive over the last few years and I’m lucky and honored to know them.
That’s it for this week folks! Remember there are only 14 of the 2014 Calendar for Charity left! Go here to get yours ordered today. I’m making the donation to the charities on NYE Day.
For the 4th time now we’ve had a blast on the Mid Decembrrrr Run! I started this event just to have one more excuse to hang out with the rod/kustom family and get our rides out one more time for the year. We’ve had long road trips, we’ve had lots of shop visits, we’ve enjoyed many hours of sitting in the Paramount Bar eating, drinking and enjoying conversation with the family. This year was a rather short run but with lots of time inside at lunch, a museum visit and at the traditional end of the event, homemade dinner at the Paramount.
Some of the cars at the start of the day in Gypsum, KSAfter a drive through some very small towns on some roads that your GPS wouldn’t show as being paved even we showed stopped for lunch in Abilene.25 of us had lunch at La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant in Abilene
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Then we all went to the Eisenhower Museum, President Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, KS. The Museum has an incredible amount of items to see.Of course WWII items are the predominant theme of the museum since before he was President Eisenhower he was a 5 star General of the U.S. Army and a major player in the war.Some great propaganda posters are in the collection.There was an amazing amount of weaponry from many of the countries involved in WWII.More examples of guns used in WWIIA blurry propaganda poster, sorry about that.The 42 Cadillac here was the staff car used by Eisenhower throughout the war.I can’t even imagine the recoil on this bad boy.Another shot of the 42 CadillacThis staff carrier was said to be capable of 56 mph on a smooth road. I guess that’s the trade off for having armor, you loose some “get the heck out of here” speed.
At the end of the run we gathered at the Paramount Bar in Salina to screen the film “This Is Long Beach” by Brian Darwas (Atomic Hot Rods) and enjoy some delicious chili and pulled pork sandwiches that my mom and Aunt brought in for us.Louise Knowles’ Chevy and Neal’s 49 Canopy Express GMC. Neal has made all 4 of these runs!Another shot of Louise’s ride.Stray Kat Kustoms Mickey made it up for the run in his newly refurbished daily driver 60 Chevy flat top with Merc grill and Pontiac Taillights.Glen drove his Impala on the run but he was pretty anxious to go pick up his 34 from Jeff Myers’ Premier Body & Paint.
I know that I had a fantastic time with friends and family, and I want to say thanks to all of you that came out and braved the wind chill to hang out with us. I think I counted about 15 cars on the run at the peak, and 25 people for lunch and 28 or so for the dinner. I appreciate all of the miles that so many of you put in just to get my event, with GasserLouie coming from Lincoln, NE, the Stears’ coming from Independence, MO, Stray Kat Kustoms Mickey coming from Bartlesville, OK and all of the folks from places in between. YOU are what makes this event awesome each year. The rod/kustom family is what this whole thing I do here at Royboy Productions is all about. You’ve all had such a tremendous impact on my life I cannot begin to describe it.
While we were sitting at the Paramount at the end of the run it was decided that we should throw a party there on the Saturday of KKOA weekend. Normally I wouldn’t announce it so early but I’m too excited to keep it a secret. Details to come down the road but plan on being at the KKOA and plan on coming to join us at the party that Saturday night!
in the trunk, I cleaned every damn surface of the exterior with the stuff. 🙂 Then it was off to walk around the show a bit and see who else was already set up or in the process.
