Upcoming Event: Stray Kat Kustoms Starliner – Wichita, KS
2 Month Warning: Iron Invasion- Woodstock, IL
A Look Ahead: Greaserama
A Look Ahead: Greaserama
For the last 6 or so years I’ve been traveling to Kansas City each Labor Day weekend for the Greaserama. The show is put on by a group of folks that have become friends of mine called Los Punk Rods. The show is basically about home built hot rods, good music, kustom kulture, low brow art, and just about anything else that’s cool. For the entire time that I’ve been attending the show it’s been held at the Boulevard Drive In, for 2013 that changes, the show will be moving to the Platte County Fairgrounds.
If your ride fits the criteria, get registered.
Last year FarmTruck showed up to hang with the crowd.
It got a bit wet last year too
There are tons of great vendors including some of the best artists in the country
Head to Tracy, MO for the Greaserama on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, you won’t regret it.
See you at a show,
Royboy
A Look Ahead at Blacktop Nationals
Upcoming Event: H.A.M.B. Drags
 2013 H.A.M.B. Drags on the way!
Yes, I’ve already given you a heads up that the H.A.M.B. Drags were on the way Aug. 17 at MO-KAN Dragway.
Rumor has it that Pushrod is playing again at the Friday Night Pre-party
See you there!
Royboy
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
More info on the Marysville AutoFest!
Marysville AutoFest June 1st
So last Friday I wrote up a little blog post about the upcoming Marysville, KS AutoFest on June 1. Yesterday I got a call from a friend of mine who is one of the people responsible for putting the show on and he had a ton of info for me about the show. Since it was new to me and I’d been to the show a couple of times I figured I better pass the info along to you.
 
2013 marks the 23rd year of the AutoFest, last year the show had 297 entrants and they’ve seen a 20 car growth each of the last few years so this year they are expecting to break that 300 car mark. The show is held on the brick street of the business district of Marysville and is held in conjunction with a KCBS sanctioned BBQ contest, that some friends and I will be competing in. AutoFest is open to all makes and models, including bikes, trucks and even tractors, just bring something cool to share with everyone else.
The promoters idea is a K.I.S.S. principle in running a show, they keep it as simple as possible. There are no official classes and your ride is not in any real competition with anyone elses. Each car is judged on it’s own merit and they award bronze, silver & gold awards, almost every car leaves with some sort of an award. They have a ton of specialty awards so that they can spread them around.
There are tons of vendors, including parts, food and even bouncy castles for the kids. Speaking of the kids, the show offers pool passes for the kids if they want to head over to the Marysville pool. The downtown area of Marysville offers lots of shopping opportunities if the ladies want to get away from the cars for a bit.
The show is set up to be as laid back and relaxing as it can be. Just my type of show where it’s as much about the social aspect of kool cars as it is the cars themselves.
See you at a show, (it should be this one!)
Travis
Upcoming Event: Marysville AutoFest!
It was by complete random chance that I ran into the AutoFest show in Marysville, KS a couple of years ago. I had made a 4 hour trip each way to check out a shop I’d heard about outside of Omaha, NE and on the way home while I sat waiting for a pilot car for some road construction I was told of a car show just down the road.
I figured what the hell, and went to have a look. Here are the photos from that first visit.
So last year I went back. This time I ran into some old friends. Here are the photos from that visit.
And this year I will return. As part of the same event there is a BBQ competition and I happened to mention that to my BBQ buddies. Well, they decided that we were going to compete at this one, so we’re loading up the smoker, a camper and we’ll make a weekend out of it. Should be a heck of a trip.
The show goes down over the first weekend in June in Marysville, KS. Here’s the only link I could find for info on the show. Come join us!
See you at a show,
Travis
Upcoming Event: Queen City Riot
Coming up June 8th in Springfield, MO it’s the Queen City Riot!
Follow on facebook for show info
See you at the show,
Travis
Coming up: Pete and Jake’s Open House!
A couple of years ago I made my first trip to the Pete And Jake’s complex in Peculiar, MO. What an interesting place! Add to that a kool car show and a ton of pinstripers doing their thing and all of the proceeds going to charity… It’s a must attend event! Here are some photos.
For more info on this year’s event go here. I hope to be able to make it but the day job may have to take priority.
See you at a show,
Travis
Upcoming Event: HAMBBQ
For the last few years I’ve been attending a great small event called the H.A.M.B.B.Q. it’s put on by a friend that happens to be on the H.A.M.B. if you don’t know what that is, go over and have a look. It’s the message board for the Jalopy Journal a site dedicated to traditional hot rods & kustoms.
This year’s event info is here.
This post is not so much to invite you, although if you are a H.A.M.B. member and in the area come on out, as it is to hopefully inspire you to get some fellow hot rod and/or kustom folks together to go on a run, actually drive your cars and end up some place kool.
Here are a couple of slide shows from the last couple of H.A.M.B.B.Q. runs!
2012
2011
Get out and do something kool with your rides and your friends and make some new friends,
See you at a show,
Travis
Next weekend, The Chill!
So a couple of years ago I hear of a new indoor show in the Wichita area. Coming just a month after the Starbird show, I wondered how it would work. Then I hear that it’s also a major bike show. How is this going to work?
So it works, I’ll be. When I walked in the door of the Kansas Pavillions in Park City, KS I was greeted with some motorcycle vendors, I’m not typically much of a bike guy but I can appreciate a well built bike just like a well built car. As I walked around the first room of The Chill I saw every manner of bike on the planet. It was impressive. In building 2 that first year were some vendors, some cars and a stage area. Building 3 was chock full of cars, it was a pretty good turnout.
2011 Chill
So a year later I’m headed back to the show. I know now that it works, and I hear some changes are in store. Sure enough, the car area was expanded, the bike area was rearranged to allow the stage for some live music. The same high quality selection of bikes, hot rods, kustoms, trucks, drag cars, tuners, street machines, etc.
2012 Chill
So in a nut shell, I’m heading back. It’s been a good quality show, of course lots of my friends will be there, many who did not participate in the Starbird-Devlin show of a few weeks back. If you can make it next weekend I highly recommend coming to see The Chill (click here for more info on the show). The show will feature a Hooters Swimsuit competition, and a live performance by Warrant (the hair band fan in me just smiled). Should be a good time for everyone!
See you at a show,
Travis
What’s coming up for January & February 2013
The schedule for 2013 is already filling up! This post will be a breakdown of some of the shows of the first few months, have a look at the info I provide, check out the photos from years past and pick a couple out to attend!
January
Jan. 18-20th
Wichita, KS Starbird-Devlin Charity Car Show “The Wichita Tradition”
See the 2012 photos here
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For more info on the show go here: starbirddevlin.com
February
Feb. 8-10Â
Kansas City, MO 53rd Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
See the 2012 photos here:
See the 2011 photos here:
For more info on the show go here: Autorama.com
Feb. 15-17Â
Tulsa, OK 49th Annual Starbird Exotic Car Show
See the 2012 photos here:
For more information on the show go here: darrylstarbird.com
Feb. 23-24
Park City, KS The Park City Chill
See the 2012 photos here:
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For more information on the show go here: bartelproductions.com/chill.html
That’s it for my schedule through the end of February. I’ll update you on March-April next month!
See you at a show,
Travis
KKOA Leadsled Spectacular is on the way! Looking back Part 3
Part 3
The 2009 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular
I remember this one was featured in a magazine just after the show.
Punk Rod Eric’s Hell Wagon
In 2007
and in 2009 
Speaking of my Los Punk Rods friends
 More from 2007
Back to 2009
Johnny’s 58 again
I believe this one is for sale now, for $12,500… it’s a steal in my books. PM me for info I shot a photo of the info card and have the phone number on it.
Jimmy’s 58 Wagon… those back wheels are HUGE (dude I’m sorry I can’t let that joke go.)
Johnny’s Plymouth before final paint
Here’s NoSurf’s ride with Rob Lee behind
Hub & Gloria Harness’ Cinnamon
Doug’s Toad (another I was lucky enough to shoot for a magazine recently)
Mongo51’s well…51 Chevy
A damn kool 59 Pontiac, with a 60 Merc Grill and a host of other kustom touches
Shea’s shoebox, damn fine car.
Anyone recognize this famous Caddy?
Love Love Love this 57 Ford
What wasn’t done to this Merc?
McPhail’s truck before all of the recent work that he & Myers have done.
That’s it for the 2009 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular from my collection, click on any of them to see the full gallery of almost 600 photos.
See you at a show,
Travis
KKOA Leadsled Spectacular is on the way! Looking back Part 2
Part 2!
Here we go again, 2008 at the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular we start out again with cars that belong to people who were strangers then but are now good friends.
A couple more of the Harness family rides!
Rocky’s truck back before he reworked it.
Hub and Gloria Harness brought the 59 El Camino this time around, another beautiful kustom, especially considering it was built in the early 80’s.
Gary Weaver’s beautiful 54
The first time I saw Gary’s wagon… I love this car and it’s Jeff Myers paintwork
Jeff’s “Woodie” can you tell the man is good with woodworking?
Austin Speed Shop showed up
Hmmmm who does this belong to?
My first view of Vibrasonic, I was lucky enough to shoot this for an upcoming magazine feature recently, life is good.
Voodoo Jimmy!
It wasn’t Kevin’s then but it is now, love this Galaxie
That’s it for 2009, 2010 on the way!
See you at a show,
Travis
KKOA Leadsled Spectacular is on the way! Looking back Part 1
In many ways I am blessed, great people as both friends and family, a good paying job, a house, a dog, a couple of kool cars… the list goes on and on, I’m a lucky guy. Having one of the best kustom and hot rod shows in the world right in my backyard is just another lucky stroke in life. The Kustom Kemps of America Leadsled Spectacular has been held in Salina, KS now for a few years and just keeps growing and growing.
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My first photos of the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular were in 2007. At that time the show was held in Salina, KS’ Thomas Park. The show fit nicely in the small, mostly shaded park, looking back now I see a lot of cars that are owned by strangers then that are friends now.
“Dad’s” 53
Ted’s “bathtub”
This is when you know you’re someplace kool, when you see a bubbletop just rolling around a show.
Come on, a twin flathead engined dragster? If memory serves correctly he barely got her shut down before the fence at the end of the track.
Roger Ward’s car looks as good today as it did then.
I don’t remember seeing this one lately, hope it’s still around
The Tiki Taxi back before I met her owner Steve… life was so much more innocent then…
Probably the worst photo I’ve ever taken of one of my favorite kustoms, Hub & Gloria Harness’ Cinnamon
Jack’s historic 29 Roadster
Johnny’s perfect ’58 Chevy
Jr. Blackwell’s sedan has seen some changes over the years but it’s always been kool
The MacGregor Boys always bring killer rides, this caddy has always been one of my favorites.
Not exactly traditional with this mill but this car was super clean.
Well lookie what I found, wow I didn’t know I had this shot of Krobe’s Coupe.
Jeff Myers of Premier Body & Paint in Arkansas City, KS brought his 63 Galaxie
I’m still madly in love with this car.
That’s some of my favorite shots from 2007’s KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, most of these I post because the owners have become very dear friends of mine over the years since. I’m a lucky man.
Part 2 will cover a few years worth of the show.
See you at a show,
Travis
2012 Stray Kat 500 is just around the corner!
May 4-6, 2012 will be the 11th annual Stray Kat 500 in Dewey, OK. I don’t have much time to talk about this killer show right now so I’ll let the photos do the talking. For more info on the show go to straykatkustoms.com or go to the Facebook event page for the show here.
Without further ado, here’s the 2011 Stray Kat 500 photos, click on the slideshow to go to the photos if you’d prefer to view them in a gallery format.
Come check out one of the koolest most laid back shows anywhere, and hang with about 500 of the greatest folks on the planet. See you in Dewey! Travis
Pre-Lonestar Roundup Post! and a 40% off Sale!
2011 was the first trip to the Lonestar Roundup for me. I was immediately hooked on the show. Being in Austin doesn’t hurt at all, that town is awesome and I rarely stray from either Congress St or my hotel :).
So here we are, it’s 2012, it’s 10:00pm on Wednesday night and I roll out for the roundup at 5:30am tomorrow…and I’m writing this 🙂 I wanted to share some photos from last year’s show so you had an idea of what’s to come. Over the next 4 days I’ll be shooting stills with my Nikon D90 and some video with various cameras, but I’ll also be taking some cell phone pics along the way. The 2012 Lonestar Roundup shots will be in this gallery, it’s pretty boring right now with just my logo as a placeholder.
So back to 2011, some H.A.M.B. members and Austin locals put together a killer garage crawl, I love these type events so of course I had to go on it (and stay to the back of the crowd in my modern daily driver as I will do again this year).
All of the photos posted below are part of the 2011 Lonestar Roundup Gallery, which is on sale until Monday at 40% off! Any print up to poster sizes, any download, any item listed in the “buy” button is on sale for 40% off just by entering the code “LSRU” at check out. Click on any of these photos to go to their page, and then look around at some of the over 700 photos in the total gallery.
The famous Bob K!
Beautiful 40 Ford
I need a house like this…with the rides!
A very clean Merc leadsled
Mercury Charlie’s beautiful ride
Then it was time to hit the show itself!
A bad bad cabover
Okay that’s enough for now, you get the picture(s), this is a fantastic show and I hope that you enjoy the coverage and that you come check it out in the future.Â
Come along for the ride with me, see you at a show,
Travis
Vintage Torque Fest is just around the corner!!!
First off, if you don’t know about Vintage Torque Fest, where have ya been? It’s only one of the coolest shows ever. and I mean like forever ever, it’s that cool, and it’s happening April 29-30, 2011!
The schedule is chock full of kickass goodness. The Maquoketa, IA show kicks off Friday at noon, then at 3pm there’s a cruise over to Maquoketa Caves. At 4:45pm the bands start up, and it’s a great list of bands! Add is some good old fashioned dirt track racing and a drive-in movie and now there’s just too much coolness for one night to contain. Click the first sentence of this paragraph to see the full rundown of the weekend’s schedule.
There’s so much that kicks so much butt about this show that it’s hard for me to describe it. The show goes to benefit a great cause, Helping Hannah’s Heart. The guy that puts it on is a buddy of mine and an all around fantastic dude. The cars that showed up to the first VTF last year were great. Getting cars out on a dirt track is wicked cool. Loud rock n roll music…enough said! Drive in movies, tons of great folks… I could just go on and on. Oh and don’t forget Wayne Hancock is performing!
Instead, here’s some pics from last year’s show. Click on any photo to go to the gallery and see the entire 555 photo set. Remember every picture that you buy as a print or download helps me get to another show and provide more coverage for you!
Now it’s time for some dirt trackin’!
So go now, check out Vintage Torque Fest and make plans to be there April 29-30!
Thanks for reading, see you at a show (it really oughta be this one!)
Travis
KC Carquest World of Wheels Teasers
Just got home from the Kansas City Carquest World of Wheels at Bartle Hall. I’m not in a very eloquent state of mind so don’t expect “On The Road” here 🙂
I met some new friends, hung out with some old ones and had a great time. Jack Walker’s Phoenix and Blue Danube are worth the ticket price alone. The Barris built 41 was fantastic as was a new-to-me coupe that I geeked out over and shot way too many pics.
Here’s a couple of crappy phone pics to hold you over until I get the full gallery uploaded on Sunday.
This weekend is the Kansas City Car Quest World of Wheels show!
This weekend in Bartle Hall in Kansas City, MO is the 2011 Carquest World of Wheels show. It’s cold in KS this winter with over a foot of snow blanketing most of the state. Thankfully Bartle Hall is heated and will keep us from the elements. The show features an eclectic mix of rides from lowriders to imports, with a large portion of the building being devoted to the Ol’ Skool and traditional rod flavors. Muscle cars and 4×4’s are also on hand so there’s something for everyone to look at.
Here’s a look at last year’s show.
Enjoy last year’s shots and be on the lookout early next week for this year’s!
See you at a show
Heading To Austin for Hot Rod Revolution
It’s 634 miles to Austin, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes (nah), it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses (on my head). Hit it.
Hot Rod Revolution
Just finished 10 hours at the day job, I have 16 hours to get the 11 hours from here to Austin, boy am I dumb.