“You’re going to want to replace that flathead.” That’s the first words of many people when we talk about my 51 Ford. They tell me how they would be good for tooling around town or this or that but for the amount that I drive I’m going to want to replace it with something more powerful and modern. My counter argument is Roy Fields’ 1949 Ford. Not only has this car been all over the country including taking Fields to Bonneville to run he and his brother’s LSR car. Tales of that drive include extended high speed runs proving the motor’s longevity.
I always say the best thing about getting neck deep in the rod/kustom family is the people that you meet. Lots of talented folks are out here in the Midwest building killer rides, one of them is Johnny Torres at his shop Johnny Torres Upholstery in Hutchison, KS. Johnny’s shop is located on the south end of Main Street in Hutchinson, in the former offices of the Ark Valley CO-OP. Go follow his facebook page here and keep up to date on what he’s up to.
Johnny Torres Upholstery is located in the former offices of the Ark Valley CO-OP in the last block on the south end of Main St. in Hutchinson, KS
I’ve known Johnny Torres for a few years now, so when he invited me down to the Open House at his Johnny Torres Upholstery at 915 S. Main in Hutchinson, KS of course I was going to make the trip. I’ve watched his car go from primered and just on the road to finished kustom, it’s been a fun ride. He has been doing kustom upholstery work for a while now both here and occasionally out in CA when he goes out to visit his Beatnik brethren. I’ve captioned the photos so they should tell the story.
The scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open House1964 Galaxie outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseRoy Fields’ 49 Ford outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseJohnny’s Plymouth outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseJohnny’s 41 Chevy outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseInside Johnny’s shopA clean 32 Sedan sitting outsideThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseThe scene outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open HouseBeatniks 20 Year Plaque
While hanging out I ran into one of Johnny’s friends Roy Field who along with his brother Justin and dad have a shop space across the street about a block up from Johnny’s place. Roy has a beautiful 49 Ford that you see above, and has a Bonneville car and they’re working on a dragster and his dad was KKOA member #6. Roy invited me over to see the shop and bit of his dad’s automobilia collection.
KKOA #6, he’s been in this from way back in the day.I’ve seen the car around for years it was great to finally meet the owner.A serious collection.Roy’s been backwards and out of control faster than I’ve been forwards.A project Roy says he started on when he was 14, I hope to see it done someday.Roy’s brother Justin is building a new body on Roy’s dragster that he bought from Rick McGregor.Pretty stylish.Another project and tons of signage.He called himself a hoarder, not that it makes you a bad person.The Bonneville car, new engine on the way hoping to improve on the previous 220mph effort.Kinda giving me the jones to head out to the salt next year.It’s a good looking machine, the new body is making it even better looking.Bird’s eye viewYou don’t see these too often, out of a fire truck its a v12 GMC
Here’s where I apologize, I tried a new lens hand held in this low light and the results were less than stellar. I shot maybe 30 more photos and none of them came out, I will not be using that lens in this situation again.
Today I’m off to shoot 2 small town Kansas shows, tomorrow the coverage from those shows will start, early next week expect to see the first drafts of the 2014 Calendar for Charity!
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See you at a show,
Royboy
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