1 Month Warning: Mid Decembrrrr Run!

This is the 4th time I’ve put together the Mid Decembrrrr Run and the 4th variation on the theme. The first run was about 130 miles with stops to tour the McPherson College Auto Restoration program, the very impressive Kansas Motorcycle Museum and a stop at my friend Calvin’s Customs shop in Salina, KS before heading to the Stiefel Theatre to watch that year’s KKOA Leadsled Spectacular DVD from Vintage Torque. Year 2 we did about 150 miles and took the group on a great drive through some scenic country that most had never seen before, and we stopped at the Kansas Auto Racing Museum in Chapman, KS before hitting Calvin’s shop. Year 3 was a long long drive, we left from Calvin’s and headed west on old highway 40 all of the way out to Big Creek Restoration in Ellis, KS where we were treated to some BBQ and a shop tour before turning around and rolling back to Salina. All of these included stops at the Paramount Bar in Salina for drinks and usually some food that we put together to feed the weary travelers.

View Larger Map

So the 4th year I’m taking you on a new adventure and adding the movie experience back in. We’ll leave my small home town of Gypsum, KS shortly after 10am, heading east on K4 Highway and then ducking off onto some paved roads that connect some of the smaller towns of the area. The road part of the trip is shorter than past years at about 65 miles but the stop in the middle is a good one! President Dwight D. Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, KS and that’s where his Presidential Library is. We will stop for lunch in Abilene and head to the museum, for about a 2.5 hour stop. This will provide some great indoor time to not only see some great historical pieces but to hang out with folks also on the Run. Please note that the admission to the museum is $10 a head for anyone 6 years old and older, we may get a slight discount as a group but plan for $10 just in case. From there we will head out of Abilene and catch old 40 again and head for Salina. A quick stop to see what Calvin’s Customs is up to then on to the Paramount for some food, drinks and a special screening of the new Atomic Hot Rods Film “This is Long Beach.” We may show the new KKOA DVD while we’re eating as well, I’ve not decided and asked for permission on that part yet. The movie does cost me money to screen, so some donations to that cause would be awesome. In the past couple of years I’ve made arrangements for some food to be served, I’m not sure what I’m doing to that end this year. We may have some snacks at the Paramount and just all go to a brand new Pizzeria after the screening. As we closer to the day we’ll get that figured out. PLEASE NOTE: If you are waiting until that day to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity, DON’T! They are going fast and only 39 remain of the 250 that were produced!

So come along with us and enjoy the ride, drive your cool classic hot rod, kustom, cruiser or whatever if you’d like, drive your daily driver if you must, just join the rod/kustom family on yet another adventure that we call the Mid Decembrrrr Run.

Links:

Here’s where the info on the run is on facebook. Ask questions there if you have any.

Here’s a link to the Eisenhower Museum

Here’s a link to Calvin’s Customs

Here’s the Paramount Bar

Here is the Vintage Torque DVD’s link for the KKOA DVD

Here is Atomic Hot Rods site, where you can purchase “This is Long Beach” or any of the Atomic Hot Rods Films. I will have some copies of “This Is Long Beach” on hand for you to purchase at the event if you’d like them.

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Remaining Calendars: 25 Trucks, 13 Greaserama and 1 Stray Kat Kustoms, the Hot Rods and Kustoms Editions are SOLD OUT!!!!

See you on the run!

Royboy

Keep your head warm on the cold winter days! Pre-order a new RB Beanie for just $10 plus shipping. After the pre-order the price returns to $12 plus shipping so get one now!

New shirts, books and more are on the way, just in time for Christmas! Subscribe to this blog in the top right hand corner of royboyproductions.com to keep up to date on what’s available and when it’s available.

November 16, 2013November 16, 2013

2 Month Warning: Retro Rewind

From the announcement page on the H.A.M.B.:

A while back we were presented with a chance to coordinate a car show in Dubuque.
But we didn’t want to do just another cookie cutter event that shows off the local Camaro club or some tricked out
2012 Mustang….
Our proposal was to bring back a distinct time.
A time before muscle cars dominated.
In effect, take the basic concept of a traditional hot rod show and throw it indoors.

This has been done with great success with Jalopyrama in MD, Grand National Roadster Show, and the World of Wheels extreme areas in Indy, KC, Chicago, and the best one – Detroit.
But even some of those events tend to let beaters in….(like mine)

What we are trying to create is a show that would bring the standard up a bit.
A show that celebrates those that take the time to get a display together the way they did back in the 50’s and 60’s.
A show that combines two of the most iconic symbols of America.
Cars and Guitars.
The Retro Rewind is not really anything new, but what is different about the event is going to be the sheer volume of
things to do AT the event.

We hope this event will be successful because we can team up with several players in the community that would be able to make the
Retro Rewind special. Many out of town kustom car owners will display their cars. We already have commitments from cars in IN, MI, WI, KS, IL, and IA.

Many will want to
come out to break up the winter monotony.
Example:This past Super Bowl Sunday there were 100 gearheads meeting in a parking lot in 14 degree weather while snow was flying.
This meeting was a Facebook event…..no ads. Bare Bones have positive word of mouth on their events they have done in the past, and we think Torque Fest and Iron Invasion do as well.
It is this dedication to the hot rod lifestyle that we will capture at Retro Rewind.

Our message will be spread around the midwest at car shows, antique shows, and CD, vinyl, and guitar shows with the help of several dealers that attend shows from Ohio to Kansas City.
Currently there are NO guitar shows in Iowa! This is an obvious hole that needs to be filled.
Guitar and hot rod fans will want to stay around to see the talent of JB (a big name that we are in current contract negotiations with.)

The proposal is that there would be a discounted price for going to both events – but people could go to either event by
purchasing tickets for the concert that night or just pay for the event the day of the show.
In order to get maximum exposure for the event, ads will be placed in Vintage Guitar, Guitar Player, Ol Skool Rodz,
Rod & Kulture, as well as the usual blitz of propaganda we give out to all the fans around the midwest.

Art Auction – There will be a smaller version of the Vintage Torque Fest art auction held at the Retro Rewind. The thing
that will distinguish this auction from others is the fact that half the proceeds from the auction will go directly to the artist and the other half will
go to Hannah Wells Medical Trust. Invited artists will have the ability to set up and sell their wares. This
will give the public a chance to see their items for sale as well as what the artists may be working on at the show.

7 Sins Section – Performing different feats throughout the day, 7 Sins Sideshow Circus act will amaze the crowd with their
daring stage act. Do NOT try these things at home!

Pin Up Contest – Ten girls will be chosen to get onstage and give the crowd a taste of vintage cheesecake. Get your cameras ready for the poses!

Mileage for invited cars – Retro Rewind invites any historic, kustom, cover car, or vintage show rod to take a part of the festivities. We are trying
to keep the quality of the cars higher since this is exactly what was done at indoor shows in the late 50s and early 60s.

Peoples Choice Award – $500 to the winner! The public will pick the car they think is best. If we can get a sponsor, we will try to make the
second and third place winners happy as well.

Model Display Area – Scott Baldauf will round up the usual suspects to bring out some miniature rods and customs! If you have something you would like displayed – go ahead and bring it!

Motor Matinee – Step inside the Five Flags Theater – adjoined on the east side of the building. This is an 1800’s
opera house that has been updated in the 1980’s to bring in choice acts to the stage. We will be using this theater throughout the day
showing documentaries, vintage racing, and perhaps some highlights from past years Torque Fests.

Bands 3 on the Tree will wow the crowd with their mix of original and swingin favorites Rumble Seat Riot will hit the stage going 90MPH and won’t stop
til everyone has danced their feet off!

Indoor Swap – 8 foot tables will be available for approximately 40 dealers that would like to come to the show to sell their old vinyl, vintage motorcyle or car parts, or used music instruments.

Admission will be $10 and this gets you into BOTH the film festival and the car/cycle show.
Show hours are 9-7

Return to Five Flags Theater at 8pm
opening band open at 830pm
JB at 930pm
We are trying to keep a price point of $18-$20 for the headliner.
AND
we are going to give a discount of $5 for those that come to both events.

We have other announcements we will make later on to make this event even better, but know that this is going to be a
good time, and those looking for a good time in the winter will want to attend.

Scheduled to Appear:
Chuck the Barber
National Motorcycle Museum
Ed Tillrock
Rock N Roll Land
V8 Custom Guitars
Dubuque Tattoo Co.
Flying Weasel Garage
Retro Relics
Todd Jones
Wrenchin’ Wendy Walker
Retro A Go-Go
Hot Rod Honeys
Hetz
Nate Ullrich – Lyfebehindbars.com
Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio
Broken Cherry
Relic
P’Gosh
John Berry
Ol Skool Rodz
Scott Takes – Underground Art Studios
Kansas Demilitarized Zone
Jimmy Flintstone Studios

We hope you will join us for the Retro Rewind January 11, 2014
more info is at www.retrorewinddubuque.com
or find us on facebook

So there you have it. More info in a month but for now make your plans to be there!

Please Note: For the month of December and maybe January I will be backing the blog posts up to 5 days a week. There just is not enough going on in my schedule to fill up 7 days a week and I want to focus on creating a new t shirt, book and a couple of other items. Subscribe at the top right hand corner of the site to get the blog delivered every time it goes live!

Calendar For Charity Update:

Remaining Calendars: 25 Trucks, 14 Greaserama and 2 Stray Kat Kustoms, the Hot Rods and Kustoms Editions are SOLD OUT!!!!

See you at a show,

Royboy

November 14, 2013September 21, 2015

Event Coverage: 2013 Pistons and Paint Part 5

5th and final post of my 2013 Pistons and Paint coverage. I’ve saved a few images back and I’ll write up a piece to accompany them for an article for a magazine, stay tuned for that. Click on any of the photos to purchase it as a print and help put more gas in the Royboy-mobile to get me to another car show!

Gear Drive’s Booth. Go to http://www.lakeheaders.com/ for the best headers!

Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

Remaining stock: 2 Stray Kat Kustoms, 2 Hot Rod, 1 Kustoms, 16 Greaserama, and 28 Trucks

See you at a show,

Royboy

Pre-order the new rb Beanie for the special price of just $10 before Thanksgiving, after that they return to the $12 price.

November 13, 2013November 14, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Pistons and Paint Part 4

Part 4, only 1 left after this one! Quite a few of these cars I get to see in Austin at the Roundup but this show is about 1/3 the size. I’ll be completely honest here, I like the smaller shows. When you start to get over 1000 cars you really loose the intimacy of the show, there’s just too much to see, too little time to spend with friends because you’re always pulled to go visit other friends. This show had officially 494 cars, enough to fill out your day but not so much that it felt overwhelming. The cars, the people, the bands, all added up to a very enjoyable day.

Like this photo? Click it to go to the page where you can order a print. Every print helps get my cameras to another show!

Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

Remaining stock: 2 Stray Kat Kustoms, 2 Hot Rod, 5 Kustoms, 16 Greaserama, and 28 Trucks

See you at a show,

Royboy

November 12, 2013November 14, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Pistons and Paint Part 3

Continuing the coverage of the 2013 Pistons and Paint. I’m going to save my brain a bit and not type too much here for story as I am trying to see if I can get an article on the show published. If you see any photo that you like, buy a print, it’ll put a little gas in my tank to get me down the road to the next show (literally) so I can bring more coverage to you!

Get your own Royboy Embroidered Hat!

See you at a show,

Royboy

Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

November 11, 2013November 14, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Pistons and Paint Part 2

Before any of the car stuff, the day this post goes live is Veteran’s Day 2013. Thank you to all current and former Veterans for your hard work and sacrifice. Early this year one of you that was close to me passed, on an extremely cold day in a snow packed cemetery, 2 incredible young men came out and sent him off in a way that still makes me tear up to today. He flew in WWII and was a flight instructor, in a war that was well into the history books decades before these soldiers were born but the respect and dedication that they had to see that he was honored properly was inspiring. The cold, the snow, the fact that they never met the man who’s service was over almost 70 years ago, none of these meant that they would give any less than their all. Thank you to all of you that have served and God bless you and your families.

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My first Pistons & Paint weekend is about over. 🙁 Well, as I type this it’s 11:35pm on Sunday night, so the weekend is over in just a few minutes. I hope you enjoy the Pistons and Paint coverage as much as I enjoyed the weekend! Click on any of these photos to go to the full gallery and purchase a print! Help get the Royboy cameras to another event by getting some prints for your walls!

Get your own Royboy Embroidered Hat!

More to come throughout the week, subscribe at the top right corner of the page to get the daily Royboy blog posts delivered to your email as soon as they hit the site!

See you at a show,

Royboy

Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

November 10, 2013September 19, 2014

Event Coverage: 2013 Pistons and Paint Part 1

I’m sure glad that I came down to Denton, TX this weekend for Pistons And Paint! About 500 cars showed up and I was able to meet new people, see new cars, and spend time with close friends along the way.

Today’s post will be some cell phone photos of the event, while I do a couple of shoots here in TX before heading back home to prepare more for you tomorrow.

I hope that these can hold you over until can get the real thing on the way tomorrow!

See you at a show,

Royboy

November 9, 2013September 19, 2014

Road tripping to Texas for Pistons And Paint

For years I’d had to shamefully admit that no I hadn’t been to Pistons & Paint in Denton, TX every time I’d been asked. This year I change that. So for the 46th Royboy gallery in the 2013 folder I headed down to Texas for the PnP.

Friday Nov. 8th 5:30 am Ugh, 5:30 in the AM… as in morning. Yuck. Already a half an hour behind my meaningless and self imposed schedule. But the bed was so comfy… just 10 more minutes of sleep… No. I have to get up, I have to get on the road. It’s time to kick this mule.

6:10 am I’m in the daily driver and headed south. The GPS is on, not so much because I need it but the app I use does allow other folks to warn you of potential speed traps. I might as well use it if it helps. There is just the faintest of hints of the impending sunrise on the horizon to my left as I blast south on what can be deer infested two lane country blacktops.

Heading out at 5:45 for Pistons And Paint

7:15 am Okay so now I’m 15 minutes behind schedule, must have made up some time on those back roads. Now it’s time for breakfast with the Wichita guys. A group of car guys that I know gathers for breakfast at the same diner 6 days a week. It’s always a good time to join them, so I do just that. The guys liked the calendars that I showed them and they bought a bunch, even some strangers across the joint buy a couple.

8:30am Back on the road headed south to Nostalgia Sid’s in Guthrie, OK for a shop visit. Sid shows me around, I take some photos, learn more about that in an upcoming article right here.

11:40 am Nostalgia Sid’s Shop visit is over and now I’m off to Shoebox Central for a visit. More pics and a story again, coming soon!

1:00pm Heading south again this time headed for Atlas Speed & Custom in Denison, TX

4:00pm Hanging out with some old friends who have gathered at Atlas. More pics and a story from there soon as well.

We ended up gathering up a bunch of folks at a fried chicken place called Babe’s in the evening for dinner, it was pretty awesome.

More from the show tomorrow, see you at a show,

Royboy

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November 1, 2013November 1, 2013

2014 Calendar For Charity Progress Report!

In 3 weeks (and 2 days) we’ve sold 76 Calendars, awesome!
The printing bill has been paid, more supplies have been paid for and delivered, total outlay is about $1033.41. So far we have taken in about $785 in calendar sales + shipping.
I have used that money plus $248 of my own to cover the printing costs and I will cover the shipping costs out of my own pocket until enough calendars are sold to pay that back. With 8 weeks left in the year we have to average 22 calendars a week and so far we’ve averaged 23 a week. This is where sales usually drop off a bit. Please share the links to the calendars to friends that have bought them in the past or you think would enjoy them, that extra sharing does really help get the word out.

Now the story gets interesting. As I sat down Wednesday evening Oct. 30th to start to assemble the freshly printed calendars I found that they had been printed incorrectly. In order to bind the calendars at the top the pages have to be printed so that the front and the back of the pages have the same orientation of top to bottom. These did not! 250 copies of wasted paper! As of the writing of this post (4am Central time) I have not heard back from the print shop but I left messages at 7pm on 2 voice mail accounts and 1 email. ***Update at 8:30am: The print shop is reprinting them all to be correct and hopefully I’ll be punching and binding 250 copies this weekend. *** Rest assured they will get printed and they will go out as promised.

The Hot Rods, Kustoms and Stray Kat Kustoms Editions are tied for best sellers so far with 22 sold each but I expect the Stray Kat Edition to take a commanding lead this weekend. If you want one you’d better reserve your copy now by ordering today. There will be NO reprints, it’s not cost-effective unless we’re doing a large batch.

2014 Calendar For Charity: Kustoms Edition $10

2014 Calendar For Charity: Hot Rods Edition $10

2014 Calendar For Charity: Greaserama Edition $10

2014 Calendar For Charity: Stray Kat Kustoms Edition $10

2014 Calendar For Charity: Trucks Edition $10

Thanks folks for pushing this blog to 18,995 views since Aug. 15, 2013!!! October was the biggest month to date as well! Thanks so much for following my adventures look for feature articles, artist features and more to come!

See you at a show.

Royboy

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Thanks to RJay’s Speed Shop, the first official sponsor of royboyproductions.com The owner of RJay’s is a friend & will treat you right!

October 19, 2013October 16, 2013

Guest Blog: TwoTall Okie Goes to the Atomic Rod and Custom Show

Oct. 12, 2013 was a busy day, in addition to the Ol Geezers Car Show in Lamar, MO that I went to, and the Iron Invasion that Dan’s Hot Rod Photo went to, there was also the Atomic Rod And Custom Show put on by the Agitators Car Club. My buddy TwoTall Okie (Travis Miller) went to the show and snapped a few photos to share with everyone here.

October 18, 2013October 18, 2013

Jonnie King interviews John D’Agostino

A special “HI” to everyone here checkin’ out Travis’ cool Website ! Take your time, enjoy the Site, and also, take a few minutes to listen to this special one-on-one Interview I did with my old friend JOHN D’AGOSTINO…you will enjoy this for sure:

JOHN D’AGOSTINO TRAVELS THE WORLD spreading the word of kustoms…with a “K” ! But, I wanted to know how that all began for John, and in this late-night Interview at the 33rd Annual KKOA Lead Sled Spectacular in Salina, he didn’t disappoint me!

PLUS, 2013 was a banner year for John as BOTH his debut cars “Sophia”, his ’40 Cad, and, ’51 Lincoln “Ruby”, took Major Awards in, what must be, John’s BIGGEST year for wins ever !

LISTEN TO THIS “World Traveler For Kustoms”, JOHN D’AGOSTINO, and find out how it all this traveling started, AND, his reaction to how these spectacular kustoms did on the show circuit in 2013 !!
SIMPLY CLICK-ON-HERE , LISTEN & LEARN !! JK

October 18, 2013October 6, 2014

Guest Blog: Dan’s Hot Rod Photo goes to the 2013 Iron Invasion

Go Here to see the 2014 Coverage.

Guest Blog!
My buddy Dan Podobinski is a photographer based out of Indiana, he attends a lot of the same type of shows that I do. Since I can’t be everywhere at once, Dan was nice enough to share some of his images from the 2013 Iron Invasion with all of you through the blog here. Okay class now all together say “Thank You Dan!” You may have seen some of his work recently in Car Kulture Deluxe Magazine, or on the HAMB. You need to go follow his page on Facebook here and buy some prints of his great photographs! And now on with the show!
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The McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock, Illinois once again played host to The Iron invasion. After a very successful debut in 2012, show creator John Wells returned for a second edition in 2013 and did not disappoint.

Despite the threat of rain on Saturday, the much warmer than last year temperatures brought out the traditional hot rods, customs and motorcycles in droves. Friday afternoon and evening treated early arrivals to a party like atmosphere including live music, great art vendors and a twilight display by some of the flame thrower equipped rides.

Saturday brought even more cars in and with one new building on the premises there was more room for indoor “feature cars.” Though a brief period of rain in the late morning did put a bit of a damper on the do-it-yourself stunt show that was planned, Saturday turned out to be a great day. The sunshine even made an appearance after the rain had passed.

Take a look at the photos and plan to attend this show next year. With a ton of great cars and bikes, numerous art vendors, a swap meet plus live bands and the pinup show there is no shortage of activities to occupy your time. If those reasons are not enough to convince you to attend, go to www.HelpingHannahsHeart.com to see the work that the gate proceeds from the show help to do. Now, make your plans to attend the 2014 edition of The Iron Invasion!!!

October 17, 2013October 16, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Ol Geezers Car Show Part 4

Saturday was not all about the show, in the evening a bunch of us gathered at a local diner for dinner and stories, the stories continued back at the host hotel and even to a late evening Dairy Queen run because Mickey was not to be denied this delicacy not found in Oklahoma. We partied pretty hard, getting kicked out of the DQ at 10pm, then back to the host hotel for some more kustom fellowship before calling it a night.

Sunday started with some coupons for free biscuits and gravy at the diner then we watched the cars roll in and hung out in the waning hours of the show before packing up and hitting the road back to our respective lairs. I took the opportunity to head with Mickey over to Dewey to Fast AL’s Upholstery to see what was Aaron up to. More on that in a couple of days.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Like it? Click on it, buy a copy and put some gas in the Royboy gas tank!

A kool row of cars, except for the hoods being open on a few of the cars.

A great looking 59 Thunderbird from Colorado.

Even the spectators rolled in style.

One of the many Mercs at the show.

The kids were treated to train rides all day Saturday.

Walker’s 59 Chevy

Don explaining his kool ride and yes he really did drive down from outside Chicago to be here.

Aaaand my ride again.

Mickey sharing his heart and some memories of the late Ralph Schindel

Awards

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

See you at a show,

Royboy

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Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

October 16, 2013October 16, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Ol Geezers Car Show Part 3

Although the show was smaller than many I attend I was blessed with the opportunity to spend some time talking to some folks that I don’t get to see often enough or when we do we’re in such big crowds that we don’t have time to talk. Lamar presented plenty of time to talk.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Bill Moore’s Merc.

You don’t see this body style often.

AJ Foyt on the side panel, I don’t know if it’s an actual Foyt car or a replica but it’s kool as hell regardless.

Bill Moore just before he caught me taking his pic.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

See you at a show,

Royboy

Use the Subscribe box at the top right corner of the page to receive the latest posts via email each day

Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

October 15, 2013October 15, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Ol Geezers Car Show Part 2

Friday night I arrived at the Super 8 hotel expecting something on par with my last Super 8 experience, in which I left a pre-paid room because it skeeved me out so badly. I found this was not the case, a great hotel that looks to be just a couple of years old, very clean, friendly staff and they even hooked us all up with some hot dogs, chili and nachos for free for a Friday evening B.S. session.

I spent most of the evening with friends old and new talking kustoms and car shows, I was told stories of the way things used to be and I longed to be there. Saturday morning I woke at 5am to a thunderstorm rolling through, I rolled over and promptly went back to sleep. Around 8am I woke up, enjoyed the free biscuits and gravy and then headed for the car wash and the show. $10 entry fee at the gate and I was into one of the smallest yet koolest shows that I have seen. Great atmostphere, kool rides, and some great people, it was a good day.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

This Merc is one of many that I’ve seen lately that originally was a 4 door.

Mundy’s 58 Pontiac Wagon

Mike Patterson’s Merc

Great looking Merc, not as popular a body style as the 49-51 but still cool.

There were some nice hot rods there too.

Dick’s Chevy is just so simple and I dig the hell out of it.

Jack Walker’s 59 Chevy

Krobe brought “Blue” over from Stray Kat-Land

Nice car. The dog thing… I can do without, at least it wasn’t a crybaby leaning on a bumper… I would have punted that.

Another Merc body style that you don’t see as often but still can be damn kool.

Good looking Shoebox.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

See you at a show,

Royboy

Use the Subscribe box at the top right corner of the page to receive the latest posts via email each day

Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast, once they’re gone they’re gone!

October 14, 2013October 15, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Ol Geezers Car Show Part 1

A few months ago I received an invitation in the mail to a show with a funny name, the Ol Geezers Car Show in Lamar, MO. I hadn’t heard of the show before, hell I hadn’t heard of Lamar, MO before and the show was on the same date as the 2nd Iron Invasion and I already had a room booked for that show so I set the post card aside and made a note to promote the show but I was going to Iron Invasion.

Then came the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular weekend. talking to some friends that said they were going to the show with the funny name in the town I’d never heard of got me to thinking. 1st I am good friends with John Wells promoter of Iron Invasion, and I said I would be there… but so would a handful of other photographers. A couple of which would be trying to sell photos to the same magazines as I would be. 2nd, Iron Invasion is a good 11 hour drive from my home, Lamar is 4.5. Iron Invasion was a good time last year, but this was a new show to me, and some very respected kustom guys were going to Lamar. I made a gut call and changed my plans.

I’m glad I did. Now, I do wish I could have been at Iron Invasion, I HATE that I missed it, but I got to spend some invaluable time with a couple of folks this weekend that really was amazing. Sitting and talking kustoms, car shows, shenanigans and more I realized that these little moments in the host hotel parking lots are the ones that mean something. I made new friends this weekend with people that have combined 100+ years of kustom car building and driving. These are good folks to have amongst your friends, they’ve made the mistakes you’re about to make and may help you survive when you make the same mistakes that they have.

Enough of the touchy feely stuff, here’s some photos!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

There were so many kool rides at the Ol Geezer show that Wyatt Earp came back to his one time home of Lamar, MO to see them.

Yet another shot of my car.

My buddy Don TooTall Wallin made the 11 1/2 hour trip down to Lamar to hang out with some kustom folks. Don’s car has been shot for a magazine feature by our mutual friend and occasional guest blogger here Dan Podobinski of Dan’s Hot Rod Photo. This car burned to the ground on the side of a road 6 years ago, it’s been a long journey back to life but I think you’ll agree it was a success.

The show had a nice selection of kustoms, cruisers, hot rods, a couple of muscle cars, trucks and handful of classic rides.

That’s it for part 1

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

See you at a show,

Royboy

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Don’t forget to get your 2014 Calendar for Charity order in ASAP! They’re already going fast!

October 9, 2013October 9, 2013

2014 Calendar for Charity Presale!

The 2014 Calendar For Charity is available for pre-order now! There are 5 editions available, 50 copies of each, that’s all that will ever be made.

Pre-order ends Oct. 31. The calendars will be printed the first week of November and will be shipped the 2nd week.

Over $1000 was raised for charity last year, help top that number this year! Hot Rods, Trucks, & Kustoms editions will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Stray Kat Kustoms edition will benefit the Red Cross. The Greaserama Edition beneficiary has not been decided as of this posting.
Click the thumbnail photo to go to the store page to order yours!

Note: There may be some design changes along the way but this is basically what the calendars will look like.

Tell your friends, get one for the car guy or gal in your life, make sure you don’t delay because when they are gone, they are gone.

See you at a show,

Royboy

October 8, 2013May 9, 2014

Artist Feature: Todd C. Jones

I’ve been blessed to meet a ton of great artists in my travels, many of them do not get the press/credit that they deserve often working full-time day jobs and doing art on the side. One of the guys that I’ve met along the way that’s become a good friend is Todd Jones. Enjoy some of his work, add him on Facebook and get you some art! – Royboy

Todd was my guest on my podcast “Chrome Pipes & Pinstripes” Episode 5, listen here!

Artist Feature : Todd C. Jones

1.) Do you remember an “ah-ha” moment that made you know that art was going to be an integral part of your life?
I realized it fairly early in life. I always had a keen interest in art. Junior High/ Middle School was when I began to take art seriously. My mind was like a sponge soaking up every bit of knowledge about the subject. I was like any typical teen that was into cars, sports, music and girls, but was always most comfortable with a pencil or paintbrush in my hand. I was a pretty quiet kid so art really became the great communicator for me. Drawing was a great way to start up conversations with people. To this day, art is largely responsible for the majority of my friendships.

2.) If you could pick 1 piece of your work that would represent the entire body of your work, which one would you choose?
That’s a difficult one! I’d have to say the front-engined dragster piece I title “The Gold Digger” I was really just screwing around when I started that piece. Never truly intended to finish it. I had no plan, no direction, no goal in mind. I just started sketching. I just kept drawing and continually refining the piece. Before long I was digging up old photo references settling on several photos of the Masters & Richter Special and a few photographs of Ed Pink’s digger. The piece continually evolved and I was very pleased with the end result.

3.) Who or what most inspires your work?
My earliest recollection of being inspired was seeing several side view drawings of old hot rods my dad drew back when he was in high school around 1959-1961. Later, my cousin introduced me to CARtoons magazine. I learned a lot from George Trosley, Dave Deal, Shawn Kerri, and Dennis Ellefson. Later influence came from Thom Taylor, Charlie Smith, Darrell Mayabb and Chip Foose. I am constantly looking for inspiration. I get a lot of motivation from friends in the business. Ed Tillrock, Brian Stupski, Jeff Norwell, Max Grundy, Chad Lampert and Scott Fisk to name a few. Another artist that I get inspired by is Josh Welton, welder and metal sculptor extraordinaire. He’s an amazing welder and seems to have a knack for bringing his work to life.

4.) Is there an artistic style or process that you haven’t tried yet that you want to try?
There are so many styles and processes I’d love to try. I want to explore with oil painting, both metal and clay sculpture, and I’d love to get back into watercolor painting.

5.) What’s 1 piece of advice you’d give an artist that’s just starting out today?
Don’t expect to get wealthy doing art. Do it for the passion and love of art. Never stop working to improve your skills and remember to try processes that are outside your comfort zone. Be persistent, make lots of contacts and maintain them. Never give up.

Contact info: Facebook: Todd C Jones

Email: tjonesdesign@gmail.com

October 5, 2013October 5, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Johnny Torres Upholstery Open House

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 House

1964 Galaxie outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open House

Roy Fields’ 49 Ford outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open House

Johnny’s Plymouth outside of Johnny Torres Upholstery for the Open House

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.

I went across the street to a friends — KKOA #6, he’s been in this from way back in the day.

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!

Don’t forget to Subscribe to this blog to get it daily, you can use the email subscription box on the right or the RSS feed found at the very top right hand corner or in the links at the bottom of the page. If you have a business that would fit in with this type of content and you want to reach a dedicated Hot Rod/Kustom car audience, contact me for info on advertising here.

See you at a show,

Royboy

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October 4, 2013November 5, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Rodder’s Journal Revival

From time to time when I cannot make an event I’m asking some friends to write up a piece and take some photos at the event so I can share them with you. This time it’s everyone’s buddy Nick Hoesing who along with some other die hards drove 2800 miles round trip from Omaha, NE to Baltimore, MD for the 2013 Rodder’s Journal Revival. Follow Nick on Instagram here. Enjoy! – Royboy

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The 2013 Rodder’s Journal Revival was one of the best road trips I’ve ever been on. Jason Holland and I left Omaha, Nebraska, on the Tuesday before the event and met up with Dave Gray and Kirk Hanning the next evening in Ohio. We arrived in Baltimore on Thursday afternoon at the Fells Point kick-off party. We were immediately greeted and welcomed to the East Coast with open arms. The whole event seemed to be laid back, well organized, and trouble-free. Friday morning’s cruise up to Havre de Grace was a very scenic tour through some of the Maryland countryside. Friday evening’s low light photo session gathering at the Pimlico show venue produced a great sampling of the type of cars we’d see more of throughout the weekend. Saturday and Sunday at the Revival were two great days full of live music, incredible cars, friendly people, great weather, and the perfect setting for this type of event. We headed towards home on Sunday afternoon and arrived back on Tuesday afternoon, without any major issues. It was a great week on the road and I definitely want to make the trip out East again next year.

For more from the trip you can go to Nick’s H.A.M.B. thread here.

More photo threads on the event here, here, here

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Thanks again Nick! Folks if you want this blog delivered to your email daily go to the top right hand corner of the page and add your email to the box you find there.

See you at a show,

Royboy

October 3, 2013October 30, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Rumble – Wichita, KS – Part 4

When the show was started it was in June and ran from 4p-10p, now that it’s in September, the show ends up at 8pm after the pinup contest and the awards. Perfect timing to head to my favorite pizza joint in Wichita then head to the after party. I had a really good time and I will be back next year.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.

Matt rocking his Royboy Stencil hat.

Matt in his RBP hat :) — Like the photo? You should have a print of it, treat yourself, click the photo and get a print up to poster sized.

Nice bike!

Doug Reed and the Toad.

Some of the ladies of the pinup contest.

And then it was just me and my ride. Time to go grab a bite to eat and head to the after party.

That’s it for this show, click here and see the entire gallery!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

See you at a show,

Royboy

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Support keeping this blog free by picking up some kool stuff

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October 2, 2013October 30, 2013

Jonnie King and Darryl Starbird on “The Shark”

“HI ! I’m Jonnie King and I want to take this opportunity to thank my friend, Travis, for inviting me to share some of these great Interviews I’ve put together from these true Legends of the R&C Industry through the years.

Travis is a FANTASTIC photographer, and he and I eMailed each other, starting a few years back, while we were visiting on another R&C Site. Then, when we were at the 2011 KKOA Lead Sled Spectacular in Salina, Kansas, we ran into each other as we were admiring Yaril Quintana’s “Custom For Korea” Clone.

I was explaining to this nice young guy, standing by the car with a camera, that I had loved the Original Version of this “shoebox” since I was a kid…and still had my original Car Craft copy with it as a Cover Car back in 1953…

Finally, when the ‘nice young guy with a camera’ and myself got around to introducing ourselves, I found out he was “Travis From Kansas”…the same guy I’d been exchanging eMail with for over a year !

SO, that’s how this friendship started, and when Travis asked me about sharing my Interviews with all of you on his truly superb Website…well, it was a ‘no brainer’ !

What follows next is my latest story and Interview with the iconic DARRYL STARBIRD:

DARRYL STARBIRD’S NEWEST SUPER-CREATION is a Concept Version of what could have come out of Detroit ! A truly mind-blowing 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham called “THE SHARK” !

In this one-on-one Interview, Darryl told me the story of he created it, how it can be used in 3 different versions, and, a humorous tale about what some early viewers said about it.

This is one story, from the true “King Of The Bubble Tops” that you must hear ! PLUS, you’ll see some rare photos that Darryl let me take during the early build of this fascinating, rare, Eldorado Brougham ! To Listen, Simply CLICK-ON-THIS-LINK: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage36.html

October 2, 2013October 30, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Rumble – Wichita, KS – Part 3

Soooo, I got a lot of photos of my lady friends on stage and a few more with them next to some cars. Who can blame me, really? They were nice enough to walk around with me after their performance and pose by some cars and I am not stupid, pretty girl + kool car = WIN!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Here’s the trophy table, all kool hand made trophies, because those mean more.

Happy Birthday Steve!

Kool kid hauler!

The hosts of the show.

Gimlet wanted to be the one to stand next to McPhail’s 41.

Compromise

The girls posed for a couple of photos with Joe’s white truck last year, so we had to shoot with his 40 Ford too.

We were kinda running up against the clock so I didn’t have time to run back to the car and grab flashes or reflectors, damn.

With the girls gone, and all of the guys focusing back on talking cars now, it was back to shooting car show coverage photos. How kool is this?

One of 3 Galaxies at the show.

Some will call this a rat, I just say its unrefined.

Another kool truck that I see all over the place.

There was a lot of orange at the show, and all of it was well done. Some great quality paint work.

Not too many bikes at the show, I could definitely use more of the style that showed up.

Larry James’ Caddy

Okay, I need this.

Again with Elvis’ Caddy? Yeah again.

Its a good time seeing this truck launch at the drag strip.

Primary’s members cars.

The Go Away Garage hosted a panel jam with some heavy hitters around the table. Lots of kool art was created.

That’s it for this post, more throughout the week or you can click here and see the entire gallery, 1 more post tomorrow to finish it up!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

See you at a show,

Royboy

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Support keeping this blog free by picking up some kool stuff

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October 1, 2013October 30, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Rumble – Wichita, KS – Part 2

The Rumble, Wichita, KS Sept 28, 2013 Part 2

The show started at 1pm after some morning weather, that may have scared some folks off, but the die hards still came and were rewarded with perfect fall weather. From the time I rolled in at 1pm until leaving at 8pm it was perfection. The stage for the bands, pinup contest and awards was setup under the Kellogg flyover, and surrounded by cars as I rolled in. Later cars filled the adjacent parking lot, there was room in those two areas for 30 or so more cars as things were set up, and room up the street for a ton more as the show grows.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

This ride is a regular at cruise night up in Salina, there will be more info on it coming, stay tuned 🙂

Something about this ride I really dig, maybe it’s the attention getting paint, maybe it’s the pie cut slicks, maybe it’s a lot of stuff.

So much style in the Pontiacs

Simple recipe, and it works.

Ooops I thought I had another shot of this truck without people walking almost in front of it. That’s the risk I take when shooting from so far away at a car show.

Like I said yesterday, I see Jason and his truck everywhere and I cant stop taking photos of it.

Nice looking roadster.

Another simple recipe with great results.

I think I should shoot a feature on it, and get the skinny on all of the details for you, what do you think?

So much cleaner without the handles and the factory turn signals.

I’ve shot dozens of photos of Joe’s Caddy over the years. I shouldn’t love it so much but I do, and I don’t care who knows.

Matt’s roadster is just too kool.

Hey that’s not a traditional hot rod or kustom! Yeah… I know. It’s my site I make the rules.

Cassie’s 57

Oh sweet Nadine. For most of you, your ride wishes it had this many miles and was still kickin.

Chad Ward was busy painting off the tailgate of his ride.

My buddy Elvis’ Caddy, yes he knows his tire is going flat.

A couple of my favorite Dirty Martinis entertaining the crowd with song and dance.

That’s it for this post, more throughout the week or you can click here and see the entire gallery.

See you at a show,
Royboy

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

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Support keeping this blog free by picking up some kool stuff

Kustom Flames Poster

September 30, 2013October 30, 2013

Event Coverage: 2013 Rumble – Wichita, KS – Part 1

The Rumble, Wichita, KS Sept 28, 2013

The Rumble (formerly Rumble in Delano) has been going on each year in Wichita for a few years now. This is the second year for the show’s new late September date and the first time for the show’s new location just south of the Go Away Garage in downtown Wichita. Those two changes can be tough for a show to survive, but from my experience Saturday I think the show came through fine.

I really dig the under Kellogg/US-54 location, it just has an interesting and kool look about it. Here’s my Galaxie when I rolled in. As always, to purchase any of these photos as a print, click on it and you’ll be taken to the gallery where you can pick size and paper style. Metallic is my favorite paper right now but they all have their own place to be used and the site will even tell you what each does best.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

There were quite a few early arrivers like myself.

Doug’s Toad and McPhail’s 41 Buick at the registration booth.

A few of the pinstripers hung out at the Go Away Garage and had a panel jam.

The platform out side of the Go Away Garage made for a great place to watch the incoming rides.

Jason and his truck have been at a lot of the same shows as I have been lately, and I’m not complaining.

Jack and his 51 leading in a few friends from the Mulvane Marauders. The 51 and Joe’s 41 Ford Pickup behind it took home 4 combined awards. The awards were hand made and painted and some of the koolest I’ve seen all year so far. Congrats to Fast AL’s Upholstery on the Best Interior award on the 51.