2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 2

2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS

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

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

 2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
2010 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, Salina, KS
Larry will do anything from a ground up restoration, to a custom one-of-a-kind kustom or hotrod, to painting and pinstriping that’ll blow your mind and everything in between. With 30 years of experience under his belt it is easy to see Larry has really perfected his unique craft. His reputation is built on turning out hot rods and kustoms that set new boundaries. His attention to detail, gifted craftsmanship, creativity and ever changing pallet of work are renowned with the Old Skool Kustom culture.
2011VTF_Fri_0064

Larry is the personification of passion – passion for his work and the Kustom Kulture. He is the president and founder of the VooDoo Kings Car Club, a club that over the past 10 years has grown to membership that now extends to 6 different states. Although easily the King of Kool, Larry Grobe is one of the nicest, most down to earth guys you’ll ever meet.


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

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

 

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

See you at a show,

Royboy

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 1

 

2013 KKOA Hall of Fame Nominees Part 1

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

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

 

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


 

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

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

See you at a show,

Royboy

Royboy’s Weekend Update!

Premier Paint & Body 4-23-11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks Jeff for helping out the cause!

See you at a show,

Travis

Coming up at this year’s KKOA Leadsled Spectacular…


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

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

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

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

See you at a show,

Travis

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Wish the hood was shut.
Worst hood ornament ever? 🙂

 
Sunday


It was wet as I left for home.


Spent some time on Rt. 66 on the way to Dewey, OK

On the way home I stopped by Fast A.L.'s Upholstery in Dewey, OK and hung out for a bit. Krobe brought his
On the way home I stopped by Fast A.L.’s Upholstery in Dewey, OK and hung out for a bit. Krobe brought his “ol Blue” over.” alt=”On the way home I stopped by Fast A.L.’s Upholstery in Dewey, OK and hung out for a bit. Krobe brought his “ol Blue” over.

On the way home I stopped by Fast A.L.'s Upholstery in Dewey, OK and hung out for a bit. Aaron's Ford is just about back on the road again.
Aaron’s Ford is just about back on the road again.

Aaron's ride waiting her turn, lots of new mods have been done to the car, just needs a little time to button them all up  and smooth some stuff out.
Aaron’s ride waiting her turn, lots of new mods have been done to the car, just needs a little time to button them all up  and smooth some stuff out.

A 37 Ford in Fast A.L.'s Upholstery for a full kustom interior.
A 37 Ford in Fast A.L.’s Upholstery for a full kustom interior.

bug killing field
Bug Collecting for the car crowd.

See you at a show,
Travis

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 3

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 3

Some of RJay's Speed Shop Display
Some of RJay’s Speed Shop Display
I love this shirt
I love this shirt

 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

See you at a show,

Travis

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 2

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 2

  A really nicely done 50 Ford Woodie
StrayKatKustoms’ Merc
Jimmy’s 58 Wagon (well it’s actually his wife’s) and Hi Jimmy!!!

 

Jerry’s 36 Ford pickup that I recently shot for a magazine feature
Mike’s 55 Chevy that I need to shoot for a feature soon.
Dick’s 54 Chevy
My Galaxie with kustom paint by Jeff Myers of Premier Body & Paint in Arkansas City, KS
 Clean Chevy truck for sale

 

I just have a thing for them
Kool
The wheels are not my typical style but they seem to fit the car size wise
Comin to get the bad guys
Purdiest car of the show in my opinion.
That’s it for part 2!
See you at a show,
Travis

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 1

Event Coverage: 2013 Queen City Riot Part 1

 Already collecting bugs, only 2 hours into the trip.

Already collecting bugs, only 2 hours into the trip.

Clear weather as I rolled east for Springfield, MO.

 

Saturday morning I got to the show early so I could have plenty of time to see all of the cars roll in. This sedan was cleaaaaan.

Doug was kind enough to make some room for the Royboy shirts, posters and hats in his booth. Thanks Doug!

Right next door was the RJay’s Speed Shop booth.

I took a break from the show to head into the VFW where the show was held. This ham & cheese omelet came with hash browns & biscuits & gravy for $5. I was full.

 

So then it was back out to the show.

Bret’s 40 Ford.

More to come of it later

Anyone know what engine this is off of the top of their heads? I can’t put a name to that “face”

Here are some from the Vendors area

 

That’s it for this first post, more tomorrow or click on any of these photos to see the entire gallery.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

See you at a show,

Royboy


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Vehicle Specific Galleries

A while back someone asked me if I had a way to search for a specific kind of car on my website. I don’t. It would take a tremendous effort to go back now and label each of the 36,000 images as to what the cars are. So I decided to try to find a work around. The solution for now is having Vehicle Specific Galleries. The goal here is to gather up images of similar cars so you can quickly and easily see many different ways that each body style can be done. The hope is that you might find inspiration in these photos and go build something of your own to enjoy.

Right now I just have 3 up:
Ford Shoeboxes (1949-1951 Fords)

 Tri-Five Chevys (1955-1957 Chevrolets)

and Mercury (1949-1952 Mercs)

The last 2 are not 100% up to date, I try to go and add a few each night until I’m done but they have a good start.

I hope to have more in the near future but it does take a significant amount of time to collect these images together so bear with me. If there are any specific models that you would like to see collected as a gallery let me know by using the email form at the top of this blog or by commenting below.

I hope you enjoy them, see you at a show,

Travis

Mercury Kustoms

One of the most iconic kustom platforms has been the 49-51 Mercury since long before I was born.  The car just lends itself to a chopped top, a low stance and some skirts. While these are not required for a kool Merc they are seen on more Mercs today than not.

Continue reading “Mercury Kustoms”

2012 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular DVD by Vintage Torque

2012 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular DVD by Vintage Torque

For the last 3 years John Wells of Vintage Torque DVD‘s has filmed the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular in Salina, KS and created a DVD of the weekend. For the whole run I’ve provided John with photos to use as a slideshow at the end of the DVD.

Here’s the trailer for the 2012 edition:


You can order your copy of the DVD here.

See you at a show,
Royboy