2015 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 1 Coverage Brought To You By Newstalgia Custom Paint

The 2015 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular is in the books. Short version, it was hot, it was fun, let’s do it again.

This is my local show, it’s only about 20 miles from my house to Oakdale Park where the show happens. Somehow the show always goes by too fast. Between the friends and family that show up from around the country and the fact that it’s just a few days, it’s just over too quickly. The photos start with the Open House out at Bright Built Hot Rods west of Salina on Old U.S. 40 Highway, then we head in to the Thursday evening parade on Santa Fe Ave.

This post is brought to you by my friends at Newstalgia Custom Paint in Fort Collins, Colorado. Adam and crew can be contacted here on the official website, here on Facebook or here on Instagram. Newstalgia’s talented staff can make your hot rod, kustom, bike, or whatever it is you want paint and body work done on look amazing.

Continue reading “2015 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 1 Coverage Brought To You By Newstalgia Custom Paint”

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Pt 8

 The 8th and final post of the 2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular coverage! Thanks to everyone that’s come to the site to see the coverage! Make sure to go to the top right hand corner of the site and subscribe to the blog!

Click here to see 125 more photos from the show!

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Pt 7

 

That’s the look of a man having a good time at the drags. It’s one of my favorite parts of the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular each year to see Gene Winfield get to flag the races.

Click here for 58 more shots from the show!

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Pt 6 : Drags Shots!


The drags as always brings a big crowd. Kudos to all involved to resolving the traffic issues from 2013. We were able to roll directly into the event and back out when it was time this year unlike previous years where you were watching your temp gauge and praying the whole way in and out because it was a complete traffic jam.

Click here to see more images from the drags

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Coverage Pt. 5

Continuing coverage of the 2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular from Salina, KS. Continuing my comments from yesterday, I would love this show to return to it’s roots, even though that would mean that my 63 Galaxie wouldn’t be allowed in. Comment below what you think of the show, and what background do you come from? Kustom guys seem to be thinking along the lines that I am, where as just car guys in general like the shows that have all types of cars.

The Drags have brought big crowds to the event but the diehard kustom folks don’t attend, and don’t support them. This is where I’m torn, I enjoy going except for when it’s as hot as it was this week, but I really could do without them. They are entertaining, and they bring a big crowd to the event. The drag photos start later in this post and continue tomorrow.

Click here to see 90 images from the show including Drag Racing Action!

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Coverage Pt. 4

Some of the Beatniks rides on Friday.

The 2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular was in town all weekend just in time for the first major heatwave of the summer here in Salina, KS. The 34th annual event was held in Salina for the 9th time, lots of cars showed up but not a lot of leadsleds or kustoms. Since the show’s registration requirements have opened up the show has grown but it’s lost a bit of clout in the kustom community. Some notable kustom car builders and owners have privately told me that they disagree with the bigger is better show rules and they long for the days when the show had strict rules for entry. I’d like to see the show like that again too. Not that the show is bad like it is now, just different.

Click here for more than 50 additional images

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Coverage Pt. 3

Let the 2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular show coverage begin!!!

 

Click here to see 50 more images

2014 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Set Up Day

Most of Thursday was spent gathering up stuff for our booths, KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Set Up Day. After a quick run to a nearby town to pick up an electric fuel pump to get a buddy back on the road we packed our booths for the day and headed out to Bright Built Hot Rods for their Open House. Here are some photos from that event. Click Here to see all of the photos

A Wichita Tradition Honors A Kustom Legend

Every year on the Wednesday before the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, KKOA member and 2014 KKOA Hall Of Fame Nominee Rocky Burris throws a little get together at his home shop. This year had the added bonus of honoring the Leadsled Spectacular’s Grand Marshall and Kustom Legend Dave Stuckey. KKOA President Jerry Titus came down from the busy pre-show last minute work in Salina to tell us all some stories of working with Stuckey at Starbird’s Star Kustoms Shop back in the old days. Read the captions on each pic to get more of the story. Thank you Rocky for always inviting us all to the pre-party!

 Rocky Jr
Rocky Jr’s Buick

Click here to see all of the photos

Motorcycle Feature: Bryce Schmidt’s 81 Yamaha Cafe Racer

Now I know that the main feature of this site is traditional styled hot rods and kustoms, but my motor based interests vary a bit from that narrow niche. I have a lot of talented friends building a lot of different types of vehicles, Bryce is one of them. A local Salina guy, Bryce has a very low, stretched chassis and sickenly fast Jeep dragster, as well as some other projects like this bike. A few months ago he asked if I’d take some photos of the bike in this under construction phase, I’m a sucker for something new so I jumped at the chance.

From time to time I will feature stuff like this that falls outside of my normal scope just to feature some talented builders, after all the main focus on this site is to show off the fact that you don’t have to live near an ocean to build kool stuff. Now on to the photos.

Bryce is also working on a Harley chopper this winter and I am hoping to shoot it when the bulk of construction is done, then of course 2 more shoots with the bikes once they are finished and painted. I have plans on shooting more bikes in 2014, mostly old school choppers, triumphs, BSA’s etc. that are pretty cool and Kansas built.

See you at a show,

Royboy

If you like traditional styled hot rods, kustoms and the occasional bike, make sure you go to the top right corner of royboyproductions.com and subscribe!

[table id=1 /]

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 8

 Sunday started with more rain, meaning my shoot of the Pacifica for a magazine feature was dead in the water so to speak.

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 8

If you own a car in the Harness family, it’s probably cool.
Sectioned and chopped all in 1 weekend at the KKOA by Backyard Garage
I’ll always dig this chopped, channeled and sectioned Mercury.
The Dodge chop was well underway, filling in the areas where the roof met the quarters.
Gene driving Pacifica
Shortly before Gene tried to spray mud all over me by mashing the gas pedal 🙂
Gene Winfield driving Pacifica
Keith Dean’s Mercury
McPhail’s 41 Buick
McPhail's 41 Buick sitting right, looking good, getting a bit of a bath.
Johnny Torres’ Plymouth
Johnny Torres' killer Plymouth.
Jack Rudy’s Chevy Truck
Jack Rudy's Chevy truck
Well folks, that’s about it. I will be looking through the photos and doing some more edits from time to time. If you would like any of the photos on the entire site as a print or poster that is easy to do, email me if you have any questions.
See you at a show,
Royboy

 

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 7


Gene Winfield’s Pacifica the 2013 777 Award winner! at the Leadsled Spectacular

Voodoo Larry’s freshly reworked Voodoo Kreeper
Chris Ryan’s 53 Cadillac
Jeff Myers’ Stude Pickup and Voodoo Jim’s Corncob Coupe

Dick Warsocki’s Chevy

Some of Shane Z’s pinstriped wares for sale

Nice rear ends

Kolman’s Buick in motion

The lovely Brenna behind the wheel of my buddy Mike’s FED

Gimlet in the cage of the FED

After being inducted to the KKOA Hall of Fame, Keith Dean is back at work Sunday morning in the rain working on the chop.” alt=”After being inducted to the KKOA Hall of Fame, Keith Dean is back at work Sunday morning in the rain working on the chop.
After being inducted to the KKOA Hall of Fame, Keith Dean is back at work Sunday morning in the rain working on the chop.

See you at a show,
Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 6

My buddy Dick’s Graffiti Coupe

I need to get the full story on this car, as I remember it, it’s been under construction for years, originally was chopped in CA in the 50’s or 60’s? I’ll find out and report back.

PJ’s clean long roof

Love it.

and this one

Joe McGregor’s Caddy
 

Edsel Ranchero, complete with Edsel dash

 
Denny’s Sedan

Chad’s Buick (2012 777 Award winner)

Mickey (StrayKatKustoms) Merc

Krobe’s Chevy

Pinstriping Legend Ron Myers pulling lines

Chad Ward doing the same.

Another shot of the Wench

Larry Wolfe’s 1965 Pontiac Catalina, orginally customized by Dave Stuckey in the 60’s and recently returned to Wichita. I hear it will go under a rebuild to put it back in the form that it last left Stuckey’s shop in.

300,000 miles and still going strong.

Harness boys sure know how to build a looker.

Butch Harness’ new ride.

BarnFindT’s 40 and NoSurf’s Coupe

Viva Los Punk Rods

Some of the pinups in the contest

My good friend “Gimlet” our new Miss Leadsled!

See you at a show,
Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 5

Don’s 53 is one I always love to see rolling into a show because it carries a great family that are a lot of fun to hang out with.
 
 Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
One of the cleanest Chevy’s around the area these days.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.

Jack’s 51, the build includes a ton of work by my friends at Chaotic Customs and interior by Fast A.L.’s Upholstery

Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
The Trixie Tee, look for a feature on this car in the coming months.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Hub and Gloria Harness in their 1959 El Camino, the car was built in 83 for about $4k and it’s never been changed. Still looking good today.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Chris and Karma Carlson own this 60 Pontiac named Stella and they also own Chaotic Customs in Mulvane, KS.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Mike Young’s 29 Roadster, it’s sick fast and has some killer flames, check it out in person, they really seem to stand up off the paint.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Mark Moriarty rolling in on Saturday.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Love this shot and this car.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
One of Dave Stuckey’s builds from the late 60’s. It’s been on the east coast for decades until Larry Wolfe brought it home recently. I hope to be shooting a feature on this ride soon.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
John Tretton’s wild wagon
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Jimmy & Chick’s 58 Wagon, although she says it’s hers…
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
My friend Robert’s 59 Chevy
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Ricki’s Chevy on the left
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
This ride has been for sale for a couple of  years and it’s a steal. I want it, go buy a whole bunch of photos so I can get it 🙂
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.
Clean hot rod.
Click here to buy this photo, click the image above to go to the entire gallery.

See you at a show,

Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 4

 
Click on any photo to go to the gallery, buy a copy & support the Royboy travels.

 Saturday!!!!

 See you at a show,
Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 3

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 3

 


You missed the pinup contest… I could only stay a minute, too many cars to see, too many people stopping by my booth when I wasn’t there.


Greg Guise’s etching art

That’s it for this post, next up are a couple of shots from the drags.
See you at a show,
Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 2

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 2
A bit too much rain from Thursday night.
Thanks for driving down to hang out with us John.

McPhails’ 41 Buick

A couple of the McGregor’s shopping for an apron… don’t ask.

That’s it for this update, more tomorrow.
See you at a show,
Royboy

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 1

Event Coverage: 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Part 1

I didn’t shoot much in the park on Thursday, only a handful out at Bright Built Hot Rods at their Open House, here they are for ya!

I’ll be at the show all day Friday-Sunday so stop by the booth, buy something, say hi, shake hands any of that stuff!
See you at a show,
Royboy.

2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular Set Up Day

And so it begins…

It’s already here… The 2013 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular is finally here. Yes, I may be a bit over excited about it but lets look at why. 1600+ cars, an emphasis on traditional kustoms and hot rods, the drags, legendary builders, on site custom jobs being done by legends, my booth (okay so maybe that’s a 2nd tier item), it’s going to be a fantastic weekend.
The show technically starts today, this post from a couple of days ago will give you a rough schedule and some of the important locations on google maps to help you find your way there. So yesterday a bunch of the vendors showed up and claimed our spots in the park. A few early comers to the show were already there and hanging out, here’s a few photos of their rides.
Sonny’s 59 Chevrolet
This kustom 51 Merc was at a 1961 magazine feature.
1953 Mercury
Jack Walker’s 59 Chevrolet
See you at the show,
Travis

Feature Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Barn Find

Feature Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62

Continue reading “Feature Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Barn Find”

Event Coverage: BBBS Car Show in Salina, KS

As far as I know this was a first time event. Over 100 rides showed up to this free car show held in the South parking lot of Salina’s Central Mall next to JC Pennys. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina put the show on and with the exception of needing a bit more room for the photos to look good, but that’s me being picky :).


 
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

Upcoming Event: Salina Tech Vehicle Extravaganza

The 3rd annual Salina Tech Vehicle Extravaganza is going down in Salina, KS on April 6, 2013 at the Salina Tech Campus (click here for a map).  Registration info and more on their Facebook page.

Now to be honest, I can’t make it as I’ll be in Austin for the Lonestar Roundup, but if you can get to Salina you should be there! I’ve been able to attend twice in 2010 and 2012, check the slideshows below to see some of the show through my eyes.

2010
2012

If you can make it, go! Enjoy the show, take some photos to share with folks that couldn’t and if you have a good time make sure people know you did, that’s how we grow these shows, that’s how we grow this hobby/lifestyle.

See you at a show,

Travis

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

 

Heading out today for the 3rd Annual Mid Decembrrrr Run

So as I sit here typing we’re a couple of hours away from the 3rd Annual Mid Decembrrrr Run. Folks from hundreds of miles away are now on their way to Salina, KS to meet up and go on a long drive in our classic cars. It’s been a really good time so far, hopefully this year is too!

This will be it as far as 2012 goes for me and my cameras. It’s been a fantastic year, went new places, met new people and had a great time throughout it all. For 2012 there are 33 galleries with 7,987 photos so far, whew, my shutter finger is tired! To see them all go here: http://royboyproductions.smugmug.com/Cars/2012
Some of my favorites are

Fuel Altered “Black Mariah” doing a smoky burnout at the 2012 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, see more from that weekend here.


Twin Hemi’d rail doing a smoky burnout at the 2012 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, see more from that weekend here.


The Anderson 36 at the 2012 Iron Invasion, see more from that show here.


The Chrismas Brothers Coupe at the 2012 Iron Invasion, see more from that show here.

About a year ago I joined Instagram, it’s been a fun way to give new life to some old photos and spread the word about what it is that I do here. http://instagram.com/royboyprods is where you can find those photos if you are not already on Instagram.

Have a great weekend, I’m off with a bunch of my rod/kustom friends for a road trip. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you at a show,

Travis