Online Hot Rod Magazine and Custom Car Pics

Feeling at Home with Custom Cars and Hot Rods at GNRS So many great classic cars appear in every hall of the annual Grand National Roadster Show - from hot rods to lowriders to custom cars, dragsters, and of course the America's Most Beautiful Roadster Contenders. But of all the halls, I have to say I feel most at home in the Suede Palace. Maybe it's because my own Studebaker hot rod would be most at home there. The Suede Palace was created for those cars that, although perhaps fabulous examples of workmanship and ingenuity, might be lacking some of the more traditional "show quality" characteristics. Such as a shiny paint job - thus the "Suede Palace." So if you missed out on the 2011 GNRS, let me take you on a little walk around my favorite building, the Suede Palace.This 1930 Ford Model A Five Window Coupe has a pretty vicious stance. Not only customs, roadsters, and rat rods claim suede. This 1940 Chevrolet Gasser Coupe of the Devil's Car Club is showing off the suede well. This 1950 Oldsmobile is still in it's original paint! It's in great condition but...

2011 Ridler Winner - It's Official Picture by: Dan Baker of Alumicraft Well if you were watching Facebook, you'da found out 30 minutes early, but the results are in and this 1956 Ford Sunliner Convertible owned by Bruce & Judy Ricks of Sapulpa, OK is the Ridler winner for 2011 from Detroit Autorama. I couldn't agree more and, in fact, I picked this car to win it on Friday night! Here's what we know about this bad Henry Ford from the Oh-kay: In the custom engine compartment, there's my favorite, the 427 SOHC. Why's it my fave? Have you ever heard one? They rev-up nearly instantly and make a sound like no other. (There's a 60's Sunliner running around Phoenix with one that I need to do a story on!) According the the build card, this is an original 427 SOC "Cammer" motor. (Thus the name, "Suncammer") Sitting on top of  a one-off, custom made, cross ram intake manifold that even has a "Ford prototype" casting number on it (super cool touch!). Feeding fuel are these rare of rare Autolite inline four barrel carbs.  Back in the 60's when...

2011 Winternationals "Hole Shot" win for Hight TEAM JFR RACE REPORT 1st of 22 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Series 51st annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals Auto Club Raceway at Pomona Pomona, Calif. Feb. 24-27, 2011 * * * * Final round results from Sunday’s 51st annual Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, first race in the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series: FUNNY CAR – Robert Hight, Yorba Linda, Calif., Auto Club Ford Mustang, 4.056, 312.71 mph, def. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., DieHard Dodge Charger, 4.023, 310.20 mph. TOP FUEL – Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster3.835, 316.38 mph def. Shawn Langdon, Brownsburg, Ind., Lucas Oil dragster, 4.047, 313.73 mph PRO STOCK – Jason Line, Mooresville, NC, Summit Pontiac GXP, 6.529, 211.89 mph def. Greg Stanfield, Bossier city, La., Safety Sentry Inc. Pontiac GXP, 6.595, 210.70 mph * * * * HIGHT WINS WINTERNATIONALS FOR THIRD TIME POMONA --- Robert Hight had to endure a long cold winter. Beginning with his last round win in Brainerd at the Lucas Oil Nationals in August the 41-year old former crewman’s season ground to a...

2011 Ridler Winner? Picture by: Megan Boyd Join hands now as we call upon the spirits of past Ridler Award winners to psychic-ly or maybe psychotic-ly choose the big winner for the 2011 Detroit Autorama. Hear me now great and all knowing Chip Foose, here me wise-one, Mr. Troy Trepanier... are you there? Is that you Tammy Ray? Help me Obi-Wan Don Ridler! I see a Ford. It's AMAZING! It even has a Ford engine in it... an original 427 SOC "Cammer" motor at that. Thus the name, "Suncammer". On top of a one-off cast intake manifold sit equally rare Autolite inline four barrel carbs. Fantastic!! From there, add interior by Gabe's, all nickel plating by Jon Wright Custom Chrome Plating and custom mixed Dupont Hot Hues and I see our new champ! I give you the 1956 Ford Sunliner Convertible owned by Bruce & Judy Ricks of Sapulpa, OK. Agree? Vote with me or against me here: 2011 Ridler Award Contenders - You Vote I was right! The "Suncammer" took home the Ridler Award and from the comment left by "Grilleguy" over in the voting story, it sounds...

2011 Ridler Award Contenders from World of Wheels Update! Details and more pictures of the 2011 Ridler Winner I was right!! Picked to win early thanks to my psychic friends... 2011 Ridler Winner prediction Story & Pictures by: Megan Boyd The 2011 Detroit Autorama is off to another sizzling start in snowy Detroit, Michigan. No worries, a little snow never slows the dedicated hot rodders that make their way to one of the nation's best known indoor hot rod and custom car show. At this year's 59th Annual Detroit Autorama, the best of the best have again gathered in the Cobo Center to compete for one of the top custom car award in the land, the coveted, "Ridler Award". (To learn more about the Ridler Award, click here) Take a look at these first shots and tell us what you think! Which car's your favorite? Vote down below... Why? (Your opinion counts!) How do this year's car's compare to last year's? Check the 2010 Ridler Award "Great 8" Now the Contenders (in no particular order): "Cooper Head" - 1940 Ford Hardtop owned by Kenneth Tallent of McKinney, TX Class: Radical...

Beautiful Pinups in Print If you're an avid reader of our Pin Up girl stories, then you've probably seen my many references to Retro Lovely Magazine. We all love cars, and we all love Pin Ups! MyRideisMe has got you covered in both departments. Pin Up beauties have been gracing the pages of MyRideisMe for quite some time and we're happy to bring them to you along with great pics and interviews... but sometimes, a picture on the web is just not enough. You can't hang your computer on your wall or toolbox!  If you need more Pin Ups in your life, look no further than the pages of Retro Lovely. Retro Lovely is a Pin Up and retro magazine, featuring photos from the industry's top photographers, like our friend Mitzi and Co. So far the cover shots have featured Pin Up mega stars like Masuimi Max, Mosh Modela and Gia Genevieve. Trust me, there's much more great content inside, and many more fantastic issues to come. This is the perfect magazine for Pin Up fans who love top quality Pin Up imagery and style. Mega-gorgeous Pinup Notorious Ang The first time...

Our First Pinup Contest: Two Page Pinup Spread... of YOU! Voting has started! Vot at the MyRideisMe.com Facebook Fanpage Submit your best picture pin up photos  and get a two page spread in Retro Lovely Magazine! So you're asking: What's Retro Lovely Magazine? Look at the MyRideisMe.com review here or watch the review from ME! at Retrolovely.com's homepage: RetroLovely.com Where do I send the picture? Send the pictures to contest@myrideisme.com. Please send ONE of your best photos from your set for us to post in our album on Facebook  for fan voting. What kind of pictures? Each picture should be car themed and include your favorite ride. Cars, trucks, whatever. Motorcycles aren't our thing, so submit those at your own risk.  Search our pinup stories, especially Hot Rod Pinup of the Month.  You'll see what we like! How will the winning pinup be selected? After the submission period has ended, voting will begin. To cast a vote, a FB fan will click the 'like' button on their favorite pinup girl photo. Each fan is allowed to vote for three of their favorite photos during the voting period. When the voting period is...

Tunerwars, Hot Rods and Classic Cars at Motorama If it has wheels and a motor you could probably have found it at the 2011 Motorama Events last weekend at the PA Farm Expo Complex in Harrisburg, PA. The 2011 Motorama isn’t a single show but many shows to entertain you. Three car shows (Tunerwars, Hot Rods and Classics, and the Speed Show) were going on at the same time. Over in the 7000 seat Autocross area there was four wheel and two wheel action all weekend. There was also a large gathering of go-karters and quarter midget racers competing for top prizes on different tracks. If you like remote control racing then you should have been here. Multiple HUGE tracks allowed for RC Nitro, 1/8th scale Electrics, RC Electrics, RC Rock Crawling, and even remote control Drifting! Maybe you like to watch things beat the snot out of each other? Then you should have been over in the Robot Conflict area. There were also less violent activities including the Miss Motorama Pageant, Bands, and carnival games. The Hostetter Family and crew does a great job producing this show. This is seriously...

Stylish Clubman Mini Cooper S It's always important to salute the patrons in the automotive community who devote their entire lives to perfecting their skill. I stumbled upon Mr. Richard Lin while searching for a high horsepowered Mini Cooper. It turns out Richard is currently voted Orange County California's best car detailer and his business is starting to take off. We exchanged a few emails and unfortunately, he had informed me that the Mini has been sold. However, he did acquire a new Clubman Mini S, with a few streetable mods (nothing crazy like his last ride) so i decided to pay him a visit. Gloomy skies and showers are rare in Southern California, but with my luck, its nothing out of the ordinary. The photo shoot had to be relocated inside his detail bay, where I noticed his newly acquired airbag lift. Richard was very friendly and showed me around, and by his personality I can tell that he's a very intelligent detailer who was even knowledgeable about chemical properties and their effects on paint surfaces. This story isn't some shameless plug to promote his business, it's an...

26 Year Old Robbie Azevedo from Pacific Coast Customs Pacific Coast Customs built 1948 Chevy Panel truck (or at least it was) called "Impression" MyRideisMe.com picked up this press release from the kind folks at RodShows.com: The 61st Annual Kragen O’Reilly Sacramento Autorama, happening February 11-13, 2011, is proud to announce “young gun,” Robbie Azevedo of Pacific Coast Customs, as the 2011 Builder of the year. The event will feature Azevedo’s great work in Building C at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Already a decorated and deserving builder, at the Sacramento Autorama Azevedo has won awards such as the Sam Barris Memorial Award (2006), the Manuel Arteche Memorial Award (2006) and Best Paint in WMBC Class (2006). Others include Goodguys Early Truck of the Year Finalist (2006), MOTHERS SEMA Excellence Choice Award (2006) and, at the Grand National Roadster Show, Best Engine in the, AMBR Class (2008). Robbie has had 3 invitations to Blackie's Fresno Autorama and won numerous Best of Show Awards. Pacific Coast Customs projects have been lucky to land on 3 covers of national publications and have been featured in over 10 national magazines. The hard working...

Custom Cars and Hot Rods in Sacramento Story Contributed by MyRideisMe.com member: Nick Koljian "Hellcity316" The Sacramento Autorama is “The Kustom Capital of the World”. Believe it. After 61 years the Sacramento Autorama is one of the longest running indoor shows and with 450 custom cars, hot rods and specialty rides of all kinds covering Cal Expo's buildings and fairgrounds. The Sacramento Autorama started back in 1950,  when Sacramento businessman Harold "Baggy" Bagdasarian and his car club, the Capitol City Auto Club Thunderbolts, Baggy convinced club members to, "Settle friendly arguments over the outstanding merits of their personal customized cars." This according to the show's current host, Rodshows.com, the same folks who bring you the Grand National Roadster Show. The original show attracted 22 entries and 500 spectators with the first "Best Custom Car" trophy going to Leroy Semas for his 1937 Chevrolet coupe. (photo courtesy of Kustomrama.com) Once again, the 2011 NorCal car show season is under way! Kicking off the car show season is the 2011 Sacramento Autorama. Bay Area car clubs and car clubs from far and wide come to open the car show season at...

Custom Car LED's -Please don't do it! It’s bright pretty colors.  It uses an iPhone as a control interface.  You can program colors and presets.  It may be cool in another setting, but is it cool in your car? MEA Mobile’s new lighting kit, iGloLEDset is being marketed to the custom car market.  According to their promo text “Users can wave their phones in the air and control a 16 to 50 foot strip of 120 to 360 lights,” but when you wave out your car window, you want people to wave back, not raise their hands to block their eyes. What it is: The kit comes with a 16.4’ strip with 120 full color lights, a Wi-Fi controller unit, and a power supply which can be plugged into an optional inverter.  You can also order additional strips which can be chained together. What it does: You can segment the strip into eight sections, control the lights in real time using the accelerometer or your finger, program presets, control the speed, create solid colors or patterns and pause the patterns. I caught up with Bruce Seymour from MEA Mobile...