Most times it seems like nobody'd notice anyway, but I've been slacking on blog writing lately cause I'm working on my Diecast Drags track. I posted about it in the discussion forum. Did you see it? The Diecast Drags, or some might say, "Hot Wheels" track is brought to you MyRideisMe.com and supporting the Progeria Research Foundation (http://www.Progeriaresearch.org) The track is 2 continuous lanes that measure 50 feet! I roll it up when I'm done. The entire track lifted off the ground on a support platform to give a gradual decent and super high speeds! Racing will feature an electronic finish line and a "Christmas tree" start that gives an edge to the better reaction time. This promises to be more fun than Pinewood derby racing because it's easier to get started and the fastest car might not always win! Of course from the trial run 2/21 at the local, "Cruise in" called the "Mesa Pavilions" at Power and Hampton (Kmart parking lot) the kids could care less about the start! They just want to see who won and the small jump we had setup at the finish line!...

Turns out pinup photographer Mitzi from Mitzi & Co is a St. Louis Rams fan. That's great for me for a couple reasons: The Cardinals whooped the Rams here in Arizona and Mitzi's coming to town! I'm a hack pinup photographer. Who am I kidding, I'm a hack photographer, but I'm trying. That's why I was jazzed when I got a chance to meet Mitzi again and see her working. I also helped out getting my buddy Erock to bring his traditional styled 34 pickup down for the shoot. I wanted to use Bonnie, my 27 roadster, but she had other plans (damn webers!). Mitzi on the other hand is a pro. In stead of seeing the, "Work it, yes YES, oh you sexy bitch!" style of Austin Powers, Mitzi was super calm and professional. She shot slowly and purposefully and I could tell the girls were comfortable and having a good time with their "Pinup for a Day" photo shoot. Here are a few of the shots taken outside Mitzi's buddy Adam's Electric Haven Tatoo/High Life Pomade shop in Tempe, AZ. Adam's also a member and has posted...

I expect a hot rod driver or builder to know who Boyd Coddington was. Like him or not, there's no denying his influence on style and the budget of custom cars, especially the one-off rides built for his TV show, "American Hot Rod". His death almost 1 year ago shocked the custom car world. It looked like there were alot more hot rods and cars that I'll call "regular" at the 2009 Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona this year. What the heck is regular? Well, I just mean they're somewhat obtainable by more then just wealthy collectors out there. I guy with a dream who's been saving for a while might have a shot. With the "dreamers" and the collectors all gathered at Barrett Jackson, how many knew who Boyd Coddington? Quite a few! Case in point are 2 hot rods sold on Saturday at Barret Jackson. The first is this neo-classic styled: chopped, red and flamed but with billet (of course Boyd's) wheels, 1932 Ford 3 window coupe. A great looking, no-expense-spared car, no doubt, but was it worth the $200k it sold for? (without commissions) Who...

Submitted by Jason Wenig from The Creative Workshop, a restoration and full service coach builder out in Florida. An interesting turn of events transpired this past weekend. As you are probably aware, last week was the "big auction week" out in Scottsdale, AZ (culminating on Saturday night), where all of the major car auction companies display and sell a dizzying array of vehicles. On top of the grandeur of these events, in many ways, it can be said that this past week sets the tone for values and trends for the coming year. As a car builder, I walk a thin line. I personally am not a big fan of the auctions - I don't sell cars - I build them, but it is hard not to at least be interested, and in many instances, it is important for me to understand where people's money is going - what types of cars, what eras, etc are being sold… if not just for business, then certainly for my own love of cars! Which brings me to my story: My Client, (Arizona's own, car collector) Barry Smith, decided to get the...

It's no wonder RM Auction is celebrating their 10th year in Arizona with "Automobiles of Arizona" at the Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Accepting my invitation to their Media breakfast I arrived slightly more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed then the next writer and photographer because this was my first time to look behind the scenes. Tucked in a small ballroom with other friends from the Phoenix Automotive Press Association (PAPA) I got to meet the kind folks running RM and hear what Rob Myers founder and former president ( Ian Kelleher was recently promoted to President) had to say about the state of the Collector Car Market. "At least if it's in my garage, I can't get Ponzi'd out of it!." Mr. RM took the podium with a smooth stride and turned to show a friendly smile. Here's a man that enjoys what he does. Reflecting back to 1976, Myers remembered his first trip to Barret Jackson. Back then, he says, "It was a hobby." He remembered buying a Mustang for about $1000 and driving it back to the RM home base back in Canada. Now, Meyers estimated that nearly a...

It's about time I update everyone on the interior upholster on my 27 Ford Roadster. Now that the interior is done, is it a rat rod? I didn't really think it was before, but who really cares. Now it's got car carpet, a full seat and even sound insulation! The interior was done by Todd over at "The interior Shop" in Phoenix. Todd was challenged by the inside of the modified roadster because there isn't really much to secure the interior to and there's also some funny compound curves. In the end, I think it came out great! It looks like leather, but it's not. It's a distressed looking vinyl that's perfect. When I put paint on, it's gonna be cool and not your every day blood red. Below are the rest of the shots. Thanks to everyone that voted for "option B" as drawn by Jimmy Smith from Jimmyshotroddesign.com. Here's the link to that story if you missed it: 27 Roadster Interior you chose...

Story Submitted by John C. Hill or MoparMagic Old Fuelers Never Die!! (They just become "killer" bracket cars) Many of you that were spectators at drag races during the late 60's, the 70's and early 80's probably remember a lot of the fantastic Top Fuel and Funny Cars that used to compete. Some of these cars may have been favorites of yours, but have you ever wondered what became of these ultimate drag race machines? It's not like you could take the pink slip and sell it to your neighbor after the racing season was over. These were special built cars with only one purpose in mind: go fast and do it quickly! A lot of these cars ended up out behind the garage as scrap, or perhaps pushed over in the corner of the garage and covered with a tarp, never to be raced again. Some of them ended up in museums such as Don Garlit's Drag Race Museum in Ocala, Florida. If you have ever been to his museum you would be amazed at the number and quality of Top Fuelers and Funny Cars on display there....

RM Auction Press Release: Preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, will celebrate a decade of excellence in Phoenix, Arizona in January with their 10th anniversary ‘Automobiles of Arizona’ event. Returning to the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, the highly anticipated event will kick off the 2009 collector car season in grand style as 125 magnificent vintage motor cars cross the block before an international audience. When the focus of the collector car world returns to Phoenix, Arizona, in January, all eyes will once again be on Canadian-based RM Auctions and their eagerly awaited Automobiles of Arizona auction event. Long regarded as the most prestigious event of Arizona’s famed auto week, the annual multi-million dollar RM sale brings together some of the world’s finest vintage automobiles with some of the world’s most discerning collectors. The grand tradition is set to continue in 2009 as RM celebrates their 10th anniversary sale in Phoenix, January 16th. “We are thrilled to be returning to Phoenix for our 10th anniversary sale and look forward to again welcoming collectors and enthusiasts from around the world to Arizona for what is shaping up to be...

The Goodguys Southwest Nationals rolls into Scottsdale, AZ only once a year and with it comes a mad thrash to get your car ready and some great chances to roll your car out (even a roadster since it was in the 80's that week!) have some fun and meet some other rodders in the area. Doug Jerger the owner of Squeeg's Kustoms in Mesa, Arizona landed the lunch stop for the Goodguys Show. Doug was kind enough to let me take up some space at his shop and hand out some of the posters we made. The open house came at a perfect time as Squeeg's was debuting 3 trick hot rods. Doug's shop can build and paint anything you want and do it to near perfection. The 34 Ford Roadster shown above was one of the cars. Everything on this car screams professional builder and the style and execution let you know this car had a solid plan right from the start. The other 2 hot rods finshed were a 32 Ford Roadster and a 40 Ford coupe. I'm not showing the 40 Ford right now because we're...

Cruisin' Main Street New Downtown Mesa Monthly Cruise Beginning this Friday night December 12th, from about 6pm to 10pm, the downtown Mesa merchants will host a monthly cruise night on downtown Mesa's Main Street from Center Street to Country Club Drive. All years and types of vehicles are welcome to cruise or park along Mesa's Main Street to enjoy the parade of rolling sculpture's pass by. Most of the stores and restaurants will be open late so bring the whole family and make a night of it. This cruise night will become a monthly event to coincide with the downtown Mesa merchants successful "Friday Night Out" program held on the 2nd Friday of the month. Mesa's next 2nd Friday Night Out event and cruise night is scheduled for January 9th 2009, so be sure to mark your calendars. Among the many activities planned for Mesa's "Friday Night Out" event will be an "Art Walk" featuring over 80 artists displaying their wares along Main Street. Also, live music will be playing at several locations along Main Street too. As I said, most of the stores and restaurants will be open...

The first of many, MANY photos from the 2008 Goodguys Southwest Nationals held in Scottsdale, Arizona just went up. (You can find all the events we've shot here: Hot Rod and Custom car Pictures) ...it's just like being there, but without all of that pesky good weather, fine folks and healthy walking around stuff. Come to think of it, all of that sounds pretty good, huh? That's the whole point of MyRideIsMe.com: Interacting with other members, making new friends, and just enjoying cars! If you missed this one, we invite you to check out our shots, as well as our member's photos, too... and if you snapped some that we missed, feel free to join in and post them as well! Have some thoughts or a story from the weekend that you'd like to share? Send it our way, and we'll make you famous!" This blog will be updated as I load new pictures, so check back here over the next couple of weeks. Updated: 11/19/2008 11/23/2008 Goodguys Rod and Custom shows have a mix of cars. While I was there, I thought there were mostly hot rods, but...

If you're a Cali hot rodder or maybe even a Texan heavy into nose up A/FX drag cars, then you probably missed the 2008 Goodguys Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ. Don't worry, I've got you covered! The dedicated staff of MyRideisMe.com (Paul Swansen, Erick Anderson and myself) took over 1000 pictures. This is just a taste of the photos and stories coming out soon at MyRideisMe.com. Please check back for updates! Click this link: The Gasser Chevy II Story is Done! While you're here, take a second to join. I'll shoot over a notice when the new stories and photos are ready. (click on any of these pics to see them full size. It's Vivazoom!) Story about this Crazy!! T-bucket now posted: Twin Huffer T-bucket Interested? Which story should I do first? So tell a friend and check back. We'll try to put these stories up asap....