Hot Rods and Custom Car Show Pictures Story Contributed by MyRideisMe.com member: Nick Koljian "Hellcity316" More pictures from the NorCal Knockout Car Show I can't let my friend Nick K have all the fun taking pictures and enjoying the 2010 NorCal Knockout. We finally got to meet and I snapped a few pictures myself. I'm aspiring to take pictures as well as Nick and Swanee, so I keep practicing. Sometimes the light and shadows (and stars) align to get something decent. If I grabbed a pic of your car, please let me know, I'll email it to you. Some folks made it easy with show cards. One of those is this 1963 Galaxie race car called the "Moonshine Hauler". Currently owned by Mark Brothers out of Saratoga Springs, UT, the 1964 NHRA record holder now sports a "worked" center oiler 427 with twin 700 Holly carbs, a T-10 4 speed and a 4.11 locker. What else would it have?! The lettering on this car screamed 60's racer. There's another picture in the gallery below. Thanks to another show card from owner Goran Lassell out of Sacramento, CA. From the...

Words and Pictures by Nick K Welcome to the 2010 NorCal Knockout Korena Goldstien and Henrik Forss aka "Hollywood Hank" are no new comers to the hot and custom car scene by any stretch of the imagination. Henrik grew up in Sweden and moved to the US some 10 years ago. Since the early 90's Hank's promoted both music and car events in Sweden as well as here in the US. Hank also contributes at Gasoline Magazine out of Sweden. Here's the link (good luck reading it!) http://www.gasolinemagazine.se/ (looks very well done though, excellent photography!) Hank does a little of everything... here's Hank's Homepage Korena, a local Vallejoan is the founder of MissyLu handbags and accessories and has promoted music events and clubs around the Bay Area in the past. But with that said, Nor Cal Knock Out is Hollywoods & Korena's 1st major Northern California show. The title Nor Cal Knock Out could not have been any more fitting. The show was at the Solano County Fairgrounds. I know, I know, when you hear "fairgrounds" you think the smell of livestock lingering in a dust bowl. This was...

If you've read MyRideisMe.com long, you know we don't do many stockers, but the unrestored and original 1960 Starliner from part 1 was special. Contrast that with the billet-wheeled'n candy painted sweetheart you see here. Or is it? I met Mel and Lynda Swafford at the NorCal Knockout in Vallejo, CA. From the pics you can see it was a cool show nestled in the trees of the Solano County Fairgrounds. As the first annual, it wasn't that big, but everyone who showed enjoyed a perfect California July day. (Look for Nick K and my pics soon...) Back to this "sweetheart" known to the Swafford's and their friends as, "Christine". Oh you remember! Stephen King's 1958 Plymouth Fury that didn't mind running folks off the road... It's not a nickname you give to a car that's been nice during a rebuild. (Are they ever nice?) It all started well. Mel's dad owned a white 1960 Starliner way-back-when and Mel, "Always loved it." It's often a special memory a car brings back that make it, "My Ride is Me." To get started, in about 2006, Mel traveled to Denver to...

Today the sun was shining and the heat was on at Irwindale Speedway for Mooneyes Summer Show and Drag 2010! I really like this show because its got variety. Sunday's show not only had a good turnout of cars but there was also drag racing! While its always cool to see to see any cars drag race, I only wish that more of the "normal" cars would've rumbled their way to the 1/8 mile dragstrip. Wouldn't it have been great if these two works of art sacrificed some rubber on the track!?! The heat got turned up a little more when pinups Shelby Loveland and Lisa Luxe rolled on the scene. (Shelby's been known to turn a wrench or two also!) All that heat was cooled off by this sleek custom convertible. Smokin' hot or ice cold, Mooneyes Summer Show 2010 was a good time. Plenty of cars and friends to go around. Speakin' of going around...my personal favorite part of the day was having to park out in the middle of the race track. As I went to leave, I couldn't resist taking a lap. My 1960 Ford Falcon...

Today marked the start of the 46th Annual LA Roadster Show held at the fairgrounds in Pomona, California. As the name implies, this is a show focused on roadsters. Roadsters aren’t the only thing to see though. In fact last year, I was so busy checking out the informal car show that happens in the “preferred parking” area that I didn’t even make it over to look at any roadsters! This year I decided to remedy that and take a good look at all those purdy roadsters. As I walked through row after row of pristine roadster my head started to spin! Rather than continuing on with glazed-over eyes I decided to try and learn a little, recognize roadster differences, and figure out which I like the best. What’s there to learn about a roadster? Tons! First, how about a definition of what makes a roadster a roadster? Most know one when they see one, but could they define it? Then you’ve got Highboys, Model A’s, T-Buckets… what are the differences? I know I’m not the only one who’s unsure about these distinctions. I learned a ton today (thanks...

For 46 years now, the LA Roadster Show brings the best topless hot rods to the Pomona Fairplex on Father’s Day weekend. 2010 LA Roadsters Show Southern California, no doubt the Father and birthplace of hot rodding, knows how to pack in roadsters for a show. As I’ve mentioned before, this show also packs in every other kind of vintage ride cruising LA’s overcrowded and bumpy highways . Walking what I’ve call the “proper” LA Roadster Show grounds, I shot these pictures. More shots of what’s outside the show are coming. Utilizing the golden morning sun that finally peaked out of the morning haze, I shot this roadster. Maybe it was parked in the swap area, but it woulda easily fit inside. While not offering a lot of shade, these palms offer a sweet California backdrop for this dark blue deuce roadster. I’m shooting what I think are the best detailed engines at the show. That’s why I noticed this black roadster with traditional style flames and wires. From there, I started thinking of my kids and how I’d haul them around in these roadsters… hey, it’s almost Father’s...

Hot Rod & Custom Car Show Pictures 2011 LA Roadster Show coverage available now! Shiny and finished roadsters from 2011 LA Roadster Show Line-up of LA's finest roadsters in Pomona, CA What to get the father who has everything and likes it? The LA Roadster show in Pomona, CA. 2010 LA Roadsters Show Arriving at the Pomona Fairplex, we were row 7 of 8 waiting in lines almost a quarter mile long to get into one of the best swap meets you’ll find. Maybe not the biggest swap, but in terms of the hard to find and rare items, this swap’s got you covered. Expect to pay a fair price though, buyers come from all over the world to take part in the LA Roadster Show events. Vintage gauges and gauge panels anyone? This swapper had several complete sets to choose from or finish your set with the extras he had on hand. After you check out the swap, the vender area’s not disappointment. Brookville steel deuce body anyone? I also found the steel roadster bodies made by our friends at American Speed Company. A few years ago, their...

Words and Pictures by Nick K. When you think of a "swap meet" your mind all of sudden makes you think "flea market" which in turn will redirect your mind to used tube socks and old 80's VHS tapes. But, if you are a gear head or for that matter a hot rod enthusiast or just an owner of one, a swap meet is like rodders Christmas for a day. Swap meets are a virtual hodgepodge of old car parts not readily found at your local Pep Boys. From original to repo's, new to rusted, "rodder's Christmas" parts lined the "dust bowl" (aka Candlestick Park's alternative parking area) for the 2nd Annual Hood Rats Car Club swap meet. The car parts in the swap weren't the only rusty things... The Hood Rats filed in with some of their own rust rats along with some old school bombs from the Midnighters CC, also out of Nor-Cal. Being that it was a hot day in the city... yep I said, "hot day" in the city... I cruised into the show early morning and made my rounds rapping with some of the...

Hot Rods and Custom Car Show Pictures Story Contributed by MyRideisMe.com member: Nick Koljian "Hellcity316" Capitola, CA is a beach village tucked in a river valley in Santa Cruz County on the Monterey Bay. It's well known for it's antique shops, beach side surf condos and grub huts like Pizza My Heart and El Toro Bravo. And in recent years the Capitola Rod and Custom Classic. This the 5th annual Capitola Rod and Custom Classic, they pulled all the stops for this 2 day event.  I would like to say for those of you that can't make it to the Ink-n-Iron festival (more coverage of Ink-N-Iron) that in past years, this show falls on the same weekend and makes a great substitute! When you pull into Capitola they have all of the village, as the locals would put it, closed off. The streets are lined with roadsters, classics rods, customs, woody's, rats and so on. For that matter I could have sworn I saw a dragster this year. This show, hands down, is for the hot rod lover in all of us. The show carries on through the village...

2010 Ink & Iron Show from Long Beach California Only a couple of hours remain at the 2010 Ink & Iron show, a show that proved as grand as the Queen Mary itself. Bands can still be heard cranking out tunes as the last rays of sunlight glisten off from metal flake and chrome. We launched Ink-N-Iron with this: First Look: 2010 Ink-N-Iron Festival The beautiful sound of tattoo guns still at work resonant through the belly of the Queen Mary with countless gallons of ink spilt. Yes, to put it mildly the show was amazing. Ivy D’Muerta hosted this years pin-up competition with the curvaceous Gia Genevieve taking home the title of Ms. Ink & Iron 2010 amongst a bevy of gorgeous ladies. Show goers were able to shop until wallets were drained at some of the most unique vendors the scene has to offer. (We grabbed a pic of Gia Genvieve at Viva Las Vegas too) Once again the hot rod & bike show grounds were packed to capacity with creations from some of the worlds top builders. With this years show going beyond expectations one cannot...

All Photos by Mitzi and co (Thanks Mitzi! Resume festivities!!) Pinup Monica Renee with Voodoo Larry’s killer 46 Ford 2010 Ink & Iron Show from Long Beach California Being from Wisconsin when I get a chance to hit the West Coast for a show, it had better be a good one. Lately the show buzz has been all about the Ink & Iron show held at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA so I figured I’d give it a shot. Ink & Iron is a 3 day event and we are just partially through the 1st day and I’ve seen more amazing tattoo artists, hot betties, amazing rods, bad ass bikes, and vendors than most shows pack into an entire weekend. While at the show I was given the opportunity to assist the always amazing Mitzi Valenzuela when she photographed the drop dead gorgeous Monica Renee with Voodoo Larry’s killer 46 Ford… I know it’s a rough gig! After the shoot we hit the packed vendors, the outrageous 3 story tattoo convention, and the Hall of Customs…all the while tapping our toes to the great line up of...

Thanks to member NumbNutz (top 10 member names for sure!) who took photos from a show I've always wanted to attend. Formally the known as the Paso show in Paso Robles, but always the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin Nationals run by Rich Pichette since 1982. Now about 60 miles south of Paso, the West Coast Kustoms Crusin Nationals brings a worldwide audience for the rides and great California weather.  For more info about next year's show, make sure to check out the West Coast Kustoms home page. I hope to see you there! See the rest of the pictures in our Car Show Picture Gallery. Want to share some of your car show pictures? Please get in touch. You're already loading them to flickr, might as well help us out too! email...