When you're a new website, the only advertising you can afford is FREE advertising. So, I am combing Myspace for other gearheads who might be interested in sharing their passions here at MyRideisMe.com. After navigating past all the, "Click here for my REAL profile..." and all the other scam BS, I found some worthwhile profiles, especially this one from Fred Boatman. From 1962 to 1976 Fred published his car art in several Petersen Publishing magazines, especially one I remember called CARtoons. After a few emails, Fred and I talked on the phone and I learned more about the man and his book: Cartoons on Wheels. Fred's book explains why he wrote the book for his four grown kids: I would like them to know just what I was doing in my basement studio those evenings I wasn't helping them with their homework, or playing hockey with them in the driveway. I wasn't just down there nursing a Wild Turkey and Ginger,... well maybe just a few. I've enjoyed reading the book Fred sent to me. It's like a time capsule of hot rodding and American history. The characters such...

I was hoping Janne Kutja, our friend from Finland would add more of his Chip Foose-likework to his garage here at MyRideisMe.com. His garage is looking good. Here's more about Janne, in his own words: I'm Janne Kutja born in 1980 in southern Finland. I grew up there in small village, and got interested in cars was little kid. I used to draw my own car models back then, I didn't look at any pictures. I guess that's the reason I got interested in hot rods and customs. Hot rod magazines then fed my hunger and customs were the most interesting, especially when I saw Cadzzilla on the cover of the Finnish Street & Race Magazine (RIP), that was and still is really a huge hit. I did build model cars but I couldn't find time, so focused more on artwork. I've drawn cars quite actively 12 years or so. I build cars too, but haven't had time or money to do it much lately. My favorite's sheetmetal work when it comes to building cars, and I even have chopped half dozen cars, some of them with my brother....

The world wide web is truly world wide! So far, for the 6 days in October, MyRideisMe.com has been visited by 45 countries. Even Kazakhstan! No joke! The countries that visit us most from outside the US in October are the Netherlands, Australia, France and Germany, so far. I think our friend Dirk Behlau from Germany (pixleyle.de) has been helping us spread the word and I hope Mark from the National Association of Street Clubs will help us get some more members from the United Kingdom. You can see Mark and his wife Yvonne's garage here.   For our first full month of operation, September, we had 66 total countries visit us. The tops were the Netherlands, Canada, France and Finland.It's great to see what's happening around the world for hot rods and bikes. It's cool that some styles are universal and carry over, but there's always something different to be found when innovative people use what's available. Check out this ride from Hamburg, Germany. It's from our friend Ralf over at Chromjuwelen. He's taken1972 Pontiac LeMans Coupe and transplanted a Toyota Supra (7M-GTE) engine! Here's his garage. His...

Check out the art and design of MyRideisMe.com member Brian Stupski of Problem Child Kustoms If you’re like me, before you even purchase a car, you’ve made the plan in your head. After buying the car, the next step is usually trying to find the parts you need to start building your dream, but that's not how big time builders do it… their next step is always a concept illustration ala Chip Foose on Overhauln’. When your dream takes shape on paper, you're miles ahead to getting what you want... You’ve got a real plan. That’s where Brian at Problem Child Kustoms comes in. How sweet is this illustration! This car concept drawing has been updated! Click here. Brian’s a hot rod and custom car designer that actually builds HIS dreams when time allows. He grew up on the standard Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines and got the drawing bug from MAD Magazine (Mort Drucker’s his hero) and from CARtoons magazines. Now, after hard work refining his skills, Brian’s been published in the mags he grew up reading like: Hot Rod Magazine, Street Trucks and Custom Rodder, not...

When you were a kid, did you collect trading cards with monsters driving crazy hot rods? I did! So it was great to find J. Tingler. As a fellow HAMB member, Tingler set me up with a custom shirt showing the monster in me driving my own hot rod! (at a very reasonable price too) I love the shirt so much, I got one for my Pops. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but those are the same people who'd probably still be calling the engine in my car a "Mustang" or "Ranger" motor. Everyone knows it's a PINTO motor... embrace it! Embrace the monster in you! Not my best photo editing work, but you get the idea! Here's a look at some of Tingler's other work, 2 of my favorites: Tingler does all kinds of hot rod art and is available for custom work as well. Here's him in action with the airbrush in hand... VIDEO Get in touch with Tingler at his website or stick around MyRideisMe.com... I hope he'll be posting pictures of his Gasser style 63 Fairlane. Hey, I've got one of those...