The best 1964 Ford Fairlane? 1964 Fairlanes will always be one of my favorites. At one time, Pops owned a Blue one, Mom's was white and mine was my high school driver called, "The Highway Bitch". Red, white and blue, we loved our 64's. Pops still has his and is done up Pro-street with a small block Ford and big-fatties in the back.  The C6 went south so it's been sitting for a while, but here's a pic so you know what a "regular" 1964 Fairlane looks like. Here's another "regular" 1964 Fairlane at Bonneville Speed Week   The not-so-casual viewer will notice this is a 2 door post model just like the factory race cars Ford built known as the "Thunderbolt".  I've seen Pops work his butt off on this car and we've had alot of fun times in it.   Not to be outdone by the factory Thunderbolts, allow me to introduce, "Afterburner" If you've seen any of the Ring Brothers' builds, you know they set the standard and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Goodguys named Ring Brother's cars "Street Machine of the Year"...

Cruising what I call the main hall of the SEMA show, it's fantastic to see the great rides that make SEMA, the parts show, become SEMA the car show. Featuring the best built cars and timeless classics, it's a mix of some of the best rides in the country. I stayed close to "Hot Rod Alley" to find the booths of manufacturers I used and wanted to check out. Seeing the Mustangs and Camaros that are no doubt classic SEMA favorites was cool and will be featured here, but I've always like something different. Big power and stupid amounts of torque aren't different to the folks at Duramax performance discussion forum TheDieselPlace.com, but what about in a 1970 Chevelle? This is one of two cars I spotted at SEMA running a diesel and starting a new trend in hot rodding? Instead of choosing from from several small block Chevy's you've already seen or even throwing cubic inches or the tech of LSX in, Mike Racke of Fullerton, CA stayed with the General, but in the form of a 403 cu. inch LLY Duramax.  This beast runs a mostly stock...

[youtube width="320" height="265"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waYyhfRUosM[/youtube] Today I left the hub-bub of Las Vegas and SEMA to head out to Spring Mountain Ranch racecourse. In preparation for Saturday's Optima Invitational, myself and the others from the auto-blogging crew got a chance to get behind the wheel ourselves. Spring Mountain Ranch is almost like a country-club for speed seekers. People who are members get use of the track. In addition, they have certified race-driver training programs. While we didn't get the whole training program in one day, we did get the opportunity to go very fast in a few different situations. The day started out with the road course. If you're not familiar with racing (like me) think of the video game "Grand Prix". After a short orientation we headed out to driving machine #1: the Lotus. Although I may have been a little jittery that I would do something wrong - it was surprisingly easy! As we followed our guide, Rick, around the racetrack things got faster and faster. After the first few 1.5 mile laps I began feeling comfortable with the car and trusting of the squealing tires as I rounded a turn between 40 and 60...

As promised, we want to keep you guys in the loop of what we're seeing at SEMA. Scroll down for a view of the SEMA 2009 convention experience as well as a few videos I was able to shoot! This post will be brief, expect much more content and explanation to come later!! Check out the engine compartment of this Factory 5 + Amp=D 1933 Roadster...!?! I think maybe this car goes fast, what do you think? Me learning all about the unique design of Optima Batteries. After 5+ years stretching out the life of my old converse, I knew I finally needed to break down for a new pair. How weird it is putting on brite whites! The "most expensive rims in the world" That's right, for just $2 million dollars you can be rolling on these ruby encrusted beauties. And for more bling action, minus the gigantic cost, check out the next video... One advantage of being one of the only "girls" around...for once in my life the men's toilet had a line and the women's did NOT! Cool product...this company runs a line of metal-flake like...

Most everyone in the auto world has heard of SEMA. For those who don't know, SEMA is a yearly convention for the auto industry...and its massive, completely filling up the Las Vegas Convention Center. Basically everything you can imagine having to do with a car is here - from new concept cars on down to aftermarket parts of every sort imaginable.  As many car lovers never get to make it to SEMA, Craig and I are on the scene to bring you all the most interesting car stuff and stories! Thanks to Optima Batteries, we'll be spending the rest of the week here at the show as well as attending the Optima Invitational race out in Pahrump, NV on Saturday. (And as I hear it, I may even be able to learn a little race-car driving on Friday!) It's my first time here, and although I'm a little overwhelmed I'm beyond excited to learn a ton! Right now I'm headed down to the main floor to hit up some car specialists and have them download on me some of their vast knowledge. To start off, here's a few pictures to give ya an idea...

I'm proud to be a member of SEMA for the excellent work they do to educate hot rodders and custom car folks of all kinds about legislation that's counter productive or just plain wrong for our hobby. I received this notice that the "Cash for Clunkers" part of the economic stimulus package did not make it to the final draft of the package. Congratulations to SEMA and everyone who wrote their local politicians. The idea of paying people to get rid of their older, less gas efficient rigs is just plain dumb. Did anyone else see the movie, "Bruce Almighty"? What was the one thing God could not control? Free Will. The same is true for car/truck buyers! People buy what they like and always will, especially when it comes to their ride. My Ride is ME! Whenever you can go down the the dealership and pick out a 18mpg+ rig that can tow the boat and race car your hard work has provided for you and your family to enjoy, then go for it. But until then, politicians, STAY OUT OF MY GARAGE! I'll do a better job...

The first-ever SEMA Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing, was held July 25 during the SEMA Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser in Irvine, Calif. The benefactors are kids! SEMA combined a fun way to get SEMA members doing something they love, racing, and at the same time, give back to some important charities. All proceeds from the first SEMA Pinewood Drag Race are to be generously donated to Childhelp, a charity home for abused and at-risk kids (click here to donate); and the Victory Junction Gang, a camp developed by NASCAR racer Kyle Petty for kids with health-care needs (click here to donate). As you know, Pinewood derby racing has long been a part, for me a critical part of the Cub Scouts. I remember building a car with my dad and racing against what seemed like a million cars... when I was just a kid. We had that car flying with, probably illegal, anti-seize compound used to lubricate my highly modified wheels. Through the first couple rounds, we did great. Then, when it really mattered, a volunteer, trying to help (I think) soaked my wheels...