Final Looks at the Detroit Autorama Hot Rods     Two-Lane Blacktops's put the finishing touches on the 2014 Detroit Autorama with these videos. I wish I could shoot video like this but fact is, I stink at video! Good for all of us to get this final look - and listen - at the great hot rods and customs from Detroit Autorama.   First up, Set-up day. I gotta find a way to get to the Big D earlier so I can hear all this!   [youtube]http://youtu.be/-vHW5JWOdTU[/youtube]   Then, here's another look at the Great 8 Cars contending for the coveted Ridler Award. In case you missed it, my story and pictures from the show are here: 32 Pictures of the 2014 "Great 8" Ridler Contenders   This video has an extended interview with the Ridler Award winner JF Launier and lot of info about wild 1964 Custom Buick Riviera.   [youtube]http://youtu.be/WEuSJ0jl3-Q[/youtube]     If you still can't get enough of Autorama, make sure to go here:  2014 Detroit Autorama stories and pictures. That's all the stories, including pictures from the Basement show in Detroit.   Thanks for the...

 Experience the 2014 Ridler Winner Right Here!   Us hot rodders, we’re an interesting breed. We work and slave away, gathering dimes and nickles all for the goal of being truly creative with some sort of wheeled creation. For so many of us, it’s an emotional experience and we love to share that experience when we get the opportunity.   This year MyRideisMe worked hard to capture that emotion with our 2014 Detroit Autorama stories and pictures. The same passion that drives all of us inspires some great videos from Don Cenkner at Two Lane Blacktop Productions.   Don's putting together a great 2014 Detroit Autorama with a special look at the Ridler contenders and the Ridler Winner. This is an in depth, “Behind the Scenes” look with great setup and prep footage.  And if that wasn't enough, you’ll be treated to an overall look at the show with extensive interviews with participants.   We promise you’ll be moved by these productions and here’s a  2014 Ridler Award teaser just to get you prepared for what’s coming. Stay tuned, sit back and enjoy!   [youtube]http://youtu.be/50nSL462zww[/youtube]     To see what you're...

Ford Falcon Inline Six Long Block Build Video I've been working on my 1963 Ford Falcon wagon for way to long now. Ever get the feeling about your project like... "It'll never be done!" Well, let's celebrate some progress! The short block's put together and waiting the next couple steps in the powertrain build:   Assemble the head and the rest of the long block Prep and Install of the T5 transmission (I know, I was planning on re-using the Dagenham 4 speed)   The video below is a step by step build of the 200 inline six. With guidance from my pops, a retired Ford mechanic, he shows me how-to, then I proceed to give it my best shot. I'm not always successful the first time, maybe like you might be... so, I hope everyone interested in building their own engine can learn a little something, and maybe have a laugh at the same time!   If you're looking for more info on building or modifying a ford inline six engine, make sure to check out this discussion forum:  Fordsix.com. With members from all over the world, including...

Background and Details on the 2012 AMBR Winner How did editors and writers work before Google? I searched for some info on the man who started the 2012 America's Most Beautiful Roadster winning hot rod: Jack Howerton. I found this great video of "Jackie"  from back in the day: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUDD3gph8LM[/youtube] You can really see the expression of Jack's racing past in the AMBR car. Then, I found this great video by Cars.tv from the SoCal shop interviewing Pete Chapouris about the Indy Speedster following the shakedown runs. Needless to say, Pete likes it... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cmFefotPwg[/youtube] So here it is: America's Most Beautiful Roadster: Bill Lindig's Indy Speedster If you missed them: Past Winners from the Grand National Roadster...

1963 Ford Falcon Squire Wagon Images Courtesy of Daniel De Silva   In case you didn't know, Ford Falcons were made and sold in Australia while the "compact" Ford was selling in the USA too. The cool old Ford Falcons we enjoyed all through the 60's were replaced with some 70s Falcons that looked like... cars from the 70s. In a word, YUCK. But that's another story...     Daniel De Silva of Bandit Films has teamed up with Luke from Fuel Magazine to make Fueltank.tv. It's a collection of great hot rod and custom car videos all done in HD. I've watched a few, especially this trick Falcon wagon, and I'll be back!   Dig the groovy sounds and especially dig this gorgeous right hand drive Falcon. I want it!! Hopefully my 63 Falcon Wagon Project will turn out half as nice!   [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/20471414[/vimeo]   For more Falcon fun, check out Pikesan's project: 1963 Ford Falcon Wagon Build...

Hot Rod Video from Idaho Give credit when it's due. I gotta say, I like taking pictures. Not just pictures of hot rods, but just about everything. And although editing takes some time, I enjoy it! For the pictures, recomposing them, making the most of the colors, zooming in or out... it's fun and the end result's rewarding. That's not true for me with video. I hate editing video! For that reason, the few I've done aren't much to look at. On the other hand, check out the handiwork from Josh Clason. Josh tells us: "I had the opportunity to cruise up to Boise, Idaho a few months ago and meet with Matt Whitlock of Wrecked Metals. We had a great time shooting this over the course of 2 days. The cars and motorcycles Matt has put his touch on have been amazing." [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/20498710[/vimeo] Josh first caught my eye when in his first trip to Bonneville, he shot this Bonneville Speed Week Video. The boy's got skills! Josh, let us know what's next! More on Josh at his home page: JoshClason.com/ Can you shoot video like...

Gave Their Lives for Racing This video's a compilation arranged by Ryan over at Jalopy Journal. This is vintage racing video, and Ryan warns that in some cases, the drivers lost their lives. [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/20247765[/vimeo] Here's the original story called, "Killed Myself When I was Young" Check out more videos from days gone by here: Jalopy Journal Motion Pictures Thanks to my old buddy Swanee for the...

Bonneville Salt Flats Video Video by Josh Clason (a Bonneville rookie... that's now hooked!) "I was going for a laid back feel which is why I chose the music that I did.  I went there expecting the event to be formal and rigid.  What I came to find was the complete opposite.  The people and camaraderie really blew me away.  The love that everyone shared from the spectators to the racers left a deep impression.  "The salt, it sings," as written by Pablo Naruda, aptly describes the feelings I left with from Bonneville.  I cannot wait to get back there again." [vimeo width="575" height="431"]http://vimeo.com/14260419[/vimeo] For all the Bonneville Speed Week Records, Pictures and Coverage click this...

I don't expect anyone to look at MyRideisMe.com only. I don't! There's too many GREAT websites out there covering all the motorsports, import and tuner shows we're missing here. One of those is Motormavens.com. Antonio and his crew at Motor Mavens cover the Formula Drift series to the max. The picture above shows that Formula D's not limited to 370Z's and RX-8's either. New generation Camaro's and Challengers are on the track putting their rear-wheel-drive butts into competition. What's not to like? Find all of Motor Maven's Formula Drift Coverage HERE. While you're there, check out this great video from Justin Shreeve Films. It's a well produced, clear video showing the speed and precision (or non-precision!) of Formula Drift.  Video HERE. Hope you like...

This is a short little video on keeping things steady when you're tig welding... specifically the filler rod.  A new rod is 3' long and quite floppy when you're holding it at one end, so I thought this little tip may help at least someone keep that filler rod steady....

It was my first time to a 24 Hours of LeMons race. As soon as I could see the track, I knew I wanted to do this. How else can you race all day for so little money?  With a set of not-so-serious sounding racing rules we told you about in a another post, there were some very serious safety rules in place at the track. Off-track excursions or spins were subject to penalties and that's where the 24 Hours of LeMons style fun started. (click the picture to read) The penalties for a track infraction are wide reaching.  For the worst kinds of repeated offenses, including total disdain for judges, there were simple time penalties, but with a bribe here or there (of course bribes are legal!) you could get off with a written penalties like the ones above.  I won't guess the political affiliation of "Chief Perpetrator" Jay Lamm. So what other kinds of penalties did I see? The top photo shows the tires of one team in the stands so they could, "watch and learn how to race."  Too funny! The car was on jack stands...

I can't say it's cool when you enter the John Force Racing compound. It's OVERWHELMING! The people, the parts, the action, I love it! We (Pikesan and Swanee) first entered the pit area of John Force, Ashley Force-Hood and NHRA Champion Robert Hight at the test and tune at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, AZ to find every team working feverishly, even though, racing for the night was done. It's obvious, this team works well together, everyone knows their job and they're ready to rock for the Winternationals in Pomona. As a huge fan of the NHRA, especially the John Force Racing team, meeting and talking to Austin Coil, then having a short sit down with the charming, yet #2 in the world funny car racer, Ashley Force-Hood was a dream come true. It's a sure sign that the JFR team loves their fans. So dig this short interview of loveliest lady of motorsports (Danica, it ain't even close!) Ashely Force-Hood. After making several full passes, I found her listening to the Vikings, Saints game on TV while working on her laptop. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMtGXQT3VM[/youtube] . It takes a strong woman to...