Rodding USA November/December 2021

It’s rather incredible a group of car guys could decide that they wanted to form a street rod club in Tucson, Arizona and that it would still be flourishing fifty years later. Car clubs are born because you have people with a common interest in a particular type of custom vehicle. It doesn’t matter what anyone does for a living, where they live, or their economic status, because it’s the passion for custom cars which brings them together. Friendships are formed that can last a lifetime, and many times it becomes a second family, which is the most fulfilling aspect of being a member. In 1971 the Tucson Street Rod Association was founded, and it has managed to reach its 50th Anniversary, which is an incredible milestone. The club was…

For now, the car show season may have ended in most of the USA, and for me, it’s time to reflect on how we traveled to the shows. This past summer’s car shows and events were great. Attendance at most I attended was better than expected. Additionally, there were many incredible new builds to be seen and talked about by the hobbyists and pro builders. Many clubs or groups of friends that had not been to events or seen each other in a long time were venturing out together and wanted to stay together once they had arrived at the show or event location. In my case, we caravanned with fellow car club members or groups of friends much of the time. Now not all these groups were familiar with…

What is the most famous custom car of all time? The subject is open to debate, but one of the most likely candidates is the Sea Foam ’51 Mercury owned by Bob Hirohata and built by Southern California’s Barris Kustom in ’52. Brothers Sam and George Barris already had left their mark on the custom scene, thanks to other notable vehicles by then. They included the highly revered maroon ’40 Mercury, which they built for client Nick Matranga in 1949-50. Matranga’s chopped top coupe has been an inspiration to countless customizers since, with several enthusiasts even creating clones. Part of the car’s appeal lies in its graceful lines enhanced by a novel side-window design featuring a beautiful radius. Incidentally, the brothers used the same detail on the aforementioned Hirohata ’51…

OWNER: Blake Weddington - Long Beach, California CHASSIS: Original 1940 Mercury, front ’40 Ford disc brakes, frame C-notched in the back for ’40 Ford rear end, pancaked rear cross member. FRONT SUSPENSION: Dropped axle. REAR SUSPENSION: Drop shackles. TIRES/WHEELS: Tires – 6-70-15 Firestone. Wheels – stock 15-inch Mercury, Flipper hubcaps. ENGINE: Mercury flathead V8, rebuilt by the Menges Twin Speed Shop, polished Evans heads, crab-style Mallory distributor with modern electronic, polished Evans intake manifold, dual chrome Stromberg 97s, Pete’s Speed Shop air cleaners, glass pack mufflers with 2-inch pipes, chrome alternator, high-torque starter, 12-volt conversion. TRANSMISSION: 1940 Lincoln Zephyr overdrive, rebuilt by the Menges Twin Speed Shop. BODY: 5-inch chopped top, windshield raised 1-inch, rear window sectioned; shaved: door handles, Mercury badge, trunk/license plate, gas tank filler; custom flush fender…

The Museum of American Speed held its inaugural Gallery of Automotive Art Grand Opening Event on September 25th and 26th in Lincoln, Nebraska. For the first time, special guests were invited to see some of the top Hot Rod artists and artwork from around the country. Special guests included Tom Fritz, Guy Shively, Bob Seabeck, Darrell Mayabb, Al Bergler, Chuck Miller, and many more. This extraordinary collection of art encompasses works from over 50 American automotive artists. In addition, the gallery includes works from Tom Fritz, select sculptures of Stanley Wanlass, Darrell Mayabb’s studio space installation, and much more. On Friday night, guests heard from CEO Clay Smith, Museum Curator Tim Matthews, and automotive pioneer Bob Larivee during a welcoming ceremony. Guests also enjoyed a gallery viewing, hors d’oeuvres, and…

This south/central New Mexico rod run was first held in 1985 and was billed as the Tri-City Rod Run (El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo) to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. It remained that way until 1987, and in 1988 it became the Tri-City Rod Run to Ruidoso. In 1989 the name changed to the Run to Ruidoso and was held at Municipal Park in downtown Ruidoso, but it eventually outgrew the venue. From 2000-2017 the show moved to Ruidoso Downs racetrack and casino and became the Run to Ruidoso Downs. The show remained there until 2016. In 2017 the show moved to its current location at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and casino and was renamed Run to the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The 2020 event was postponed…