By Dan Parker
The Rolling Bones make the scene to Fathers Day and the swap meet once every few years; after a beer infused evening they asked me if I would join them on their next mile eating expedition. Aware that is was pretty close to the Bonneville trip and the fact my long suffering hot rod widow wife would probably go crazy on me I did the sensible thing and said YES!
That was approx one year ago, and after roping in (!) another hot rodder, fellow bloke, victory wheeler and all round good chap Brian (I’ll just take a leak) Newman the scene was set, flights booked emails exchanged and June rapidly approached.
We flew into Albany on a Wednesday evening, Ken picked us up from the airport, took a few wrong turns and at midnight switched the lights on in the Boners shop, there, freshly painted, running and driving sat George Poteet’s uber cool lakes inspired 34 3 window, ready to take the trip with us in the box (George hadn’t viewed the car himself yet!) Keith’s Y block powered 3-winda, and Kens Flathead powered 32 roadster in street trim.
Just a little side note, Keith’s 3-winda had just had a complete new chassis built for it with in-board style lever arm shocks on the front and in-board lever arm shocks on the back, plus an extra 2inches in the front area, giving it greater stability at speed, plus a very wicked look to it – the point of this is it had only seen about 5-miles of roads since completion, and Keith had nominated me to drive the first 2,000 miles as he had a prior engagement and was due to meet us in Amarillo Texas Monday afternoon – Fun or what.
The next two days were spent getting bugs out of the ’34, loading the trailer, packing tools and generally preparing for the trip. Finally by late Friday afternoon we deemed ourselves as prepared as we were ever going to be…
Bright (not) and early Saturday AM the wicked cackle of cold engines echoed off the trees surrounding Ken’s home. We left at about 6am, it was cold, and quite foggy as we coaxed heat into the motors, stopping briefly for gas and coffee. Brian and I realised that in the UK it would take us more than two seasons to do what we where about to undertake in a little over two weeks, I can safely say that nothing can prepare you for nearly 7,000 miles in old hot rods…
Along for the ride with us was Jim Fleming, top hot rodder. He’d recently just completed his own ’32 roadster which he was going to take on the shakedown run to CA and back, but at the last minute a lack of drivers forced his hand so he took the wheel of Ken’s Roadster.
First day saw us head out of New York state, into PA, down to Lake Erie for a lunch stop at the Quaker Steak and Lube. The goal was Brookville Ohio, approx 680 miles. Well the weather was kind to us and apart from some rich running carbs on the coupe all was well. Then a funny thing happened. This Jag kept coming up along side us, slowing down taking a good look, then speeding off, slowing down again and looking, this went on for about 20 miles or so. Eventually we came of the ramp and stopped, the guy in the Jag got out, and it turned out to be an old friend of Ken’s, who very kindly offered us a nights accommodation at his place, which we kindly accepted, first night in a little bohemian town in Ohio (sorry forget the name) to many beers, good food…
Sunday, up and out early, leaving at about 6am again, get a couple of hundred miles down the road, stop for breakfast and one of the many, many gas stops we made (approx 3 a day). Weather looking good, cars all fine, lets get on with the driving then. We are on 70 clocking pretty good, until the signs for the CLOSED HIGHWAY came up, due to all the severe floods it had actually shut the damn highway. 2 hours sat in traffic (nothing new to us Brits!) was nothing compared to the heartache some of those poor people were going through, even in 100deg heat, and constant traffic the little flathead didn’t spew its guts!! Once around the detour we had some miles to make up, so we clocked on through the afternoon eventually reaching the Springfield Missouri area. As we pull off the highway there seemed to be a large number of Street Machines and Street Rods hanging about, maybe a weekend cruise? No, turned out to be the Hot Rod Power Tour stop for the night, so of course we had to make some noise, and decided to stay. Once settled and after a couple of long necks we decided it would be unfair to keep the 34 in the box, so we showed her off, just a little!!!
The rest of the night was drinking beer, making new friends and talking to Norm Grabowski on the phone (another story in itself). Early the next morning (Monday) we realised that it was raining pretty hard, so set about preparing for a wet start. The flathead had got a little water down her throats so a 2 mile tow from Keith’s Coupe across a couple of intersections saw her running again, and we left the power tour to leather the water of their polished pride and joys.
The rain got steadily worse, and worse, eventually forcing us to take some drastic fashion choices. Brian and I donned rubbish sacks to top and bottom, Rainexed the windshield, wrapped ourselves in a tarp and continued on. The cars running fine all the way. We did have to bail out the puddles of water! Sometimes along the way, we were told that west of Oklahoma the weather would improved so we battled on, with nothing else on the freeway it was fine, but as soon as a truck went by, I can tell you there was virtually zero vision… but we made it through, and on the long run around the city the rain slowly eased, then stopped. The dry hot sun improved our moods no end, and except for one soggy camera we where all in good shape. Ken did moan something about the wipers in the van not having enough speeds but we chose to ignore him!!
The God of Deuce shined on from this point on, we reached Amarillo with no problems (although it wasn’t morning for those country music fans) and Keith’s flights where late, so I pulled into the airport just as he had landed, superb timing!! A dinner stop at the Big Texan (home of the 72oz steak!!!) and with a beautiful evening ahead we cracked on, making it as far as Tucumcari NM for night time, a few cold one’s in the parking lot as is our way, then a good nights sleep was had, thanks the lord for air conditioned rooms!!
Tuesday morning, blue skies and the makings of a good hot day, we gassed up, made it out to Santa Rosa to Ken and Keith’s friend Bozo’s garage. His shop is on part of old route 66 and he purchased it from a local racer 30 or so years ago. The place is steeped in local hot rod history, he also owns a route 66 museum just down the road, although time was pressing so we didn’t stop for long. Just long enough for him to tell us about a fellow Englishman he’s built a couple of cars for……..is he out there?? He made us promise that we’d stop back for a BBQ on a return trip, sounded good to all of us!!
Onwards we go our next stop due in Albuquerque to visit the boys at Hot Rod Haven. however it wasn’t to be. Brian was on his first day at the wheel, managed to lose both Keith (who as usual was travelling at warp speed) and Ken, so we ended up getting gas and travelling to the other side of the city and waiting like a couple of crims on old route 66, about an hour or so later Keith flashed past, so we rejoined the convoy. Needless to say Ken was pleased to see us and more importantly the roadster in one piece!!! Onward we go, the cars setting the pace, we are just tools for them to enjoy the long stretchs of smooth hot open roads. I’m certain that a lot of AZ, NM, and CA was travelled at more than 90mph, we lost one fan belt in the roadster whilst trying to stay with Keith (no chance!).
We continued through Gallup, Holbrook, Kingman, then found our nights stop at Laughlin NV which is best described as a poor mans Reno, with very cheap beer (1$ for a large) and good cheap accommodation, and fantastic scenery on the drive in and the drive out……..it was worth the stop. Next morning and we are headed for the promised land! Into CA and onwards to Barstow then towards the city of LA, traffic getting heavier, but not too bad. We make it through to Pomona and find our way to headquarters for the next few days Red Roof Inn, San Dimas (Wednesday). Cars parked, ’34 unloaded, John Swander and his brother Jay had made the scene in John’s bones built 5 winda. We spent the rest of the day looking at the street rodders and drinking beer… we’d made it!
Thursday we managed a bit of a lie in, then off for Breakfast in Old San Dimas. Anybody who’s been there will vouch when I say it’s a nice little place, made even nicer for us Hot rodders by the Early Ford Store, which always has some very nice old and interesting parts, with all the boners parked out front it was a good looking scene.
Billy’O, Chris and Donny made the scene from the RB high speed division, and joined us at the fairplex, where Ken blagged our way in saying we where with the Hop Up Crew (true but they where in the queue to get in as we drove past them!!). We got a wonderful big tree for some shade and set about getting ready for the weekend, Brian Bronxter Darwas also joined us for the weekend, hawking his DVD’s to many.
Our days at the swap meet were a relaxed affair of looking around the many cars and parts for sale. How about an original un-touched barn fresh running and driving ’33 3 window for $85,000? Or and original 40’s hot rod ’32 3 winda with flathead, 3 speed, banjo rear unsplit bones for $75,000? Plenty of Brookville bodied projects for sale, T’s and A’s, axles, motors etc etc. Keith purchased a few parts for stock, the original food guy Ritchie and his girlfriend showed their faces, Jon Golding was there and stopped to chat for a while as did Chris and Ali Taylor, with their friend Mr.Swede.
T-shirt sales where good, DVD sales where good, the Hop Up BBQ was really good, ice cold beer, nice dogs and good slaw was enjoyed, with some sounds as well.
Thursday afternoon saw us heading out of the city to the hallowed dirt of El-Mirage. Peter Vincent in the rental with GPS (lucky!!) and possibly everybody behind us, so picture the scene, we pull over on the off ramp, Ken see’s us and does the same, Keith, with the Bronxter, and Jim with Brian keep on going. Then it gets better for them as Jim and Brian run out of Gas in the Roadster. Keith rescues them whilst we are on the dirt with John and Jay awaiting their arrival!! For me this was the best day. The cars where photographed and filmed for about 6 hours or so, we had ourselves a little picnic, ice cold water melon, beers etc, etc. Then with me driving the rental, Peter and the Bronxter filming and photographing, the hot rods played hell in the dirt. Several fast runs later and a lot of dirt we stopped, did some more stills and waited for the Peter Vincent “sweet light”. It comes and more pictures are taken. It’s a magical feeling being out there, with some of the coolest hot rods on the planet, all making noise and kicking up dust, really incredible, then as the light really starts to drop I make a couple or so fast runs up and down the dirt with the headlights on for Bronxter to film… Then its over, the cars now covered in Mirage dust and we drive back into the Crazy city that is LA.
Friday was more of the same at the show, meeting old friends and making new. The Immorals had made the scene with their new liner for this years speed assault. Lots of talk, lots of photos, lots and lots to look at all day long . I tell you guys it was real tough, but we got through it ok!! The evening we headed over to So-Cal in our dirt covered hot rods for their open house, had ice cream and home made Taco Shells, checked the cars out, listened to many comments. Found a very nice ’32 sedan for a buddy in England, but couldn’t get hold of him to tell him about it!! As the open house wound down we headed over to Walden’s speed shop for his open house, more of the same, tunes, beer, cool cool hot rods and a splattering of cool Kustoms as well, another favourite face popped up… Mr.Kev Elliott himself!
We left Walden’s pretty late and just made it back to Applebee’s for a late night cholesterol overload, after getting lost a few times on the way, always entertaining!!
Saturday, another clear, crisp warm day, Brian had spotted a few bits he wanted to buy and I had to pick up a couple of filters from Barons for a customer of Jim Turnbull. Then it was just time to chill, bust balls. We had been invited to Cal Tanaka’s house for a grease-wheel evening (go on then guess what that is!) which we did. It was a cool evening with cool hot rodders, food and beer a plenty and me lucky enough to get a ride in Morton’s Jive Five ’32 which handled and ran like a dream.
All too soon the four days in LA is over, it’s time to pack the gear, pack the ’34 awy, say many goodbyes and hit the blacktop… Just as we were leaving I overheard a guy say “Did they really drive from NY? Hell I came 18 miles in my A and that seemed too far!”
The journey back was good, we stopped at Bozo’s for the BBQ which was very entertaining, we went onto Memphis and met up with George Poteet for him to stamp his seal on the ’34 – he loved it! Then onto Brookville for a full guided tour, then home. In all we travelled just under 7,000 miles in vintage hot rods with vintage/home made speed parts – in this time we had one fan belt go, adjustments made on Keith’s Carbs and we re-did the toe-in on the roadster in a parking lot one morning,. The only other breakdown was from a broken rotor arm spring – an easy fix!
As I’ve said before, you either get it or you don’t……………………
It’s all about the miles of smiles!!
