|
|
Paso Ain't Passe - Web Expanded Show CoverageThe West Coast Kustoms annual central California gathering of the faithful is as strong as ever From the February, 2009 issue of Rod & Custom By Kev Elliott
|
|
The 2007 Cruisin' Nationals-or simply Paso, as this show is affectionately referred to-must have been the busiest in the event's history. The number of officially registered cars has been capped for a few years now, with pre-registered vehicles only allowed into the park and surrounding streets over the weekend, but the number of non-registered cars that turn up and park in the streets radiating out from the park easily doubled over past years. There were way more spectators too, but this could be because Paso Robles is expanding rapidly and the locals were coming to take a look at the cars. We took a drive out to the southeastern section of California, scouting for a photo shoot location, and were surprised at just how large the town has become. We arrived on Thursday afternoon, and it was apparent even then that there were fewer rat rods that were built for shock value over drivability, and more nicely put-together drivers than this show has seen previously. By Friday night there was a strange vibe amongst the traditional rod crowd as they arrived in town and found their regular hangout-the A&W drive-in-had been bulldozed. With no central location and no organizer to approach, the action segregated into local motel parking lots and the bowling alley car park, but didn't have the focus as in years past. Of course the officially organized cruise down Spring Street, Paso's main drag, went without a hitch. Saturday saw the main show in the city park opposite the Paso Robles Inn, with many "name" builders displaying their latest projects as usual; while equally traditional, new names were made and minds blown thanks to some of the creations on the perimeter. The unique, laidback atmosphere of this event permeated the park, with new friends made and old acquaintances renewed, as happens every year-an activity that continued into the evening when live music was provided. Alas, also as every year, the rumors abounded about this being "the last Paso," but the West Coast Kustoms quashed that one and assured everyone at the awards presentation that the show would be back next year. Which is good news, as this is truly the favorite annual show for many attendees.  Caddy taillights and rear...  Caddy taillights and rear tires above the deck make this the best view of this low, low '31 roadster.  Bill Ross added Dayton 20-inch...  Bill Ross added Dayton 20-inch wires to his '34 roadster pickup for Paso. The little truck's wheelbase was somewhat short for such tall tires, but they're actually intended for his latest project.  Ron Gomez and his chopped...  Ron Gomez and his chopped '41 Buick were seen everywhere over the weekend. The sombrero caps and chrome trim offset the semigloss green paint nicely.  The last time we saw the Famoso...  The last time we saw the Famoso Speed Shop '36 Chevy gasser was at the Hot Rod Reunion where it wasn't quite finished. Here it is cruising Spring Street at Paso. Dig those red windows!  Javier "Metalflake Man's"...  Javier "Metalflake Man's" heavily 'flaked '55 wagon featured a bunch of wacky touches, such as planets airbrushed in the corner of the hood, flowers on the roof, and a mural on the tailgate.  This crazy T coupe featured...  This crazy T coupe featured a late-model Hemi-headed four-pot fired by a magneto, and welded doors necessitating roof entry!  A sextet of carbs feed the...  A sextet of carbs feed the Hemi in Nick Garfias' super-low A. The extremely low stance with just enough rake was spot-on, as were the wide whites on chromed early steelies and the whitewall-matching interior.  Occupying prime real estate...  Occupying prime real estate next to the park was Paul Cepeda's drop-dead-gorgeous 1940 DeSoto. A combination of '38 Ford headlights, smoothed running boards, and a healthy chop 'n' drop session resulted in one of the most talked-about cars of the weekend.  Roscoe Bava showed his '30...  Roscoe Bava showed his '30 Model A on Deuce 'rails, powered by a three twos-fed 409 and rolling on chrome steels and bias-plies.  The '58 Chevy sedan delivery...  The '58 Chevy sedan delivery was part of the low-priced Delray lineup when new; their utilitarian working life ensuring their rarity today. This one's extra special thanks to the killer flames and slammed stance.  Almost more sports car than...  Almost more sports car than kustom, Barry and Carole Blomme's Astra coupe was originally built by Jay Everett in 1952 and finished at Barris Kustom in 1955. The unique aluminum body clothes an Olds 303 motor, Zephyr trans, V8-60 front axle, and '48 Lincoln brakes.  With some mild shaving, healthy...  With some mild shaving, healthy lowering, and a coat of semigloss burnt orange, Ki Hansen's '56 Merc is the perfect cruiser.  Frank and Cathy Livingstone's...  Frank and Cathy Livingstone's '49 Chevy fastback could be the perfect mild custom, benefiting from frenched lights, scooped rear fenders, and a mild shave, but it's the neat grille swap that sets it apart.  This beautifully sliced '50...  This beautifully sliced '50 Chevy placed in the awards listings, and no wonder, with pinstriped flames, smoothed bumpers, shaved driprails, frenched lights, and a perfectly proportioned chop.  There's more than a passing...  There's more than a passing resemblance to the Kopper Kart in Dan Chellar's '57 Chevy, though it's in no way a clone. What you can't see are the heavily hooded headlights and flip front.  The winner of this year's...  The winner of this year's Under Construction Award was this bare-metal '54 Chevy with all the brightwork copper-plated and an injected big-block "under" the hood.  It wasn't the first appearance...  It wasn't the first appearance at Paso for Mercury Charlie's fabulous '51, but he went back to Austin, Texas, with a well deserved award for Outstanding Interior.  Chopped and dropped '56 Ford...  Chopped and dropped '56 Ford wore Crown Victoria side trim and skirts, effective modifications that accentuate the car's lines.  '55 Olds grille bar and headlight...  '55 Olds grille bar and headlight doors, plus the addition of wire wheels, lend a European appearance to the venerable '53 Chevy.  Mark Morton from Hop Up Magazine...  Mark Morton from Hop Up Magazine wanted to attend Paso incognito, then gave himself up by putting his name in the windshield of his too cool mild custom '65 Riv.  Dave Smith brought this neat...  Dave Smith brought this neat '28 Model A from La Habra to join in the fun. With plenty of louvers in the hood, splash apron and visor, the green paint was perfectly complemented by the cream wires, interior and roof, while the chrome garnish moldings didn't hurt.  Von Franco already cloned...  Von Franco already cloned Norm Grabowski's Kookie Car and let it go, so came back a few years later to reproduce its previous incarnation, the Lightnin' Bug.  Robert House's '50 fastback...  Robert House's '50 fastback was parked off to one side of the park, yet drew admiring looks thanks to its many subtle body mods, air bag-assisted altitude and way cool custom color mix.  John D'Agostino's Golden Star...  John D'Agostino's Golden Star '57 Olds Super 88 is his seventh collaboration with Oz Welch of Oz Kustoms, and the latest in a long line of D'Agostino creations. The tangerine beauty placed in the Wild Custom class.  One of the more traditional...  One of the more traditional '50s customs in the park was Lou Bertelli's '50 Merc. From its modified and smoothed bumper and single grille bar to its rear fender scoops and Lincoln 'caps, it nailed the era, but the organic burgundy paint was the crowning touch.  '53 Buick Skylarks don't need...  '53 Buick Skylarks don't need much to look like full customs, but Rick Dore worked his magic on this one for James Hetfield, scooping the Wild Custom award along with Bill Hines' Best Paint trophy. The cleaned up front bumper really helps this 'un stand out, among other subtle mods.  There were some way cool custom...  There were some way cool custom trucks at Paso this year, and up against Craig Hahn's F100 for our vote was this fine chopped '59 Fleetside owned by Alvin Garnico.  The Sweetwater Special coupe-turned-pickup...  The Sweetwater Special coupe-turned-pickup featured some neat touches including hood ornaments bolted to the valve covers. Yeah, it sounds weird but it worked.
|
|
|