Hot rodding exists today, and will continue to exist, due in large part to the contributions of Wally Parks.
Troy Ladd, TrendsetterLooks like Troy Ladd is going Hollywood on us, but this photo was actually taken before he found out that the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association had honored him with its 2007 Trendsetter Award. The award was presented during the Hot Rod Industry Alliance reception at the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The annual award is given to honor outstanding young hot rod and custom builders. Previous winners include Jesse Greening, Eric Peratt, Troy Trepanier, and Chip Foose
Ladd has been building cars most of his life, and turned his hobby into a business when he opened Hollywood Hot Rods in Burbank, California, approximately five years ago. The shop's best-known project to date has been the Respect Tradition '32 roadster, a two-time R&C cover car, and an America's Most Beautiful Roadster contender at the '06 Grand National Roadster Show.
Rod & Custom Heads to the SaltLooks like we'll be taking a break this year from organizing our own event (Americruise) and concentrate on the part we like the best: cruising. Plans are in the works to make the trip to Speed Week at Bonneville to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The dates for Speed Week were moved back a few days for 2008 (August 18-24), but we aren't sure just yet what day we'll be leaving Southern California.
We're also still kicking around the route to take. First thought was to head up Highway 1 along the coast, but then we got to thinking that taking a trip through the giant redwoods in Sequoia and then heading through Yosemite might be the way to go. One way or another, we'll get to Wendover, Utah, in time for the action on the Salt Flats. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, send an e-mail to Kevin at kevin.lee@sourceinterlink.com.
If you don't want to or can't leave with us but want to make a trip out there heading from the east, check out Street Rodder magazine's Road Tour (visit www.streetrodderweb.com - Road Tour section; call (800) 664-1362; or e-mail roadtour08@aol.com); they're coming out from the Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan. Keep checking "Roddin' Around," as well as our Web site at www.rodandcustommagazine.com for an updated itinerary.
R&C's Book ClubEvery hot rodder has a million stories, and most of us have probably thought about turning those stories into a book. Douglas Sciberras did in his recent collection of stories entitled "Miscellaneous Ramblings of a 70's Motorhead." Doug grew up in a Detroit auto industry family, and works for Ford as a millwright. But it's the humorous stories of his younger days that fill this book-stories he hopes will take his readers back to their own younger days and their own youthful antics. Pick up a copy of "Miscellaneous Ramblings of a 70's Motorhead" and see how many of his stories are your stories too.
"Miscellaneous Ramblings of A 70's Motorhead" is available from the Borders and Barnes & Nobles Web sites, or can be purchased directly from the author at www.70smotorhead.com, or write to D. Sciberras, P.O. Box 805, Highland, MI 48357. The price is $35 for a hardbound book or $25 for paperback, plus shipping.
Deuces on DiscDid you know that 2008 is the 76th anniversary of the '32 Ford? Whatever its age, the Deuce will always retain its position as hot rodding's most iconic and popular car.