Hot Rod and Custom Car Design

...on the shelves at once with my work is always a cool feeling! (now there's an understatement) I've been fortunate to have my work in print in Rod and Custom, American Rodder, and now Truckin' this month, making it a great start to the Summer months! I hope you find time to pick up all three of these issues, if not for the artwork, but the great content in all of them.



The amazing Mercury wagon in American Rodder is worth the price of admission alone, we've already been over the amazing '54 Merc (hey, I see trend here) in R-n-C, and the special horsepower section in Truckin' makes for some good reading as well!

Thanks to Dan over at Truckin' for slipping my artwork once again into the Radical Renderings pages (and look out soon for a project that he and I collaborated on, which spawned some great concept art!). I hope you enjoy them all as much as I did creating them...

...it's the people that make this such a great racket. Case in point: last weekend Craig (from MyRideIsMe.com) was rounding up hands to help in stripping his '63 Falcon wagon in preparation for a full-on makeover. And by golly, when the local boys call for help, I'm there. Occasionally, it's good to put down the pens and stylus and turn a wrench or two... it keeps you grounded in the real stuff... the stuff that got you into this business to begin with.

...and there we were, a small group that would grow to over a dozen before night's end, attacking the car with near-Overhaulin' precision, save for the most stubborn windshield on planet Earth (more on my glass nemesis later). What was to be a simple transmission swap was quickly escalted to a "while we're at it..." sort of project.. which means "look for some concept art soon".

That Craig sure knows how to pick friends, huh? From "Falcon Master" Mike (a walking encyclopaedia of all things Falcon and Comet-based) to Racin' Dave (runner-up in Super Street this year at Fontana (and 0.054 seconds from a Wally!!), to the always handy and knowledgeable Rob (who brought his killer bobber truck over and aired it out, as if that thing needed any more attitude!), you'd think we had all bases covered.

Hardly.

Dave and his charming wife popped in before heading to a graduation party to offer moral support, and before we knew it, there was Joe and Joel and Devin grabbing tools and jumping in. I mention all of these folks because it's what makes this hobby so great: The people. All of us are from different backgrounds, lives, careers... Yet we share the common car bond. It's that great equalizer, that certain "something" that brings people togteher and gets everyone reaching for a common goal.

When Doug (of Squeeg's Rod and Kustom) popped in (with Sammy and Moose from the shop in tow, following a trek to Southern California to pick up a Woody), all of that "car guy" stuff became clear. Here's a pro builder of the highest degree, wrenching on a local car. No glory in this, just stripping away what needed to go, and getting the ball rolling. It's just that whole "you're building a car? I'm THERE!" mentality that happens to come across between car people. It's the late nights spent in a garage, covered in grease and bondo dust that creates memories, and makes it all so damn cool to be a part of...

Anyway, this is where it sits for now... Look or more on this project as we build steam, and get the old girl rolling once more...

...and how killer is this??! A while back, I had written a bit about one of the more influential custom cars in my past, Mr. Jerry DeVito's '57 Ford, aptly named "The Maze" (first part is here, and the second part here). I had reported what I found through research on the car, and was left with a few lingering questions about the car... so I did what was natural, and asked for help finding those answers.

I was fortunate to not only find those answers, but got them FROM THE MAN HIMSELF! Mr. Jerry DeVito took time from his day to chat for a while, and I walked away from that great conversation with not only some fantastic insight, but a great new friend. I'll report more on this soon, but wanted to share my excitement over meeting the man who created a car that left an impression on me as a car-struck kid, and one that always creeps into my imagination as I draw and design.

Suffice to say, there are a few facts that need ironing out from the first posts on this car (as I said, the research materials were limited), and we'll do just that in subsequent posts... But to answer that nagging question about the split bumper treatment, they were '57 Pontiac units, and the change was made in the first year (after the peaks and scoops). Jerry's inspiration was to always keep the car fresh, making changes after each show, always remaining at the of of his game...

We'll trace the car's history in the near future, from delivery at San Jose Ford in '57, through to its sale, and subsequent loss. Thanks for the interest, and especially to Mr. DeVito... wow...

...and we're not heading too far from the Studio, what with gas prices going haywire, work on the boards and so on... But I wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday, and take a moment to thank all of our servicemen and women, both past and present for their service, sacrifice and dedication, and take a moment to honor those who have fallen, protecting this great country, and making it possible for us to enjoy this hobby so much more each day.

If you're currently enlisted, or have been in the past, and are looking to pick up a shirt or print before June 1st, hit us up HERE for a coupon code prior to placing an order, and we'll make sure you get free shipping, as well as something extra thrown in... It doesn't compare to what you give each day, but I thought we'd try to express our thanks in some way.

Thanks again, and have a great Memorial Day weekend...

Dreams...
...have a funny way of mixing things together. Consider just about any weird dream you've ever had... you know, "it was my house, but it wasn't my house, you know?"... Ever said that? Or maybe you wind up working at a job that you've never had... eating something odd, bizarre or exotic... Odd things happen in our subconscious.

Such was the case a few months back when Tim at Rod & Custom Magazine hit me up to create a "Dream Car of the Month" again.



I absolutely love creating artwork for the "Dream Car of the Month" in Rod and Custom Magazine. I dig it because it's not only the magazine I grew up dreaming of being published in, but the project affords a completely open-ended spectrum of creativity. For this go-round, I took the "dream" part literally, and scoured my subconscious for wild ideas.... What came from it all is a mish-mash of A/FX, gasser, funny car, street machine... You kinda have to see it to believe it...

And even if you're not a big fan of spicy taco-induced dream cars, grab this iissue if you don't already have it. The features this month are just outstanding, from Mark Morton's bsolutely understated '54 Mercury that we drooled over at the GNRS in January, to Rob Ida's unbelieveable Caddy, and the super low, super cool '32 three window of Larry Roller... The details will have your head spinning for days!

Thanks again to Tim and Kevin at R-n-C for another great opportunity...

...speedometer, that is.
...and did I mention that it's a factory piece?



Anyway, a few weeks ago, I took some time away from the Studio and had an absolute blast, with good friend Josh dropping into the Valley for some time at the Barrett-Jackson auction (and subsequent menagerie of auto- and non-auto-related goodies and sights and sounds), as well as a Saturday morning trek for some breakfast and to take in a Chrysler 300 Show (the Chrysler 300 Club's 15th Winter Meet). Josh is a big 300 fan, and owns a '57, too, along with his killer, slammed '58 Buick, and happens to be a great photographer, and true auto afficianado.

Back on track here, as we strolled the small -but high-quality- show, I was thrown for a loop by just how friendly these folks are, and how into the 300's (letter and non-letter cars), and was just kinda soaking up the great rides on display, when I came across one of the coolest things I've seeen in my car-gazing life:

A 1960 300F (Special Gran Turismo).

Consider: a Chrysler 300 is a big, luxury automobile that brings performance to the table. Light years ahead off the competition, this was a muscle car in its purest form. In 1960, the 413 Wedge was the new engine, and cranked out 375 horsepower in stock trim. You've probably seen a few with the unique cross-ram intake, which places the carbs over the fenderwells (more on this later). Chrysler also created a special short-ram version of the engine (the tuned runners for the intake were about 15%u2033 long), pushing 400 horsepower. They created only 15 of these cars, backing the mighty Wedge with the French Pont-a-Mousson four-speed transmission, originally created for the Facel Vega.

So, in effect, we have a luxury car with muscle car tendencies, wrapped in a killer styling package. All cool, but what blew me away was this:



...yes, that reads 200 MPH. Factory piece, from 1960. Consider that for a minute. (hell, the cars rode out of the factory on 15%u2033 wheels wrapped in Goodyear Stock Car Special Blue Streak tires... the same as used in NASCAR!) This was no ordinary car. This was a race car with STYLE.

I just wanted to share this, as it's a neat piece of history, and a very cool conversation piece, to say the least. We'll touch back on these killer cars in the future, to be certain.

Oh, and thanks again, Josh! Great times at the auction, man... too bad you didn't bring Robosaurus home. Maybe next time...

Whipped cream...

...and salsa.

Salsa?!

I know what you're thinking. "Where is he going THIS time?!"

I like looking at things from a decidedly different angle, and am often inspired to seek out the inspiration behind a trend, or a particular style... I'm a fan of mixing and matching themes, styles, whatever...and an even bigger fan of just having fun with whatever I'm doing, and often seek out things that reflect this attitude. Whether in friends, books, movies, or music.

Occasionally, this leads me to seek out stuff that's a bit off the beaten path. Such was the case here in the studio once again.

(Yeah, it's gonna be another musical jaunt... and it'll all wrap up nicely, as usual, with cars. Stay with me, I think you'll dig this little side trip.)

Anyway, I got to thinking, of all things, about Herb Alpert (not Marv Albert. That'd be weird.), and gave a listen to "Whipped Cream and Other Delights"... A far cry from what I was listening to a week ago, to say the least... and by far much stranger cover art (if not quite risque', considering its 1965 release date):

Granted, this album was released before my time (in this dimension, anyway.... there may be another me in some other dimension, hanging out in a lounge...), but man... how cool were these cats? If you're not familiar with the Tijuana Brass, here's a quick history lesson:

Herb Alpert was a trumpet player who developed a unique sound that was a mix of south-of-the-border, mariachi and distinctly lounge-y sounds, probably best described as "Ameriachi" (as I learned from a few sources). If you're really lost here, think of the theme from the TV show The Dating Game, called "Spanish Flea", which was a Herb Alpert/Tijuana Brass tune, and you'll have an idea... or their version of "The Lonely Bull".

Anyway, the 'Brass cranked out a few albums in the '60's (even a cool Christmas album! Find a copy, and mambo your way through a Christmas Wonderland...)until Alpert called it quits, and took his (and business partner Jerry Moss') record label A&M, and signed some heavy talent, releasing a few albums of his own along the way (out-selling Michael Jackson in the late-'70's! Says a lot for that era, I guess), before selling the company to PolyGram in the late 1980's.

So what's this got to do with cars? Think traditional lowriders. Bellflower custom style(named after the city in LA county where the look spawned). A mix of the lowrider and custom car, and you'll see where I'm headed.

Consider Watson's Caddy:


It is the embodiment of the Bellflower look... the low stance, simple (if often ANY) body mod's, the bold, yet somehow understated paint technique (much like his T-Bird that came before), and those killer pipes. The East LA style, mixing elements from two cultures (like the Tijuana Brass did!), and coming out the other end with a clean, cool style. It's all about class, luxury, and style. Just like a lowrider, but with custom roots.

Lowriders embodied Mexican tradition. Crusing in a decked-out ride to impress the ladies, and show off your skills was more than just about the cars. Cruising may be traced back to the "paseo", where singles would walk around in the central plaza of the village, basically checking one another out. The idea here was to impress. Put these kids in cars, and it sure looks a lot like cruising... Which brings us forward a few years to the end of the second world war. Hot rodding was booming as young men returned from military service, eager to make creative use of their new mechanical skills. On the other end of the spectrum, the Mexican immigrants were making their cars look luxurious. It was style over speed... lowered stance, different hubcaps, an accessories like spotlights, skirts, pipes... many items shared in traditional customizing.

Fast-forward a few more years, and combine this look with the growing custom scene, and well, you got some clean, mild cars that made the most of the new styling coming from the factory... Apply it to a luxury car, and you're well on your way to a crossover look beyond compare. Imagine in late 1957 (coincidentally, the same year Bellflower was incorporated as a city), a young Larry Watson crusing into the Clock Drive-In in his panel-painted T-Bird...

I have a soft spot for this look... A couple years back, I sketched up a modern take on the look, combining it with the pro-touring look -- note pinstripe whitewalls on a 5-spoke as a nod to the classsic "Supremes and pinners" look (OK, and a mild chop, extended quarters, relocated and shortened trim...):



The idea behind the Bellflower look is clean lines, cool, vibrant and rich colors mixed with just enough chrome to keep your eyes happy... Make use of some 'flake or pearl, some striping... In other words, think mild custom, but dressed a notch higher. It's a fun style, to be sure, much like Herb's band of session musicians belting out "Ameriachi" cover versions. Take one thing, and spice it up with another influence, and man, you can't help but feel the vibe, and nod your head approvingly as you smile.

And that's how my mind works: From whipped cream to salsa, stopping in between for some quick history, and leaving you to consider mixing up some styles on your project...

Blake ran the 'Bird again a few days ago... and added more evidence to the claims that a PCK Studio sticker WILL make your car faster. How's about four tenths faster?! Since we last checked in, the car was pulling low-11's and very respectable high-10's. Simply by peeling the backing and applying to your clean car, perhaps you too can gain speed, cut times, and launch like a rock star!



...of course, individual results may vary.



(...and here, on an Olds!:


On the subject of running quicker, check out Blake's latest video... There's drama, tire smoke, and dig the way the car launches... poetic, in a way:

CLICK TO VIEW IT!

Can't wait to see what happens when the 3.23 rear gear gets swapped, and some slicks get mounted!
In any event... there's a moral in this story, as well as a great bit of knowedge to be gleaned: Our stickers will make your car faster. Less than five bucks got an actual client four tenths. Now to work on that miracle cure for flatulence...

...there really is something inhrerently fun about cars in general. Growing up, I was always infatuated with cars. Toys, model cars, Hot Wheels cars, Matchbox cars... hang on a second... quick moment of introspection here. Anyone else ever stop to ponder the difference between a Hot Wheels and a Matchbox car? I always felt (and I may be crazy here) as a kid, that the Matchbox cars were more "serious" cars. Replicas that were like the stockers running around town, while Hot Wheels were like the fun, rebellious cars... the hot rods of your town. Weird, perhaps, or maybe just right on track with their marketing idea... I just always played a little rougher with a Hot Wheels than a Matchbox. (oddly ironic is that, looking back, Matchbox cars always gave me some great ho rod and custom ideas... besides, they has some of the coolest colored windows... and when those boys busted out with a hot rod or custom-influenced car, they went NUTS with it.)

In any event, I was talking with the wife the other night about commercials, namely TV commercials for cars, and how they all just about suck. They've become serious, in a lot of ways... Granted, VW has their underlying humor, but, for the most part, the car commercials today all have a stodgy, buttoned-up feel.

We got on the subject of cool commercials, and by far, the greatest ever were the Nissan commercials from the nineties. Man, those were killer. Maybe it was a subconscious pondering of those commercials (which gave a solemn nod to the old Datsun days) that inspired me on a recent rendering to have fun, get loose, and throw a tip of the hat to their storied racing past... but there's one commercial from Nissan that everyone knows and loves:

CLICK TO SEE IT

...and how can you not love it? It was fun, and really played up a great image. It was a grown-up look back at your youth, playing with cars, and just inventing bizarre scenarios (especially if you had a sister... their toys always provided interesting back-drops for toy automotive-induced mayhem...)
The follow-up to that classic was just as entertaining:

CLICK TO SEE IT

In any event, I guess that my point is that even as we "grow up", we still hang on to the things that we enjoyed as kids, in some small way. While I may not have the toys I grew up with anymore, I have the memories, and I enjoy looking back on those times, as well as creating some similar memories with my kids, and taking that inspiration to the drawing board with me on each new project. I have fun doing my job, and hope it shows... Will playing with toy cars now have a similar effect on my kids? Who knows? Maybe they'll grow to become car-obsessed hot rodders, or maybe they'll just enjoy it for what it is, and go a different path with their interests (and take some cool memories along). The important thing is, we're having fun, and that's the name of this game. Go and do likeswise...

More good reading and artwork over on my site at problemchildkustoms.com

...versus "enthusiasm". There's a line between simply visiting a place, and taking it all in. You can always spot the tourist, right? The guy with the louder-than-most Hawaiian shirt, fifty necklaces from local vendors, and the loud voice trying to pronounce a word on a sign in a foreign (to him, anyway) language.

It's harder to spot the enthusiast, the guy who comes here "all the time". They blend, they know the customs, they drink in the experience. They don't eat at the local Applebee's and catch the fire-walking chimp boy's mime act, they eat at the greasy spoon, and mingle with the locals. In fact, this is how they know so much about the area. Exploration. An open mind.

Hot rodding is a lot like this. With the advent of TV shows (running the gamut from "reality" to "drama" to "do-it-yourself"), we've seen an influx of tourists in the hobby/industry/lifestyle ... the casual observer who might decide to dip his or her toes into the pool, and build a car. Sadly, some are swept up in the excitement, and go strictly on what they saw on a particular episode of "Bling My Rat Rod", and wind up frustrated when the car lacks quality/fun/visual appeal, or all of the above. It's not their fault entirely... after all, can you honestly say you've never thought "hell, I can do THAT!" as you leapt in and destrpyed a perfectly good dishwasher or alternator? Blind excitement, coupled with a need for accomplishment is often a recipe for disaster, and I've ordered that plate before.

I'm suggesting, then, that if you're a "toursist" that you choose a proper guide. Seek out experienced builders ("enthusiasts"), and ask questions. Mingle. Avoid the tourist traps of "to fit into a certain classification, your car MUST have this size wheel, this hood..." and other such peer nonsense. Don't rely on the communal approval of a messsage board, quite possibly populated by teenagers armed with the latest magazine... (I'm not saying this is true of ALL forums... just a couple of 'em) Trust simple design principles. Trust advice garnered from listening to experienced rodders. Seek out information. Compare notes, and build what you want, not a clone of 30 other cars, only this time with 18 video monitors. It's the same when considering "new" products. A few years back, it was billet grilles. How many companies rushed to market? Do we need 400 variations of billet door handles, latches, or other nonsense? What happens when the bandwagon gets overloaded? It spills over, and breeds contempt.

My point is, if you travel somewhere, you could see what the tourism board wants you to see (the sanitary places you can spend money at), and bring home the same photos your neighbor did, or you can seek out a trustworthy local to guide you through the back alleys (if you're REALLY gutsy, go it alone!), and taste the REAL culture of a place, and formulate your own opinion, and pull out some astounding, fresh photos back home. Be an explorer, innovate a bit, and above all, be an enthusiast. Jump in, feet first, and absorb the culture. The locals are friendly, approachable, and love to talk about the local customs, literally and figuratively. (granted, deep in the darkest jungles, there are cannibals and more fearsome creatures, and they are best left alone to observe... going all missionary on them can be hazardous, but paying them respect can have you returning home with untold wealth in the form of knowledge, and a head on your shoulders)

Last weekend, a group of us (Boston Mike, Paul, Jimmy, Pike and I) took off for Pomona and the Grand National Roadster Show... an epic trek to be certain, and it did what all great road trips do: left a smile on my face that even a jackhammer couldn't erase. But beyond that was the EXPERIENCE of the show, not merely wandering rows of cars and looking at shiny (and, in the case of the Suede Palace not-so-shiny) paint, but meeting up with friends and colleagues, and just breathing in the atmosphere (yeah, and your Polo cologne, pretty-boy). What made it all click for me, though, was witnessing a friend as he met some heavy players in the hot rod world, and listened as some of us spouted or knowledge and memories of cars and people past, I'd bet that it made an impact on him, to be certain... And I'd bet more that it made an even greater impact on me to witness it. It was like re-living my past, my introduction to the industry I embrace for a living. It's always cool to watch someone learn, and even greater when it's learning a subject you enjoy and just live for.

What's the point? I felt like tourist and tour guide at the same time, and realized that we were all kind of navigating a world best left explored without a map. Hot rodding is like that, when you let go of your pre-conceived notions and ideas, and just flow with it. Wandering the back alleys and rolling hills, and just EXPERIENCING it. Take your kid, or wife or a friend to a car show, and just roam around, and look at EVERYTHING. Not into bikes? Look anyway, and appreciate the details. Not into a restored, steam-powered vacuum cleaner? Look anyway, and take in the finishes and style available at the time it was created. Who knows? Maybe an idea from that will put your pro-touring Camaro over the top, as no one has ever seen that idea used on such a car. Head off the beaten path, and enjoy some new flavors, just be careful which water you drink, and avoid the gold watches on a street corner. Be open, not stupid.

You can either hop on the tour bus, or feel free to wander with the enthusiasts through the local markets, and load up on fresh ideas. Either way, leave your baggage at home. We travel light...

Here's just a sample of what we've got avaialble in our Zazzle storefront! Click an image to see more details, as well as other designs!















...and more available at Zazzle.com/PCKStudio

I've written a lot about this year's choice already, and will paste in some excerpts if you feel like reading my soap box rant... Granted, when we got back to town after the show, I made it a point to congratulate the guys at Scott's on a job well done, and their dedication... I have some strong feelings on this car, and even more on the direction a choice like this could lead future contenders... in any event...

... a well-finished car, certainly. The fit, paint, and detailing were superb, no doubt. But, in the end, it's a car with trendy big wheels, an uninspired interior treatment, and it looks, sadly, like some off-the-shelf, pre-fabbed roadster body, something like you might see 1,000 of at the next NSRA meet. I am not picking on this car, nor am I following the crowd that has seemingly banded together en-masse to spread their hate for it. Enough has already been posted by people doing this, and, besides, that's not my thing, nor my overall opinion. It just fell into the "trendy" mode, and missed the mark, in my opinion, of what a true AMBR car should be.

It has TREMENDOUS skill and patience (if not blind dedication) involved in the construction, finish, and detailing. It's SUBTLE in many respects... the re-worked lines would probably go unnoticed by may show attendees... It has a lot of key changes in many areas. It just fell a bit flat in a few key areas (from my vantage point), and that hurt the car. It's like that new mini mall you pass on the way to work: Yeah, it's shiny and new, and is packed with new, shiny stuff... but it's still a mini mall, and it looks remarkably similar to every other one you just drove past. A little more creativity in the wheel/tire combo and that interior, and this car would have crept silently into my recent favorites, no exceptions. (speaking of the wheel/tire combo... it's probably the part that struck me hardest, and polarized my overall opinion... The huge rears make the car appear out of proportion, if not somehow distorted. Then again, consider, for example, the first car ever to wear an exposed supercharger. Think THAT may have caused some controversy?) (OK, it completely changed my life, that first blown ride I saw... damn... I was hooked!)

As I said earlier, what I'm getting at here isn't to knock the car... it was well done for what it is... but rather to question if it has the longevity and certain "something" deserving of being a part of AMBR history. In 50 years will anyone want to restore it to it's AMBR-winning "glory"? Probably not. Why? I think that maybe it's the trendy factor. It's a dated car, and when the giant wheel phase is over, it'll be a back-dated car. Consider the height of Pro-Street back in the late-'80's/early '90's. There were some killer cars, no doubt. Hell, even the most over-done, Dobberton's J-2000 is still a stand-out, namely because it was SO overdone. Worth saving? Yes. It illustrates an extreme in the genre, and is a great piece to serve in that respect. But would you save every neon and pastel-colored, huge hoodscoop-wearing monstrosity from the era? No, probably not. There were so many variations of the same thing, that saving them all would be redundant. It takes a certain "something" to make a car a stand-out. Would this be a car to modify slightly and run again? Hell yes. It has outstanding workmanship, just needs the right changes.

At the Grand National Roaster Show, there was, on display, the A La Kart. A purpose-built ("to win shows" car, that had won the AMBR 50 years ago. It was there, restored, for all to enjoy. Rightly so, the car still impresses. It was built in a manner consistent with its original era, certainly, but pushed the envelope in all the right directions. Would I consider it the pinnacle of great hot rod design? Not especially... it works well, in my opinion, anyway, as a novelty, an illustration of a bygone era, and marks a point in hot rodding history worth studying. Should it have won this year? From a pure nostalgia vantage point, why not? But in current judging and trend standards, no... 6 It was a reminder of days gone by, and why we were all there in the first place. Observed as an object of reverence, it was tremendous to see it on hand.

Orosco's ride was my personal pick... outstanding in every way, and just has that AMBR "look". Am I saying that every AMBR winner should be a traditional-styled car? Nope... I'm saying that it should have that certain "something". Orosco's car grabbed at you, and gave you that giddy feeling that a great car does... And THAT'S why I do what it is that I do for a living. That "something"... that emotional draw of a well conceived and constructed automobile. It transcends merely being a car. It takes on a life beyond the material;s used to create it... A great car opens some inner communication, and creates a bond with you. Ask a true car guy to list and accurately describe 15 beautiful women he may have seen in his life. Then ask about 15 of his favorite cars. Amazing the details you'll have described about the cars. I'd bet there's at least one in that set that gets the best description... the stand-out, THE ONE... be it a car or a woman.

Does this year's winner rank that? Again, in my opinion, no. Not at present. We have a few years of billet-wheeled, mega-buck budget cars to choose from already that more than illustrate the era, and that do it using better, more cohesive design. Were there other cars from the A La Kart's era that have been forgotten (and probably for good reason)? Yes there have. We, as humans, always enjoy the first unique thing, and grow to hate the followers after some time, it's natural... Who knows, maybe in 30 years, I'll share photos of the car with my great-grandkids, and have a much softer spot for it. Some cars just do that, too.

... the part that saddens me most about this year's AMBR winner: It cut off its own potential by trying too hard to fit in to the rulebook. It's a great illustration of what happens when you let the rule book build the car: You remove the butterflies that want to float around in someone's stomach when they see it... But right or wrong, it was the chosen winner, and illustrates where one aspect of the hobby was at that particular point in time.

So... what do YOU have to say about it all?

...check out the April 2008 issue of The World of Rods. If not only for the killer profile on me that Rich Boyd was kind enough to assemble and publish (thanks again, sir!), but for your own enjoyment. The title gets better and better with each issue, and the quality of the writing and photography are a feast for the eyes and mind.

I had first come across the title some months back, and was astounded that what (at the time, anyway) was a one-man show, pretty much, could showcase such variety and quality, issue after issue. Not the thickest book on the stands yet, but growing every month, I'm stoked to see that it's finding more shelf space (hard to find here in the Valley still!). I'm hoping that, as more people find out about this great title, that we'll see manpower increase over there, and that, perhaps, a website could follow?

In any event, check out the magazine if you haven't already, and even take time to drop Rich a note to let him know what a killer job he's doing... If this is the first time you've heard of the title, go grab it, and let him know we sent you. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised...