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Vintage TorqueFest 2014 — Dubuque, Iowa Fairgrounds May 2 – 4 Hot Rods Driven Hard… The Way It Was Intended!!

Jim Volgarino — Mon, 05 May 2014 09:31:05 +0000

Havin’ Fun in the Midwest Sun!

If John Wells wrote up a recipe for the perfect hot rod event, it would look something like this:

Take one large bowl of tradition

Fill it with real hot rodders (no fillers, posers or fakes, please)

Add in heaping helpings of patina, chrome and some shiny customs

Pinches of flirty pinups, great vendors and some parts swapping welcome

Surround the whole thing in excellent tunes and activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family and…

We got us a hot rod festival!

A little indoor action as well

You have to wonder if John is just a little obsessed as the details for these shows is becoming legend. Worked heavily by volunteers (myself included!), the Vintage TorqueFest for 2014 in Dubuque, Iowa May 2-4, drew hundreds of vehicles and vintage bikes and thousands of spectators from 9 states, all carefully orchestrated so there was ample parking, great food available and a vibe that you just couldn’t help but enjoy.

These old Lincolns are custom from the factory!

The sun shown brightly Saturday when the bulk of the action took place. Each direction you turned let you hear music from some talented bands, visit indoor and outdoor vendors, watch the racers and mini bikes battle it out on the Dubuque Fairgrounds quarter mile track and even witness some awesome burnout competitions.

Gassers were well represented too!

Just crowd watching was a wonderful experience, from the traditional hot rod persona to mom and dad walking the kids around to show them how it’s really done…hot rods driven hard, the way it was intended! All ages had a chance to rub shoulders, swap stories and enjoy some nostalgia that felt genuine.

John and his daughter, Madison Wells. A good time was had by all!

Look Ma! No paint!

And on top of all the fun, John makes certain that gate proceeds are forwarded on to the Helping Hannah’s Heart Foundation which each year writes an impressive check to a family who has a child struggling with heart issues.

Yes…it’s street driven!

Vintage Torquefest will return again next year to Dubuque and it will be exciting to see what John Wells cooks up to top this festival of hot rodding. There’s nothing else quite like it, at least in the Midwest, and if you missed this year’s festivities, you must make sure you put aside May 1, 2015 to participate in next year’s event!

Mama tried!!!

[See image gallery at www.myrideisme.com]

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Vintage TorqueFest 2014, May 2-4 in Dubuque, Iowa

Jim Volgarino — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 13:14:09 +0000

What Makes This Show So Different?

It’s not just a show! It’s an all-out, ultra-cool festival!!!!

Artists, live bands, swap meet, vintage apparel and furniture dealers, classic pin up girl contest, vintage motorcycles, hot rods, and custom cars will all join in one group at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds.

Cars and motorcycles are already registered from MI, OH, IL, MN, KS, MO, NY, MA, SD, TX, OK, IN, and of course many from WI and IA. The car count is expected to be around 600-750 classic hot rods. This show strives to bring back a specific time in history. A period before muscle cars, and before old cars were brought up to date with digital technology.

In an attempt to solidify this specific era there is segregated parking. There will be a Friends parking area for the cars that don’t meet the entry guidelines. With the inclusion of the Friends parking area (an area designated for cars that were made after 1964) there could be 800 cars rolling into the Fairgrounds!

Live music from internationally known music acts will be playing at the Vintage Torque Festival. The emphasis is on rockabilly, surf, psychobilly, outlaw country and honky tonk country at this event. Adam Lee & The Dead Horse Sound Company, LÁssassins, Cat Club from Spain, Rodney and the Regulars, Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies, Koffin Kats, Surf Zombies, Rumble Seat Riot, and many more will all be playing sets either on Friday or Saturday. We will have a sound system providing tunes that will range from Social Distortion, Lionel Hampton, and The Afterdarks to Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Pushrod. If you are in the mood for Beach Boys and doo wop – sorry – wrong show. The live bands and more food will be outside. Please see the website for the schedule.

Automotive Artist Ed Tillrock will be there! Will you?

Overall this event promises to be a fun filled trip to the past designed to welcome car aficionados as well as those that just want to people watch and experience something a little different for a day. The pre party starts on Thursday evening with a parade downtown that is open to all classic cars. It starts at 6pm in the McGraw Hill parking lot.

Dubuque, Iowa is a small city with a population of about 56000. The Dubuque County Fairgrounds are a great location to host the Vintage Torque Fest. Plenty of parking for spectators, with room for a swap meet, camping on site, and 15000 square feet of indoor buildings. The main building is equipped with a bar and we will have vendors and special invite historic hot rods and customs in this building as well.

Vintage Motorcycles – Pre 1975 customs, choppers, and bobbers welcome. In addition, any motorcycle that are pre 1965 in original condition are welcome.

A classic style pin up contest will take place on Saturday morning at 10:30 am. This is another period time piece that sees the girls dressing up in vintage attire and sporting the classy, not trashy, look. Winners of the pin up contest will take home $300 in prize money and gifts from sponsors-$200 for 2nd and $100 for third.

Only $10 a day to come into the show and $15 for the advance weekend pass. This rate will apply to everyone – spectator and car owner alike. There is no extra fee to show your car and no extra fee for parking. Preferred parking will be available for $5 All proceeds from the gate go to Helping Hannah’s Heart. This non-profit was established to help families dealing with the financial burden that comes from having a child with Critical Aortic Stenosis or related Congenital Heart Defects.

John Wells, Vintage TorqueFest organizer and promoter, says, “Having gone through this ourselves with our daughter, Hannah, we know first hand how quickly expenses can add up… hotels, taxis, missed work, shots, medical deductibles, food, prescriptions, doctor visits, airfare, lab work, x-rays, etc. Our hope is that this foundation can help offset the medical expenses for many families in need.”

Open to the public at noon on Friday, 8am on Saturday morning, and 9am on Sunday morning.

Wanna see some of last year’s action at TorqueFest? Click here!

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1956 Ford F100 – Dual Hemi’s Just in Case He Needs to Pass!

pikesan — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 14:08:47 +0000

2014 Detroit Autorama – Hot Rod’s at Their Best #5

I found out some about the auxiliary power plant from the owner: “By the way, the motor in the back is “functional”. We have LED lights for brake and turn signals in the water ports of the heads, the gas filler is in the bellhousing for the rear mounted stainless tank and the oil pan is hiding the cut out in the floor for the pumpkin to come though on the nasty sucker bumps.”

Many times, I’ll take bunches of pictures of hot rods I like at a car show. Too many times, I don’t post those pictures cause I never interviewed the owner. It’s best for me, and hopefully you the reader to see AND hear why, “My Ride is Me” but if should I hold back the pictures? How many visitors only look at the pictures anyway??

This time, I did worse than normal and didn’t get an overall shot of the truck! But… here’s the Hemi up front! That makes 2 Hemi’s and one bad F100!

The Other Best Hot Rods from Detroit

Want to see more great hot rods? Check out the Hot Rods Page at MyRideisMe.com

I know Alan Wood from, believe it or not, just outside London, England! (Or so I thought…) He’s actually from
Ilderton, Ontario – Just outside London, Ontario. OOPS!!

We’re buds on Facebook, so I’m hoping Alan will hook me up with an overall shot of his Ford F100 so I can add it to this story. He’s invited me to a show out his way… wish I could go!

If you’re looking for more Detroit Autorama or Ridler Award Coverage, the easiest thing to do is go to this page: All Pictures and Stories from Detroit Autorama. It’s automatically updated for all the new stories.

Please leave a comment. All it takes is email address and I never spam.

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1947 International Pickup – 390 FE Big Block Powered Hauler

pikesan — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 13:45:14 +0000

2014 Detroit Autorama – Hot Rod’s at Their Best #4

The Other Best Hot Rods from Detroit

Want to see more great hot rods? Check out the Hot Rods Page at MyRideisMe.com

Here’s a 1947 International pickup from the basement of the 2014 Detroit Autorama basement. What first struck me about this hot rod and many others in Detroit is the variety of engines! Don’t you get tired of too many small block Chevys? No denying their worth, but… I like variety! That’s why when I saw the 390 Ford FE motor stuffed into this lightweight pickup, I knew I had to get more shots of it!

The owner is Jay Lawson from Plainwell, MI. I’d love more details Jay! So if you know this car or Jay, please show them this story so we can get some more details of the build. Leave a comment below or email to moc.emsiedirymnull@nimda.

Please leave a comment. All it takes is email address and I never spam.

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1929 Ford Coupe – Blown and Bad Model A Hemi Hot Rod

pikesan — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 13:01:48 +0000

2014 Detroit Autorama – Hot Rod’s at Their Best #3

The Other Best Hot Rods from Detroit

Want to see more great hot rods? Check out the Hot Rods Page at MyRideisMe.com

Here’s a 1929 Model A with a blown Hemi shown proudly in the UP-stairs car show at Detroit Autorama. This hot rod’s clearly one of my favorites… I picked it as a Best Hot Rod for a story I did at Power and Performance News. Check it out!

I’d love to hear from the owner and get some details of the build. Anyone know who it is? Leave a comment below or email to moc.emsiedirymnull@nimda.

Please leave a comment. All it takes is email address and I never spam.

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1930 Ford Coupe- Winter Dream Model A Hot Rod

pikesan — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:41:32 +0000

2014 Detroit Autorama – Hot Rod’s at Their Best #2

Like I said in the 1932 Ford “Perfect Deuce Hot Rod” story, many times, I’ll take bunches of pictures of hot rods I like at a car show. Too many times, I don’t post those pictures cause I never interviewed the owner. (I did a little this time!) It’s best for me, and hopefully you the reader to see AND hear why, “My Ride is Me” but if should I hold back the pictures? How many visitors only look at the pictures anyway??

The Other Best Hot Rods from Detroit

Want to see more great hot rods? Check out the Hot Rods Page at MyRideisMe.com

So here’s another fantastically done Model A hot rod coupe from Dave Debaar. Dave told me this is one good thing to come out of long winters! He said, “When the cloud off Lake Michigan just sits there and dumps snow, especially when the rest of Michigan’s clear, we build hot rods like this!” This car never left Dave’s 3-car garage until it was running, including paint.

And… to my surprise, a 289 Ford small block’s between the rails. Dave home built a adapters to put 4 Holley 94 carbs on a dual four intake. It looks fantastic!

Please leave a comment. All it takes is email address and I never spam.

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1932 Ford Roadster – The Perfect Deuce Hot Rod in 22 Pictures

pikesan — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:21:20 +0000

2014 Detroit Autorama – Hot Rod’s at Their Best #1

The Other Best Hot Rods from Detroit

Want to see more great hot rods? Check out the Hot Rods Page at MyRideisMe.com

I do know this is the Crafty B roadster. I met the owner/fabricator/artist in cast aluminum only known as Crafty-B on the floor at Autorama. He seemed super cool and now we’re old school Facebook friends, so I’ll see if he’ll write up a few details about the car. Until then, enjoy these photos!

I did add a few more details about this car when I shared my favorite hot rods at Power and Performance News. Check it out!

Please leave a comment. All it takes is email address and I never spam.

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2014 Detroit Autorama Video Wrap-ups from Two-Lane Blacktop

pikesan — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 21:12:15 +0000

Final Looks at the Detroit Autorama Hot Rods

Two-Lane Blacktops’s put the finishing touches on the 2014 Detroit Autorama with these videos. I wish I could shoot video like this but fact is, I stink at video! Good for all of us to get this final look – and listen – at the great hot rods and customs from Detroit Autorama.

First up, Set-up day. I gotta find a way to get to the Big D earlier so I can hear all this!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Then, here’s another look at the Great 8 Cars contending for the coveted Ridler Award. In case you missed it, my story and pictures from the show are here: 32 Pictures of the 2014 “Great 8” Ridler Contenders

This video has an extended interview with the Ridler Award winner JF Launier and lot of info about wild 1964 Custom Buick Riviera.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you still can’t get enough of Autorama, make sure to go here: 2014 Detroit Autorama stories and pictures. That’s all the stories, including pictures from the Basement show in Detroit.

Thanks for the videos Don Cenkner at Two Lane Blacktop Productions.

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John Force Racing Between Rounds – Fire in the Hole!

pikesan — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:12:24 +0000

John Force Racing Teams at NHRA Arizona Nationals

The race only lasts about 4 seconds. Four. Even F1’s new engines at 15,000 rpm would only turn over 1000 times in four seconds. But no doubt, these nitro burning mothers make some power!

(Click any of these pictures to see them full size)

Back at the pits of John Force Racing, it went like this: Race, win, zip back to pits, body off, blink, the blower’s on a bench, blink, the clutch is SMOKING next to the car. These guys don’t play, so I wanted to show some pictures…

You’ll have to look closely, but off to the right of the clutch shown here, you’ll see some smoke rising up. One of Robert Height’s crew members just moved this thing. Wonder if it’s cool enough to touch before going back in?

This is the mess that goes with the heat of the clutch. It’s a beautiful mess when you can rocket from 0 to 100 in under a second!

This was the thrash between rounds for Brittany Force’s final round race. How many arms do you see in there? (Click any of these pictures to see them full size)

I tried to stay out of the way, but just in case I wasn’t completely, thanks to the teams for letting me behind the scenes!

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Brittany Force Ready, Set, Race – Beating the Champ and Flip Phones

pikesan — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 22:28:26 +0000

Brittany Force of John Force Racing Team

Peaceful.

Lucky me, at the Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Raceway just outside Phoenix (my home track), I was treated to an extended visit with the newest member of the John Force Racing Team – Brittany Force. I shot a few pictures of the crew between rounds (remember Brittany was runner-up at this race!!) and during warm-up time. Believe it or not, this is Brittany right before 8000 horsepower fires behind her.

Brittany told me, for warm-up or before a race, “I take a deep breath, trust the team to get ready, then it’s my turn to drive and hopefully get a win!”

You may be correctly asking yourself… how does she look so good in the middle of a race? It gets better from here!!

Just another day at the office, but when it’s time to get down to business, the mask goes on and she’s the boss:

Finally, I ask you, would you look this happy if you’d just lost in your first final round? Well, she’s been brought up right by the best in the biz… her dad John Force.

Brittany had tons to be happy about today, even without the Wally… “I really wanted to beat the champ, Tony Schumacher. After the race, he told me good job and gave me a big hug. It’s awesome to what great people I work with and compete against.” Oh-for-two against Tony, Brittany got her first win against the Sarge when he went up in tire smoke in the second round.

Brittany met another friend, and a dude tearing up the quarter mile, Antron Brown in the final. “Antron’s the coolest” she says… But I bet he’s on the short list of folks she still wants to beat on the track!

Photo courtesy of John Force Racing

While Brittany, like Courtney and Ashley Force before her will give full credit to their dad for showing them the ropes, I think Brittany’s got her own style. She knows how to take care of the fans that support her, but unlike her dad, she’s on Twitter and Instagram. “My dad’s still got a flip phone!” Well, nobody’s perfect, even after 16 championships!

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