So after a slow start in mileage on the van this year(only about 5,000) miles in the first couple months I decided I would drive the van up to the Detroit Autorama again this year.
My first stop was to drive from Houston to Plano TX to Mitch Henderson designs to have a front shock replaced that I blew the seal out of at the Houston Autorama. We decided to do a Pro-Comp shock this time, and the ride is even better than before with the stiffer shock over the factory style shock
Did some Photographs for Mitch's website while I was there
after goofing off way to long I left Plano with a epic sunset
first gas stop in the rain and high winds
spent the night in Arkansas due to the wind being crazy around 1 am so up at 8 the next am aimed towards Memphis
Almost to Memphis got a call from a Australian magazine asking if I would be in Indiana anytime soon, and I said....sure. So slight direction change and welcome to Missouri
and then Tennesee
oh and KY
premium unleaded started creeping up to the 4.00 range in KY
Everyone in Louisville knew I was getting close because the clouds that always seem to follow me finally caught up with me
Since where I had to shoot was right outside Cincinnati I stayed with my good friend Josh Shaw, and this wasnt a bad view to wake up to
After I got up I headed on to my assignment at BES racing engines this monster was 1800 hp NA and then 3500+ with spray
after I left there I headed to where Josh works, and its a step back in time. They restore old miller race cars, and have a ton of paraphernalia everywhere. This was the old Penske Dyno board that all the Indy race engines where ran on from the 70' 80's......I had to pull the throttle a couple times for good luck
Here is a miller car in a state of rebuild from the original chassis up
Here is me holding the original engine block from the 1928 Indy 500 winner
Back on the road thursday am it was alot nicer this year going this way it was 45 out, and last year it was -10......did I mention the van has no heat?
Welcome to Michigan
As soon as I came in the door I was face to face with the Brothers custom shoebox. This thing is all polished metal no clearcoat
Rocket wheel greeted me at the booth and gave me a new set of the all cast center for my wheels....bitchin. Now I just need to get them as dirty as the rest of the wheel
another bitchin shoebox
.....and they parked my favorite car behind me to tempt me all weekend
I guess I made it just in time because this is what it looked like when I got up
Another favorite from the show
Our good friend artist Max Grundy has joined the bearded militia....who would let this guy on a airplane...especially after they see his artwork
This was my choice to win the Riddler, and for the second year in a row I was correct. This year was a much tighter feild, and wait till you see future pics of this thing on the ground it is badass
Got Charlie Hutton to sign the van
Got interviewed by a corvair nut
Got our booth all setup
Had this aluminum print stolen out of the van the first night it was inside
Someone snapped this one of me leaving downtown after the show
Last year this time I had the honor of shooting this months cover of Rod&Custom and I was lucky to shoot the bare metal 31 in the back now that it was finished
You cant tell from this pic but it was 35 degrees with a 15mph wind
I also got to shoot my favorite car of the show
Woke up the next morning and it was a little cooler than I expected
so I started off shooting a bike
Then out visiting some shops....roadster GT-40 anyone?
....then back on the road..rolling through toledo ohio on the way to pittsburgh pa
made it to RPM's new shop and parked the van, and rode to my bed for the night I will post more over the next few days, and my trip to canada for megaspeed this coming weekend in Toronto
Comment