Yea,judging by the location of the truck in the main arena,it was in a real shit spot.You think it would have been near the center of the floor
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off"> Big Al thanks for posting the pics ( 'great job as usual ) and I second TeddyP's sentiments - congrats to Mark, Vic, Ron and the rest - you guys pulled it off, great job!!!!!!!! Dave </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
congrats To Vic And Mark And The Whole Crew.........dedication And Hard Work, You Made It!!!! barresse'
Yes, congrats to the crew. Have been looking forward to seeing it finished after reading magazine articles on it's build. From what I can see in those pics, it looks right, all the way down to the nuts and bolts! I would really love to be standing there when Barris takes a look at it.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Kopper Kart! All of you deserve a big pat on the back for making it come together! I'm proud of you all!!! Luke
One of the coolest parts of this wknd was having a handful of old timers come up and talk to us saying they saw the original and this one was dead nuts. One even asked when we finished the restoration, he thought it was the original! It was unbelievable the way the truck was recieved this wknd, and even though I was a small part compared to Mark, Vic and Ron, it was a great feeling. Somehow I get the feeling you west coast HAMBers are going to be seeing it in person alot sooner than you think...
You guys are making me all misty-eyed. Thank for all your comments, and encouragement throughout the build, it really helped during the rough times! The best part of the show was meeting you ALL. I really mean it. The cars can come and go, but the friends we meet last a hell of a lot longer! I don't know, I didn't feel slighted by our location so much. I know it was in the back, but we DID have a 3 sided clear view of the truck, which was great for people taking pics of it. Lots of folks told us that the truck had more peple around it taking pics than the Ridler cars, so location isn't everything! The opportunity to meet and "talk shop" with all the rest of the builders, and custom fanatics really iced the cake for me. Having Winfield, Mike Alexander, Terry Cook, Tim Strange, Foose, and all the people I idolize, come up and talk about the truck was more than anyone could ever ask for. Getting an invite to the GNRS was more satisfying than any trophy could ever be. Meeting new friends also topped the list of the best things of the greatest weekend of my life. I can't even begin to list all the great folks I got to meet, or old friends I saw there. It was a whirlwind of exiting moments I'll NEVER forget! Meeting an older gentleman, who's been shooting pictures at car shows since 1958, telling me he wasn't going to come to Cobo, until a friend called him to tell him the truck was here. He got in his car and came right out, from Illinois, to see the truck, once in his lifetime......priceless.......
Mark, you hit the nail on the head. Coming out to Detroit to spend the weekend with you guys was a blast. It was an honor walking around and meeting such talented people, but above all such nice people. This was my first Autorama, but certainly not my last. Mark, let's not forget the special friends we met on Friday night And you need to change your signature line
All I know is if they bring it to the roundup, they had better put stanchions around it, or there may be some new pinstriping (drool marks)!
Great job on the truck chopolds! That must have been a job! But I gotta say... if that was mine, I'd shave its ass and make it drive backwards. Sam.
Picking a "Builder's Choice" downstairs was just as tough as picking the Ridler. We were told to avoid the obvious "winners", such as the Atomic Punk and the El-Tiki, as the big name guys were probably going to choose them. But the first car in our list was the one that got the nod, great look, stance, color, engine, "wish it was mine!"...... (Pic stolen from Ron's site...pyrocars.com!)
I been photographing this project since Vic started it in his driveway with Ed. I heard Vic talk about it for months sitting pool side. I remember him telling me about meeting John Maurice and that it was a sign to go forward with it. Vic would give up family weekend because he was down Mark's shop and we would have to take day trips during the week. For months on my way down to Ed's house I would stop at the shop and take picture of them. On Friday March 7, I flew in to Detroit with Ed and Louise. Vic meet us at COBO hall and I couldn't believe my eyes on how awsome the truck was. Vic, Mark, Ron, Daran, Ed, JohnMaurice (one word) Joe and Bill. You did a outstanding job and thank you for making Vic's dream come true. Vic I am so proud of you and I know that dad would of been right there with you on this project. I know our whole family is proud of you. Now can you start spending so weekend with us. You did it Bro I love you. Mark you are a true friend and our family will never forget the committment you made to Vic and this project, you put up with the Collins's and still let us in you shop.That Family! Ron, thanks for letting me see the other side of you in Detroit. Daran, you know how I feel about you and thank you for taking Vic and the Kopper Kart to Detroit, Gloves are off now. John Maurice, you are a great guy and I can see why Vic wants you as a friend.I hope to see more of you in the future. Thank you Bill, You know how to give it back, I like that. Thank you for what you did to help Vic. Joe, Don't know you that well but I'm sure I will be seeing more of you in the future. Thanks for all you had done. And for my brother Ed, I love you man....Thanks for keeping Vic grounded I couldn't do it by myself. Had a wonderful time with my brothers. Looking forward to more fun trips together. I had a terrific time in Detroit and it was great to see Vic so happy. I shared a special time with the Kopper Kart team. Something I will always remember. I love you all I hope you all have years of Happiness with this truck.
Congratulations is an understatement! I may not have made it to Detroit in person, but I was with you guys in mind every step of the way while I was in Daytona covering Bike Week. I hope you all walk on Cloud 9 for a very long time! Each and every one of you are part of making history! Thank you for bringing the Kart back for those of us who never got to see the original. I look forward to visiting with you all and seeing this amazing project in person. Hats Off to you all from Still Runnin Magazine! See you all soon! Lea@stillrunnin.com
Ummm, I don't know who she is but we all saw "Eds Sis Lefty" in Detroit outside of Cobo Hall beggin' for change. She acted like she knew us all weekend and we eventually had to call the cops. could someone in charge here please block her from posting here? Hugs, Assman!
The 235 is set up exactly as it was in '58. Corvette 3 x 1 intake with Rochester side drafts, mild cam, dual manifolds, true duals with steel packs. I think it sounds damn good for a little 6 pin, but admittedly unimpressive compared to the slew of $40K big blocks at the show and the Ferrari engine in the project you worked on. But hey, the Kopper Kart was never meant to be a performance vehicle
Bringing this back to the top! I'm curious what has happened to this truck since its 'debut' in 2008. Haven't seen hide nor hair of it since. It's one of my favorite builds from the Hamb and I enjoyed the updates.
Since Detroit, it's been on the indoor show circuit in 08 & 09, been to plenty of East coats events, Gettysburg (won Grand Champion of Kustoms), Lead East, Fairfield Concours, spent a winter in America on Wheels museum in PA, Jalopyrama, the Orion Music Festival (Metallica's gig) and the Rodders Journal show. Vic's been keeping it nice and warm in the garage, I haven't even seen it in a couple years! He's been driving the wheels off his chopped 48 Merc.
The Jalopy Journal
