The photo contest was a lot of fun and every day was like opening a small present. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, but I gotta admit Im feeling a bit like a car show judge . . . which is a title I hope I never have to wear. The winners need to PM me with their mailing addresses and Ill make a post when they go out Priority Mail. Wednesday more than likely. Let me know as well if you want the books autographed and in what manner. First Place Mr. 42's photo encompassing many elements into a whole. When I first saw it, I sat there for a while and took it all in. The photo is like an Ansel Adams photo, it hits you right up front and gives you some things to think about. This is the Wizard of Oz photo that lives in our dreams. Many times thought of, dreamed about, doesnt make any difference when or where . . . wrenchin underneath the car, chasin parts or shooting paint. Just one of those places we know were gonna go when we get the hot rod running even if we dont know where it is. Might take a bit of driving, but one day well find it. First place prize, one copy of The All American Hot Rod. Tie for 2<SUP>nd</SUP> place Nowaxn5's stunning photo of a simple wagon in a simple photo that kinda takes your breath away when you first see it. Once I saw it, I couldnt - and still cant - get it out of my mind. This one would have never made it in B&W. Its the mix of colors that do the job. 2<SUP>nd</SUP> place prize, one copy of California Hot Rodder. Tie for 2<SUP>nd</SUP> place Stumpys exceptionally well done Shoebox. Again, this is one that wouldnt have made the cut if it was in B&W. Color, the dark mysterious alley, chrome highlights, great paint are what does it. Customs were made for the night somebody said once upon a time. This photo proves it. Outrage and mystery in one car. Not much more you could ask for. 2<SUP>nd</SUP> place prize, one copy of California Hot Rodder. Third place Blakes 31 pickup really spoke to me. A nice, simple, well done hot rod that will always be in style. Nicely done photo as well. These little pickups showed up in a lot of places back in the day and where they really shined was doing push car duty for a hard running fuel car. With the big and well varnished oak bumper bolted on the front to protect both the pickup and the fueler they made the statement that here was a serious crew. Serious about going fast, faster than anyone and most times the fuelers they ran were the fastest there was that day, that time. The seriousness about the push car spoke volumes as well. Geezus, this must be a bunch of really serious hot rodders if thats the push car. Almost always, true. If you look at this photo for a little while, youll understand more about these simple little pickups than you ever thought. Third place prize, Issue #1 and Issue #2 of Hot Rod Deluxe. Kindly donated by John X, a HAMBr, and I have to apologize here. John, I lost the email with your HAMB name and would really like to give you credit so shoot me a PM or email. There were 21 finalists when judging started. Most of the judging, done by me, but, Sweetie had a few comments on the color photos, favorable for sure. There were more than a few really great cars and quite a few well done photos. I expanded the prizes out to a total of four because the choices truly were difficult. I do want to point out a couple of photos that were posted and not entered. AV8's shot of Bluey for one. In my opinion and quite a few others, Bluey is the quintessential hot rod roadster. It would have been difficult not to name it the front runner. I do admit to being prejudiced, not because I know Mike, but rather Im just another guy who fell in love with the little A roadster. A blue-gowned temptress if there ever was one. Im pretty sure as well that Gods dictionary has the photo of Bluey listed under Hot Rod. Glens subtle custom Buick is, Im very sure listed under Customs in that same dictionary. It speaks volumes and shows that complexity isnt needed where customs are involved. It is a sweet and flowing design. Sweeties words on seeing the photo of Glens Buick, "It flows like a silken nightgown in the summer wind." If God thinks so and Sweetie thinks so, who am I to argue?
WOW! That's so cool! My son will go fuckin crazy!!! I'll tell him when he gets home... Congrats to the other winners.
Way cool! Thanks C9 for the pick and to everyone that commented. It's kinda cool to get the ol' wagon some attention. (even though it's the leaves that make the pic!) Can't wait to read the book- look at pics Thanks a million, Jerry By the way, I have another pic in the leaves without "a tree growing out of the roof"
Good choices, I missed the roadster shot but knew the wagon in the leaves would be near the top the minute I saw it. Can we make this a regular event?
wow.....beautiful description....and ever so correct.... Cheers, and prop's to C9, job well done, Drewfus
Thanks C9! My dad doesn't always take the best shots,ha ha! He took advantage of the photographers set-up. It's about midnite when that photo was taken. LindseyLou was the model.
Thanks to all involved - I'm honored just to be considered amongst the cool pics that were submitted. Special props to Royalshifter and Franco for the pickup itself - we really love that neat little hauler. That pic really is kinda special. We'd just bought the little pickup from Franco, and my family was doing Xmas at the Gruene Mansion, so Joyce and I drove it out from Austin on Xmas day (Joyce drove, I passenged). At some point, all the family folks took turns posing for pics in front of historic Gruene Hall... so, the newest member of our family got to pose, too. Two clicks later, this is what I had. Thanks again to all involved, and congrats to the other winners!
I'm not affraid to admit that the photo contest thread was my first priority when I checked in on the HAMB these last few days. Yet somehow, I missed the shot that turned out to be the winner. Your choice was excellent and I don't envy you having such a hard job. The others are also deserving of their prizes. As in most contest, it's a shame everyone couldn't win because there were some great entries. I commend everyone who entered and congratulate the winners, VERY well done! The amount of talent on this forum is astounding.
Those were my first two choices also!!!!!!!! I'm glad I wasn't the one having to pick and I can see whey you had to expand the winners, LOL .That was fun and thanks for doing something special and fun for everyone!!!! Congrats to the winners, well deserved!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah Ken, it pixelates (sp?) when I tried to blow it up too! If anybody know's how to fix it or doctor it up it'd be appreciated. Thanks again C9. It was fun checking out all the pics! (every other minute) By the way Stumpy, that sure is one hell of car fer a 12th grader. I hope you realize just how lucky ya are to have a cool Ol' man. Congrats!!!
Thanks. My dad got it for me when I turned 14,after my grandma and grandpa died. He went to Pomona to find a mercury and saw it forsale. I don't know how much he paid for it,but he got it from a guy on the HAMB. Todd something. He built it. I only got to drive it once in a parking lot across from my house. I've got my permit,but my dad won't let me drive it yet. Insurence or something. Yea my dad's different,ha ha.
Stumpy, That's still pretty cool. If you need a cheauffer I'll drive ya 'rounnd in it. My son just turned 16 in March and I let him take the wagon with a coupla buddies to the drive-in. He loved it. He's not taking the Caddy though!
There were so many great shots but those were on top of my list too - What a great thread - thanks for the enjoyment! Lea
Good choices...Hell, I missed the one that you picked as the #1, awesome picture... And I wouldn't have wanted to pick a winner from all the entries!
Congrats to Mr 42, Nowaxn5, Stumpy, & Blake ... and not that my opinion matters, but the photos of your cars were my top 4 picks as well ... great stuff. C9, thanks again for holding the contest ... you should do it again (and I'll promise to keep my comments to myself ).