Event Coverage Done and in the Sun Tour 2008....Big Olds FINALLY Does the Hunnert Car Pileup

In all these years of attending the Pileup, for one reason or another I never took Big Olds. This year was going to be different and I was so looking forward to my pals in the area seeing him completed....finally.

So, last Friday (well a couple of Fridays ago now) I left my office at 12 noon and headed out the door. I had once again driven Big Olds to work that morning packed up and ready to hit the highway. I called Aaron51Chevy to find out where him and the Usual Suspects were. They were planning on leaving Troy at 11:30 and us hooking up on the highway. We made plans for a certain exit. Half an hour later, just as I was approaching that exit my phone rings to find out they were just behind me and not to take the exit…..perfect timing.


I fell in behind and just enjoyed the cruz and perfect weather. A couple of hours into the trip we came upon my favorite exit. I always think of PurplePickup when I reach this point…..he lives at this exit.


Just inside the Michigan/IN boarder we stopped for fuel and Aaron called shotgun in Big Olds. That’s Cliff standing there thinking that maybe he should have been quicker.


I bought out the secret stash of cookies……Chris AKA MansonJar did say he was going to share


Blue skies, WARM temps and trees in full color were the norm all weekend


Once at the IN/IL boarder we hooked up with a bunch of HAMB folks at Cadillac Bob’s place. Thanks so much for including us in your run to Morris. Made the last hour that much more enjoyable.


And once again I bought out the cookie stash (stupid camera acting up again)
L2R, Chris50, Cadillac Bob and Silent Rick


Got a chance to check out everyone rides.
Eric AKA Chopz56’s Handyman Wagon


Bob’s Lincoln


Also got a chance to check out Bob’s neat as a pin garage


And his other rides




Very cool!

 

I went inside to use the ladies room and HOLY SMOKES does a single guy really live here?? Neat and tidy doesn’t even begin to describe his place. His pals say he keep’s it like this all the time and if “he wasn’t so fat he’d be gay”. I laughed my ass off when I heard that.

Love his style of decorating too.








Once on the highway I gave my camera to Aaron who was in charge and snapped a few cars heading down the road


Chris50 drive his daily cuz it’s up for sale


Cadillac Bob


Silent Rick


LOVE his ’56 Handyman wagon


Eric and his lovely wife Michelle


Wasn’t long before we were rolling into Morris


And caught up with these two rolling off the highway as well




And these two headed in the other direction…..hot rods and customs everywhere!


Pulled into the Holiday Inn Express to a packed house.

 

With everyone just milling around and checking out each others rides.
It's a shame all the trailers weren't parked in the back or side therefore it could have been nothing but hot rods and customs like at the host hotel for the HAMB Drags.




As I pulled around I caught Rashy taking off the screen to his window in the hotel next door and climbing out of it. Got a great hug and kiss! Wonderful seeing you and the OK boys again sweetie


Once I got Big Olds parked I started to mingle myself. Boy was it wonderful to see so many great pals.
L2R
Nick AKA Malcolm, Gary AKA Hot Rod Roadster, me, Steve AKA Fordy6, Bruce AKA CuznBrucie and Ron AKA Flat-Top Norm


And Bobwop decided he needed to do alittle polishing and get the bugs off Big Olds. What I think he was really doing was sniffing around looking for cookies.


Got a couple of GREAT hugs from my pals Robbie (Rob Lee’s son) and Dallas AKA Hellraiser. WONDERFUL seeing both you boys again.


After chatting abit I decided to take a walk and check out some of the cars in the hotel parking lot.

This one was built by Gene Senn from Pella, IA who is a friend of Fordy6 and Cuznbrucie. Not sure if he’s a HAMB guy or not but it was nice meeting him and checking out his ride.




This Riv had the most awesome black paint I think I have ever seen…..and he wasn’t afraid to drive it and park it at the Pileup….cough Detroit Aaron, cough, GayAaron, cough, cough.










Big Olds’ cousin, if I could have found the owner I would have suggested that we run’um

 

Dallas, Robbie and RobLee hanging out




A couple of Bobwop’s local WI pals rolled in




Decided to shower and freshen up, then a group of us hopped in our cars and headed to Liberty Street and the Red Cent.

I got the pleasure of Robbie company for the ride over.


Bobwop in his For Sale ‘53


Parked the cars across the street from the bar and hang out and chatted with more pals.
Gary’s roadster and Big Olds


Got the chance to check out Johnny Sparkle’s lastest creation. Sure has come a long way since I saw it last in your garage. Looks great sweetie! Wonderful seeing you again.


This Caddy was putting on a show right in front of the bar



After hanging out abit we went inside the Red Cent to grab something to eat and drink.


Most of us paid our $5 cover but then they wouldn’t let Robbie in to eat with us so we all decided to head down the street to a pizza place (which also looked like a bar so I don’t understand the difference. Anyway, had pizza, drinks and a GREAT time with a bunch of awesome pals.
L2R, Lisa, TJ and Nick


Gary, Me and Bob


They set up karoeke and Robbie really wanted to do it. I asked him to sing America Pie, which he did not knowing it was an 8+ minute long song….poor kid. He did a fabulous job though. Folks in the bar were singing the chorus with him and clapped and cheered for him afterwards. Made his night I think.


Checked out a few more cars
Lindross’s

 

Bob Bleed’s Dad, Bob Sr’s cool little roadster




Looking bar toward the bar from the other side of the tracks








Lucky77’s


At this point some of us decided to head into the Red Cent and get a cocktail and visit with friends on the inside. Ran into Bob and Chris hanging out with Gina AKA Diamond 49 and TigerMark


Seems JimBob like waggin his tongue a lot


Jim offered to get me a drink and instead of one he brought two……could let them go to waste


We got hugs and kisses from HotRodeo Ed from NY


Gina, Bob and Mark


Listened to the bands


They had video from last year going which was pretty cool


By this time it was getting late and I knew I was getting up early so we headed back to the room and called it a night. I was surprised there was not as much hotel parking lot action as in the past. I do think it has to do with lots of folks being either forced to rooms out of Morris OR choosing to stay outside of Morris cuz of the high price that the rooms are demanding now. A room at the new Holiday Inn Express was $129 plus tax per night, came to $144….ouch. I did not reserve for next year there. Just getting to steep. I will drive 15 miles each way to save $75 bucks per night for sure next year.

 

Saturday morning was another picture perfect Oct day. Blue skies and sunshine with temps expected to reach 80 degrees. Like most have already read. The warmest PileUp yet. I was in line by 7:15am as I knew it was practically going to be a car show in line. I walked up and down the lines of cars on the south side, never making it to the north lines cuz I just ran outta time even with almost two hours to check out cars.






This Stude’s come a long way since first seeing photos on the HAMB and it in person in the project section at a past PileUp








The gates were opened promptly at 9am and the cars starting rolling immediately. Wasn’t long before I was parked and heading over to the t-shirt purchasing area where they had the process down pat. I was extremely impressed with the organization.


The line zig-zaged neatly instead of everyone rushing the tables


Gregg certainly got lucky with his “assignment”


It’s always nice to get to the Chicagoland “area” as I get to visit with folks I don’t see to often. Butch Pearson is one of those fellows. He’s a retired machinist who last year dropped everything at the last minute to turn some custom made bolts for Big Olds top bows. I could not have installed the top bows therefore getting the top installed and therefore my new interior last year if it wasn’t for him. We looked high and low for these certain “shoulder” bolts that just were not available. He’s an awesome fabricator and a good pal and it was a pleasure seeing him at the PileUp and getting some sugar from him.


Shortly thereafter Road Kill PU stopped by Big Olds to say hi and cop the promised hug and kiss. Sure was great to see you again sweetie this far north from home.
I love Dick


Wingnutz and his pal also stopped by as well. Great to see you and your roadster once again.


While waiting in line to enter the fairgrounds Brett Mason, one of the most renouned stripers and a member of the Chicago Brushmasters stopped by Big Olds to say “hi”. We had met a few years earlier at the World of Wheels event in Milwaukee. Anyway, he saw my cooler in the back of Big Olds with all the different striper pals on it and offered to lay a few lines. I was thrilled and sure enough shortly after parking Big Olds he walks up with his paints and starts slinging. I couldn’t be happier. Needless to say he walked away with a few cookies in a bag. Thanks bud!

 

I then decided to take a walk and check out some vendors and cars


’38Pickup’s little truck, always a pleasure seeing you and your folks sweetie. Thanks for the hug


HotRodRoadster’s, it really saddens me to see the for sale sign on it. I truly hopes no one buys my most favorite roadster from you and you’re stuck with it forever. Have fun and Malcolm’s Monster Mash and maybe I’ll see you here in March?? Xoxox


I really love track noses








Decided to hang out in the swap meet area for bit. This bike was way cool. Not sure if it was the same one being ridden around downtown Morris or not.


I wonder if this one would corner as well as my current go-cart??


One of my favorites there




Outside the box for sure and I’m glad it was painted.

 

It was hard getting shots of the cars with so many spectators there but I was patient and waited for the coast to clear many times over the course of the day.










Vendors were kept busy all day with customers




Kevin Tully, owner of Hot Rod Chassis and Cycle had a crowd of potential customers around him all day. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. It was nice chatting with Shoebox Mag though who was holding down the booth while Kevin was busy near the projects.


I then headed inside to the vendors in the large building. HOLY SMOKES was it packed. Couldn’t hardly move without bumping into someone…….like Gary and Nick who were standing in front of Dickster’s booth.


Dick came out from behind the booth to introduce him and say hi….and of course cop a hug and kiss. AWESOME finally meeting you sweetie and having the opportunity to chat.
I love Dick


Went back to Big Olds to relax for a few minutes before the two Meet & Greets started. RedLineToys son stopped by with his pal to introduce himself. What a pleasant young man. Very nice to meet you, hope to see you again at one of the Indy events.


Here’s where I’m going to get nasty and “bitchy” (I'll pull a Cliffy for a moment) to whoever stuck the sticker on my seat. Who the fuck do you think you are putting something sticky on a car that doesn’t belong to you, especially an interior! You are lucky you didn’t come up to me at some point during the event and tell me you did it. I would have kicked your ass from one end of the fairgrounds to the other. Do you realize it left a mark?? Yep, Buckled helped me get the sticky stuff off after seeing me in distress (thanks much Buckle) BUT there is now a mark there where it was. Proud of yourself for doing something so stupid???? Don’t apologize on this thread or send me a PM cuz frankly at this point I don’t want a name attached it it cuz I really don’t what to hate someone with a face and name. Hopefully one of the interior guru’s on here can recommend something that might work in getting the mark off without ruining it further.
Thanks again to Buckle for helping a sister out.


On to happier things.


At 1:30 the Ladies of the HAMB started gathering. My thoughts were that us girls could get together and chat abit before the boys started arriving. Once the masses come all hell breaks loose and it’s hard to hold a conversation. Special thanks to all the Ladies that brought treats to share with everyone. Check out this cool cookies from RoundAroundSue

 

RunAroundSue on left, Twinkletwinkle247 on the right, it was nice to meet you sweetie, welcome to the Midwest.




Thanks to all the Ladies of the HAMB that attended. I had fun getting to know some of you alittle better and meeting the rest. Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to get together more in the future.
Standing L2R
Lil Hellraiser, Twinkletwinkle247,Luckysgal, Peace Love and Hot Rods, RunAroundSue and StitchBitch
Kneeling L2R
Diamond49, HotRodladyCrusr, BreedersWife and the hero of the day DumbWhore


At this point I took a look over toward Big Olds which was kinda where the guys would enter this grassy area for the M&G and noticed there were QUITE a few of them standing around waiting for us gals to “finish”. Wasn’t thank sweet of them?? Once we gave them the nod that they could come over and join us they went directly to the tables of goodies and dug in!


Very bummed Brandi didn’t make the Ladies of the HAMB Meet & Greet but she was one of the first at the full on one. Nice to finally meet you sweetie. Looking forward to seeing you again real soon.




Gregg, Hot Rod Josh and their better halves. Nice to see you guys again. I’m glad we got the chance to chat abit.






How many pictures are there of Rashy on the phone last weekend???




HUGE crowd of HAMB folks turned up


Jeff AKA PBRmeASAP and his lovely wife Erin. AWESOME to see you both. Sure wish I would have remember to drunk dial Brett once we all got back to the bar after dinner. Next time I guess he’s just going to have to join us huh??




You can kinda tell how hot is was just because of the fact everyone was standing in the shade. In years past it’s been just the opposite where everyone was fighting for sunny spots to warm up.


Well except for a few rebels

 

The two tables on the right against the building had the pastries and names tags. Special thanks to the Czars for supplying us with name tags this year and to Larry AKA OldBobSign for supply the folks that showed up to the Meet & Greet with special event stickers. I’d also like to thank Larry for obtaining the ladder for the group photo. Everything you do is very much appreciated.


Got a great hug from the imfamous Johnny Sparkle. Great seeing you again sweetie and hanging out. I’m thrilled you got your car running and driving in time for the PileUp. See ya in March at the Autorama


Hokey Ass Group Shot for 2008


L2R, Fab32, FuelPump and Django
Nice see you boys again. Chad, good luck on Babywatch and let us know when the time comes. Rich and frank, I was thrilled to have such handsome pals hanging out by Big Olds all day keeping me company.




Lindross, me and GMC Bubba, AWESOME seeing you boys again. Looking forward to tomorrow….I heard the shop had an early visitor today.


Jim AKA POP, once again I didn’t get to spend as much time with you as I was hoping for. One of these days we just need to say to hell with everyone else and crawl into a corner and catch up. PLEASE try once again to come to Detroit in March and leave the lightweights at home.




Slammed, Malcolm, HotRodRoadster, and EvilClown


Me and Evil Clown, great seeing you again sweetie. Sorry we didn’t get a chance to have a drink….or three together this year.


Having some fun with Nick….no I couldn’t budge him, not even an inch


TopDeadCenter and his lovely wife. AWESOME seeing you again. It had been way too long between visits.


Once the Meet & Greet started breaking up, I had the opportunity to hang out and chat with MaxGearhead. Wonderful seeing you again sweetie. I’m so glad you were able to make the PileUp and we got a chance to hang out. Hopefully I’ll see ya soon.


The Usual Suspects keeping an eye on Big Olds……and the extra cookies in the trunk I’m sure


CuznBrucie stopped by Big Olds to say Hi. So glad to made it to our little corner of the world sweetie. I’ll see you in May at the Showdown.

 

I then decided to take another walk and check more cars


Lindross’ Krylon Special and Bubba’s T










Hot Rod Josh’s




My other top favorite of the event






Plowboy, Yngrodder, Russco, 29Sedanman I think, etc, Nice chatting with you boys


Drew AKA Abomber’s

 

Bill from Detroit and his lovely girlfriend, nice seeing you both again


Two of my favorite local cars, Kirk Hanning’s ’34 Pickemup and Lucky77’s Sedan. AWEsoME seeing and chatting with you guys




Walked back to Big Olds to sit with the Usual Suspects and watch the cars cruz out the gate. Got a hardy laugh outta Billrirald at the wheel of his truck with Jim32 riding shotgun as they backed over cones time and time again. Hey Czars, if a cone is missing, check under his truck.


Lucky77 and Luckysgal






After watching a few more cars I decided to head back to the hotel to clean up Big Olds and to shower and freshen up before dinner. Saw this beauty in the parking lot


Headed to Maria’s for a nice Italian meal then over to the Red Cent where we ran into all kinds of pals hanging out on the side walks and parking lots. I brought Suzie some “special” candy and we had some fun sharing them with the boys.








Walked up and down Liberty checking out the cars

 

Once back in front of the Red Cent, BobK decided he was one of the gals…..


…until John whipped out one of VonDust’s “toys” outta the truck. Bob was then no where to be found. If I didn’t know any better I’d think that Dustin (VonDust) wanted to be a GMB


“say what you want but that’s not mine”






Yea, I know his names Nick, not Dick


I was wiped out so decided to call it a night and head back to the Holiday Inn Express. I certainly noticed that the hotel/motel parking lots were lighter in activity this year in the past. I do think there are a lot of people that have choosen to stay outside of Morris to save a lot of money and I’m thinking next year I might do the same. $150 per night is absolutely ridiculous.

The next morning we had to hit three restaurants before we ound a breakfast joint that didn’t have a HUGE line. Stopped by the Lions show and swap just to check it out. Didn’t go inside though.


Drove RT6 for abit heading east then I hopped on I80 into IN….


….then into Michigan…


…where I immediantly hopped onto a 2 lane highway…..


….and took it all the way back to the Detroit area. The most perfect day for a topless cruise.


I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Czars, Catherine and the volunteers for all their hard work and dedication. You all should be extremely proud of yourselves and the event. I call it an event, not just a show, cause that’s what it has become……a distination event. Theee distination event of the year in the Mid-West in my opinion. Congrats folks!

 

Thanks for the great write-up, Denise. It was good to see you again - had a good time for sure!

Malcolm

 

had fun there also didn't make the meet n great properly stand in in line line waiting for some water or something. great pics hope to see you next year.

 

Great pics and commentary, Denise! Nice to relive it all over again!

Brucie

 

that sticker deal is pissing me off. They can PM me and I'll hate them for both of us...

other than that... nice coverage. And as always great seeing you!

 

Great story Denise. Looks like too much fun.

 

Thanks for the fantastic pictures Denise. Also for the hug and kiss. One of my goals for the weekend was to be at the meet and greet but I had a huge brain fart and got to shooting the breeze and forgot to go. This getting old crap ain't aLL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE. Also wanted to meet Malcolm but that didn't happen either.
Hope to see you at the Roundup and maybe meeting Malcolm and making it to the meet and greet.
Later,
Dick

 

As usual you have out done yourself on the coverage. And now that I see what a real Meet and Greet actually looks like, I am little embarrassed at what ours is going to look like this weekend. No food No Tent No Stickers No.........people! RAIN!

 

Almost seems like I was there...great job denise.....loved the story and pics

 

Bake cookies and bring them, it's not hard to do. SOMEONE attending has to have a tent they could bring and then hang the banner from that first thing in the morning so that folks will see it and be reminded.

Also, this is something to keep in mind. If this event is one you attend year after year then setting up the Meet & Greet in the same location at the same time each year is important. Guys are creatures of habit. It will grow each year and after awhile you won't even have to announce it folks will just show up.

 

cool pictures!

 

NICE JOB Denise. While most of the HCPU pics were posted LOOOOONG ago, it was nice to have my memory refreshed. Thanks for posting and for introducing me to some awesome folks. You are wonderful.

 

Great pics, you sure know how to have fun............

does anyone know who owns this car? or can tell me the color?

 

Thanks Denise. I'll try my best.

 

Well, another year has come and gone. If you folks will notice, about 3/4's of this thread by Denise is about the people. This is what has become of the H.A.M.B. It is an opportunity to meet our pals we have met from somewhere in the past, and another opportunity to make new friends at places like the Hunnert Car Pile Up.

On Magnet's thread, so many have offered up their Thank You's to the Chrome Czars, the volunteers, to D.W. for making this all happen for us to enjoy.

Now to you Denise, (Hotrodladycrusr). Thank you for sharing with all others on the H.A.M.B. the story, the photos, for those who could not attend. For those of us that were there, a chance to relive that special week-end in Morris, Illinois.

Pretty soon, I think you will believe my motto, "It's for the Fun of It"


Best wishes Denise, and I'll see you on the road again, somewhere soon I'm sure.


HellRaiser

 

awesome coverage denise,did you take care of my boy brucie while he was out there?

 

Denise,Thanks for sharing your pictures,you could almost feel the great time everyone was having,made me feel like I really missed out on a good time.putting it on next years wish list!!

 

great to see ya again denise! wished id had more time to hang with you this yr! waaayyy to busy gettin loaded! [hey, itsa full time job for me] damn, bob looks more drunk then me in that one pic!!!!!LOL hope ta see ya soon and thanks for da coverage!
ever think of quitin your job, and just writing for mags? hell, then our 144 a night hotel would have been free for you!!
and yeah, im NOT payin that shit again! friggin crooks!