Event Coverage Submit Your Favorite Car For Chicagoland Rod N' Custom '62 Show Jan. 23-25

It's no secret that the Chicago World Of Wheels has been lacking for years. The content was constantly warmed over '84 four door Cutl***' with Dubs and belly ****on Camaros. A few years ago, the board invited Django and I to put on a display. They requested something cool, and very Traditional. So we designed a 50's hot rod garage display, and with a ton of help from shop people, their families, and a bunch of volunteers, we pulled it off and won best display. Last year, the requested we do another display, and return with the hot rod garage. Not wanting to repeat what we'd done the year before, we declined, as there wasn't enough time to design and construct another display.

This past summer, they again approached me here at the shop, and asked if we could help improve the show based on the response our display had gotten. After thinking about it for awhile, and talking it over with the guys at the shop, I came up with the idea to re-create the first Hot Rod show in Chicago. We did some research, and found that a club called the Gas Hoppers had put on what was called the Chicago International Rod And Custom show. Cars like the Outlaw and El Matador were in attendance. Some more foot work my Harry found seven of the Gas Hoppers still above ground. And between two of them, they still had three of the customs that were at the show! Untouched, just as they had been in 1962! These three cars, along with the seven Gas Hoppers that we've found so far will be at the show! A meet and greet area will be provided for them, along with photographs that have survived from that era.

The show will be presented as a "show within a show." The area will be cordoned off, making a separate event within the WOW2009 show. A special ticket will be required (free of charge) that is an exact reprint of the ORIGINAL 1962 Event ticket. We'll punch the ticket showing that you attended, but you'll be able to keep the ticket as a souvenir. We're making arrangements to see if we can get the Outlaw clone and one of the El Matador clones to be there, along with something from Carl Casper.

Here's your chance to be part of the history. We're accepting applications for cars that people believe should be in the show. All cars must be 1962 and earlier, traditional Hot Rod, Traditional Custom, Dragster, Show Rod, Show Dragster, Land Speed, Vintage Bike, Vintage Racing Bike, and FINISHED. That means in the style the Gas Hoppers would have let in. Cars with history are a plus, and we are encouraging everyone to put on a real, early 60's style display. Show boards, angle hair, thick ****, what have you.

And to boot, two "other" magazines were going to sponsor this. When I was told that, I said, "hmmm. I don't know if I'm interested in being involved with an event that involves "those" magazines." Bob (from ISCA) asked me if there were something that would change to help that. I quickly said, "I'll call my buddies Zombie (Traditional Rod & Kustom) and Punk (Hometown Hot Rods) and see what they say." Bob agreed that if I could get them to agree to cover the event, he'd oust the "other" magazines. Zombie and Punk both readily agreed. And now are proud sponsors, and will provide quality coverage of what should turn out to be a great mid-western, mid-Winter show.

When he asked why I didn't want to work with "them", I explained that "they" had aligned themselves more with the rat rod faction. And that if we were going to do this show, why not do it right? Put on a real, quality show. One that will display the craftmanship and quality that guys are working their ***es off to put into their cars. And a show that better reflects what a show would have looked like in 1962.

Post your car here and PM me your email and I'll get you an entry form. There is money to be offered if you live far enough from Chicago to help with transportation costs. The show runs January 23-35 at McCormick Place-Lakeside, with load in on the 22.

BE A PART OF HISTORY and help change a boring show into something worth going to!

 

That's a great idea. Good luck with it. Ask JR to cough up some feature money to get the Matador clone in.

 

Here are some photographs of the orginial tickets and exhibitor p***:

 

And some of the original literature:

 

Moriarty maybe?

 

Sadly "Ina Mae " wont qualify in her current state. Let me know if I can help in any way. There is guy up on the South East Side of Chicago that goes by the nickname of " ****gy Dog " who is supposed to have all of he original customs he built in the 50's . Rumor has it there are several in fairly nice shape.

 

I plan to be there in the Brushmasters pinstripers Auction. What is involved in getting the ticket to enter the "Good Show"? Sounds like it will be worth the drive just for this!

Tim

 

You might try talking to
The Museum of Transportation in St Louis
Thay have the DiDia car A.K.A. Bobby Darin Dream Car
Maybe they will loan it for your show


http://www.bobbydarin.net/dreamcar.html

Also I think someone here on H.A.M.B. works there
It would be very cool

 

That would be awesome!! I'd really like to stack the show with as many HAMB cars as possible. There are SO many cool cars on here that HAMB talent built!

 

Kevin I am glad you posted about this. I loaned Harry my original 1962 dash plaque from that show they are making copys (with both years on it) for particapants.

I will be there with my original chicago showrod. old trophy's, photos and more.I havn't put it in an indoor show in ten years. I am really looking forward to this.

I have contacted a friend who photographed the show in '62 and he will be displaying his pictures their as well.

Who say's you cant go back.

 

Deaner Probst from Jefferson built and still owns the early hemi powered roadster call Lil Dough. It has graced the covers of magazines and was shown all over the country. Still looks good. I believe Deaner built Lil Dough around 58 or 59. He was and is quite proud of his deserving hot rod and loves to show it. Recently, it was featured on the cover of one of the Mad Fabricators latest pubs. If you can find something about the car and wish to invite him, let me know. Happy to ***ist.

 

meet Lil' Dough

 

Hell yeah we'd love to have Lil' Dough there!! PM me with contact information and I'll get you a registration form.

 

I'd like to get the ****roach there too. If someone knows how to get a hold of that guy I'd appreciate it. If you look at the original flyer, for the "West Coast Cars," the upper right hand photograph is a car that looks very much like the ****roach.

 

JonnyCola has been talking about maybe bringing his dads roadster down. it was there in 63' and it would make a perfect addition to the show. Ill have him get a hold of you Kevin.

I also just about finished a 37 chevy coupe in the 60's g***er style that is going to be lettered up real soon by Pat Finley(he's bringing his pickup that he had in 62). Bob Behounik from brushmasters already gave me an invite to the show. Do i have to send an application with that??

Jonnys dads roadster





My dad's 37'. picture is a couple months old, ill have to take some updated pictures this week.

 

Cool Kev! Shadenfreud describes the joy I feel about the magazine dealio

 

wow this sounds like the show in indy the road rockets have been puttin on glad to see the rest of yall catchin on to something good i applaude you

 

Chicago has needed something like this for a long time.

Cool '37 Bobby. Want another one? I am looking to sell my '37 survivor g***er project.

 

Damn, if you guys are wondering what something like this may look like when its all put together right, just visit www.indyroadrockets.com. Its a show in itself, seperate from the World of Wheels.

 

Thanks chad! Did you have it listed on here for sale? I might be interested in the future if you still have it.

BOBBY

 

Hopefully it will end up half as cool.

 

great show....

 

think a certain someone would bring his shiny new red homebuilt bubbletop?

i'd love to see it in person.

 

John Mayer already signed me up with the "Outlaw", see ya there.
FRITZ

 

Awesome!!!! I'm really hoping we can get all the original (or clones thereof) show rods that were there!

Still hunting for the ****roach????

 

Any news on this???? Someone???

 

Although that's not where the idea came from, it is along the same theme.

Cool Bobby. I'm sure that roadster will be AWESOME to see. And the g***er is cool. What kind of times do you think it'll run?

 

Wow! Now that brings back memories! I actually attended that show. I was 9 years old. Rat Fink hats and hand painted Roth shirts for sale. There used to be a green bubble top Vette that used to cruise around Chicago back then. Anybody familiar with it?

 

I have it on pretty good authority that the Atomic Punk will be there.

 

I do believe a weekend spent in Chicago as a spectator at this show is in order for me for next Jan. Sounds like it's going to be a very exciting show with lots of cool traditional hot rod and customs to view. Many thanks to Kevin and Chad for spearheading this for our viewing pleasure.