I got to spend a bunch of time with Chip at Lead East a few years ago. Believe me,he is the real deal. You won't find anyone who is more into cars; someone who can design and create anything, to the highest level possible. Words can't do justice to his talents, and the amount of effort that goes into everything he does. We don't have to be in love with everything he makes, but we could all learn something from him.
Chip is a MASTER BUILDER.....his talent is almost unbelievable to the casual observer...... But for the life of me -I cant explain my reaction...... when I first looked at that car ,I saw another "Coast to Coast" Morphed 39 Ford replicar.........
Ryan, This show hasn't been in Oakland for almost the past 10yrs. The invite thing - I doubt that you remember the days that Starbird,Tognotti Larivee & Co. Ran this show, But I have pictures of 57 Chevy pick-ups with Rallys along the inside perimeter of the Colluseim. The 70's Van era as well as muscle car central. How about Tex Smith's XR6 that was cutting edge for the times ultilizing a slant 6 cyl as well as a VW front suspension,.(not my cup of tea though).There were also cars like Joe Wilhems' Narrowed & Finned T, as well as Andy Brizio's Instant Scrolled T. Not to forget cars like the CA.Star. Thats just an way upgraded version of the XR6 with Boyd type billet wheels on it. These and many more that I can name off were invited????This show has a "good one" on every 10th anniversary of it's original date.Yes the type of cars always have seemed to be "off the cuff", but it seems to straighten itself out every now & then, Case in point. 1979 Blown big block drag slicked split wish boned Hailbrand wheeled 1932 Highboy Roadster owned by one Phil Cool. That changed the course of the show for the next few years. 1987 Halibrand wheeled full fendered Ardun equipped 1932 Steel bodied roadster, owned untill recently by the late Irmie Immerso=200mph Club member.(Car recently sold @ his estate auction for over $425k) and was American Rodder Mags 1st cover car.Shows are what they are & that's really all I can say. I am glad that it moved closer to my location, but do miss the drive up north to take in the GNRS & Turlock in the same weekend. It was always a mad thrash,but made you feel like you accomplished something. That's why R.P.productions has his shows to fill the void & I feel that there is room for them all.
You hit the nail right on the head with this post Ryan, I couldn't have stated it better myself and I attended the show and you only read peoples impressions and saw posted pics. The BIGGEST problem with the GNRS is that it is no longer invite only. When you get in by paying an entry fee it isn't any better than a goodguys show.
Hey, 200 grand, next year at B-J, very doubtfull. It is rumorded to have cost 1.6 MILLION to build! Swankey Devils C.C.
I'm not defending the new cars or the lack of "real" cars getting the AMBR award any more, but it seems to me that the owners of the cars that were built to be AMBR contenders just kept raising the bar in terms of innovation and "trickery", and the promoters didn't hold them back. The AMBR winners of the past few decades represent the cutting edge of custom car building, just as Bill Niekamp's car did back in the early Fifties (or the Hirahota Merc, or the Ala Kart). The last AMBR winner that I really liked and related to was Phil Cool's car, back in 1978. Here's Tommy Otis prepping his "L.A. Highboy" at the 50th GNRS in 1999. He almost won the AMBR award, but came in second. The guys with the nicest cars - the Ken Gross roadster comes to mind - don't bother to enter in the AMBR class. Those days are gone. The other thing that's disappointing to me about the show is the lack of focus on race cars. It used to be that you'd see dragsters and lots of other hot rods that were nicely done, but built to win on the track. At this point, I don't think it all about the money. At least we don't see WWE wrestlers up on stage and an area of the show devoted to imports. Face it. A lot of the kind of cars that we love aren't competing in car shows. They're in museums. Dave (602) 233-8400 http://www.roadsters.com/
Guess I missed you too Dave I think the 50th GNRS and Cobo Hall shows were attended by everyone They're my top two (distant third and forth were the World of Wheels in Honolulu 1986 and 1987.) Dennis
I agree 100 percent! Change is inevitable. I was horrified when they let roundy-rounders race at the holy grounds of Indy!
Would someone be good enough to post a photo of Chips AMBR winner with the hood CLOSED? Nothing pisses me off more than a show car with the hood open. I'd like to see the car in person some day.
Thanks Brian, That makes for a much better first impression, the lines flow nicely and the fit of all the components can be judged when things are closed. I see a lot of 540K Mercedes infulence in the top and side trim. Chip is a master when it comes to picking colors.
It looks like an 80's Magoo car with fenders, not a fresh build..(not that there's anything with an 80's street rod)
Could it be , that they included the rust & primer to get more people thru the gate?. Looking at all that shiney stuff gets boring. Chip's roadster? looks great, but i would not want to be the one to drive it, as scratches cost to much to fix. I'm bettin it will be at the BJ auction next year. Gotta sell'em while there hot.
That's a cute dune buggy ya got there...I used to have one just like it, except mine was a green four door '55 Chevy.... Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I totally agree. And this is why I follow the flag you fly sir. I've never gone to this show, and I have no desire to. I try to avoid shows that utilize the "trophy" method. I just have more fun that way. I'm not ever gonna worry about getting a reward in the shape of a trophy for having my car the way I want it....that in itself is reward enough...I sometimes wish more people could see it that way, but whatever turns your crank...
I was in shock when the Oakland roadster show moved. As a kid I always looked forward to going to the show with my dad. Now that is down in socal, it's sad to say that I'll probably never go again. I remember when it moved across the bay to SF. I was kinda bummed, but we went and saw a hudson in there, which was pretty cool.
I've got a rare roadster, but i garontee you'll never see it at AMBR! If it ain't billet you won't win it. But i will give him and his team props, they can come up with the some of the most creative rides.
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