Motion Pictures The Shifters documentary film!

This was taken on the Shifters first voyage to Paso Robles. My brother standing next to Anthony's Olds powered Model A. I've never seen this photo. Thanks for posting it.

 

OK, having watched both episodes now I have to say this explains a lot. To a guy that's relatively new to the hot rod scene, well kinda anyway, I was there way back in the late 70's - early 80's, then got completely out of the car scene for a few decades; so this explains a whole lot of what I missed during a couple of decades of raising kids, being a t-ball coach, working my ass off on a job. Axle says he was freshman in high school in '82; I was a new dad, freshly married, and had just cut my hair, stopped playing in a rock band and got a real job turning wrenches on heavy equipment for a living, settling into a new role of being a parent.

So now years later the kids are grown, I'm back to playing music, and I realize the old Chevelle SS sitting in the driveway has appreciated in value over the years, and I could now afford a hot rod. I tuned into the HAMB, and eventually traded my Chevelle for an A pickup. And for about 10 years now I've grown to really appreciate the whole traditional hot rod scene, but even so I didn't know all the background to it. You've filled in a lot of missing pieces to the puzzle. For a lot of guys here this docuseries may be reminiscing about their past, but for me it's very informative. I wasn't there, I didn't see it, I didn't know the players. This helps make sense out of a lot that I see now. Thanks.

 

Your most welcome brother, I found a couple more for you tonight:

 

wow, cool to see new pictures from that time! Thanks for sharing!

 

I watched it and loved both parts. I commented on the youtube video, so I wont bore you guys on here with my nonsense. But it was really nice to see a spotlight shown on these guys and what they did for the automotive world. I will always say that seeing the Purple People Eater was like hearing the Ramones for the first time, it changed how I saw hotrods forever.

 

Wow, what memories just came flooding back. I missed being in Desperate Generation by one week. I had come over from AZ to spend the weekend with Buddy and Suzi who were shown at the beginning of episode one. Buddy kept telling me to come back next weekend and go with them. Lucky Devils are who I would run with when I came over to LA. Linda's Doll Hut, The Derby, Bar Deluxe, etc were such amazing places. In AZ there were one or two clubs that had just formed in the entire state, there were maybe 20 of us state-wide who was driving or putting together hot rods at that time. The backlash from the gold chains was relentless at times.

I sure miss those early times when the community was a lot smaller and you knew everyone.

Dan, I sure hope you explore this early part of the 80s-90s hot rodding past what was going on in CA because it was a lot bigger and smaller at the same time in other states, and without the other states it would not be what it is now. Great job on the first two videos and glad you gave props to Emilie and her film within the video.

 

I have photos from those early years at the LA Roadster show. Let me know if you still need them.

 

LOVE to have them, Ron! Can you DM them?

 

Great documentaries, thank you! Do I remember correct that "Desperate Generation" was about Shifters?

 

With interest peeked during the early eighties by commercial hits from Matchbox and The Stray Cats, I started to dig a little deeper. No internet just import record stores. I found bands like The Polecats, Restless and The Blasters.
In 1985 (at 17y/o) my older friend who drove a pale pink '59 Cad, showed me the King, Federal and Sun Rockabillies. By the end of 1986 I had a shaved and lowered, fiat peacock blue '59 Customline on chromies with bullet caps and white wall tyres, equipped with a (13 second) built 390 Y block. That's when all hell broke loose.
In 1994 I'd built a Rigid Springer Shovel Bobber which resulted in a reworked vintage trophy from Axle and my mutual old friend Derrell (Von Wierdo) Miller, at his inaugral Greazefest in 2000 (now 32 y/o).

 

Now waiting on the next one... hurry up... lol

 

Watched both
They are my kinda club.

 

No the Shifters were just part of it. It was a documentary from the mid 90's about the California rockabilly subculture.

 

I will get them dug out and get them to you asap.

 

Watched them both again last night....Brings back so many memories.

 

You and I haven't chatted in quite some time, but the parallels are definitely there. Brothers from different Mothers. Looking forward to Part 3, Part 4, and most of all, the full length Directors Cut .

 

Check your Texts ;-)

 

While Emily's film included the Shifters, it wasn't only about the club--it was about the entire scene that was bubbling just under the surface in Southern California at the time. Looking back, it was one of the best works of the era, and I'd include David Perry's "Hot Rod" book in that very short list, too.

 

That makes three of us, Axle!!

 

Just found out that Episode 3 drops on Saturday!

 

WOO HOO!!!!! Get on it Stoner.....

 

HELL YEA! Can't wait.

 

Desperate Generation link-
https://choppertown.vhx.tv/packages/desperate-generation/videos/desperate-generation

 

That link above won't work

 

Fixed

 

Yeah, still watch the DVD every couple of years. At the time there wasn’t much around on “the scene”, apart from living in it.
I still have a copy of a mid 80’s Sydney scene publication called Hep Cat, which was a hand typed with pictures stuck on then photo copied and bound with a stapler, guide to all the cool stuff.

 

Part 3 airs Saturday morning.

 

Episode 3 just dropped: If you haven't seen them yet, watch 'em in order...

 

We'll never forget Anthony. R.I.P.

 

This episode was bitter sweet. R.I.P. Anthony. I remember hearing of his accident not long after it happened. It was very sad and shocking news to a lot of us, even here , far away in the east.