First off, it was an absolute blast!!! Meeting so many of you guys in SoCal and doing stuff together was a real treat, the people + cars formula can't be beat. We were on the ground 13 days and it panned out like this: LAX drive to Pomona and check in Wednesday morning, shower, feed at Denny's across the road then hit the NHRA museum. BANG! The Jack Calori coupe, which we got up close and personal with casuse not long after we got there the barrier chains were dropped and the seat pulled to get at the battery to charge it so it could be fired. We kinda helped, which was cool. Next morning Walmart for the necessary cheap local use prepaid phone, cooler and chairs (which all worked hard). then to the Planes of Fame in Chino. That place is awesome! Flatattack got a great video of a P51Mustang taxi-ing and doing a U-turn in front of us. Friday, breakfast at the greasy s**** at Bracket field opposite the Fairplex with a bunch of rodders, then 4 of us headed off for the Petersen. That was neat, the Roth cars were there, the made the SoCal open house by 1:30. Chock a block with rods and customs. Met a buch of HAMBers there plus Robert Williams, Xydias and others. Left there for the liquor store again 'cause we had an early start Saturday. Drove around the hill to the Fairplex, parked close to the entry (early = good) got in and found the HAMB camp which Bad Bob and Co. were in the process of setting up. Left our stuff there and hit the swap, got back around 11:30/12:00 and werre real thirsty by then. Had a blast meeting and talking with everyone all afternoon, I'm only sorry i didn't get to everyone. Huge thanks to Tet**** Shot for the BBQ and Phil for the chili. I gotta say you guys pack up and go quick! Anyways, we headed for the car and ecountered Chilli Phil and asked if he wanted a beer. Dumb question! Next thing you know the chairs are out again, music on cooler got lighter and lighter and we watched the car park empty. Then it was off to a local rodder's house for more BBQ and beer, with Chilli Phil in tow. God knows how he drove home. I think the neighbours had a good time. Sunday was up early again for day 2 of the show. Took in the traders and shiny cars this time. Apart from other things on Monday we headed out to Rialto on Ron Mangus's OK to see what's up in his shop. BANG! #2 There it was, the Sam Barris Merc in for trim. Totally cool, sat in it, talked to the guys working on it. Flatattack even went over the road to the suppliers to help Ron choose fabric and vinyl. Now Flatattack is a trimmer, so that was a head trip. The Sam Barris Merc! And yeas, there was other cool stuff there too. Tuesday, the Netthercutt Museum, Justice Bros. Museum, the Gamble House in Pasedena and Early Ford Store in San Dimas (man they've got some ****). Moved to Huntington Beach Wednesday and took in CW Moss /Reids, Circle City (you were at lunch Jimmy White, but the guys were good), Truck Shop Car Shop. Early Thursday we lit out for Limeworks (great) then worked our way back via Wheeler's (great guys again), Dan Finks, had luch next to Fooses without even realising it. Of course their "public viewing" time was up by the time we walked out and did the "well **** me, Fosse's, wadda ya know." By this time Chilli Phil had his **** together and we headed ofver to his house and his mate Terry's to - what else but - look at cars. Not everyone ahs part ***embled fuel motors in their lounge. Then again, Terry is single! Now what - oh Phil has a dinner idea so it's down to Seal Beach for more beer and food. Flatattack is still dribbling about that waitress Phil. Friday was Burbank day, via Santa Monica. Dropped in on Hollywood Hot Rods then the great Groucho. What a pad man! And the glow from the green flake on that coupe is 100% nuclear! Next was Cooks Machine/Cyclone. Kev, we'd Ok'd it with the guys before and had the beer but when we called to say we were on our way they were flatout so we took mercy and told them we'd stay out of their hair. They said come Saturday but... Saturday was huge! Early start again (5) for the Donut Derelicts - a **** load of interesting cars, rods, customs, restos. Then the Antidonut up the road at Pappa Z's. I was real hungry by then. Could have hung around for ages but had to get going cause Chilli Phil had tickets for us at the ANRA nostalgia drags up at Bako. We took the scenic route via Mojave and found the guys at the track. Got home in time for dinner. The 5 is a *****, but we had the road system pretty figured by then. Sunday was part family compulsory shopping mall present day, follwed by a visit with another gracious host in the form of 50 Fraud. Monday we shot back to Moss's to pick up the parts, check out fill in time then back to LAX to drop the car off and **** out pants about customs and over weight luggage. All was good and guys, we did bring the cooler and chairs back and the plastic is still on the handle! We had fantastic time for 13 days, al a lot of it was to to with the international commeraderie of the HAMB family. Thanks to all of you, we hope to be able to return the favour.
I enjoyed talking with you guys. We'll meet up again sometime. I've gotta say, you sure packed in a lot on this trip. Wayno
You guys were fun. Aussies can eat chili. Next time you need even more time. Lot's of things to see. And I've already warned the wife, when we go to Oz, it'll be lots of car stuff. We'll see the touristy stuff IF we have time. Great meeting you guys. CP
Hope I didn't bore you guys silly with too many tales. It was great to meet you, and I really enjoyed your visit.
Here's some more pics, all random. Hey Dreadman, forgot to mention that if you come to Oz you need to sing Khe Sahn, in tune, to get through Customs............
More......including the final moments of a great night out with Chilli Phil and Mrs Chilli, and that waitress..... .
Here's a shot of our first Mexican meal, which we are still recovering from. And a shot of Groucho the Magnif's totally *****in lime glow 5 window. And Groucho, sorry about the Kenny G comment but if I p***ed you in the street 15 years ago and you were carrying a clarinet i'd have asked for an autograph for my wife! ****IN A!
What you went to Groucho's, my shop is close to his place, should have called me, I would have taking you to the legendary Sunset Strip, for some fun.
Are you kidding? It was a highlight - thanks for giving up an afternoon for us and giving us the tour of the Fraudworks.
Had fun with you guys at the drags. Wish we could have stayed longer,but it was already a long day. Plus on the way home a drunk truck driver tried to run us off the road,along with everybody else around us!! It was pretty scary. Phil "narced"him out to the cops and he got pulled over,thank God! Maybe when Dreadman goes to visit you guys,i'll come along. I've never been anywhere. Maybe we can go "bird" hunting,HA HA!
You'll have to look out for white pointers at the beach. Actually, they're mostly brown pointers there! It was a long day. After we got off the 5 and got back via the 605 and the gravel pits of Irwindale it was around 7. Man, were we hungry by then.
Fair dinkum Dreadman - if only we'd known man we'd have been there in a heartbeat. Would've loved to have seen your shop.
It's like the other shops you visit. All this stuff hanging around,that you wish was yours. Kiwi Kevs is another HAVE TO visit,next time you're in the States.
Yeah, we wanted to see Kevs as well but couldn't make it. Don't know if we'll be allowed to come back especially since out of my 678 photo's, my wife was interested in about 10 of them.....
Glad you had a good time. Wish I could have made it, things happen. When ya' commin' back to the USA?
I'd love to say next year but it took me 37 years to get over to you the first time, so you do the math........
New name hey? Coming back anytime soon will require delicate diplomacy. I can guarantee it won't be for 2 weeks next time! Someone said something about '09.
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