Event Coverage Day Tripping ... or More Driving Miss Vicky (w/pics)

There were a number of really good car events happening last weekend on the central east coast – the Checkered Flag Jalopy Showdown in York Springs, PA, Cruisin' OC, in Ocean City, MD, and Steel in Motion in Shelbyville, NC. I would have loved to go to any one of those shows, but I just couldn't get away from the daily grind for two (plus) days.

On a smaller scale, the 39th Annual Colonial Williamsburg Rod Run was also happening that weekend. The event lasts for three days, but the car show part is only on Saturday, so that would be perfect for a quick day trip – and it’s close by – only a 60 mile jaunt. I checked around to see who else was planning to go from the surrounding area and was pleased to hear that several of my buddies were in. I made plans to meet up in Williamsburg with Sam (57 HEAP), Lee (57Trucker), and Jack (jackandeuces), who were driving up from Hampton. Martin (fuxl) would drive down from Stewart’s Draft to meet me at my place in Richmond on Friday night and we’d head east for Billburg first thing Saturday morning.

The car show would be just a small part of the day. We also planned to blast down to Hampton and the beach. Along the way Martin and I would take the most scenic routes to really make the driving part of our adventure that much more enjoyable. Here’s a short synopsis of our day trip:

Martin arrived at my house around 8:30 Friday evening. We proceeded to do our final checks and adjustments before we put the hot rods to bed. I’ve gotta say, I like the look of two toys in the garage.



I got up pretty early on Saturday morning – I just couldn’t sleep. I guess I was a little excited about the day to come, but mostly I kept thinking of things I'd forgotten to check on my car. So I got up and started tinkering. Around daybreak, Martin got up and found his way to the garage. We pushed the hot rods outside (so we didn’t wake the neighbors) and snapped a few photos.



Ritual, habit, addiction – call it whatever you like. But anyone that knows me, knows I absolutely must have my morning coffee. And I’m not talking about that fancy Starbuck’s ****, I’m talking 7-11’s finest. Pretty much any convenience store coffee will do, and since Sheets was on the way we stopped to get me my required fix.



I probably should have taken care of this before, but since the ATM was right next to Sheets, I figured I should stop to get some cash as well. You know, just in case there’s something I can’t live without at the swap meet. Thank you for your patients Martin.



Now that we’d taken care of my selfish needs, we could hit the road. Martin and I headed east through downtown Richmond toward the east end. Our original plan was to take Route 60 to Williamsburg, but after one or two wrong turns, we found ourselves on Route 5. Although it’s slightly less direct, Route 5 is an extremely beautiful, scenic drive, so we decided to keep going. The early morning sun was surreal … breathtaking. That leg of our journey created picturesque memories that, for me, will last a lifetime.

 

When we got to the show, Sam and Lee had also just pulled in.



Because we were going to be leaving the show mid-day, they decided to not enter their cars, but Martin and I did. When we pulled in, I saw that Jack was already there.



We did the typical car show stuff – hung out with old friends, met some new ones, talked about cars, checked out the swap, ate a couple of hot dogs, you know, the standard stuff. Here are a few pics.









At the show, Martin’s truck was getting a lot of well-deserved attention. Think about it – he’s only 25, has never built a car before and got it done in about two years. Very impressive when you consider I’ve been playing with cars continuously for 25 years and I’m 5-1/2 years into my build.



On a side note, I met the guy that now owns Clark’s old sport coupe – great, innovative car. He told me the story of how he ended up with it. It seems a Navy guy had bought it and then got orders to ship out and he left the car sitting in his driveway with a tarp over it. The tarp was quickly blown off and the car was left sitting outside, exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. The weather was not kind to the little coupe’s paint and it was left chalky and faded. The current owner was able to rescue it, and with a bit of work, brought it back to close to its former glory. Good to see it being taken care of again – it’s a notable car that will probably end up in the hot rod history books one day.

 

About 1:00, Jack, Sam, Lee, Martin and I said our goodbyes and left the show. Jack had invited us to go by his shop to check out what he'd been up to, so naturally we obliged. We got on I-64 for the 30 or so miles to Hampton just because it was the quickest route to get there, but the sectioned concrete highway made for a bumpy ride.









A few pics from Jack's – Fuller's Frame & Axle – Dirt Cheap Hot Rods.





The day just kept getting better – Jack let Martin and me take his killer roadster for a spin.
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

 

Jack had to prep for a party he was throwing that evening, so we took off. I wanted to swing by Lee and Sam's dad's place to let him check out the hot rod that his two boys had a hand in building.





And then I took Mr. Pollard for a short ride.



Martin wanted to take some pictures of his truck at the ocean, so we left there and headed to Buckroe Beach. Great idea Martin.

 

It was getting to be late afternoon, so we made our way to Smitty's Better Burger, a 1950s drive-in that's still in operation, for some dinner. The old place is showing it's age, but it was still cool. I couldn't use the car hop tray for my meal because I don't have any windows – oh well, the picnic table would have to do.







After dinner it was time for Martin and me to part ways with our Tidewater friends and hit the road back to Richmond. My car had been showing signs of running hot in traffic all day, and I definitely didn't want to get stuck in the imminent (and daily) traffic jam on 64 west, so we broke out the map to find an alternative, more scenic route. We decided to cross the James River and take Route 10 from Smithfield, through Hopewell and up through Chesterfield. That turned out to be a good choice – it was another very pleasant drive.





While rolling up Route 10 through Smithfield, we came across this neat photo opp. Smithfield is best known for it's delicious salt cured hams. Note: the Virginia ham that most of you all have enjoyed for Thanksgiving dinner is also referred to as Smithfield ham.



Along the way, we came across a small local cruise night in Chester, so we made a quick loop through the lot and parked for a short time. At about dusk, we got on the road again to complete our journey.

The entire trip went down without incident, except for me spilling my entire first cup of coffee in the floor of my car. (Good thing I've never put the access panels in the floor, because that 24 ounces of scalding hot goodness was easily able to drain out through the battery hole.)

It's funny how many people on the road don't seem to even notice the loud hot rod in the lane beside them, but the few that do always give an affirmative thumbs up. They're the ones that get it –
Long drives in hot rods make for good times.

 

THAT is one fine automobile you have sir. Very nicely done.

 

Love that Vicky!!! Seems like an incredible day. I hope that I spend my Saturdays doing a lot of things like that. I hate being a slave to the build every Saturday ya know? It;s so much better to get out and drive....and eat....then drive some more!

 

Kool! Looks like lots of fun. Some really nice rides....

 

Nice cars, nice story, I enjoyed both.

 

Great read, very jealous!

 

Any current pics of the Clark Sport Coupe? (a car I tried to buy . . . and should have . . . )

 

Thanks for taking the time to put this together, Dave!
Here is one more pic from my drive home:


And finally made it home safe after 420 mile round trip:


I had a blast, and can't wait for the next trip!

 

Thanks for creating the post of our great adventure, Dave. The rides have come along way since our first trip back in 2006. We need to keep this up, I'm still pumped from last weekend. What's next?

 

I was wondering where you guys were, looks like a great time.

 

Nice pics of nice routes! Say, that Vicky looks real sporty on the road, with its '50 Merc ash cans...

Is that an Olds in Martin's truck??? (what size?)

 

Love it, love it. Thanks, Dave and Martin.

 

Nice pics Dave, but I have to ask what is the story of the Oldsmobile truck on post 2 last pic?

 

RAD!! I love it!!!

 

Thanks a lot, sir!

Yes, it's a 425 out of a 1965 Starfire.

They guy had a station wagon and moved the rear window forward to form the cab. There was a picture in one of the magazines form last years Jalopyrama, I think.
Here's another shot:

 

Thanx for the great road trip. These are so much fun, even a two car convoy is a total blast. Some fun stuff at the destination, love that 57 Olds Ute, the 57 Chevy is a knock out also. Love the Burger joint since 1956, so rare. Magic mile trip at 420! Thanx for sharing dudes. ~sololobo~

 

Looks like fun! Wondered where you were at the Showdown, now I know Glad to see you out driving your hot rod and you're right, that roadster is a sweetheart!

 

Wow, I had not looked at fuxl's thread in a long time! I had no idea he had the thing running?

 

Yes, I kinda got quiet on the main board. Just felt like the progress I made wasn't big enough to share. All those tiny little things, you know?

 

I'm not sure the summer will work for me. Want to be near Dad and all.

Maybe a day trip up to Martin's turf.

 

Of course, Sam! Family goes first!
Would be cool if you guys came up my way next time, but I'm not scared of a road trip any more

 

This rules! They look great going down the road guys! I can't wait to do a little touring once I get some stuff sorted on the truck. Thanks for the adventure.

 

Sweet, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the reply. You guys are making me want to hit the streets with my coupe! Take care
Scot

 

damn that vicky makes me happy in the pants. as does the black roadster. very nice