back in the states after 3 1/2 weeks in eastern europe. planned at the last moment! my trip to budapest was a success. it was difficult to find my cousin arpi csoke but i did a few days before leaving detroit on monday for frankfort germany then to kiev ukraine on tuesday night. at this time my trip to budapest was set to visit relatives. i was still reaching out to the hot rods guys in budapest with the assistance of "oz40" tom. finally the day before i was to leave i hooked up with laci meruk the leader of the "rusty rodders" we talked on the phone and made plans. which was we will pick you up and have fun don't worry about the details i arrived at the marriott boscolo hotel in downtown budapest and a hour later 3 hot rodders show up with there cars. we had a small impromptu car show in front of the hotel. basically the hot rods took over the small driveway at the main entrance of the hotel and made all the taxi's and limo's used the street to unload passengers. the cars were so popular a crowd gathered to ask about the cars. it was good to see that hot rods are attracted positive attention in budapest. so with my new friends we took off in there cars to the club hangout and the best cruise location in budapest the 'sunny dinner" on the outskirts of budapest. i rode with danny in a black 56 ford pick-up with a 350 chevy engine and 350 tranny. my cousin arpi rode in the 49 chevy. when we arrived there were many more hot rodders waiting to great me. all this on less than 48 hours notice. i felt like a hero. most of the rodders did not speak english very well most did a little bit, laci and arpe did most of the translation. i was very glad that the club thought enough of my reputation and that of ems automotive to show up. we spoke till the early hours of the morning talking about cars and showing photos of our projects. i think the biggest surprise is when my cousin arpi csoke told the club about his company www.hasznaltauto.hu the largest web site in hungary for used car and parts. of course all the club members use this site to trade parts. so they were glad to have another important guest. although the guys in hungary love to hang out and talk cars, the main purpose of there club is to promote hot rodding in hungary and europe and active participation in this goal is required to maintain your membership. this means a active travel schedule all over europe to promote hot rodding, so paying some dues, sitting on your ass bitching is not tolerated!!! the rusty rodders went to these shows this year: Austria, Rollin Dudes Us Car and R&R festival! Croatia, Trash and Burn Us car & Rockabilly festival, Belgium, 1.st' European Mooneye HotRod Show, Croatia, (Medulin)*Tearitup Us car and*Rock & Roll festival!, Italy, (Rivanazzano)*Rumblers C.C. Hill's Race & HotRod rumble!!!!, Hungary, (Budapest)*OldtimerExpo Hungary, (Budapest) Millenaris Velodrom Classic Race! the "sunny diner" is basically your typical 50's style diner, the food was great. 2am and back to the hotel with danny and the 56 ford f-1. the rusty rodders of budapest hungary treated me to one of the best times i have ever had with a car club!!! the photo attached is in front of the marriot boscolo hotel budapest with me (alex) in the brown coat, my cousin arpi in the red t-shirt, atilla ( has beard) danny and roby to the left in black coats and hats. best wishes to the rusty rodders of hungary
the rusty rodders are cool guys and sunny diner is a great place, can't wait for next year when they open their second diner in austria!
Looks like a fantastic trip. The far reaches of Europe are certainly great places. Great People, Great Food, Great Beer, Great Roads... I must get another road trip planned.
Hey, I wanted to ask how are the regulations in your place? Any of the low fenderless rods registered for street driving? Don't see any licence plates on these. Best wishes from Estland, keep it up! Al Rocketship Factory
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