Art & Inspiration 2016 LA Roadster Show Express Smithfield, VA to Pomona, CA... we hope!

Remember earlier that I said our trip journalist had purchased a new 34 coupe?
Well, I saw the beginnings of the build in Tom's garage the day I met him and Dickie for that first lunch.
The body was gone but he was working on the rest of it in his garage.
Here is what he purchased:


I recently asked him for some pictured updates and he sent the following:







I think you can see that Tom is really going all out on this build. Fresh engine, new trans, new rearend, complete body refresh, and I'm sure a great paint job. I forgot the fine print on the engine but I believe it is a thumper!
In the spirit of one of our infamous Hambers, I told him I was "patiently waiting" for further updates!!

As I said earlier, Tom is signed up to be Dickies co-pilot again but I'm wondering if he's working on an alternate plan of transportation?!

Anyway, I thought y'all would enjoy seeing a "potential" express trip participant and how it is progressing.

I'm pretty sure Tom is NOT going to duplicate the original paint scheme. I suspect it will be a dark color which will probably disappoint 3WLarry as I'm sure he was hoping the original paint scheme might be retained.

BTW, I'm certain 3WLarry noticed that the hero 32 three window with the number 1 plate that made the tornado run in 2015 was triple black which is always a classic look.

 

Got a call today from Breakfast Buddy with the news that we might gain a couple more fellas before we even get out of VA!! I also called another local guy that had said a while back that he would like to go but... Now, he'd still not sure about going but it was beginning to look like he just might be able to go with us. He is somewhat of a veteran of the show in that he has flown to the show several times and then flown home... better to fly and go than not fly and miss it altogether.
No updates on what some of the cars might look like but we don't care... we just want to share in the fun of the trip. Drive anything, even with a trailer or ship your rod, but feel free to travel with us if you wish.
Shoot! A late model potential support vehicle (with A/C!!) might be a great help in keeping the some of the guys swapping seats for a chance to cool off a bit and tell some lies.. er, STORIES!
I'm still hoping to get to meet some of you along the way for a lunch break of even dinner if you're close to our stops for the night. I think it would be fun. Heck, if you can't go all the way; ride along for a few exits and smoke over the cars while they are underway.
Still waiting on 3WLarry about lunch on Saturday but he's had his hands full lately and we've had our hands clasped praying for him, HRP, and any other of our HAMB fellows that are dealing with some health issues or other family challenges. There's still plenty of time for our planning but I'm beginning to realize that the time before we leave is zipping right along.
That's about it for now... back to regular programming.

 

Wow, everyone is busy and can't wait to see cars in the flesh.
Nothing really gets done until the last minute with me but I have more time than you guys. I'll wait until I know you are on the road before I start work on anything.
OK I admit, I'm working on things, mostly making sure that work is covered so I can be absent. Also I got a kitchen pass but really never believed that would be an issue. The '31 Roadster in the paint department is going to be like a tire without air......flat, no gloss, no sun glare off the hood, nothing to reflect on, absorbs sun, hides in the dark shadows, sings below the pitch , requires no wax but lots of wash if you get the idea. I'll PM TomT and see what his plans are with respect to driving cars with non glossy finish and run that way....flat out.
The ex co-pilot removed his 'eye' to become a co-plot, co-conspirator so there is no need to check the 'rule book' unless we don't get the car he will be driving ready in the three day window we have available.
Hope that there are others that join up to make the express run

Larry

 

I love this thread!!!

 

Dang, Larry! If y'all can get your cars ready in 3 days, I need to ship you some of mine!! Maybe some other fellow's cars, too. Congratulations on the promotion of your co-pilot to co-plot, co-conspirator. Relief driving might get a bit challenging with him in another car but y'all can bring a rope! Heck, I'm sure more than one of the co-pilots from VA will be itching for a change of seat and ride with y'all... only thing is; co-pilots must be RETURNED somewhere along the way home!
Shiny paint, flat paint, no paint; the LA Roadster show will be glad to have us all and will find a spot for us whatever we are driving. I'm sure of it.
Just as long as it is running... that is the essential ingredient.
Good luck with getting your employees set up so that they will be able to keep things moving while you are away. I'm sure that you can manage it and they'll do well. They'll probably call you once in a while just to let you feel like you are still needed.
Look on the bright side, you could have your operation in VA!! No way any of us will be able to buzz back home in a day or so... even Dickie takes three and a half days! I'm thinking you'll ONLY be less than a thousand miles from home... a day, maybe two, ride on a good horse!
We're likely all wondering if all this planning and wishing and hoping is really going to happen? Things happen and unexpected items can become a real challenge. I'm sure we're all going to give it our best and make the trip if at all possible. This is intended to be a fun trip... not a dang task!
If I start getting hate mail from "significant others", your ticket is cancelled! I am brave but not that brave!
We're going to roll with it and hope it rolls all the way to Pomona... and BACK!

 

Keep at it Al. Looking forward to your continuing coverage of the trip and pre-trip preparations. Great thread. Love all the pictures. You Virginia cats rock!....................Don.

 

Nothing I like more than a road trip!

 

I drove out there from Maryland with a few of my friends back in 2014 Tom. Parking in the non roadster section isn't so bad. Wish I could go with you guys this summer, but it ain't in the cards so soon after the last trip.

 

OL 55, lothiandon1940, others,
Aw, come on and give it a try. OL 55 could share a few pointers on what worked and what "not so much!"
Thanks greatly for sharing some past pictures... they are great inspiration. Bring along buddies from past trips and/or the fellows that said they wish they had gone with you last time.
I'll make you an offer that you can readily refuse... but I hope you don't! If you'll email me your address, or just your city and state, I'll use my map software to figure out when (roughly) you'd need to leave home to meet us for breakfast/lunch? in Montvale, VA at 10 AM on Thursday, June 9th... I hope!!
Reserve a room in San Dimas at the Red Roof Inn, if you wish, for Monday, June 13th, thru Sunday night, June 19th; and you'll be set if the stars align such that you can go. The room can always be cancelled and you can dream along with the rest of us! Once you confirm to me that you have your room, I'll get you a windshield banner made so you can brag about our upcoming exploits!! Of course, you might feel added pressure to actually make the trip if you flaunt it to your pals. Think about it... life is getting short!!

Anybody else got some pictures to share with us of past trips? Would love to see them and hear some stories.

Thanks again to OL 55 for his inspiring pictures. Now, what rearend ratio are you running to be going 70MPH at 2,700 RPM and with what rear tire size? This thread is technical, too.

 

I wasn't saying that I am good, I am just mostly ready. I want to believe that so I was thinking about running out to Pomona and back to see if the car would make it, then I'd know for sure. I like to drive a hot rod almost better than anything. As long as I get to drive, I'm going to have fun and trying to keep up with you all is going to be part of it . TomT was saying that his car was as much fun to drive as any he has ever had. We also decided that we would have nothing but a good time hanging where ever we wind up.

 

You bet boys - the fun is all about the ride and the folks you are with - the destination is just icing to the cake. I am getting the car ready to roll and my co-pilot Earl and I are "ready" for anything!

As far as the non-shiny paint crew portion of this run, we're going to have a party within the party - so look out roadsters as we may just make the show just a bit more interesting even though we are not so glossy, shiny, and bright! LOL!

Hey, just as an aside, is anyone interested in attending the NSRA Nats in Pueblo the following weekend? I will be hanging with my Colorado buds and they are a good bunch - there is always room for a few more .....

 

I will look for you at LARS this year.
Here is a pic from my trip to Canada last year.

 

I wish I could Al. We stayed at the Red Roof in San Dimas too. Nice place and a decent rate. Which way are you going out, Rt 40 or 70 or......?
- Andy

 

Andy, come on... we'll write you a note!! Heck, we can promise management flowers, chocolate, and dinner when we get back! Don't forget your pals, too.
Shoot. We might have to coordinate a POST 2016 LA Express run somewhere in VA to take all the "significant others" to dinner!! Whatever it takes... we're committed to going and having a good time in the process.
Got any more pictures for added inspiration? You can't be accused of hi-jacking when we're pleading for help and encouragement. Did you guys spend the night in Kingman, AZ?
As to the route, we're going out route 460 in VA to I 81, south to I 40, and then go wwwweeeeesssttttt!
We presently are planning on a late breakfast at 10 AM in Montvale, VA where we hope to add a few fellows to our gang for the trip west. We're hoping to have an early lunch with 3WLarry and anybody else that's interested on Saturday, June 11th, in Henryetta, OK.
BTW, anybody familiar with the Henryetta, OK area and knows of a good local restaurant they wish to suggest; please chime in. Henryetta is a ways from Larry so I doubt he has but so much familiarity with the area but then again he IS 3WLarry so I might be wrong!
Also, we presently have dinner in Kingman, AZ planned with 25 or 30 of what we expect our newest best friends if all goes well. A great local scout has volunteered to lead his gang to the desired watering hole for dinner and is also checking out potential motels where we can spend the night and still have our hubcaps(and wheels!) in the morning before we set out for Pomona early Monday, June 13th.

 

Fuzzy, you have to tell the story behind the flying V-8 wings on your dash. How fast did you have to go to get certified to put one on your dash?
I think it is cool that you and Don both posted pictures at speed that showed the speedometer and the tach.
"Patiently waiting" for the story and source of the V-8 wings.

 

I wish I could. Some buddies are headed to Austin for the LSR in April and I'm finding it difficult to find the funds and time off for that trip, and that's only half the mileage of the California trip. I'm not retired like some of you lucky bastards!

We stopped in Winslow for lunch and a photo op.







We did stay the night in Kingman but most of our overnight stops we got in late so it was kind of like a blur sometimes.



Hanging out in the hotel parking lot in Kingman after the days travels.......

 

You know, the more I read these posts, the more I am tempted to fly East just so I can drive West with all you guys. What a neat trip it would be. Not much chance of that, though. With the Shop Load at maximum, the best I may be able to do is to see you all there.....

 

Ok, whats with the wings? There's a story that needs tellin, pony up!

 

Andy,
Thanks greatly for the added inspirational photos. I think I recognize some of those fellas standing on the corner in Winslow, AZ!
It looks like "40s Anonymous on I 40... with one interloper" could be the label for y'all's trip to Pomona.
I know, y'all took the roadster guy because he couldn't get any other roadster guys to go with him... you fellas in Maryland are so kind!
I'm impressed that Andy was rolling along at 80 mph, 10 mph faster than in an earlier post, in this latest batch of inspirational pictures. Keep 'em coming... we're probably going to need all the inspiration we can get!!

Kiwi Tinbender, "Come on down!"... er, come on east!! If you can't do that; so if your route to Pomona can carry you through Kingman, AZ on Sunday, June 12th. We're having a heck of a dinner party that evening and a few more would make it even better. If you want, make something small that you can send to me and I'll let it ride with us to represent your presence in spirit!! I'll give it back in Pomona. How's that?

 

Hey, there, Fuzzy How is the chow in the pokie in Canada ? Do they treat you good ?

 

Our heroes stayed in the big city (population 1,850 maybe) Moriarity, NM on the way home.
From the caption, I'd guess our journalist didn't much care for the place but I'll have to go back to review his story regarding the Doans pills to see if that might have played a role!!


Dickie also included a picture from one of the large gas stops he found in the desert.
Actually, it wasn't too large but they were dang glad to find it at the time!!
I'm not sure if this is the stop where they put 11.88 gallons in the 12 gallon tank.

That 3 window is sweet... just needs a trailer with a spare gas tank!
I think they were somewhat forced to test the little coupe's range on several tanks of gas.
The good news is they never had to resort to walking.

 

Actually we started out with two deuce roadsters, but unfortunately, Butch Martin's roadsters Halibrand quick change decided that 180000 miles was enough for it and it gave up the ghost somewhere on 66 between Amarillo and Albuquerque.





Putting his luggage in my trunk.


Unfortunately, there was no fixing it on the road because of availability of parts being what it is, so Butch had to send it back home. He jumped in with us and finished the trip though.

 

Don't know about Fuzzy's wings, but mine are near and dear to my heart. My dad was a B 17 pilot during WW2 and the wings on my dash are the very wings he wore on his uniform when he flew 35 missions in 1943. I think it's neat to know that those wings were with him in Europe while my 40 was running around here in the states.

 

I salute!

 

I salute, too! What a neat thing for you to do to honor your Dad and also keep a keepsake close at hand and in use!
Thanks for including his picture.
My Dad was a cook in the Navy during WWII but I don't even have a USN spoon!

As to the other "wings," we're still, as somebody says in Oklahoma, "patiently waiting."

Thanks for sharing the additional trip pictures... they always add to the story.
I recognized Butch in the earlier post and I commend him for continuing the trip. I'm curious as to how big of an envelope it took to mail the roadster home?!!
Seriously, we might need that number for getting effective and trusted help to "mail one home" out that way.
Any details will be greatly appreciated.
I'm dang sorry Butch's roadster couldn't wait until Pomona before quitting.... I suspect plenty of help would have been available there! I bet he could have driven it home, too.

Hopefully, we won't have any unexpected "opportunities" to display our skills at resourcefulness and use of bailing wire and duct tape going out there and back but a few notes and phone numbers won't take up much room can could be priceless!

 

...............My Dad wasn't a pilot but he made 30 bomb runs with the 389th in this B-24. Very cool that you got those wings, Andy, all I got was born.

 

Sorry for the thread hi-jack, Al.

 

Don't want to clutter up this thread with my pics from a 2014 trip to the LARS, but here's a link to several pages of photos you can follow if interested....

https://tombo.smugmug.com/The-2014-LA-Roadster-Show/

 

^^^Seadog! Great pictures for sharing a trip and adding inspiration at the same time.
Thanks for sharing,
Al
PS Anybody else wanna share to help keep us motivated?

 

Don, you can't hi-jack a thread when the goal is to share and have fun and inspire some fools... er, fellows to go west by sharing experiences and other inspiration.
Links to other trips, pictures, and stories and personal history all add to meeting that goal in my book.