Done and in the Sun Tour 2008....Rusty Olds does the Jalopy Showdown.

Rusty Olds??? Rusty Olds you say? Who is this “Rusty Olds” you might be thinking to yourself. Well let me back up a couple of months but first you might want to grab a snack and something to drink……good, now all settled in??

A couple of months ago, right around the Detroit Autorama a HAMB lurker who I’ve never had any contact with PM’s me and tells me about a garage in the ghetto of Philly with some old cars in it, one of which is a fat fendered Oldsmobile convertible and asks if I’m interested. I really wasn’t looking for another car just like Big Olds, I had planned on doing a late 20’s, early 30’s Olds roadster next, BUT when opportunity comes knocking what's a gal to do..…..so he passed along the women’s phone number that owns all the cars in said garage, and I called her. Our first conversation went wonderful and she said she’d have her son send some photos.

Two weeks pass and still no photos so I call her and she didn’t realize her son didn’t send the photos so I talked her through sending her first email with attachments. I received 3 photos of a 47 Olds convert. To say I was excited was an understatement. The car looked in great shape BUT I wasn’t ready to commit without seeing the rear of the car, one of the front fenders, the floor or the interior. All of which weren’t being shown in any of the photos she sent.

Shortly thereafter I headed out to the Lonestar RoundUp and the only reason I am mentioning this is it gets freaky. I’m standing in front of the Austin Speed Shop during the “Garage” party and this guy walks up to me and introduces himself. Low and behold it’s the HAMB lurker who gave me the Rusty Olds lead! In all the many PM’s we exchanged during the previous two weeks, neither one of us mentioned to the other that we were going to TX.

Anyway, I mention that I really would like some more detail photos and he offered to see what he could do although he is not digital camera or computer literate SO he dragged his girlfriend Sophia over to the garage and she took some great photos and sent them to me the day after I got home from the RoundUp! I liked what I saw and called up Eleanor and had a very easy, purchase price agreed upon conversation. I paid “Groucho money” for the car.

Since I was heading to PA for the Jalopy Showdown in mid-May I asked her if she’d keep the car till then, she agreed and I sent her a nice deposit. At this point I had made the decision in my mind that making two trips to PA in a 6 week period, and spending that extra money for fuel and tolls, was just not worth it to take Big Olds to the Showdown. I knew there'd always be next year for Big Olds and Rusty Olds would not see PA again for a very long time so I decided he got to go, even if it was on the back of a trailer.

So fast forward to this past Thursday afternoon. After work I drove to Ralfs56 place where he already had a borrowed truck and trailer ready to go so I loaded up my stuff in the truck swearing to Scott that we were only going to be gone a weekend …..yep, doesn’t everyone travel with four coolers?




Then it’s off to HoBoy56’s place to pick up his old truck. He’s working in PA for a year and wanted his shop truck there but had no way of transporting it. A couple of weeks ago he posted a threaded asking for a HAMB rely and low and behold we were traveling within 10 miles of his place so it ended up working out great. The truck unfortunately did not start so we had to push it to the trailer and come-along-ed it on. Luckly Scott’s strong.


Yep, the bed was full of stuff as well.


Not much else happened on the way Thursday night. Ended up driving till past midnight and stopped in Beaver Falls at a Patel owned hole in the wall.


Next morning started out early as we wanted to be in Philly at noon……yeah right
There are quite a few tunnels you travel thru when your on the toll road in PA…..oh yeah, toll roads SUCK and I have no clue how folks in OH and PA deal with the cost all the time!


Just playing with the camera and tripod


Saw these sweet Caddy’s heading east


When we got to HoBoy56’s, (Joe) work we unloaded the truck in record time….so fast I didn’t even get a photo of it rolling off the truck and right into this spot. Joe’s a happy camper and within 5 minutes of us pulling in the parking lot we were pulling out.


Stop for fuel knowing that we were about 30 miles from downtown Philly and didn’t want to have to deal with it in the city. Good thing we did to cuz when Scott got out to pump the fuel he head a hissing noise. Low and behold the front tire had something in it! SHIT! Luck was on our side though as we were at a full service station.


As the guys were tending to the tire and plugging it a little old lady smashes into the rear of the trailer! No real damage to the trailer but the lower half of herbumper got scraped. Stupid people.

This is what they pulled outta the tire….Joe, any employees missing a grill bit??


Of course lots of contruction with freeway entrances closed.

 

All along I have been keeping Eleanor abreast of our arrival time and at 5:01pm we pulled up to the garage. A full 5 hours later then planned. Philly traffic is as bad a CA. 1 ½ hours to go 15 miles!.....toward the city, not out of the city like Detroit would be during rush hour, and even then it doesn’t get that bad.

Anyway, when we pulled up Scott didn’t even have the truck stopped and I jumped out. How cool is this site? A garage full of old treasures. Rusty Olds was actually in the back corner behind a few cars but Eleanor had arranged for him to be brought up to the front for easy out for me.




A few of the others that are available. I plan to get prices for each and place in the classifieds with her contact info if anyone is interested, probably next week.










SOLD




There is more in the yard behind the building and will be brought inside as room allows


We pushed the Karmen Ghia out so get better access to Rusty Olds


And Scott backed the trailer right up. The only issue was one tire that was shot and off the rim and another one that barely held air


Used a jack to help move the rear portion


Mr HAMB Luker stopped by to see if he could help and to make sure we were going to be ok. I’m not going to out him cuz I’m not sure he wants to deal with a lot of PM’s and stuff ut if he wants he can do it himself.


The area was “straight up ghetto”. When I handed Eleanor the money outta the envelope and she counted it, I tried to hand her the envelope to put the money back in and she took the money, folded it in half and stuffed it in her bra. She then stated to me “looks like I don’t have nothing, right? “ She was the coolest lady. We hit it off on the phone and continued the warm feelings right thru the whole process.


I’d like to add my many, many thanks to Mr Lurker for thinking of me when he saw Rusty Olds. I appreciate all yours and Sophia’s effort and I’m thrilled I made a couple new friends. I look forward to hanging out with both of you at an event real soon.


Took us about 1 ¼ hours to load then bid our farewells and headed out.

 

We had about a 3 hour ride to the Jalopy Showdown ahead of us. We had plans on stopping at Zach’s place on the way but because we were running so far behind we had to postpone those plans till next time. I was bummed but there was nothing I could do.

I’d also like to add my thank to HotRodSurfer who offered to come help us load but because of us running late and his evening plans he wasn’t able to BUT I really appreciate him making the offer and effort. Thanks bud! Your the GREATEST!

On the way outta Philly I snapped a few shots




While traveling I got many phone calls from pals wondering where we were cuz most thought we’d be there mid afternoon…so did we. Thanks for the concern guys, you guys always make me feel special.

When we arrived we were warmly greeted by everyone, who then helped us unload the truck and stick everything in the tent that Megan and Matt had already set up for us. We were camping with the Rochester boys and they had a great tented kitchen area set up and a wonderful fire going. Perfect setting after our long day. Thanks guys!


We relaxed for the rest of the night around the campfire with our friends.


Megan eating a porkchop snack


Lots of merriment


Visiting other encampments


Slick50 and DeVilleGal hanging out as well. WONERFUL seeing you both again


JohnnyLongHair sporting his new boots…..wonder if he’s going to try to take them back after the Showdown? Think they’ll notice the mudd??




Delicious pizza mountain pies were made on the campfire


After just a couple of hours these boots were history for the rest of the weekend. Time to bust out the warm, dry snowmobile boots for the duration.


Don’t remember what time everyone started to turn but it was late and reminded me of The Waltons. Everyone was in their tents and bidding everyone else a good night. Kinda a down home family feel, it was neat.

 

Meanwhile while Denise and Scott were making their way from Michigan...

I have been wanting to go to the Jalopy Showdown for the past couple years. It always seemed like there was some kind of work conflict. Not this year though. Matt, Whiskeyrunner, my Ohio adventure buddy (not to be confused with my Thelma ) is always up for an adventure. We decided to take the ’32 since it was basically the one year anniversary of finding and rescuing it I am pretty confident the trip to the Showdown would be the longest trip it has made since coming home from California in 1959. We did some maintenance the week before and put some miles on it to make sure everything was good to go.

I had hoped to leave Ohio between 3 and 4 pm on Thursday. But alas, the best laid plans fail. By the time everything necessary to tent camp and be self sufficient for nearly four days was packed and the roadster was fueled up it was 530pm. We would be traveling a two lane road, Old Lincoln Highway (route 30 to some) from Canton, Ohio to Hilltown, PA, a short distance from the Showdown. Leaving Canton the weather was fairly nice, good temperature, clouds, and most importantly, no rain!
Heading out on 30


To get to PA on the Lincoln Highway you must first pass through the very tippy top of West Virginia (I’m no Denise at taking pictures while driving! )


I completely missed the sign for Pennsylvania!


We went through a couple tunnels on the way into Pittsburgh


I wished I was in my Chevy. The exhaust could have very well been deafening in there!

One tunnel opens right into the city, neat view


The drive Thursday night was rather uneventful. I was anxious to drive as far as possible since it was good weather. By 8:30- 9:00 it was getting pretty dark, the roads were getting twistier and we reached the eastern side of Allegheny Mountain. There were a couple things we wanted to check out in the region so it was a good time to stop. We used handy dandy cell phone GPS to find a place to camp for the night. The place was called Pine Grove I think and it was way out in the country near Shanksville, PA. After I called to confirm they were open for the season we cut off the road to find them. Just then it started to sprinkle. Great, setting up camp in the dark, in the rain in a roadster
Turns out it was a mom and pop type place and they were super great to us. They had a pavilion they let us park the roadster under and cook. They also had real bathrooms and showers which gets a big two thumbs up from me!

Matt the boy scout making me some soup. I was trying to heat up my guts so I wouldn’t get cold that night!

 

FRIDAY
After a VERY rainy night I peeled myself out of my sleeping bag excited to get on the road to the Showdown. Luckily my tent didn’t leak and I stayed nice and dry. Matt was already up working on fixing some pancakes and bacon. What a good boy scout he is! We once again utilized the pavilion since it was STILL raining!


Yummy, pancakes with craisins!


The roadster had also stayed dry under the awning. Good thing, nothing worse than a wet seat for a long ride!


After we bundled up for the weather and repacked everything in Ziploc bags and Rubbermaid totes we hit the road in the rain Showdown bound! The night before we had seen a sign for a covered bridge on the way to the campground so we decided to check it out. We turned at the first road sign we saw that mentioned bridge. That took us down an asphalt road, to a mud road to a grass lane which dead ended into a river! Guess there is no bridge there anymore! Our first taste of mud for the weekend! After that little excursion we took another road and found a covered bridge that does still exist. I’m guessing they were once in series over the same river but only one remains now.




Neat old bridge but we didn’t stay for long. There was actually quite a bit of traffic on it!

Our next stop was a sad one, the Flight 93 Memorial. It is actually a temporary memorial dedicated to the men and women that lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in a field near Shanksville, PA. There are a lot of momentos there that people have left behind in remembrance.




Even a car club plaque, the Street Survivors of Johnstown, PA



The memorial wall and benches pictured above are quite a ways from the actual crash site, they actually overlook it. It is hard to see but in the picture below there is a flag. Behind that flag is where the crash actually occurred. According to the volunteers there the park service is planning to build a HUGE memorial around that site.


I learned so much I didn’t know about that day from the visit to the memorial. If you are ever in the area I strongly encourage you to stop by. The volunteers there are very friendly and resourceful.

To read more about the temporary memorial and plans for the permanent memorial visit their website here:
http://www.nps.gov/flni

 

After visiting the Flight 93 memorial we headed over the mountain to view the site of the once prosperous roadside attraction the Grand View Ship. The Grand View Ship was a hotel and restaurant constructed in the 1920s. It gave motorists traveling on the Lincoln Highway a place to get a bite to eat and lay their head. Supposedly you can see 63 miles from this lookout on the side of Allegheny Mountain! It is an unmarked location near the summit of the mountain 17 miles west of Bedford, PA.

Here is what the ship looked like in its heyday (postcard circa 1932)


Here is a video I found on Youtube of a family visiting the ship on their way to New Jersey in the 1970s
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Much like the tale of our beloved Cars movie; once the Pennsylvania turnpike was constructed (opening in late 1940) it took travelers off the old Lincoln Highway and the ship&#8217;s business began to suffer. Preservationists believe that the late 1930s and early 1940 were its &#8216;golden years&#8217; because the highway was bustling with travelers and the turnpike had not yet opened. Following the opening of the turnpike the once grand ship continued to scrape by as a roadside attraction until 1978 when the original builder&#8217;s family sold it for $70,000. The new owner&#8217;s attempted to revive the ship by renaming it &#8220;Noah&#8217;s Ark&#8221; and opening a petting zoo but that didn&#8217;t fly. The ship closed to the public in 1987 and really started to deteriorate. In the early 1990s the Lincoln Highway preservation society offered to buy the ship for $40,000 but the owner laughed at the offer telling them he wanted $900,000! Well he should have taken the $40,000 and ran. On October 26, 2001 the ship was reduced to rubble by devastating fire. It was not insured at the time so he got nothing, karma sucks!

Below are photos of what remains today&#8230;






I had been told before that the original builder had used car frames in the construction of the ship. That was confirmed by this picture, look closely!


Across the street there was even a gas station!
Then


Now


I have no idea how they squeezed in parking and room for pedestrians to walk. I&#8217;m sure the road has been reconfigured some but you can see how tight it is being on a turn and all.


But one thing has remained over the past hundred years, the view! Too bad it was a nasty day!






For more info on Grand View and the Lincoln Highway check out these sites:

http://www.brianbutko.com/lh.ship.html

http://www.roadsidephotos.com/LH/grandview.htm

 

We continued meandering down the Lincoln Highway passing thru small towns of every shape and size. We had decided we had better stop for gas every couple hours since the roadster is currently gauge-less, hate to get stranded Typical gas stop&#8230;
Unpack most of the car


Find something to make a sandwich with


And the best table ever


Any of you who drive old cars regularly know what a trip people at gas stations can be. I don&#8217;t think we stopped at a single gas station without being interrogated. It was especially fun to watch people who noticed the California plates. Boy, we had driven a long ways to come to the Showdown

As a big fan of two lane roads I had figured out a way for us to cut north from the Lincoln Highway to the Showdown via PA route 234. It has to be one of the most beautiful roads I have ever been on in my life! It is wooded with a neat stream that runs parallel and level to the road!


We came upon a road called Excelsior and I couldn&#8217;t resist the photo op! For those that don&#8217;t know, the roadster sports Excelsior racing tires from Coker&#8230;




In the late afternoon we finally made our way to Zach Suhr&#8217;s for what I believe to be the first roadster show the Flyers Roadster Club has held since the club was revived. Not the best weather for a roadster show but hey, we had fun anyways!

Zach with his latest creation


The cook in


Cuznbrucie enjoying the fine cuisine


Zach, Bruce and Chris


Chris, Zach, Bruce and I (from the looks on their faces you&#8217;d think they had just rode 4 hours in the rain, not me! )


After the cook in we made our way to the Showdown and set up camp with the Rochester boys. Of course the tomfoolery of any hot rod event continued late into the night. We ate too much food, told a bunch of lies and consumed a bunch of beverages. No pics to prove it though!

 

The next morning the sun was out and the sky was bright blue and it was an early one with folks firing up their rides for the short drive to the infield. The Jalopy Showdown has begun!!!



Before Meagan and Matt took the roadster to the infield though they were kind enough to give me a lift to the gas station to fill up my gas cans for the go-cart. The truck and trailer with Rusty Olds was parked for the weekend and not going anywhere.

Megan hopped in the rumble which had no seat cuz of space concerns for the trip. Yep it was a nipplely ride


But a great way to clear the morning cobwebs outta your head




Cut through the other camping area and checked it out on the way back. LOTS of room, especially if it wasn’t so wet.


Fueled the go-cart, suited up for mudd…


….then hit the track. Snuck in the back way and was able to get two laps before I got kicked off


Puddles like this common all over.


Made a pass on the inside return road I guess you might call it then put it away for awhile cuz the area started to get crowded with people


Had fun and I knew I’d be able to ride a lot more later in the afternoon after the large crowds left


Once I got cleaned up a handful of us headed to the infield to check out the swap meet and some cars. The swap has really expanded. LOTS of folks walking around carry new treasures.




Megan wanted the blue one but it was too small for the girls


Stopped by Sawzall’s spot and he had a few Olds trinkets for me. Not only a few dash pieces BUT he still had the original Big Olds rear bumper that I had given him many years ago and he wasn’t going to use SO he passed it back to me to use on Rusty Olds! How cool is that! THANK YOU sweetie for the stash.


Checked out some rides

 

Including Tony’s


Than Coop31 introduced himself. It was a pleasure meeting you. I had the opportunity to check out your car later, totally AWESOME, you should be very proud.


Coop31’s coupe




The infamous little barn find roadster










This one had some documented history on the windshield

 

SneakyPete and his lovely girlfriend, nice meeting you both. I enjoyed our chat.








Saw this car at the GG Hershey event a couple of years ago. I LOVE it!














Ran into Spike AKA HotRodPhotos


Folks continued to roll in all morning

 

I really liked this wagon


Ran into 40Luv and copped a hug. GREAT seeing you again sweetie.










I really liked the color on this






One of the many highlights of the event

 

FltBlk and Sawzall walking around. WONDEFRFUL seeing both you boys. I missed the memo regarding blue jeans, black t-shirt and kakai cap dress code. Please keep me in the loop next time.




Hot Rod Surplus’s


The track time show stopper.

 

Stopped and saw my old pal Chevsotolac. He had a special Oldsmobile piece tucked away for me AND promised he’s still looking for the ‘48 Chevy convertible passenger door stainless trim for me. GREAT seeing you again sweetie. Thanks for the present.


His running buddy, JMthehermit, had homemade brownies with him and insisted I try them. I was forced I tell ya…forced


Checked out some more cars while we made our way over to the tower for the noon Meet & Greet












I climbed to the top to get some overhead shots

 

All the cars that want onto the infield must cross at this access point.






This was the only watering hole that was off limits as to not get the freshly built tower muddy before the wood has a chance to season. Everyone respected the wishes of Lynn Paxton.


ScaryLarry the man of the hour


The boys at the entrance to the infield


Megan and Matt


Had the extreme pleasure of meeting SandyBeaches and GoodWood for the first time. It was GREAT meeting you two and having the opportunity to hang out and get to know each other. Thanks for the knives sweetie. They will certainly come in handy.
GoodWood, SandyBeaches, “Thelma, Louise”, WhiskeyRunner, and Ralfs56.


Rockstar’s get asked for autographs


By this time folks started showing up for the Meet & Greet and Megan and I started passing out nametags and a few of the last of the little HAMB stickers I had




Nappy & Sawzall


Sumo

 

BigChief and Ralfs56


Carmarket and his lovely wife




Retro54


CruznBrucie, GREAT seeing you again sweetie. Hopefully next time we can hang out longer


ChevyGirlRox, SandyBeaches, CoupeDevil, GasketGirl and HotRodLadyCrusr. Wish more HAMB gals would have showed up at the M&G


SdfS10, Me and MazdaSlam


Nice M&G turnout


I’d like to thank everyone for attending the Meet & Greet. I’m just bummed that it got cut short by the start of the drivers meeting. I wish I would have had more time to meet more folks. Next year we’ll do the M&G alittle earlier........ and get your hands outta your pockets and mingle

The drivers meeting started with Larry and Lynn going over the rules and guidelines. Basicly stay outta this one mud puddle and if you take out a portion of the fence, you bought it.






The Rocket was going all day


Megan getting ready to take the roadster over to get in line for track time




The bands were GREAT

 

Slick50 and Clark getting ready to take the first lap




Clark driving the 999 roadster with me in the passenger seat holding my camera with a baggie wrapped around it. Everyone once in a while you can notice me wiping the mudd off the front trying to make sure the lens isn’t covered.

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What a ride! Thanks Clark!!!
Yeah there's mudd in my mouth....I gotta learn to keep it closed while on the track


After cleaning up once again, Scott and I decided to make sandwiches for lunch and take them to the bleachers to watch the laps






Matt2 AKA Tin Indian took these two and I just learned how to remixed them together.


Black Roadster with the green wheels video

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Ran into Action Girl and had a nice chat. Wonderful seeing you again sweetie. Glad to hear the business is going well and I’m looking forward to watching the paint progress on your ride.


Having fun Tim??

 

Watched some more cars








By early afternoon the infield was looking like the track but no one minded




About now the Rochester boys said they wanted to check out Rusty Olds up close and personal so we all headed over to where he was parked on the trailer




The stainless is all there and looks great


The trunk floor is AWESOME and under that seat back is the top boot


The top canvas is still there but I was afraid to raise the top incase I couldn’t get it down for the rest of the ride home


We watched quite a few cars from this location. It was actually a great spot to do so as you got a view of two turns at once




Gas Pumper


I then got a call from Haring who had arrived and we made plans to meet so I headed back to the infield area. While I was waiting to cross…

 

Finally got the opportunity to meet Don Haring in person. It was wonderful meeting you. I’m glad I got a chance to hang out with you and your pals for abit and chat. Hope to see you again soon.


As Don and I were chatting we had a great vantage point for watching the cars leave the infield….


Or enter as the case me be


Was able to cop a HUGE hug from my pal Big John. GREAT seeing you again sweetie. See ya soon!


Stopped to watch the One Arm Bandit sling some paint. Nice meeting you bud. Love for you to lay some lines on my vintage cooler next year.






Clark taking the 999 roadster out again




Then one of the other guys drove it






JohnnyLonghair looks too clean….we’re going to have to do something about that…………..


But first….Megan thinks we all need to “Ride the Rocket”….something I’ve always wanted to do while at the event but never got around to it


So we decided now was the time, paid our whopping 50 cents and hopped on board.
I got the front seat

 

Megan and Matt, and Tin Indian and GasketGirl


He takes us over to the main camping area. Looks like we’re not moving but in reality the tractor is flying


We pass a couple of cars that were leaving…


Past some campsites…


And deep into the woods. The tractor driver was a madman behind the wheel and the more we laughed and screamed the crazier he got!


Back out onto the main road we passed Sawzall pulling out. See you soon sweetie! xoxox


He then took us onto the track




As long as you weren’t driving pretty much anything goes


If a person was at the event and didn’t have a car or one that he wanted to take on the track, riding the rocket or the big green bus on the track was the second best thing for capturing the experience.







It was the most fun I’ve had for 50 cents in a long time. I’ll never not ride the rocket again during the Showdown.

The next set of photos and video need alittle background. In June of 2003 I attended the NSRA York, PA event and met the So-What guys for the first time. I had only been on the HAMB about 6-8 months at that point. It was a cold, rainy and VERY muddy weekend and the camping was still inside the fairgrounds. I was hanging out in Scottville when this very handsome guy asks me to mud wrestle. I look at him like he was high and told him no. Over the years I came to regret not just going along with it, for the fun of it.

Since then I’ve come to love all the S0-What guys and every time I see JohnnyLongHair we would mention “one of these days”. Well “one of these days” was here and the gauntlet was thrown down and Megan wanted in on it! We told Johnny, meet us at the mud hole or you’ll never live it down and just like in the movies he approached from one end and we from another

 

The cameraman is lucky Megan didn’t grab him and throw him in as well






and the following video ensued.


I could barely stand up I was laughing so hard.






We all then walked over to the hose to get some of the mud off before hitting the shower




I’d like to apologize to Johnny. I didn’t have my glasses on and I threw some mud and nailed him on the side of the head and he got mudd in his eye. I’m sorry sweetie, I didn’t do it on purpose. Still love me????

At this point I decided to actually ride the go-cart again before I took a shower so I headed in my wet clothes over to the tent and changed into my muddy but dry clothes from the earlier go-cart ride, started it up and cruz around. The thing is fast.



The go-cart has some issues, one of which is one of the wheel bearing is shot, so often if I slam on the brakes the chain comes off. Stick it back on, no big deal BUT the other issue is a fast/stuck idle so as soon as you pull start it, it takes off. Kinda amusing I guess. Gonna probably fix everything this weekend so we can have trouble free fun with it this summer.

After parking the go-cart for the night I took a nice hot shower and headed back to camp. Some were eating, some were working on their rides.






Matt AKA Tin Indian and Diana AKA GasketGirl, GREAT meeting both of you. I'm glad we got to spend some time together and I look forward to doing it again soon.


I’ve got my laptop on the chair in front of me uploading the photos and videos to show folks. Everyone got lots of laughs reminiscing about the days activities

 

What’s a campfire without toasted marshmellows…..


and drinking…




and eating…


and a flamethrowing bicycle?


More mountain pies




Looks like we have a piro amoung us…and a boy that likes to be spanked


Some even brought their own potty chair for their tent which in turn brought up a whole bunch of disgusting port-a-john stories around the campfire. Must be a guy thing.






What better way to dry my socks…..some didn’t approve


Sure was a full moon that night




Hit then tents and most of us were out like lights after the huge activity filled day.

 

SUNDAY
Sunday morning we awoke to sunny skies and of course lots of engine noise. Everyone was packing up for home. Of course as soon as we started packing it started to rain, the theme of the weekend! After saying goodbye to Thelma and Ralfs56 (Scott); Matt (Whiskeyrunner), Matt squared (Tin Indian), Diana and I headed up to the museum.



We were fortunate to get the grand tour by the man himself, Lynn Paxton. Some of you may remember him from Mad Fabricators 3rd edition when Evel covered the Showdown. I would LOVE to tell you everything that he told us in what he called the quick (2.5 hours) tour but I can&#8217;t. So, you all will have to visit and maybe, just maybe, between all of us we can remember everything that one man has in his brain. Ruler!

I&#8217;ll give you some highlights&#8230;

The Miracle Power sprint car driven by Tommy Hinnershitz. Never heard of him? Ask Foyt or Andretti who have called him &#8216;hero&#8217;. The museum has his garage re-created with his own work bench, tools, and knick knacks, nifty!




A neat diorama of Gasoline Alley, I believe at Reading Speedway




A mantra everyone should live by!


LOVED the rear tires on this old Riverside Tires car! It is hard to tell in the picture but the treads are cylinders&#8230;so dirt track!


He spent some time in the library showing us the coolest circle track scrap book ever. It is huge and has tons of pictures and clippings


He also directed me to a book in there that talked about a board track in Akron, Ohio which is fairly near my house. I have always heard bits and pieces but now I know the real story!


In addition to the cars they have a lot of neat signage and things from tracks of the past. This sign is awesome!


I another exhibit I really enjoyed was the Hiram Hillegrass workshop. He used to make bodies back in the day. Here you will find his tools, bucks, drawings, LOTS of neat stuff.




Louver punch for side panels


It made me happy to see a belly tank had snaked her way into the sprint car museum


Lynn telling us about vintage speed equipment.

 

A procession of race engines from Model T to current


A couple Soap Box Derby cars. They run the national derby not far from my house.


Road Gents car found a restored to her former glory. I LOVE the color!


There were a lot of uniforms and crew shirts throughout the museum. Like Lynn said, if they all came to life they could have one hell of a race!


Upstairs was chalked full as well. I think this was my favorite car in the museum.






The three minute clock from Silver Spring Speedway. The bulb would go out every 10 seconds counting down the three minutes so the racers and fans alike would know it was almost time for the race to begin.


Now THIS is a trophy!


Helmets from WWII flying hats to today


Some aerial shots from the second story




I could have stayed in the just the library for another three days lead alone the museum but we decided we should get going. Neither of us were in a hurry to leave, it was still pouring rain. Once again, thank goodness the roadster was tarped. It held literally puddles of rain! We said our goodbyes, thanked Lynn and promised to come back to the Showdown next year for a bus ride

I know I sound clich&#233; to say this all the time but if you are ever in the area or at the Showdown you should really visit this museum. It is really a neat place with a lot of history! Until you can visit take their virtual tour, it will wet your appetite for more!

http://www.emmr.org/virtual_tour1.htm

 

At that time we also said our goodbyes to Matt squared (Tin Indian) and Diana who had decided to take the turnpike back to Ohio. Matt and I bundled back into our rain gear and headed west on the Lincoln Highway back to Ohio. It rained about the first hour and a half out of Latimore but then cleared off to be a sunny (yet VERY windy) day.

Of course no trip of mine would be complete without an ice cream stop!




Neat Lincoln Highway picture


Driving through the mountains on the way home was gorgeous. Everything was so green and full of life. It was a good day to be alive.




I would love to buy this house and restore it to its former glory. It is perched way up on the side of a mountain!


Sometimes the road would straighten out and you could see it for what seemed like miles in front of you!


This barn had a really neat Lincoln Highway mural two sides of it (sorry the first is a little dark)




Even a rendering of a postcard of the Grand View Ship!


And a sign on the side promoting the Lincoln Highway


The Lincoln Highway is marked across PA with markers that look like this


Speaking of the Grand View Ship, remember the crappy photos earlier? Check out the return trip views!




Pretty soon we were back in good old OH-IO where the rain kicked up again.


This gas station is in a town about 25 minutes from my house but I never take any old cars there for photos. Despite the rain I thought it would be a fun way to end the trip.


About 5 minutes from my house the rain sputtered off and I spotted this. Just like a regular Hollywood ending!


We had a great time driving to and from the show and of course at the show. It was a blast camping with the Rochester boys and Thelma. We camped in tents, who would have ever thunk it?

 

SUNDAY

Woke up to drizzle and the Rochester boys pulling out. I don’t know which was sadder. Others started packing up their stuff.








GasketGirl making herself hot muffins for breakfast


Scott brought the truck and trailer to our campsite and we started loading up. You’d never believe I had washed the go-cart off last night.


Said our good-byes and so longs knowing that we’d all be getting together next weekend at Brian’s in Dayton, OH


Another couple of hard core hot rodders


Kinda a sad looking place without all the hot rods around




Till next year….thanks for the 2008 memories. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Larry and Kim for the GREAT time. All your effort and hard work shows.
Everyone appreciates everything you two and the rest of the crew does to make sure we all have the best time possible. From the bottom of my heart.....THANK YOU!


One the way home I noticed some mud wrestling injuries…my wrist and my knee both had scrapes. The price one pays for playing rough.


Kinda rainy the whole 10 hours home


I LOVE my new Rusty Olds


Did I mention toll roads SUCK?!! Almost $100 in tolls through OH and PA

 

Once home my Dad walked down to my house and helped us unload.


Trust me we needed the assistance


With a flat tire and one with the rubber off the rim, Rusty Olds didn’t exactly roll off




What a difference huh?


No real plans yet. In fact all I’m going to do this summer is clean out the stuff inside and take inventory, bolt on the bumpers, change the two left side tires. I also plan on removing all the windows, separating the glass and sending the window trim to Advanced Plating along with all the window cranks and inside door handles. Once I get them back, the new, perfectly chromed stuff will go on Big Olds. The window trim that is currently in BO was done in Canada and does not reflect the quality of the rest of the pieces…and it’s noticeable to me.

From that point perhaps NEXT winter I will start on Rusty Olds and right now I’m thinking a tail dragger with an early 303 and early speed equipment……maybe maroon in color. We’ll see, I'm a girl and my tastes could change by then. In the meantime Rusty Olds will just sit in the garage keeping Big Olds company.

Sometime soon I'll take some detailed photos of the body and stuff and post. I do not have too much past history of the car. She told me it had been sitting around for 30 years. The sticker on the windshield is a PA inspection sticker dated 1962. Could that be the last time Rusty Olds was on the road??

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Scott for everything he did for me in prep and this weekend. Without your assistance I probably would have had to have passed on the purchase. I don't know too many folks that would take time off from work and do a road trip such as this just for kicks. You worked your ass off and it didn't go unnoticed. You are a true friend. Thanks so much! xoxox


FOOTNOTE: I've got some editing to do and a few more of Louise's photos to add so stay tuned. If I've labled something wrong or not at all and you want me to add your name to a car or whatever, feel free to PM and and I'll edit it.

 

There is no way I couldn't love ya, you are my future x-wife remember. Dam did we have fun!!!!

 

Rusty Olds & Matt's roadster probably didn't know what to think of the trip to PA after sitting in storage for so long. Those two cars deserve to be back on the road.

Lynn & Jerry Duncan were finishing the Dunlap Deuce when I was up there in Jan. 05 to get my '38. Neat car with a really cool local history.

Big thanks to Thelma & Louise for posting this great coverage.

JH

 

nice coverage!! i am still pissed i didnt make the showdown i WILL make it next year!!! i cant wait to see the progress of rusty olds--
megan you guys are HARD CORE! thanks for the awesome coverage your adventures,Denise to make up not meeting up with you the next time your in philly i will buy you a cheese steak and a beer(or 2)

 

Another great adventure!