Event Coverage SO-CAL Speed Shop Event Tour 2011

Like most of us, the last few years have been pretty rough. I myself had to close my SO-CAL Speed Shop in early 2010 because it was just too tough to keep a small business running in this climate- and then on top of that my wife decided it was time for a divorce after 21 years at the exact same time. Ended up sitting out the remainder of the year without even the smallest jobs hiring.
Fortunately the winds of change have blown my way and the main SO-CAL guys have asked me to take the show back out on the road for them and I'm leaving this Saturday to start a tour of the indoor Autorama shows in the mid-west and hopefully keep planning events to attend for the remainder of the year while I'm out there.

The first six events I'm attending are-
Feb. 11-13 Kansas City
Feb. 18-20 Dallas
Feb. 27-29 Detroit
Mar. 4-7 Chicago
Mar. 11-13 Des Moines
Mar. 18-20 Omaha

The real reason I wanted to post this is so that while I'm traveling I could perhaps visit a few people and check out local collections and junkyards and post the adventures here on the HAMB as an ongoing blog of where the road takes me since it's just me alone in a van with a couple days inbetween each city to see the sights.
Please let me know if you think there's something cool in your area we should check out and share on the HAMB. Thanks very much! Jim

 

Hey Jim, good to hear you got something going. Missed ya at the GNRS, hopefully you'll be back for LARS. Don

 

Seems the latest script cliche is "Road Trip!"
May it be a good one!

As for: Car Club: Torqpedos- I'm the ONLY member!

Elections must be easier than say, Cairo's!

Peace, Brother

 

Sweet! The tour lives on!!

 

See ya in Detroit.

Say did we p*** each other on Sunday in building #4? It looked like you and I turned around and said Jim? but the person didn't turn around so I'm thinking it wasn't you. You had a twin brother at the GNRS if that wasn't you.

 

Did he have long hair and a mustache? That was me with bad hearing- LOL! I can't wait for Detroit- heard about it for years and have NEVER been! Pete Chapouris will be joining me there as well!

 

Good luck with the new adventure, Jim. Hope things are on the upswing for ya....Don.

 

I bumped into Jim in Building 10. It was nice to see you again.

Have a good time, keep up posted with lots of cool pictures. And seeing as you'll have an lonely van while your drive across the US --think 'American Pickers'.

 

Great seeing you too! Not so lonely as it will be full of SO-CAL stuff- I might need to buy a trailer if I start finding too much cool stuff!
It's O/T, but I'm back into '67-'72 Chevy Pickups real heavy so I will be looking for parts for those.

 

Keep in mind I always have a Hot Rod Mingle on the Saturday night of the Detroit Autorama. You're both invited. Stay tuned for more details.

 

Sounds like fun, Jim. KC's a big deal, great show, my old hometown. Look up Mike Winfrey (Hot Rod Express, I believe), Striper/artist Jim Grinlinton, customizer Jim Greene (Wild Child), Ray Erickson (KCTA), Curt Cunningham, Jerry Slover (Pete and Jakes), custom cloner Jack Walker, Steve and George Mallory (they had the Snookie Barris '41 in the GNRS Custom room). If you have time between shows, Winstead's burgers, Country Club Plaza with Nelson Art Museum...world cl***, good as Europe. Plenty of casino "boats" on the river if that's your thing. Best little city in the Midwest.

 

I know Curt- but have always wanted to meet Jack Walker! Sounds like a huge hub of activity in that area! Thanks, Jim

 

Will you and Jimmy Shine be available for autographs?

 

Right On Jim, Your the only one for the job !!!!! Enjoy

 

Jim A

Glad too see things getting better for you.

Maybe the economy is slowly starting to turn

Randy

 

Good luck on this adventure Jim.....Enjoy it, you deserve it....

 

Glad to hear you have some work. This road trip across America sounds like a fun thread.

If you are going through Denver to get to KC, I am at the half way point. Stop in and I will buy you a burger and show you my junk.

 

So far I'm the only Jimmy on this trip! Can't imagine anyone needing my signature- but I'll sign away! Thanks, Jim

Seriously though, if you know of any neat stuff we can go look at I'm wanting to see it. Funny- it wasn't until today I realized it's a little colder where I'm headed than I'm used to. Sleeping in the van might be a problem

 

Stop by tucson on your way..Lunch is on me...........

 

Glad to see you have a gig going. If your run from Dallas to Detroit brings you my way let me know. I'm good for a meal or two and a bunk.

 

Jim, if you come through Southern Utah gimme a shout. Even if its a week-night we'll gather the locals together and make it worth your time! Might be a good idea wherever you go if the locals can get a group of 100 plus people together.

I know we could put together that many people here in little St. George, Utah, so it can surely be done elsewhere. I can see the club email now:

"Come visit the So Cal Speed Shop Traveling Road Show. Tomorrow only from 2 to 8 pm!"

 

If you guys can PM me some numbers I will put them in my notes and make a route so I can see as many as possible. Thanks Jim

 

Might be essential gear here!
http://www.ma**xie.net/blog1.php/the-winter-of-our-discount-tent

 

Link won't work- but just as well I can't imagine staying in a TENT!!!

 

Hve fun Jim, sounds like a blast, but I like traveling.

 

Thanks Trent! Working on adding one more special date in Texas since I will already be in the neighborhood! Fingers crossed!!!!

 

Glad to hear things are looking up for you. Who knows maybe you will make it back to the Street Rod Nats sometime in the future.

 

Good things happen to good people for a reason. Good for you and your new adventure. Sounds fun

 

Hi everyone, just remembered something I need to find is someone close by to each event who will be going to to the shows that I could have stuff sent to me from the main store at their address each week. Please PM me if this is something you could help with. Thanks Jim

Leaving today for the fist show in KANSAS CITY this weekend!

 

Sorry to hear about all the bad news but glad things are hopefully turningn around. I look forward to seeing you in Detroit