Okay, I admit, motor sport is my passion. By that I mean anything on 4 wheels that competes, in particular NASCAR and NHRA. (Well, I might exclude “drifting” as I really don’t understand it!) My passion also includes hot rods, muscle cars and yes even exotics.
I think that a large number of folks in our industry are “motor heads” as well, by virtue of the conversations I have been in with Superintendents and industry folks in general. It is an addictive hobby and one we love to share.
As I travel, so many times I wish I had a like minded person who I could contact as to car shows or events that might be taking place while I am in the area. Car guys generally like to know car guys and so I would love it if any of you who are passionate, like I am, to let me know.
Likewise, I welcome any of you to contact me, should you be in the Twin Cities (why, I don’t know!) and are looking for the same. We have one of the largest, if not largest, car show in the country. In late June “Back to the 50’s” takes over the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. There are over 11,500 vehicles, all of them are 1964 or older vintage. It’s a great weekend gathering, as well as sensory overload. We also host a national NHRA event in Brainerd in late August. And of course, there are the local dirt tracks, drag races and demolition derby’s on a weekly basis.
I would like to hear about your involvement in the hobby – collector of die casts or the real things, racer or spectator, muscle or hot rod, buyer or seller. I can almost smell the rubber and fuel now.
4 Comments
My favorite car was my 1969 Olds 442 with a 455 in it. Fast and fun, at least until the throttle return spring broke one night. That made for a hairy ride! Probably my all-time favorite car would be the ‘40 Ford coupe. I love them in stock form and I love them in full race trim, ala Stone, Woods, Cook. Darn, I think I’ll go drop a tree on my Sunfire and use the insurance money to get a hotrod.
And yes, I know the SWC coupe is a ‘41 Willys. Close enough.
A ‘40 or ‘41 Willys coupe with blower out the top, front rake, and big meats all around. That is one of my dream cars though probably out of the question. An original all steel one is around $100K and even a glass one is in the 50’s. I just have a problem driving a glass anything or a clone though I may have to change my thinking if I have any chance of driving one. What’s your take on that? By the way, get the hot rod. I am at that age where friends are developing serious health problems and each and every one of them tells me over and over to “live like you’re dying” as the song says!
I don’t like glass either, but in a ‘40 coupe it is probably the only way to afford it now. I’m also into the lead sleds, low and slow. I always thought a ‘50 Merc, lowered and chopped, with a 700 cubic inch “Mountain Motor” like they use in the IHRA would be a fun car. People think it’s another slow sled then are scared silly when you open the hood. (I like sleeper cars.)