Category Archives: Car show

Chandler AZ Car Show

February 23, 2014 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Each February in downtown Chandler, Arizona a group of folks throws a nice laid back car show. Taking advantage of paved parking lots on both sides of Dr. A. J. Chandler Park in downtown over 250 cars spread out for a fun, sunny day.

This year organizers also blended in a set of displays with a science technology bent for visitors to review and children to engage with.

Downtown Chandler

While parts of the country are still fighting blizzards, the big dilemma was finding shade in downtown Chandler. The surrounding merchants get into the mood and help promote their local businesses.

Batmobile

And for the second year the owner of the first original Batmobile brought out the car for all to admire. It’s nice to see the owner supporting a local event and the benefiting charities.

Here is a link to our previous post on the Batmobile

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Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Snakebit F100 56 Ford Truck sells at Barrett Jackson

February 2, 2014 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

1956 Ford F100 Truck — 1956 Ford F100 Custom

Here’s a link to My Star Collector Car and an article we recently contributed

http://www.mystarcollectorcar.com/2-features/editorials/2209-snakebit-f-100-a-56-ford-truck-with-a-carroll-shelby-heart-defines-a-canadian-province.html

Snakebit

The truck was a high seller to raise money to build a children’s hospital.

Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Backup Pickup by Galpin Auto Sports

January 28, 2014 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Galpin Auto Sports brought out the Backup Pickup to their display at Barrett-Jackson Auctions in Scottsdale, AZ this month. This recreation was also seen last year at the SEMA Show and our friends at Hot Rod magazine highlighted it on both their blog and in the March, 2014 print issue.

Backup Pickup

This is a pretty wicked ride and was a crowd pleasing wheel stander, back in the day. Outwardly the Ford Econoline looks okay with an awesome 60’s paint job. But look closely and you’ll see the driver’s seat is on the right side and facing to the rear!

Paint

The paint job is a real trip and probably took weeks to plan and execute. The truck sports a 427 stacked injected engine that puts out just shy of 1,000 horsepower. Apparently Galpin has yet to put it on the track for a full out wheel stand, but that would be sight to see. Back in the day, the driver actually had to peer out the right side of the truck to watch the track. Hard to believe that this was all done in only twelve weeks! (Although HRM said it was six months).

Up Next

Enjoy the pictures and subscribe to this blog to learn about the Mach IV Mustang that Galpin also touted at Barrett-Jackson.

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Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Gas Monkey Garage’s Ferrari at Barrett Jackson Auction

January 16, 2014 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Gas Monkey Garage

The fun loving folks at Gas Monkey Garage are connected to three cars selling at the Barrett-Jackson Auction this week. Funny how things can quickly change. Last year a car, previously featured on Gas Monkey’s “Fast N’ Loud” TV reality show, sold with little fanfare or publicity.

Camaro

Since then, Richard Rawlings sold a COPO Camaro at the Reno auction. And he is now selling a CRC Camaro ready for the dragstrip.

Ferrari

Now the 1991 Ferrari F-40 that arrived at Gas Monkey Garage as a wreck; was fixed on the TV show and sold to Dennis Collins, his business partner, is a featured car on Saturday night in Barrett-Jackson’s Salon Collection.

F-40 Repairs

The folks at Gas Monkey Garage knew their limitations and imported some hired guns to help out on the frame and body work. The Ferrari has less than 7,200 miles and is no longer a stocker. The car was repainted black, rather than keeping it the original red. The turbos are changed out (or enhanced), new shocks added and new seats were added, along with custom 18″ wheels in satin black. The original aluminum V8 engine is intact with 2.9 liters displacement.

Given the rising fame of Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage it’ll be interesting to see what this thirteen year old car fetches. Will the purists despise the mods or will a buyer want the car featured on Fast N’ Loud.

Tell us what you think!

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Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Bruce Willis’ Nomad has some humor

January 16, 2014 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

At any car auction, sellers are quick to point out the car’s connection to a celebrity. While some stars are known for their affection to cars for others the connection is loose or weak. It seems every few years Jodie Foster’s VW Bug runs through the auction, but really? Jodie Foster?

Barrett-Jackson

So at this week’s Barrett-Jackson Auction, you wouldn’t be surprised that some cars come out with a connection to stars. Simon Cowell is selling his Bugatti, while Gene Simmons is selling a Ford Truck that was first premiered at the SEMA Show.

Bruce Willis

But this Nomad’s seller shows he has a sense of humor – or a great copywriter. This 55 Chevrolet Nomad was previously owned by actor Bruce Willis. The seller mentions he has a written note from Bruce stating ”the car brought me many years of fun, and happy memories”

1955 Nomad

The car has a Skyline Blue and India Ivory interior, and for some reason the engine was replaced with a 1966 Corvette L79 engine with a three speed automatic. The hero card mentions Bruce’s association to the car seven times.

But the humorous addition? See what the car comes with in this pic!

Auctions, Car show, Uncategorized

Afterburner Ford Fairlane by Ring Brothers at Barrett-Jackson

January 13, 2014 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Ring Brothers 1964 Ford Fairlane “Afterburner”

The 1964 Ford Fairlane dubbed “Afterburner” and built by the Ring Brothers debuted at the SEMA Show in 2009. It was eye-popping and showed the exceptional skills and vision continuously displayed since by the two boys. We loved it then and love still today.

In the interim the Ring Brothers have continued to make a name for themselves and have produced a great number of jaw dropping cars.

Barrett Jackson

Now it is auctioning off at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Auction. This beauty is a work of art and has less than 1,000 miles on it since first built. The Ford Windsor engine with a bored out 427 is spectacular. The body modifications made by Ring Brothers is exceptionally eye pleasing. Here’s hoping that more than one bidder falls in love , like we did five years ago.

What do you think it’ll bring on Saturday?

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Car show, Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

Bumble Bee Camaro Tire with Hollywood Magic

December 3, 2013 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Bumble Bee -the Star of the Transformer Movie Anthology

The Bumble Bee is one of the main characters in the Transformer Movie Series and is a bright yellow Camaro. Chevrolet certainly enjoys the publicity that is garnered by the Bumble Bee and Hollywood studios are known for accepting cash or product for a movie “placement”.

SEMA 2013

At the recent SEMA show, the three “stars” of the upcoming Transformers 4 movie directed by Michael Bay were showcased by Chevrolet at a standalone display. Present were a new sleek Corvette Stringray, an urban looking Sonic and the yellow Bumble Bee Camaro. They were highlighting the upcoming Transformers 4 release next summer.

The same three cars were present at Chevrolet’s Media Event. But after Monday’s event some sharp eyed spectators noted a slight change in the “shoes” the Bumble Bee was wearing. It turns out the Hollywood magic must have worn out and the painted on Goodyear logo and Eagle name were removed showing the true brand of these tires – Pirelli.

Ah, the magic of Hollywood!

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Car show, Uncategorized

Double Down Deuce by Bryan Fuller at SEMA Show

November 30, 2013 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Bryan Fuller’s 32 Ford Roadster – Double Down Deuce

We’ve always been a fan of the work and craftsmanship that Bryan Fuller demonstrates. Last year at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) he dragged out the ultra-long “Thundertaker“. Now this year at SEMA we were once again impressed by his “Double Down Deuce” Ford. And we weren’t the only ones – Hot Rod Magazine did not just one but two entries on the deuce.

Fuller – All Wheel Drive

After all when’s the last time you saw a quick change gear set – in the FRONT end?? Yep this is an all wheel drive beast! This metal roadster is powered by a Ford Boss 429 producing 600 cubic inches and huge horsepower with a GMC Denali transfer case and a clutchless five speed. from G Force.

Slick is Sick

The “Slickest” item might be the Goodyear 28.5—14.50-16 Goodyear Eagle slicks to provide the traction to the asphalt or even the salt flats. This roadster will be at home on the auto cross, with pro tourers or at Bonneville.

While still “a work in progress” this “Double Down Deuce” in bare metal is still awesome. Plus we had the chance to see it again in November at the Jet Hot display at the Goodguy’s Southwest Nationals show in Scottsdale, AZ.

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Auctions, Car show, Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

COPO Camaro, Gas Monkey Garage and Build Your Own

November 24, 2013 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

The COPO Camaro is what legends are made of. And if you watch Fast N’ Loud, the Gas Monkey franchise on Discovery, you’ll learn more about them soon. They recently sold a Gas Monkey decaled COPO Camaro in Reno, through Barrett-Jackson Auctions. And are doing some more by way of Chevy’s “Build Your Own” program.

COPO Camaro

Back in the 60’s, slick dealers could order cars made by Chevrolet in unique configurations using a Central Office Production Order (COPO). A dealer, Fred Gibb in Illinois, thought making a 69 Camaro with an aluminum 427 ZL1 power plant making 425 horsepower was a great idea. So ultimately he ordered 69 of these fabled cars, with Chevrolet requiring a minimum of fifty to make a COPO. With a price tag of over $7,200 (twice what a stocker cost), Gibb could only sell thirteen at his dealership and he sent the others out through a network of dealers.

These cars were intended for racing on the strip and they are rather rare and pricey. I first saw one owned by Reggie Jackson back in the 90’s. One sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2012 for $451,000

2012

In 2012 the COPO name and concept was revived by Chevrolet at the SEMA show and was introduced with a white paint job. Only 69 ( a recurring number you see) were produced. It sold starting at $89,000 and was strictly for the NHRA’s strips with no VIN being issued and lacking a bunch of NHTSA mandated stuff. You had a choice of three engines; a 427 V8 or a 327 V8 with a either a 2.9L supercharger or a 4.0L supercharger

2013

In 2013 it again premiered in SEMA, this time in a unique convertible (which most tracks wouldn’t allow)! It started at $86,000 and offered again three engine options. a 352 horsepower V8, a 375 Horsepower 6.5L V8 or a massive 7L V8 making again the 425 horsepower. Plus along with the racer’s standard Powerglide it came in a 4 speed manual. The convertible was later sold at auction with only one other convertible made in 2013.

2014

Yet again for 2014, Chevrolet trotted out their COPO at SEMA in a light blue color. This year, lucky winners can choose from a 427 V8, a 350 V8 with a 2.9L supercharger, or mere V8’s with either a 350 or 396 cubic inch displacement. For 2014 a solid rear axle appears in place of the independent rear end.

Build Your Own

Each year only 69 COPO’s are offered by way of a lottery system. But that is not the only way to get a COPO. Chevrolet has offered a “Build Your Own” program were you can open a parts book and build up from a rolling chassis. Again these are designed for the strip and lack a VIN and are definitely not “street legal”. For 2013 they were offered at a starting price of $55,000.

That’s essentially what Gas Monkey Garage did. They got their hands on twenty of these babies and offered them for $89,000 minus a engine and transmission. So far they have sold 14, with one more set to be auctioned in January at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale AZ. Keep an eye out for more information about the COPO on their show soon. In the mean time, enjoy some views of the recent editions of the COPO Camaro

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Car show, Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

Cruise at SEMA Show on Friday Night

November 23, 2013 Route 66 Pub Co Leave a comment

Friday Night Cruise

For the past three years, at the end of the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show on Friday, some of the cars on display drive out of the show onto the surrounding street in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center.Â It has become known as “The Cruise” and has become very popular, even amongst weary, dog tired show goers.

Origins of The Cruise

In fact, the cruise started years earlier as an unofficial event.Â After the show closed on Friday afternoon, some cars would drive off to get to their trailers and either get locked up for the night or head back home.Â So locals and attendees would camp out along the drive ways and watch some of the cars drive away.

You can admire the individual cars and appreciate a static display of cars, but nothing beats seeing them now drive off, under power, lights on and with exhaust bellowing.

Sanctioned Cruise

The Cruise just sanctioned this drive off and became a recognized, official event.Â Early Friday afternoon, before the show closes at 4 PM, portable bleachers are maneuvered into position along a driveway that had been the point of access for the taxi’s.Â The stands fill up hours before the cruise starts and the actual driveway gets lined with interested folks as well.

This year SEMA had an emcee and a DJ spinning some tunes.Â Because it gets dark early in Las Vegas, SEMA even arranges for some portable lights so the cars can be easily seen.

Some cars tossed out sponsor t-shirts or hats to the crowd and Chip Foose came over to say hi and thanked the crowd for attending.Â SEMA was even selling a limited number of hats, embroidered to commemorate the Cruise

The Cruise and the Stars

Of course, the stars of The Cruise are the cars.Â Now most of these cars have already been parked outside of the convention center and on display all week long.Â But nothing takes the place of seeing the cars actually start up and drive off.Â We saw the WyoTech Ford truck/roadster, that we had previously highlighted, make a pass through the crowd after maneuvering out of the indoor display hall.

I never had seen so many LED’s on some of the 4X4’s and they were all blindingly lit.Â The cars were often packed with more than just the driver, so their friends could enjoy the experience.Â And of course many vehicles had more than one camera attached to their car, probably to help make a video for YouTube?Â There was even a drone flying overhead.

Many media folks were there including our friends from Hot Rod magazine.Â It was refreshing to see so many gear heads come out to see the cars cruise, and great to see so many owners take their cars on the road!Â Even the French builder of the 57 Bel Air themed Harley Davidson motorcycle drove out.Â This is a great way for SEMA to wrap up the week and was one of our highlights.

Enjoy some of our selected shots from the SEMA Cruise.Â Which is your favorite?