Tag Archives: car customizer

Gas Monkey Garage at Barrett-Jackson Results

Gas Monkey Garage came out in force at the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction this year. Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufman, the stars of Discovery Channel’s Fast N’ Loud, brought out seven vehicles that they have been part of at their Dallas, TX garage, in some way.

We have been fans of their antics since the first season and profiled one of their cars that was sold at Barrett-Jackson before their garage became so well known.

Spoiler alert

One of the cars is so new it has not even been seen on the show yet. So proceed only if you want to see all of Gas Monkey’s vehicles that sold at auction.

Prices

The prices listed include a 10% buyer’s commission.  So if the winning bid was for $35,000 the buyer actually shells out $38,500 to Barrett-Jackson, which is what we list. And Barrett-Jackson typically takes a similar cut from the seller, so from a winning bid of $35,000 the seller would net $31,500.

66 Volkswagen “Shorty”

This bus must have been left outside in the Texas rain and shrunk. Interesting twist on the usual VW bus and hard to miss. Richard bought it for $2K and intended on putting $7,500 more into it.  Sue charged him $3K to install the kit alone, so suspect he invested way more than $7,500. This was the only Gas Monkey garage vehicle sold on Wednesday. It sold for $38,500.Gas Monkey Garage 66 Shorty

69 Ford TruckGas Monkey Garage 69 Ford

The shop truck with a definite tinge of patina sold solo on Thursday. This has definitely seen some wear and there are even some minor holes in the bed so we know it has been put to work. It sold for $42,900.

Gas Monkey Garage 69 Ford Pinholes

68 Chevy Impala

This is brand  new to the TV viewers, since it hasn’t been aired yet. It did not even meet the print deadline to be in the humongous Barrett-Jackson catalog! Green with a black vinyl top. Equipped with a crate ZZ5 engine and a two speed Powerglide transmission. Ride Tech suspension and Wilwood brakes with nice Intro wheels. Rumor has it the winning bidder can return to Dallas and be in the show, since he bid $50,600.Gas Monkey Garage 68 Impala

68 Shelby Mustang Convertible.

This baby even came with an AM radio/eight track player. But Rawlings’ crew couldn’t locate an eight track to test it out. It’s been repainted Lime Gold and uses a 302 V8 and a three speed. Ironically the catalog fails to mention any connection to Gas Monkey Garage but it still sold for $106,700.Gas Monkey Garage 68 Shelby Front

86 Porsche 930 Renspeed

This baby is Rawlings’ friend Dennis Collins’ sale and is one of twelve built. The red color looks nice and there is only 9,000 miles on this baby.  Nearly 30 years old and only 9,000 miles – go figure. It sold new for $168,000 and was last serviced in 2011. Dennis sold it for $165,000Gas Monkey Garage 86 Porsche

64 Corvette

Another late entry that missed the catalog deadline. It is fuel injection with a 327 and a four speed and is a numbers matching car. It sports original Kelsey Hayes knock offs for a nice authentic look.  The price went up to $77,000.Gas Monkey Garage 64 Corvette

1971 Chevrolet Kingswood Station Wagon

This was used to help promote “Ugly Kid”. It has a crate 454 engine and a 400 automatic with a supercharger (hence the hood alteration). On the show Richard sold it for $42,000 but later took it back from Ugly Kid. Love the Cragars wheels and the “wood” trim but honestly it is showing some age but still sold for $36,300.Gas Monkey Garage 71 Wagon

Finally we saved the best for last

76 Chevy C-10

This truck was donated to a local Dallas charity and Dennis Collins stepped up to the plate on TV and bought it for $85,000. Now he flipped it at Barrett-Jackson and sold it for only $45,100. It uses a LS7 engine for power and has a 4L85E automatic . Gas Monkey Garage 76 Truck Front View

Many folks on Rawlings’ “interweb” question the build but it looks solid; but Dennis should have had somebody tweak the hood better. The alignment is terrible.Gas Monkey Garage 76 Truck Driver's Side HoodDriver’s Side Hood Alignment

Gas Monkey Garage 76 Truck Passenger Side HoodPassenger Side Hood Alignment

Now I’d be guessing that Richard didn’t have to pay the full 10% seller’s commission, but that’s between him and Craig Jackson.  So do you think Richard flipped out okay on these cars?

 

Enjoy all the pictures of the cars and trucks from Gas Monkey Garage

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1961 Corvette from Barrett-Jackson

Corvette Front EndHere’s our recent story for eBay Motors on this nice resto-mod 1961 Corvette that was sold at Barrett-Jackson last week in Scottsdale, AZ.  Two years ago we covered the sale of his Scooby Doo themed Mystery Van.

1961 CorvetteOriginal Corvette

The builder started out with somebody else’s 1961 Corvette convertible and after removing the body ended up with this sweetie.

LS3 logoThe resto-mod utilized a new LS3 engine from GM along with a new 4L70E four speed transmission.  Nicely and tastefully done, this convertible screamed fun and power.

1961 Corvette ResultsPassenger Side Rear 61 Corvette

So with this rest-mod you end up with the classic styling of a 61 Corvette with all the modern touches and upgrades that make this fun to drive. The builder even installs power studs under the passenger wheel well to allow for a trickle charger to be discretely in place, if needed.  The Corvette just screams that it is ready for whatever the road brings on.

What do you think?

 

 

69 Camaro with a Potent Power Plant

At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada you get to see all sorts of ingenuity in action. Sometimes you scratch your head and say why, and other times you say why not! Not all the action occurs behind the red velvet ropes at this trade only event. Many great rides are viewed by the public on the sidewalks surrounding the Las Vegas Convention Center. 69 Camaro Side ViewThis white 69 Camaro was found on the sidewalk outside the arena and the first time with the hood down it looked nice but…Camaro 69 Discreet Hood Down

Camaro withTwo LSX Engines

Once the hood went up, so did the horsepower on this monster! Camaro Engine BayThat is not a mirror behind the engine, that’s two LSX engines mated together. That friends, is one fine engineering feat. We’ve seen it done before, but this setup is over the top. Done well and nicely planned out.

1500 Horses for this Camaro

This humble ride was produced by Gary Higginbotham of American V8 Classics and Customs from Alpharetta, Georgia. He mated two 427 cubic inch engines to produce a combined 1200 horsepower. But that wasn’t enough; he added a shot of NOS to each engine for an extra 150 horses on each engine, so totaling 1500 horsepower from this power plant.Engine Close Up 69 Camaro

Keeping it altogether required forged JE pistons, a Comp Cam, a Collies crankshaft and ARP bolts. The smooth white body rests on an Art Morrison frame and the interior pictures show how far into the cabin the second engine rests. 69 Camaro InteriorA automatic transmission, 4L60E, hooks up to a Corvette differential – and for kicks you might as well have a view of that from the trunk, right?69 Camaro Rear Differential

So with the hood down you see a great 69 Chevy Camaro, in bright white paint. A nice car but with no indication of what rests under that hood. Pop the hood up and you are darn sure guaranteed some parking lot on-lookers!

What do you think?

 

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Scion Coming to SEMA

SEMA Signage
SEMA Show in Las Vegas

Toyota’s Scion brand is prepping for the upcoming SEMA Show in a big way by teasing out two sketches of some customized, tricked out Scion’s. Scion will showcase in Las Vegas at least two models; a Slayer Mobile Amp tC themed after trash metal band Slayer and a Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB named for the pro skateboarder.

Scion

Scion’s have always branded and positioned themselves as an entry market for coming of age drivers and buyers and offer many ways to customize the cars right off the dealer’s lot.
Last year Toyota had some neat racer inspired cars plus a “Tanked” Highlander which we showcased here. Now we’ll have to be sure and check out the Scion cars this year!

Scion SlayerSlayer

You’d expect a Slayer dedicated show car to focus on the music and you wouldn’t be wrong.

The music is going to be pumping out of this tC for sure. Slayer is a California formed heavy metal band and has won two Grammy awards. It will be interesting to see if any of the four band members make it out for the debut of this Scion.

Riley Hawk

Riley Hawk’s ride, an xB, will present a flashback to the 70’s van craze. His ride will have shag carpet, bubble windows and wood paneling on the interior. Can’t wait to see it in person at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. There is bound to be enough room for his skateboard in this tricked out Scion!Scion Hawk

Riley Hawk is the son of Tony Hawk, who revolutionized skateboarding on the West Coast. Riley is only 21 years of age and is already an award winning skater, but suspect Dad had to explain what shag carpeting was about!

SEMA

The sketches are a bit limited in presenting what the final version will look like, but can’t wait to see the outcomes in a month at the SEMA Show. We’ll keep our eye peeled for more progress updates.

 

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Artwork courtesy of Toyota ©

 

Drew’s Garage Spotlighted with 68 Charger

Drew’s Garage in Tempe, AZ is featured in the August, 2014 issue of Performance and Hot Rod Business.  Our friends at the publication did a nice feature on this local garage.

logo for Drew's Garage

Here’s a link to the six page article.

We recently featured Drew’s Garage with this article on Larry Fitzgerald’s 1968 Dodge Charger.  Here’s the link as well.

Rear end of 68 Charger

In the article. the owner Drew Tennant discussed the origins of his shop and how showcasing his cars at Barrett-Jackson and Goodguys Rod and Custom helped his business grow.  It is interesting to read that most of his employees are auditioned and hired from out of state.

Nice compliments to a true class act.

 

Boyd Coddington Cars from Ron Pratte Collection

Boyd Coddington built a great variety of award winning cars.  This Southern California icon left us way too soon.  But fortunately his cars remain to showcase his vision and talent.

Ron Pratte Collection

Ron Pratte collected plenty of cars over the years and will be selling them at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Arizona in January.  While specifics haven’t been finalized, it is thought that all his cars will be sold.  Here’s a link to our first article about Ron Pratte selling off his cars.

Pratte never has opened his car collection to the public but we got an exclusive peek a few years ago.

Boyd Coddington

Amongst his collection, Pratte owns the largest collection of Boyd Coddington built cars.  Coddington earned fame after winning an AMBR award but many first heard of him on a reality TV show, American Hot Rod – that set the theme for car building TV series.

In Pratte’s collection are a stylistic version of the classic 57 Chevy – Chezoom,  a homage to a 32 Delahaye called the Whatthehaye and the AlumaTub.

All three cars reflect Coddington’s iconic style, long sweeping lines and smooth bodysides.

Here’s a link to an article we contributed to eBay Motors on these Boyd Coddington cars.

Which is your favorite?

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Studebaker and Suburban Featured in Hot Rod Magazine

Studebaker rearHot Rod magazine’s August 2014 highlighted two cars that we first saw at the SEMA Show.  Funny how some cars just stand out and end up being touted by all?  Out of the thousands of cars at SEMA, some just naturally are just dang drop dead perfect and deserve detailed views and attention.

66 Suburban

Our friends at Hot Rod Magazine For August, 2014 devoted three pages (page 108-110) on Mr. Gasket’s Lime Crush – a 66 Suburban.  We gave you our view of this awesome build here.  Great attention to detail and just about every body panel was massaged to some degree.Lime Crush Low Shot

51 Studebaker

In the same issue, they take a look at a 51 Studebaker owned by Dennis Varni.  It too was at the SEMA show and drew plenty of admiring glances in its prime aisle spot.  Eight pages don’t do it justice, so we had to add our pictures too.

The Studebaker actually passed through three sets of hands before completion.  It sits on an Art Morrison frame.  A Ford 427 engine has fuel injection and uses a GM 700R4 transmission.  The wood work is spot on beautiful.  Lots of onlookers took double takes trying to figure out if Studebaker ever made a woodie!

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Rod d’Elegance by Goodguys

Goodguys makes it a point to issue various yearly awards at their various shows throughout the year.  One of the first and eagerly awaited is the Goodguys/March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance award that is issued at the Del Mar Nationals.DSCN4715

Del Mar

This was the 14th Nationals at Del Mar and the only time, they will be at Del Mar for this year.  They have had a late Fall show in the past but it couldn’t make their schedule this year.  For the region,  the Goodguys show is a wakeup call for all the cars that have been cocooned for the winter season.  In nearby Escondido, the Cruising Grand car show started on the first Friday in April, which was also the first day of the Goodguys show.

Street Rod d’Elegance

This award is issued to a street rod from 1948 or older and must be entered in the Goodguys indoor show.  For the Del Mar show there are two buildings utilized for indoor displays.  Car owners have to apply to be entered into the indoor displays to have a chance at this award.

Black Bow Tie

The winner of the Goodguys 2014 March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance award was a 1935 Chevy Phaeton owned by Wes and Vivian Rydell.  The 35 Chevy was named “Black Bow Tie” and is rather rare in the first place.  Couldn’t ask for more gracious and unpretentious owners.  They are not strangers to awards either.  They won the Detroit Riddler award back in 2002 for another 35 Chevy.

AMBR Winner

I figured this beauty was bound to be the winner when it was announced that Wes Rydell was bringing it out to the Del Mar show.  It burst onto the car scene at Pomona, CA where it won the AMBR – America’s Most Beautiful Roadster- award.  It also churned up some chatter and angst by some questioning whether it should be considered a “roadster”.  But it easily meets the standard and was deserving of the AMBR and now this award as well.

Troy Trepanier

Hot Rods by Troy worked on this car and spent a fair amount of time making it look just right.  The amount of custom touches is hard to recognize, especially when a stock unit is not close by to compare to.  The grill is angled forward and the windshield leans back.  The body was stretched 2 inches and the wheel base has three more inches.  Just check out the room in the rear seat.35 Chevy Rear Seat

Heidt’s

The rod rides on independent front and rear suspension from Heidt’s.   Mike Curtis, who used to work for Boyd Coddington, outdid himself CNC’ing this set of wheels.

I’m hoping that Wes Rydell will be sharing this awesome ride at other Goodguys shows as they crisscross the country.  It is worth the price of admission alone to check out this fabulous ride!

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Count’s Kustoms Boat & 35 Chevy at Barrett Jackson

Kounts Kustoms7Count’s Kustoms painted a Laveycraft speedboat to match a customer’s 35 Chevy Master coupe in season one of History Channel’s Counting Cars.  It isn’t often you see a boat, trailer and classic all painted with the same paint scheme but it was sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale in January, 2014.Kounts Kustoms1

Package Deal

The trailer, boat and Chevy sold in a package deal.  One bid won all three items.  After all what would a seller do with a boat trailer after he sells the boat?Kounts Kustoms6

 

Count’s Kustoms

Count’s Kustoms is a hot rod shop based in Las Vegas and featured in a reality series on the History Channel.  The show focuses more on the people and their stories than the actual builds.  We had the chance to meet the Count and his shop’s manager Kevin at SEMA and they were genuinely nice, friendly folks.

Guess the customer was tired of the trio and opted to sell the set at Barrett-Jackson and play up the association with the Count and Counting Cars.

 

1935 Chevy Master Coupe

The Chevy coupe had the matching paint scheme of white flames on a baby blue sheet metal.  It had a tube frame and is powered by a Chevy 502 with a Mustang front end and a four link rear suspension.Kounts Kustoms5

The boat had been out of the water for a while and was a display model.  Overall all three pieces sold for $45,100 (with commission).  To my eyes the seller got a nice ride with a boat and trailer to boot.  As long as you liked the paint scheme it was nicely bought for and a bargain, especially given its connection to the Count !Kounts Kustoms3

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eBay Motors Guest blog Wyotech Ford Roadster at SEMA

Truck
Driver’s side view

We had the opportunity to submit a guest blog to eBay Motors blog in the TRUCK section.  We focused on a sweet roadster Ford truck done by the students from WyoTech and debuted at SEMA last year.

eBay Motors Blog

Here’s the link

Here’s three reasons we selected this truck to highlight-

1) The younger generation gets “it”

It’s nice to see the young adults learning the skills and applying them to keep this incredible hobby we call “hot rodding” alive and kicking.

2) All hands on deck

The truck is incredibly well done.  This is more surprising when you learn lots of students had a hand in the project.  Typically the more hands in the mix, the messier it can get.

3) Sleek look

The treatment, style and paint looks authentic and a nice custom look

Take a look and comment on the eBay blog here