Primer Podcast

Great show in Huntington Beach, so some event coverage and commentary, Mustang update and plans, rants and wiring, shaving...and more garage talk from the Galaxie Studio.  And put things where they go.

 

Episode #135

http://youtu.be/Ls2l0zJ5V04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 16, 2014

Huntington Beach, CA is also known as “surf city”, yet this show wasn’t near the beach. This was the 6th annual car show sponsored by Surf City Garage products at their headquarters. This was our first time attending this event. Many people we have spoken to had suggested we should check it out for some muscle cars and hot rods and especially, the private car collection.

 

Tim Miller, founder and owner of Surf City Garage, started this car care product business back in 2007 after the insistence of friends. The wax products were originally just for his restoration crew and soon grew to samples to close friends. Word of mouth about the product spread and an opportunity was created. The other major players in car care products include Meguiar’s and Mothers, both located in south Orange County. Surf City prides itself in selling a higher quality product which is also reflected in a higher price compared to their competition. Isn’t your 1960’s muscle car worth a little more for a wax or interior cleaner? Surf City products are now available through major automotive chain stores for your convenience.

You have to get to this event early to get a decent parking spot outside the show area which is located in an industrial park at the west end of Huntington Beach. Upon arrival, get your walking shoes on. You’re going to walk at least 5 blocks. Now it was time to see some neat muscle cars and hot rods. At the center of the event is the Surf City Garage building which hands down in our book, has to be the best collection of vintage automobilia signs and neon we’ve ever seen. The two story building has signs from toe to ceiling in every corner and wall. Vintage everything from Coke dispensers, gas bottles, oil cans, petrol pumps and advertising.

The center area of the garage incorporates at least a half dozen four-post car lifts which help organize the personal muscle car collection. Tim’s collection is made primarily of mid 60’s muscle Pontiacs and Mopars. GTO’s and Super Bee’s, what else do you need? Maybe a Shelby, but I don’t remember seeing one of those amongst all the cars and signs. It’s almost too much to take in as a walk-through tour. We made our way towards a rollup door as an exit and caught glimpse of the 1950’s diner area with Corvette and Ford Sunliner in the center. Across from those were late 40’s Indian and Harley motorcycles. I’ll take the ’47 burgundy Indian if Tim needs more room in the future. Outside the garage are more cars in various stages of restoration on lifts and under car covers. This is a very active restoration shop with many roll-out toolboxes and everything needed to bring an aged Detroit steel monster back to life. The finished cars are top-notch and every detail is not overlooked. Of course the paint gets the full treatment of top quality wax and protectants to keep the cars looking their best. These are the testaments of good quality on display.

 

To summarize this collection, I’d have to say it’s like having a real life Hot Wheels car collection without the cheap plastic case. Everything is restored to its original state and it makes quite an impact of days now gone. We look forward to next year’s show.

On location with our buddy Tony "T-Bone" Colombini at his new new consignment shop, Blacktop Depot, in Orange, Calif.  We got the skinny on everything he has to offer, and of course, plenty of tangents along the way.  The place has great acoustics and you can hear it in the recording...that is not a Garage Band effect.  Make sure to check it out next time you are in the area.

 

Episode #134

Event Coverage on the Tribute to the Gassers show, updates and plans, patent trolls, etc.  Check it out!

 

Episode #133

http://youtu.be/dMPFkTM0GME

A car show just for Gassers!

 

The Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California sponsored the “Tribute to Gassers” event which coincided with the month long exhibit dedicated to the gasser race car. Let’s begin with a brief history of the gasser. In the mid 1950’s, racers started modifying their family sedans and coupes with big performance add-ons. In most cases, the cars were cheap and “ugly”, but in abundance. Willys, Studebaker, Anglia and Thames became the normal platform for these modifications which almost always included a supercharger and an addition of a straight beam front axle. By 1956, the NHRA had created a separate class for these gas coupes and sedans due to their popularity.

The gas coupe and sedan classes had to maintain stock wheelbases and engine relocation was limited to a maximum of 10% setback from the centerline of the front spindle to the front spark plug. The increased popularity of these cars boosted crowd attendance at the drag strips throughout Southern California and lead to the “Golden Age” of gassers. We should not forget the color paint schemes with pearl and metal flake and polished chrome parts as a result of all the media and spectator attention. Gassers began to fade out in the 1970’s which then developed into the modern day Funny Car classes.

 

This event had approximately 60 gassers outside the museum which made quite the impact of brute toughness and all out race. Some cars were current builds made to traditional specs and some were die hard survivors that escaped most of the neglect and rough life of a vintage race car. Two fine examples of vintage were the Jones & Johnson 1955 Chevy with the original small-block 327 and a 1956 Llyod which was stuffed with a ’59 Olds 394 featuring an Edelbrock Ram Log intake manifold and drag slicks.

 

The “cam father”, Ed Iskenderian was also in attendance along with other gasser geezers for the panel discussion that was held inside the museum amongst the mostly 1930’s Packards and Lincolns. The museum itself has quite a collection of domestic makes dating from 1901 through 1963. What makes this museum different as the name states, is that they actually drive the cars. Every Sunday, a car is taken out of the museum and driven locally in the neighborhood. Visitors can go for a ride but it is encouraged to get your name on a list prior to your arrival.

 

No gasser rides on this Saturday, but hopefully the ADM will host another event like this next year.

We met up with Holly and Aaron at their home for a sit down interview in their backyard.  So there is some ambient noise like dogs barking, neighbor working, stuff like that.  What better way to learn about what to expect at this year's Ventura Nationals than the ones putting it on.  We are super excited about the show on August 20, 2014 and plan to participate in more Friday and Sunday  activities.  Have a listen and check out the links of the charities mentioned in the show below.

 

Episode #132

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

Ventura Nationals

Los Angeles Children's Project

At the  Galaxie Studio after, ironically, dialing in the Galaxie for next weekend.  We get into some Patent Troll talk, Project Street Legal, Blacktop BAD project and Depot, and more!  Check it out...

 

Episode #131

"Junkyard" Jeff stops into the Galaxie studio for our latest interview.  Not only do we talk about his site, Junk Yard Find, but also his 'Cuda, car shows, state of the sport, new stuff... and all kinds of stuff.  Good times.

 

Episode #130

Another double header!  First the F100 Western Nationals and then NMCA Drag Racing in Fontana.  What a day.  Will have all the pictures and video up during the week.

 

 

Episode #129

NMCA video here

NMCA West Coast Shootout

 

F100 Western Nationals:

A double header this weekend... Pomona to Barona.  Plenty of Event Coverage plus usaul project stuff, updates, tool karma, tips, and more.  Check it out!

 

Episode #128

LA Roadster show video

Y-Block Shootout video

LARS:

 

 

Summit Series Drag/Y-Block Shootout:

Back at the Galaxie Studio after the Ink-N-Iron show and some Mexican food at Lola's.  Some event coverage, some updates, a tangent on music,Brotherhood raceway, and more...have a listen.

 

Episode #127

video here

Ink N Iron 2014

Donald Galaz from Project Street Legal came by the Galaxie Studio top give us the skinny on bringing back drag racing to Terminal Island.  Lets get some more boots on the ground.  Tell a friend, show support, and get involved.

 

Episode #126

 

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