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42nd Annual Chattanooga O'Reilly World of WheelsBeauty, history and excitement warm the Southern winter From the January, 2010 issue of Street Rodder By Stephen K. Anderson
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Filling Chattanooga, Tennessee's... Filling Chattanooga, Tennessee's downtown convention center, the O'Reilly World of Wheels attracted an impressive number of visitors looking to escape the winter cold and bolster their automotive fervor with a fine bunch of cars from throughout the region. When weather turns cold and hot rods are nestled away in garages, there's only one way to sustain passions that have been with us since childhood. Indoor car shows like the recent 42nd Annual Chattanooga O'Reilly World of Wheels are attracting enthusiasts in droves, filling the winter void with vehicles of every sort including a stunning array of street rods, muscle cars, customs and more. Add in a motorcycle and bicycle stunt show, live entertainment and prominent exhibitors, and it's easy to see why people from across the South came out for this event. See for yourself...  Fresh out of T&T Customs,...  Fresh out of T&T Customs, Ron Tiller's '57 Chevy from Canton, GA stands out with a tube chassis, numerous body mods including a chopped top, extended rocker panels and other tricks, a stunning engine compartment and rich interior. Part custom and part Pro Mod, this car stands out among many others of its kind.  Looking like a fine restoration,...  Looking like a fine restoration, Ray Ervin's '34 Buick 67 Series is every bit a street rod with a Corvette V-8 and 4L60E automatic, a reworked chassis with late model suspension, full power interior with beautiful Australian leather, and a beautiful exterior coated in PPG Deep Cranberry Pearl that's a natural for this stunning ride.  Just one of his favorite rides,...  Just one of his favorite rides, Erwin Aderhold's '38 Chevy from Woodstock, Georgia is more familiar at local drag strips than car shows. Powered by a stout big block Chevy through fat rubber tubbed in back, it's also a joy to drive in the cream leather interior. Pearl orange paint makes the most of the smoothed lines.  Rolling on chrome suspension...  Rolling on chrome suspension fitted with 18- and 20-inch Coy rims, Rocky Vowell and Mary Turner's '60 Chevy Impala convertible out of Pensacola benefits from a healthy 283 V-8, a 1,200-watt audio system and lots of other special touches. Beneath the white top is an interior that invites and rewards.  The Roswell Rod is Fritz and...  The Roswell Rod is Fritz and Carrol Schenck's tribute to Ed Big Daddy Roth. Displaying many key design elements including its bubble top, lengthy fins and a familiar nose treatment, there's no mistaking this historic take on the past. Dondi handled the upholstery, while the beautiful exterior hues came from House of Kolor.  The Archer family's flaming...  The Archer family's flaming purple '41 Willys coupe certainly grabbed attention with a cool display and lots of features close to the heart of performance enthusiasts including a 585 horsepower nitrous fed 502 Chevy, two-tone leather interior and a well-sorted chassis that keeps this Florida-based driver between the lines.  The Fountain City Wrecker...  The Fountain City Wrecker Service '35 Ford is Joel, Smutt and Steve Smith's take on a rarely seen vehicle that once saved countless vehicles from an uncertain fate. Fortunately this historic hauler has enjoyed a full update including the addition of a Ford 302 and C-4 automatic, late model dually suspension, and a fine interior.  Jim McDaniel's two-tone silver...  Jim McDaniel's two-tone silver '55 Chevy is as much a road racer as it is an eye catcher, with capable suspension pressed by a 545 horsepower 434 Chevy small-block that challenges the best. Built by Smokie Ingram's Classical Gas Hot Rods & Restorations, this classic is exceptional end to end, inside and out.  Rossville, Georgia's Kenneth...  Rossville, Georgia's Kenneth "Hacksaw" Stewart brought out his fine '40 Chevy Special Deluxe two-door sedan. Powered by a 350/350 combination and riding on Nova suspension, its cloaked in a rich two-tone of Champagne Effect and Impulse Blue, while the interior follows with tan leather sewn by M&M Upholstery.  This black '29 Ford Model...  This black '29 Ford Model A Tudor with yellow trim has enjoyed a long life as a street rod, first powered by a '40 Ford flathead and now updated with a 355 Chevy and a 700-R4, Heidts suspension, 15- and 16-inch wires, and tan leather by Gary Long. Often used on lengthy drives, this car always has been about fun.  Recently featured in Truckin...  Recently featured in Truckin magazine, Kenneth Stephens '56 Ford F-100 from Buford, Georgia stands out in a beautiful black finish with gray and black leather inside. From the chassis to the beautiful bed to the powerful engine compartment, everything detail on this pup unites for an appeal that impossible to miss.  Grumpy's Custom Rides built...  Grumpy's Custom Rides built The Copper Head, Gary and Linda Issac's '53 Chevy Bel Air. Running a 350 V-8 and Turbo 350 tranny, it's suspended on Air Ride bags. A beautiful golden brown coating with white accents enhances several special features including the rear skirts, a custom nose treatment and other details.  John and Judy Givens candy...  John and Judy Givens candy brandywine '57 Chevy out of Russellville, KY stands out with fine details, including exceptional bodywork and paint, a fine and functional engine compartment and custom dash treatments. Built by Tex Engler's Rod & Kustom Werks, this car is as much about function as it is beauty.  While the display may have...  While the display may have made viewing difficult, onlookers still managed to enjoy Bob Moon's '40 Ford pickup out of Chattanooga. Sporting a vintage paint scheme and all of the character these vehicles came with, it original appeal was a nice contrast to the numerous modified vehicles at the show.  First made famous by drag...  First made famous by drag racers in the '60s, English '48 Fords, known as Anglias, still road this nation, including Paul and Judy Watts four-door from Ringgold, GA. Powered by a 302 Ford with a C-4, it rides on coil-over front suspension with rack and pinion steering, and a 9-inch Ford axle riding a four-link in back.  Restored by Donnie Vaughn,...  Restored by Donnie Vaughn, Luke and Carolyn Souther's '61 Galaxie Starliner from Cleveland, Tennessee runs a Jody Ridley-built 401 horsepower 390 with three two-barrels, a T-10 four-speed, a Traction Lok rearend with 3.50:1 gears and heavy duty suspension on 15-inch Kelsey-Hayes rims and bias ply rubber.  Another standout was Noniel...  Another standout was Noniel and Cindy Campbell's '33 SpeedStar Coupe from Wetumpka, Alabama. Special features include hand built headlight buckets, custom hood panels and engine covers, and a Steve Holcomb interior. An Alloway chassis joins Heidts IFS and a Franklin quick-change rolling 17s and 20s on Hopster rims.  Endless detail kept people...  Endless detail kept people busy enjoying Gayle and DeWayne Pierce's '56 Ford F-100 reworked at Rongey's Restoration in Ocoee, TN. From Pro Auto Custom Interior's fine touches and a slick engine compartment to the beautiful bodylines and stunning chassis below, every detail on this big window is covered.  Green Dynamite is Mark Burdette's...  Green Dynamite is Mark Burdette's tribute to Sam Barris in PPG Shimmering Shamrock and Emerald City hues. Powered by a full-house '51 Mercury flathead with Navarro heads, a Sharp intake and Joe Hunt ignition, and fitted with flowing Paul Atkins leather and a custom dash, this mild custom really stands out.  Low key and well built, Tony...  Low key and well built, Tony Adkins '41 Willys runs strong with big block Chevy power and a chassis built to handle every bit of it. Silver accents highlight the slick black fiberglass exterior, while a rich interior layout makes for easy traveling whether it's across country or just up the road.  Considering how many '34 Cadillac...  Considering how many '34 Cadillac four-door sedans are around, Tommy Baxter's fine example is desirable to be sure. Powered by a '95 Northstar V-8 and riding on Heidts IFS and a triangulated 9-inch Ford rear, this car's rich interior delivers a ride like few others with amenities galore with a level of fit and finish to be admired.  Mild in its execution and...  Mild in its execution and restored to its original condition, Jim and Marge Adams' Sassy '52 Chevy Styleline Custom Deluxe out of Rock Springs, GA was nice. Powered by a 235-inline six powering through a three-speed manual transmission, the bodywork and Victory Red paint display Junior Queen's considerable skills.  Another creation that had...  Another creation that had people's attention was Royce Lippard's '54 Mercury full custom from nearby Collegedale, TN. Accented with gold leaf flames, extensive body mods join beneath a pearl green and white two-tone leading to a nostalgic tuck and rolled interior that completes this picture perfectly.  Another fine pup was Jack...  Another fine pup was Jack and Kiriko Sorich's Radiant Red '56 Ford F-100 from Louisville, KY. Powered by a supercharged 350 mated to a 700-R4, the front suspension and 9-inch rear riding bags keep fat rims and rubber planted. Tan leather and suede add to the driving experience, as do other special touches.  Greg Dobbs fine Deuce highboy...  Greg Dobbs fine Deuce highboy roadster from Falkville, Alabama was built by David Lewallen, painted by Don Lewallen and stitched by Lewallen Street Rod Interiors. Power for this Ruby Red Slipper and black two-tone ride comes from an injected 351 Windsor, while Heidts coilover suspension plants Billet Specialty rims.  Named Barbara Ann, Jeff and...  Named Barbara Ann, Jeff and Pam Rearden's '57 Chevy post is a tribute to the many people who helped in bringing this beauty together. Running a 350/350 combination, Fatman Fabrication front suspension and a 9-inch Ford rear on CCP leaf springs, and Boyd's rims, this two-toned classic is both subtle and rich.  Locals Gene and Michale Marshall...  Locals Gene and Michale Marshall brought their '32 Ford 5-window coupe to the show, displaying nice exterior detail cloaked in flawless black DuPont paint, and leather laid out by Fully Loaded Interiors. A Pete & Jakes chassis from Honest Charley Speed Shop makes the most of a 327 adjoining a Turbo 350.  While it was difficult to...  While it was difficult to see past the trophies concealing the beautiful detail of Kenneth Nix's '56 Ford Crown Victoria, people still lined up to see this it. Of the 603 examples produced with glass tops few are still in use. This Peacock Blue and Colonial White example recalls another Nix bought new in Anchorage.
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