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The Fourth Annual Geezer Gathering at Roy Merritt's - Geezers and GoodtimesFrom the January, 2010 issue of Street Rodder By Josh Mishler
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Although invitation only car shows are usually reserved for only Concours d'Elegance gatherings, the idea of an invitation only show is slowly starting to creep into the realm of street rodding. However, when street rodders host an invitation only gathering its typically not to obtain the finest street rods with pedigree, but a good reason to get all your buddies together for a Saturday afternoon. Such is the case with Roy Merritt's Geezer Gathering held in Wichita, Kansas every October. Four-door sedans were once... Four-door sedans were once thought to be more of a family car and not considered at all to be good hot rod material. However, lately there have been a lot of people proving that theory wrong. Just feast your eyes on John Sebastian's '34 Ford Four-door sedan. It's proof that more-doors make great hot rods too. While the idea of such an event may sound foreign to some, this year was actually the fourth annual for Merritt's event and just one of three similar invitation only hot rod events to take place in Wichita this year. Held at Merritt's garage and home, the Geezer Gathering is a chance for hot rodders, drag racers, and people sharing a common interest in cars to get together, talk cars, and reminisce about the past. Merritt sends out invitations to many of the local hot rodders that he has known for years and they are all asked to bring their hot rod, come hungry, and keep it to a guy's only crowd. This year roughly 150 hot rods, customs, classics, and muscle cars showed up for the unique event. Merritt himself has a number of early Fords and a garage that is so cool that you could spend all day looking at the neat parts and memorabilia hanging on the walls. When he had decided to start hosting the gathering, his wife had wondered what he would do to entertain all who attended. He told her not to worry, if a bunch of car enthusiast gathers in a place they will entertain themselves. He was right. All those who attend have such a good time that everyone can't wait till next year. We were fortunate enough that we were invited to the event and were able to capture a glimpse of what the gathering was like to share with everyone. Enjoy a look at this special event and we will be anxiously waiting for next year's Geezer Gathering. SRM  This copper suede '32 Ford...  This copper suede '32 Ford Tudor sedan definitely does not fall under the moniker of a rat rod. We choose to just call it an awesome hot rod with traditional flare. The trick sedan is owned by Butch Harness and has a number of cool features including an Olds motor, owner built eight-deuce intake, and an array of trick pinstriping.  Full size '50s cars have some...  Full size '50s cars have some striking lines and lend themselves well to traditional and contemporary customizing. Monty McClellan decided to take the contemporary route when he slammed his '58 Chevy Impala on the ground over a set of big billet wheels for a look that is hard to ignore.  It's very difficult to build...  It's very difficult to build a '32 Ford these days that is different and stands out in a crowd. However, Gary Meitner managed to do the impossible when he built this Deuce roadster pickup. Pale green paint, artillery wheels, one of a kind bed, and a '40 Ford dash are just a couple of cool features that make Meitner's '32 a standout.  No matter what styles and...  No matter what styles and trends may come a go, resto-rod styling will always stand the test of time. Take this slick black '46 Ford convertible owned by John Belford for example. By mixing street rod styling with the stock '46 body, Belford has created a car that is timeless.  Next to the Mercury, the Oldsmobile...  Next to the Mercury, the Oldsmobile is one of the best cars to customize of those built in 1949. After seeing Doug Reed's green and black sedanette one might even argue in favor of the Oldsmobile. Reed has had his '49 on the road for roughly 40 years now and he recently freshened it up. One can bet that Reed is now ready for many more years of cruising in his Olds.  When building a hot rod it...  When building a hot rod it is pretty hard to go wrong with red paint, knock-off wheels, and a chopped top. If you need proof just take a look at Bill Kingsbury's '32 Ford Tudor sedan. He knew those elements were key and there isn't one thing about this '32 that doesn't say hot rod.  As everyone knows wagons are...  As everyone knows wagons are hot and Tri-Fives have always been hot. So it is only natural that a Tri-Five wagon would make a custom that is just too cool. Chad Ward proved that theory to be true when he built this '56 Chevy two-door wagon. Between the metallic copper paint, a minimal amount of trim; and the right amount of smoothing Ward's '56 is spot on.  Just like in years past, there...  Just like in years past, there was an array of early Fords in attendance. Maybe it's because of the Fords popularity among street rodders or it just might have something to do with event host Roy Merritt's love for early Fords.  Keeping it simple is key to...  Keeping it simple is key to building a great hot rod and Stevie McGregor nailed it when he put together this '29 Ford Model A Tudor sedan. Using black primer, a great stance, and chrome reverse wheels are just a few things that make the sedan a pure hot rod. Then again the exposed small block with three Deuces doesn't hurt anything either.  Hot rods are cool, but restored...  Hot rods are cool, but restored race cars are on a whole other level. This restored sprint car belongs to Ron Coleman and was built in 1958 by AJ Foyt Sr. We didn't get a chance to visit with the owner about the cars lineage, but with 390 cubic inches under the hood and Greg Weld's name on the firewall, we're willing to bet if this car could talk it would have some stories to tell.  One wouldn't typically use...  One wouldn't typically use the term pretty to describe a pickup, but this '40 Ford pickup owned by Michael Behrendt is just that. Maybe it's the black paint set off by just the right amount of chrome trim or maybe it's the lowered stance over a set of chrome wheels shod with wide whites.  What event would be complete...  What event would be complete without a Buick custom? Luckily Don Beason showed up with his fully customized 401 Nailhead powered '54 Century. Everywhere you look on Beason's Buick you are bound to find a unique custom touch that makes his '54 truly one of a kind.  In a time when pretty much...  In a time when pretty much every '32 Ford roadster was being painted red or black, Roger Ward went against the grain and painted his deuce light tan. It's hard to believe, but Ward's '32 has been on the road for almost 20 years now and amazingly enough it looks like it was built just yesterday.  Impalas have always been popular,...  Impalas have always been popular, but the 1965-69 body styles are starting to explode in popularity. They are great looking cars to start with and they lend themselves well for building a street machine, custom, or all round cruiser. Kelly Korte's '66 is predominantly stock, but he has made a few custom touches that make it one cool cruiser.  Beautiful and powerful was...  Beautiful and powerful was a great way to describe the Oldsmobile's of 1950 and it's easy to see why when you look at this gorgeous red ragtop owned by Iran Wheeler. While it might look like a stock '50, it has a custom leather interior on the inside and a little more power under the hood thanks to a GM crate motor. It just goes to show that looks can be deceiving.  Another sharp looking Deuce...  Another sharp looking Deuce roadster in the mix was Hub Harness's deep maroon hi-boy. It's simple, it's clean, and it rides on a set of polished Halibrand wheels, what more could a hot rodder ask for?  In addition to the restored...  In addition to the restored sprint car at the gathering, there was another vintage racecar in attendance. This time it was an early '60s era front engine dragster owned by Ricky McGregor and we instantly had terms coming to mind like big, bad, and blown when we first saw it.  Whoever said a pickup wouldn't...  Whoever said a pickup wouldn't make a great traditional custom has never seen Jeb's '61 Ford F-100. By painting the truck suede maroon, slapping some Watson style gold scallops on it, and lowering it over a set of smooth disc hubcaps he created a custom that makes this truck feel a little less utilitarian and more like a low slung custom.  How's this for one of the...  How's this for one of the coolest barn finds out there? This '32 Ford five-window was reportedly raced years ago and was being stored in a barn when fire destroyed not only the barn but the coupe too. It's easy to see that with a Dodge Hemi, suicide frontend, and a tach on the dash that this coupe was all business. Luckily Roy Merritt is preserving it today.  Darly Standifer hit a home...  Darly Standifer hit a home run when he put together this '55 Ford Thunderbird. By using Salt Flat wheels and a lowered stance his '55 combines the sporty look of a T-bird with hot rod flavor. This is one Thunderbird that definitely blurs the lines that separate what a hot rod and a custom are.  Along with hot rods, customs,...  Along with hot rods, customs, and vintage racecars there was a great crop of restored model A's.  The two-tone paint job on...  The two-tone paint job on Marvin Wolfe's '64 Chevy Impala is not only a great color combination, but makes the wide body look extra low, courtesy of the darker top color. Mix the killer paint job with a set of billet wheels and custom interior and you've got a great early '60s cruiser.  It's pretty tough to beat...  It's pretty tough to beat the aggressive yet quintessential look of Terry Sroggin's '32 Ford roadster. Between the bright red paint, blown early Hemi, and steelies with wide whites, he has combine a number of things to make his Deuce roadster bad to the bone.  Host of the gathering, Roy...  Host of the gathering, Roy Merritt opens up his garage and has everyone in for chance to talk about the past and joke around with everyone. After Merritt thanked everybody for coming he was kind enough to feed all those who attended and handed out a few comical awards.  Another look at the show field...  Another look at the show field or should we say Merritt's yard.
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