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2011 Grand National Roadster Show: The Suede Palace - Expanded for WebOur roots are showing From the June, 2011 issue of Street Rodder By Tim Bernsau
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When I was a kid, if my ol’ man saw me shaking too much salt on my dinner, he’d say, Are you trying to flavor it or preserve it? A little bit of salt is all it takes to flavor a whole lot of food. The Suede Palace, the smallest portion of the Grand National Roadster Show, has been part of the event for only five years, but in that time the flavor of the nostalgic, traditionally styled hot rods and customs that fill this building has seeped into every corner of the GNRS, including the AMBR competition. As always, the Suede Palace was organized by Alex Axle Idzardi and his wife, Celeste, who receive tons of help from numerous car clubs from all over the country. The vendors, clubs, ’stripers, bands, Trophy Girl contestants, spectators, and cars in Building 10 have turned Axle’s efforts into the coolest corner of the GNRS, flavoring the whole show and preserving traditional hot rodding.  The Suede Palace Best of Show...  The Suede Palace Best of Show winner was this incredible ’50 Chevy. Fabian Valdez of Vintage Hammer Garage has been wrenching on his Stude-powered “Coupe de Jour” for years and had it almost finished in time for the GNRS—the paint was shot the day before heading to Pomona.  When Brad Barrie found this...  When Brad Barrie found this ’55 Chevy Gasser on the Internet, it already had a racing resume going back to the ’70s. Barrie kept the orange paint, adding replicated decals and the Americans with MT/ET meats. A 454 big-block in front and 4.56 gears in back get the ’55 moving.  Live music filled Building...  Live music filled Building 10 throughout the weekend. You should’ve heard Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat performing on Friday evening. Lucky you if you did.  Don Hamilton’s blue ’31 Model...  Don Hamilton’s blue ’31 Model A coupe on a pinched Deuce frame has the perfect hot rod look, from the 3-inch chop to the 331 Caddy mill with four 97s, plus a Ron Mangus leather interior. The Jim Johnson–built five-window was awarded Best Hot Rod.  Don Hamilton’s blue ’31 Model...  Don Hamilton’s blue ’31 Model A coupe on a pinched Deuce frame has the perfect hot rod look, from the 3-inch chop to the 331 Caddy mill with four 97s, plus a Ron Mangus leather interior. The Jim Johnson–built five-window was awarded Best Hot Rod.  The Suede Palace judging is...  The Suede Palace judging is done by car clubs (and a few vendors) who create their own one-of-a-kind trophies (we counted 27). Winning one of these works of art, along with the acknowledgment of your peers, is a big honor here. The Best Custom trophy was presented to Joe Arreguin from J&V Customs in Chula Vista, CA, for his low-slung, deep green ’35 Ford custom coupe. The engine is a three carburetor small-block. The work on Arreguin’s coupe is amazing.  Richard Medina’s ’51 Chevy...  Richard Medina’s ’51 Chevy coupe is another beautiful J&V Automotive car, finished with semigloss below and metalflake brown on the chopped top, and some elaborate pinstriping on the nose and deck.  Having seen photos of Don...  Having seen photos of Don Simms’ channeled ‘29 A roadster in bare metal, we were impressed by how great it looks in cream-color paint, especially with the black interior, firewall, chassis, spoke wheels, and undropped I-beam axle.  This year’s most notable trophy...  This year’s most notable trophy was a scaled-down belly tanker, delivered from Boston by the Alter Boys Car Club. It took three weeks to make and features engine-turned wheels, plaster of Paris “salt,” and miniature seats built from genuine World War II–era canvas. Its recipient was Rob Bennett, whose chopped ’30 roadster runs a ’47 Flathead and rolls on 16-inch Kelsey Hayes wire rims.  We read the history of this...  We read the history of this ’26 T in the May ’10 issue of Hot Rod Deluxe. It was built by Ross Heale and Jack Foye when they attended high school together in the ’50s. In the ’60s it appeared in movies, at the L.A. Roadster Show, at the drags (national A/SR record holder), and on the street. It was recently pulled out of 30 years in storage by Heale and Doug Peterson.  The Beatniks of Koolsville...  The Beatniks of Koolsville Club can always be counted on to support roots-oriented rod and custom events. Look at the lines on Dewayne Norton’s slammed ’36 Ford five-window; only the bottoms of the tires ride lower than the running boards.  The apple green paint on Jim...  The apple green paint on Jim Ramirez’ ‘36 Ford pickup is a big change from the previous blue with white graphics, but the 401 Nailhead with straight pipes was one of numerous clues that this was the same hot rod truck.  Robert Larson from Apple Valley,...  Robert Larson from Apple Valley, CA, did a lot of work on his two-tone ’34 pickup, including shortening the bed 6 inches and chopping the top 3 inches. The Flathead engine is backed up by a ’38 three-speed.  Chris Kidd’s ’34 cabrio is...  Chris Kidd’s ’34 cabrio is a true survivor that has lived a hot rod’s life. After following Route 66 to California in the ’40s, it was rodded in the ’50s, blew a head gasket in the ’60s, and disappeared into a garage until its revival in 2008. The Flathead was built with a Winfield cam and a pair of Strombergs on a Thickstun high-rise manifold.  What a surprise to see Steve...  What a surprise to see Steve Garrision’s amazing ’29 Model A in Pomona. When we saw it in Ocean City, MD, we gave it a STREET RODDER Top 100 prize and photographed it for the Dec. ’10 issue. Steve converted the roadster from a sport coupe and modified the cowl for easy access to the ignition and brake components.  “Miss Loved” is another conversion...  “Miss Loved” is another conversion from the East. The ’50 Ford convertible custom, inspired by a ’54 Car Craft cover car, started life as a sedan. The 2,700-mile one-way drive from Hialeah, FL, to Pomona was all it took for Yaril Quintana to win the Furthest Driven award.  The Deuce coupe his dad gave...  The Deuce coupe his dad gave his brother and him in 1961 was the inspiration for Tom McIntyre’s small-block–powered three-window. The first one was daily transportation; the McIntyre brothers swapped rearend gears between races in the desert and rides to school.  We’ve been predicting a popularity...  We’ve been predicting a popularity surge in these T’s for a long time and Trevor McMullen is helping prove the point with this Instant T. It was Ted McMullen who helped kick off a huge trend when he built U.S. Speed Sport’s first fiberglass Instant T in 1963.  Greg Cueva commissioned “Pacman”...  Greg Cueva commissioned “Pacman” to add some lettering to his ’53 Pontiac Chieftain.  With a ’67 GTO engine, the...  With a ’67 GTO engine, the air-bagged custom keeps “Pontiac in a Pontiac.” The top is painted gold and most of the trim has been kept.  One more Gasser before we...  One more Gasser before we leave. The “Devils’ Grocery Getter” ’40 Chevy is owned by Dale Van Zant. The 12:1 compression Pontiac 462 engine has pulled the coupe down the drag strip in 11.26 seconds.  "Strip Tripper," this '41...  "Strip Tripper," this '41 Willys Gasser pickup, was originally built in the '60s (the paint might have been a tip off). Jack Goodrich, Tom Ferra and owner Paul Soliz have restored it. Hilborn injectors feed the Chevy small-block.  Bill Fowler's Chevy is another...  Bill Fowler's Chevy is another Gasser from the glory days. The Solo Speed Shop '55 was once a Blair Speed Shop car, purchased by Bill in 2001. One particularly cool component is the seat, modified by Tony Nancy.  The paint fades were one of...  The paint fades were one of our favorite period custom elements on Tim Wallace's '55 Mercury Monterey sled.  From Marietta, Georgia, to...  From Marietta, Georgia, to the Suede Palace, Joshua Mills' '35 Ford coupe is a long way from home. We loved the '40 Ford skits and chopped top.  White tuck 'n' roll upholstery...  White tuck 'n' roll upholstery and custom Cadillac taillights, and numerous other modifications caught our attention. Terry Wallace from San Diego is the owner of this so-low '39 Ford coupe.  With the roadster pickup body...  With the roadster pickup body and slicks, there's got to be something we can say about Gerry Reynolds' channeled '29 Model A being "a real hot hauler"...get it?  This Model A rpu is a '28,...  This Model A rpu is a '28, owned by Dave Welles, who finished the bench seat in great looking plaid fabric, and filled the engine compartment with a Nailhead running an Offy manifold and three deuces.  Here's a good one for all...  Here's a good one for all you Oldsmobile guys. Russ Lynes came down from Upland with this tasty '50 Olds 88.  The Long Beach Swap Meet Special...  The Long Beach Swap Meet Special is a trip back to the early days, with a wishbone suspension, and a well-worn leather interior. Marshall Topping from Costa Mesa is the owner.  A two-tone black-and-white...  A two-tone black-and-white interior and the right pinstriping looked good on the slammed '47 Ford coupe owned by Mark Peru from Ontario, California.  Tim Musico did a nice job...  Tim Musico did a nice job on his '41 Ford business coupe, including an off-white and tan interior.  One good taildragger deserves...  One good taildragger deserves another. Check out this '56 Ford Vicky, owned by Christian Rodriguez.  Here's an old roadster that...  Here's an old roadster that seems to have avoided getting hot rodded for all these years. Jorge Guttierrez showed off his undropped and unmolested '29 Model A roadster.  The monochrome blue flames...  The monochrome blue flames are nice, but our favorite finishing touch on Todd George's '60s style '53 Plymouth Belvedere is the shaggy headliner.  Here's another one that stopped...  Here's another one that stopped us in our tracks. Derrick Rivera got everything right-from the rake to the rims-on this '30 Ford five-window lowboy.  Gary Vahling's shoebox looks...  Gary Vahling's shoebox looks great from this angle, but the chromed Flathead with a Navarro intake and Eddie Meyer heads makes this '50 Ford even better. And we liked the green plaid interior too (there's something about plaid).  Kevin Simpson also treated...  Kevin Simpson also treated his hot rod to a traditional looking engine under that shiny black hood, packing the Deuce roadster with an Edmunds flattie with cloth wire covers. The inside is bright red rolls 'n' pleats.  In addition to the charity...  In addition to the charity fundraiser pinstriping exhibition going on in the main building, the brushes were busy in the Suede Palace too. Doc Von Weber is working on a trophy.  The Suede Palace isn't big...  The Suede Palace isn't big enough for all the traditional iron at the GNRS, and the outdoor Greaser Alley was packed with more cars and trucks.  The blown small-block was...  The blown small-block was a surprise inside John Gibson's bright orange '42 Ford coupe, on display in Greaser Alley.  After spotting this '28 Ford...  After spotting this '28 Ford rpu at the Mooneyes Xmas Party one year, Karissa Elmo bought the cars and redid a few things to make it her own. Karissa caught the hot rod bug from her dad Tony. The inline-6 mill wears a Frontenac head with triple carbs.  The guy wearing glasses was...  The guy wearing glasses was intrigued by the Blue Flame 4-cylinder engine in Frank Ochoa's two-tone '53 Chevy Bel Air.  A broken cam on Wednesday...  A broken cam on Wednesday night didn't keep Mike "Dingo" Dingillo from making it to Greaser Alley on Saturday. The chopped and channeled '31 sedan is loaded with craftsmanship and an amazing amount of detail.  Backyard built and daily driven,...  Backyard built and daily driven, Jose De Leon's '55 Ford is customized with a DeSoto grille, Merc taillights and skirts, and tons more. The interior is brand new and the 292 Y-block is original.  Lil' Mo and the Dynaflos took...  Lil' Mo and the Dynaflos took the stage on Saturday, serving up a mix of doo wop, R&B, and early-style rock 'n' roll.  The Suede Palace is a reminder...  The Suede Palace is a reminder of the importance of car club participation in this hobby. Numerous Southern California clubs were represented here, plus a few out-of-state clubs, like the aforementioned Alter Boys from Massachusetts and the recently-formed Moonshiners from Wyoming.  Traditional car guys like...  Traditional car guys like traditional haircuts and Layrite barbers were in the S.P. to oblige. These guys are great at retro cuts like the flat top and the high and tight-and my trademark cut, the chrome dome.  Seems like everybody forgot...  Seems like everybody forgot about the cars when it was time for the Trophy Girl pin-up model contest. Every contestant was lovely and charming, but only one can wear the bejeweled tiara.  Another beauty from the Vintage...  Another beauty from the Vintage Hammer Garage was Rene Lugo's chopped '58 Chevy pickup. Did you notice the pipes frenched into the bed sides? Taillights from a '54 Pontiac station wagon dress up the rear.  Ian Berky's grape-flavored,...  Ian Berky's grape-flavored, slammed '51 Chevy custom, from Burbank, was a trophy magnet. Not surprising.  We already showed you the...  We already showed you the decklid lettering. Now here's the full view of "El Patron," Greg Cueva's '53 Pontiac hardtop.  It's "Bad News II," the '52...  It's "Bad News II," the '52 Henry J owned by Victor Young from Camarillo, California. The paint is Mercedes Firemist and the powerplant is a Dart 434ci small-block.
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