2004 Hot Rod Reunion - Famoso Dragstrip Bakersfield, CA

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Well I guess Summer is officially over as we have returned from our annual trek down south for a little sun, Nitro, and fun. What an awesome time we had. Legends in attendance were Reed Racing, Dan Willms, Royal Botkin and myself.

I drove down early ahead of the guys with my trailer in tow and the orange '55 gasser for it's first appearance in Southern California. I am leaving it down there at a buddy's shop for the winter hibernation to make room in the garage back home to work on stuff. I'll miss the orange crush. But, it will be back!!!

The guys arrived in tinsel town Thursday for the rendezvous to Bakersfield. Down the 5 we went, making our way down the grapevine to the valley. We stopped to break bread at this little Cafe along the way and plan our weekend. Then off to motel - Buck Owens Blvd., Bakersfield. The highlight of the trip was Mr. 9 seconds, Dan Willms reciting a little Edgar Allen Poe, reeling off a flawless 12 minute performance. That was deep man.

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We started off early Friday stopping at a buddy's shop to caravan with friend Bill's '34 and his buddy Jerry and his '35 Ford pickup he's had since he was 15 (he's now 63!!!). Reedster hopped in the '34 as Old SKQQL was in session.

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We got our area setup with the trio. This was our headquarters for the weekend with tent, bbq and beverages. Ahhh yes.........

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Through the swap we went first checkin out the cool stuff. Magnesium blowers, Zoomies, 1960's Hot Rod magazines it was all there. Reedracing picked up a his cool Coca Cola work shirt for 5 bucks, and Botkin snagged this cool '69 winternationals jacket for 20. Then it was off to the vendor displays to see all the stuff there. I think the highlight was the booth selling ladies shirts PIT Bitch; I saw them everywhere. CQQL

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This is the true essence of the event. This was a piece of Americana from the 60's. What's cool is the crew of this operation were all in their early 20's, carrying it on..............

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Bob and I wandered over to the pits to chat with the legendary Pontiac guy, West coast style, Jess Tyree. His son Bart showed us the complete car, then introduced us to Jess, the pilot of their 8 second '63 Tempest AFX'er. He's the driver and he's in his mid 70's...... ROCK On. 8)

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Wandering through the pits between sessions was a treat. Cool rails like this cackled the nitro every half hour or so.

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Word

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We were a pack of Camel smokes away from bringing this back to Seattle. This baby was for sale, a true Seattle vintage dragster. I had visions of a WCA dragster with my hilborn injected Pontiac mill. Hmmmmmm....................

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I had to feel what it was like in one of these..............Staddling the rear diff and looking at that mill was CQQL

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More cool stuff in the display area

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Another shot

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MMMMM...MMMMMMMMMMM..Good!

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Now this is kickin it.

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If you wander down to the end of the strip, right along the rail at the 1320 timing lights, there is the Rat Pen where some neat rides gather.

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8)

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Ingenuity at it's best :o

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A pinstriping masterpiece

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These licks were laid on this coupe

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We had this hat moment on Saturday

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Bob & I got this hat for Reedster to complete his look. All the magazines were standing in line for pics of this dude. Garage, Car Kulture Deluxe, Rolls & Pleats.....please let him finish the dog first.

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I guess we all know how the night went as he was wearing the hat in morning 8)

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This Nova gasser, The Wilshire Shaker drew crowds

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How did this pic get in there??????????? :roll:

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This was BAD :twisted: SS

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Here was a vintage '61 Catalina we spotted in the pits

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Nearby were these early AFX'ers & super stockers

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:)

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This late 30's Chevy had one awesome engine bay

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Now that is a set of headers :o

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Saturday night is the Cacklefest. What a sight to behold as the sun goes down, it's 85 degrees and they light these nitro burning legends of yesterday. Over 40 restored drag cars made the field. They push start them one at a time up the return road, then loop around the staging area and pop their way in place as they line them up 64 funny car style till they run out of fuel. After the last car goes out, the crowd gets to go down on the tarmac to enjoy the spectacle up close. This was a very early 60's dragster powered by an early 389 Pontiac!

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Sunday was more laid back as we got to the track mid morning and setup our digs. We hung out till mid afternoon then headed back to the pits to load the orange'55 for the trip back up the grapevine to my buddy's shop where I'll be storing it. Just for kicks Dan and I laid a nice set of M/T black stripes on the return road before we loaded. Ahhh yes!!!

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We loaded up our stuff and headed south to hang out at the shop and have some pizza. My buddy has this huge shop 40' x 100' that houses some cool iron.

Here Bob tries out his new sales car. 1941 Willys with 50K original miles. Kinda reminds me of a PT cruiser 60 years ago 8)

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Here Reed Racing hails the cab driven by Dan

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Kevin's new ride - The Solo Speed Shop '32 five window coupe.

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This will be the centerfold for the Dec. issue of OL SKOOL RodZ magazine

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Garage magazine cover shoot. Where's my beer :evil:

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Reedsters new clothing line launches at Viva Las Vegas in the spring

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Sanford & Son

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Dan found this steel '40 Willys coupe for his next 9 second ride

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The guys at Super Chevy mag came by on Tuesday of the following week to do a photo shoot of the gassers. The primer gray '55 is Bill's former Lions Dragstrip record holder. The blue '55 gasser is owned by Bruce Cox, a gasser guy we met on Sunday at the track. It has a straight axle and 454 mill...nasty.

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:o

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8)

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:roll:

[theJUDGE]

Love the pics Brad, looks like you guys had a great time :!:

Awesome cars, awesome weather, great memories :!:

One question: Are you sure those pictures you took are actually of Reed Racing & not KID ROCK :shock:

[67DropTop455]

How Kool was that? Man what a blast you guys must have had!

Hey, that Tempest, from Bill Barry Pontiac? That's the dealership that sold my 67 Firebird originally, and I have all the paperwork! And A couple guys (maybe the ones now campaigning that car?) contacted me for more info from my paperwork so they could have their graphics done corectly!

Small world... (but I wouldn't want to paint it!)

Thanks for sharing the fun with us all! I know I got a kick out of it!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

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:D

[THOR]

Very danged cool. Awesome shots, great stories
Reed Racing clothing line = :twisted:
Not coming home with the FED = :evil:

[triple66]

Don't worry Thor, Brad is still dealing on the FED. The owner wanted to sell it with an engine that would have to be tossed to make room for Pontiac power. Brad has on offer in for the chassis only.

It was a rockin trip. The event happens every year. I think this is becoming a tradition for us. We almost had Mark D talked into going as well. Maybe next year.

How long to Tiger Run?

[REED_RACING]

Yep it was a full on clown show! :lol: