Hot Rods

Hello Monday morning and I hope you are looking to a wonderful week ahead. I will be on travel attending and instructing at a workshop in St. Louis

A few weeks back a friend of mine, Dan Bowen, invited me to a classic car show in Chattanooga aptly titled the Chattanooga Cruise in. Since I had not been to that beautiful city in quite some time it was the perfect excuse to take a Saturday and head north. The event is sponsored and held on the grounds of the Coker Tire Plant, the leading distributor of antique and classic tires and Co-Sponsored by the Honest Charley Speed shop known best for hot rod accessories and sales. If you have never been to the Coker Tire plant, they have a museum that houses classic cars and motorcycles and it is a must see in Chattanooga.

When I arrived I do not think I was totally prepared for the number of cars and people that were in attendance. People that own classic cars are feverish about their vehicles and with every step you heard or saw the reasons why. I think for me it brings back all the cars I once owned that would not be considered classics.

Amongst all the beautiful classic cars and people was a collective group of cars that have been gaining huge popularity around the US and they are called Rat Rods. These cars styled and built to pay homage to the early hot rods of the 40’s and 50’s. They appear to be ruff and unfinished with only the bare essentials needed to allow it to be driven. Most are roadsters with big block engines with a trademark Jack Daniels bottle connected to the engine. The Rods that are designed to be low to the ground, generally have huge rear tires, open pipes, captivating gear shifts and are loud, loud, loud.

It was an amazing day in the Choo Choo and a true photographers, as well as car enthusiasts, paradise. ENJOY and many thanks for the invite Dan!!!!!