Hi this is GOSHU from MOON GARAGE. This Trip report
is about the interviews I had For 2008 Yokohama
Hot Rod Custom Show(HCS) in various places. So Lets
start 6 days of hard schedule.
Friday September 5th
I left HONMOKU Yokohama to Southern California.
First I stopped by MOONEYES USA and got on HHR to
first destination at This years guest John Edwards.
John has painted Erics' Black HD and Gabes' HD "
Kill your self". Both HD went to Japan last
year and year before. Although he doesn’t mention
he is a member of Sinners too. All things that made
us feel he has already been there, but Actually
this will be his first time to Japan. His 52 Pan
head motor with 57 straight frame HD was once sold
to a friend, But He liked it so much that he had
it back again. Of course paint on the ribbed tank
and frame is done by him self. John will have some
Tanks with him for display at the Show. He also
has project Hot Rod and Ford Truck in back yard.
He says he first became famous for his paint on
this Truck. John works on both cars and bikes. He
said he will sell his Roadster and Work more on
his Truck.
Next, Members of the Beatniks Car club will be in
HCS this year. The Rodders' Journal cover car, 1953
Buick Skylark called "Sky Scraper" owned
by Mr.James Hetfield and built by Mr.Rick Dore,
will be there at show too. We waited after rush
hour to take 450 miles drive on HHR to San Rafael
in Northern California. As expected We got there
after 3am and went straight to sleep.
Saturday September 6th. From Morning we met with
Mr. James Hetfield and Mr. Rick Dore on nice Cadillac
convertible. By the way The 40s' fleet line style
is recently catching my attention in many places.
It has been long while since seeing a real Full
size Kustom Show Car.
Last time was Cazzilla owned by ZZ Top Billy Gibbons.
It always feels special to see the actual famous
car. It doesn't feel like that much big in this
huge ware house but its actually a big car. 53 Buick
has famous front face but many people may not be
sure about how it looks from rear. This car has
gone over radical body work to change rear quarter
panel to match the rear roof line and Rear bumper
has been made from 47 and 48 Buick bumper and made
short to fit. To make it look so natural, Wheel
arch and other parts were kustom made to match the
flow of roof line Which is very easy to say but
very hard to get it all done right. But Rick Dore
managed to do all in just 6 months, very impressive.
With limited time schedule, the rear tail lens and
bezel were made while body was away for paint job
and Amazingly the bezel match perfectly to the Body
line. He has the Skills that we wouldn't even notice
if we are not been told. And I hope we can Introduce
him well and right way to all people coming to see
his work at the show.
While checking how to tie down for export, we were
introduced to some of James Hetfields collection.
The green Shoe Box is seen in magazine and events.
The red 55 gasser style was his first collection
of Hot Rod. "The Gasser style" may be
one of the style that’s on the want to have list
of many people. Well I wouldn't mind having many
cars but what I can manage is see all kind of cars
at show.
The next stop was at Oakland, to see MAX SCHAAF
of 4Q custom conditioning.
The tight schedule was getting tighter with advancing
the schedules, The stuff who went along were surprised
to see the heavy schedule gets worse But really
surprised me was to see the 4Q Knuckle HD with engine
taken apart. Max was cool about it, "OK I will
fix it tonight.."
Max and Jasin got on their bike to buy Gasket, HHR
wasn't the best choice to follow Them but we got
pretty good footage for DVD. Please check out the
u tube for Demo reel. It was posted yesterday!
Sunday September 7th.
Max had knuckle fixed just like he said he will.
Max had knuckle fixed just like he said he will.
Amazing for me to see as this doesn't happen always
with everyone. Jasin joined and went ride in Oakland.
Max and Jasin were Skater finding lamp, pool and
place to jump then They would jump, even on knuckle.
He would do Donut and For them riding bike is same
as riding on skate board.
We cant jump on HHR but he liked the wheel, OLD
SCHOOL for Today. MAX SCHAAF and JASIN PHARES are
coming to the HCS this year.
Northern California is far and not easy to swing
by, But It is well worth a long trip to see their
life style and meet people like them.
It was 450 miles one way, but feeling must be the
same when people in Japan ride long way to Yokohama
for HCS. I hope our show is worth coming the long
way and we are doing our best to make it possible.
This years HCS has more cars and bikes coming from
US than last year.
Gas has gone up but I hope everyone think its "Price
less" to see all that in 1 day show.
The extreme tight schedule must have some unexpected
thing to happen. We could not get hold of Cole While
we were heading Salinas from Oakland. Just little
bit away from his house, we got message that His
flight was delayed, So we changed our schedule and
headed to Jason Jessees place.
Last year his "can't make it this year"
was great on DVD. And he did It very well again.
Jason got HD Gas Tank shoot up in air and since
this Tank look like a face. He drew eyes and wrote
signature on Tank.
We have it up in Yokohama Shop and TANK will be
present at Raffle On Saturday night Party before
the show.
JASON JESSEE is great to have fun with and I was
surprised to see next car was getting Along. It
was a 52 Chevy truck. I have asked what he like
about that car best. He answered the continental
kit on the side. It is cool on side too. This style
lowered Trucks may get more popular.
"I can't make it to the show," He will
not be at the show but watching the show with out
anyone notice may match His style.
Mean while Cole came back from trip. Cole had surprise
for us. The Old style HD that he hasn’t made for
couple years. The Blue bike and pink bike was famous
but this old school had totally different thing.
His high Hand craft skill was found on various parts.
He will have paint on Tank, Fenders and details
than done, With Coles word to finish before the
loading time, He will be coming to the HCS too.
The cover bike of chopper town was in the corner.
It was already dark and by the time we got back
to LA it was 5 AM.
Monday September 8th
First day back in Southern California was SO-CAL
57 Bel air Gasser. Jimmy Shine did burn out with
open headers.
This 57 had amazing paint and was hard to take picture
without reflection. And all details were done so
nice that keeps me watching the car forever. Pete
gave us one point lesson, ZZ TOP Mr. Billy Gibbons
was one who did pin stripe on trunk lid. Jimmy had
cool dragster and Hot rod project in progress.
Next was Mr. Rico Fordery of Sinners with his blue
Shovel HD. Rob Fortier showed up and Every one went
to Kennedy bros to jump in pool. Finished all task
that Sound like summer vacation schedule and Finally
we were doing photo shoot. Riding on side of rails
and industrial area on back.
His HD had hot rod parts like Hurst Shifter, Blue
shifter that was key to decide its color. SWAN Mirror,
Chrome Tube Exhaust, HotRod Air filter and many
more. I think his bike has mechanical finish that
looks done right, something common about Other HD
he made too. Rico Fordrey will be coming to the
2008 HCS too.
September 9th Tuesday
Second day in Southern California was visiting Mr.TOM
FOSTER . On his Mr.Insane O we went to photo shoot
in East LA.
Cruise on street to Highland park, took picture
in parking lot with graffiti on wall. His Insame
O was made to go fast, Tom showed us on freeway
but that was great, Hope every one can see them
live in Yokohama. The another strong character was
his car. Black small chevy shoe box with straight
six. I see more nice black paint car in various
scene. The sound of straight 6 just add all that
East LA character.
Taking a trip north again was to visit Dan Collins
new shop, "Old Gold" his show room had
Green Truck that went to Japan and white and purple
Roadster which finished recently.
The big ware house had project cars lined up. 34
former race car, 40 ford in chopping progress and
shoe box plus 2 customer cars. I was glad to see
how busy he was and felt relief that there are still
people making cars. We talk about cars for sale
from friends and close by people, he is good to
call If average guy like us are looking for something
to ride.
Now we went back to Long beach to see Beatniks car
club president Mr. Jack Rudy. The Beatniks Car Club
members are coming to the HCS.
The members are coming long long way to see the
Car Guys and Bike Guys in Japan and To see the
scene in Japan. Beatniks car club gather at famous
and non famous car show around the state, from
Santa Maria, Bakersfield and MOONEYES Xmas Party.
The club holds clear demand to be accepted in
the club, Tatoo beard and custom car Plus strong
will to ride forever.
Because time now is hard with high price gas and
everything, I hope we can show Mr. Jack Rudy that
there are still many car guys in Japan who will
ride forever.
Wednesday September 10th
3rd day in Southern California, last day of trip
start with MOONEYES USA, Mr.Chicos #533 Speed
Trial Racer.
I was amazed to see how paint changed the image
of this car. Then real racer has some real bumps
from the race too. The ultimate full polish front
mount blower is just unreal. This Race car is coming
to HCS this year, please check the Real thing with
your eyes.
2nd stop was to see Mr. Mark DREWS in Seal Beach.
He may not be famous in Japan or aborad but look
at this 40 ford And 5 bikes out from this tiny garage.
I think many Japanese people or guys who think has
small garage Will be surprised to see how many things
can fit. Mark has father and uncle who had choppers
back in 60s, which lead him to Be in this car and
bike life. He is a real swap meet guy where he came
across In various swap meet to Many parts from 60s
that were probably taken out from one bike. His
40 Ford has amazing story too, the episode goes
on and he is coming to HCS too with His Shovel HD!
Next was Artist Mr.Pizz. Member of Beatniks and
already famous artist in Japan too. He has 57Belair
wagon and 58Belair hard top coupe had Told us about
the Beatniks club while working on his Big art piece.
"I know there are many car clubs in Japan too,
Gas is expensive in Japan. Gas got high in US too,
expensive, but still riding." I guess gas is
too high for everyone, lets keep on riding.
The 6days of hard schedule has finally finished!.
Thank you every one for all your help and support.
SEE YOU IN YOKOHAMA !!
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