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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 7, 2010 18:45:00 GMT -5
Wow! What a trip! This show was by far, one of the best I have ever been to! Lisa and I drove out every day, and drove back home every night. Yes, were were tired and sore, but it was a blast! I missed getting some Autographs, but I did score on others. There were a ton of Trans Ams there. With 5 different 5th gen conversions.  I talked with some owners, and builders there, and it was great meeting them all. Over the whole trip, I took 406 photos! For some reason, my digital started taking blurred photos, and it may just be the lighting inside the show, I don't know. And yes, I got a bunch with me and the hot cuties.  I also got some great Press Kits on a couple of 5th gen conversions. And a bunch of handouts. On top of all that, I even scored getting samples of different car waxes and cleaners. Some were full size plastic bottles. There were some really nice Mopars there, and the most Lincolns I've ever seen at this show. I even grabbed photos of those as well. So, over the next few days, I'll be posting up some photos to share with you all. So keep checking back, George  |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 7, 2010 18:55:10 GMT -5
To start with, When we got there, we had coffee at the Press Center. We then looked at New Products, and when the show opened, we went inside. We went right to the Bullet Bedliner display. Why? Well, because the Gunny was going to be there, signing autographs. We just had to get that, and meet him. He was a super nice, friendly guy, and very talkative. He even posed with both of us. Here he is, signing a autograph for me, on my 1/6 collective figure of him.  And here, posing with me.  One of the first cars we saw inside the show, was this Transformers Camaro.  I just had to get Lisa in the photo. ;D  Classic Industries was there, with this beautiful '69 Trans Am clone.       They were nice enough to open the hood for me, to get an engine shot.  More to come, George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 7, 2010 18:59:17 GMT -5
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 7, 2010 19:07:35 GMT -5
Right near Trans Am Dept's '69 Trans Am version, Was the new HPP 1969 Trans Am version. I feel this car is the better of the two by far. I mean, compare the photos of this car, to the car shown above, and the real 1969 Trans Am. It captured the real '69 Trans Am pretty close. It was great to talk with the owner of the company, and we talked for quite awhile about his car, his other Firebirds he owns, and other stuff as well.       Notice who is in the driver's seat?      We would come back to this car again and again throughout the show. I will show more photos of it later. George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 7, 2010 19:26:24 GMT -5
Not only did you see so many cars, But you also have a really good chance, of running into people you know. I ran into my friend Michael from down under (who is also friends with Leigh from down under), and his friend Bob. Both of these frends (not Bob though, no time ) have visited me in my Kingman, Arizona home. It was great to run into him again, him so far from home, and us from not so far away. I also ran into a friend and his friend, who I also met before, from where I use to live, in the South bay of the Los Angeles area. Brian who also owns alot of cars, including a few early Trans Ams. It was great to catch up with him as well. Another person I ran into, was Ken Crocie of H. O. Racing fame. I spent alot of time out at his shop back in the days. Super times those were. It was great to catch up with him as well. And sad to hear he had a heart attack about a year ago. I am glad he is doing fine now. I think my very first SEMA Show was with him back in the 80s. On top of these friends of mine, that I ran into, was a friend that I grew up with, many years ago. I am sure that most of you have heard of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth? "Rat Fink"? Yes, he died a few years ago, but I knew him, and his family, as I grew up with, and went to school with his five sons. At Sema this year, I was able to run into Dennis Roth, who still carries on the Roth tradition of customizing. He had one of his father's cars there.   Here, are two very old "boys" meeting each other after so many years.  And here, is the car he built, just like his dad use to. Lisa even got to be included in the picture. And the car. ;D  I also ran into people (both Simon and his wife) I know from my town's local car shows and cruises. I didn't know they were going, but they got to go, and we ran into each other. Good thing for him, as I showed him some stuff I got (car waxes and cleaners), and he went to their booth, and got a ton of stuff too. It helps that they all were British. More cars to follow, George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 10:44:47 GMT -5
I really love custom bikes. And there were a ton of them at SEMA this year. But even with the show going on for 4 days, I don't have the time to stop and see each one. This bike was my favorite one there.  Even this engine looked great with the custom paint.  What I really loved about this bike, was the big mouth. I loved the teeth.  George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 10:53:36 GMT -5
Airbrush is a big custom mod that I love. I really like the finished look of a graphic artwork over a regular paint job. Here is custom artwork on a hood.  I also love custom body work. Check this car out:   And I love custom car parts. I want this for my Lincoln, and my '59 Chevy Apache pickup truck.  It's only $250.00, and limited to a run of about 100. Some custom work is even in stock form. Check out these custom lighted emblems.     George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 10:58:51 GMT -5
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Post by TAdan on Nov 8, 2010 12:01:52 GMT -5
Wow, where to start... Looks like one helluva show! Thanks for posting pics. So cool that you got to meet R Lee Ermy, I think I've liked him in everything I've seen him do. From Saving Silverman to Full Metal Jacket. The orange 69 T/A clone is sweet. I like both of the 5th gen T/A's. I prefer the Trans Am Depot car. I didnt know Kevin Morgan had another concept car built. I think it looks much better than the black one. The HPP T/A is really nice too, but I think that 69 style grille is just too pointy. I really love the red trim in the interior. I didnt know you knew the Roth family, what a cool connection! My dad will get a real kick out of that when I tell him. He was a huge Rat Fink fan growing up. Love that Red Challenger with the light up badges. I was talking to a stranger (older guy) at the gas pump the other day (He liked the Mustang and was telling me about growing up with muscle cars). He mentioned he liked the Challenger so I told him to get himself to a dealership and take one for a ride, I hope I helped put the bug in his head.  That skull steering wheel would look perfect with a bit of weathering. I am looking forward to your next update! |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 14:20:47 GMT -5
Next up, Is a guy I met over on TAC ( www.transamcountry.com ), who's name is James, and he owns this beautiful 1973 Pro Touring 1973 Trans Am. Built with a 535 ci Butler engine, and a custom 5 speed tranny, I sure wish I could have heard it run, and drive! It was great talking with him, and I did, for a couple days.          And the proud owner with his beauty. He also won a award for beautiful paint and being so clean. Trust me, being in the desert, it's gets dusty fast. like wipe the hodd, move to the door, and the hood is already dusty. Almost every time I saw him, he was dusting the car down. It paid off big time. You will be seeing more of him and his car, trust me.  George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 14:32:46 GMT -5
Ya Dan, We were all small tikes way back then. Both my brother and me would even go hang out at Ed's shop back in Maywood. We would go over to there house and hang out playing at Waywood Park. And all their kids would come over to our house, and swim. We're talking over 40 years ago! I am still in touch with 3 of the kids. One, George, died a few years ago (3 years ago). And ya, it was a super show this year. You would have loved it! ;D You should see all the stuff I got this year! Tons of waxes and cleaners from all these different wax companies. It was so cool! I came home with 30 baseball hats! I gave a few away at the local car gatherning here in town this last weekend. And yes, I got quite a few shirts as well. Oh ya, and photos with some models. George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 14:37:04 GMT -5
We also met George Barris (again, we have met him before), and it's sad to see people getting older. He looks so fraile. I did take some Knight Rider plastic models there for him to sign.  Here are some of his cars, that he had designed and built years ago. I'm sure everyone knows what they are.    George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 14:46:44 GMT -5
We also ran into Linda Vaughn again, And I got even more stuff autographed from her. She is great to talk to. Here is Lisa with her.  Here is a Pontiac that she calls hers. A small story there.    George |
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 14:55:07 GMT -5
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Post by WarbirdTA on Nov 8, 2010 15:01:19 GMT -5
Here is what car that last motor is in.   George |
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