> 59How is this mint Valiant ute? Ultra straight and
nice yellow paint, was a Saturday visitor only.A First-Timer’s Opinion
by Dan SharpeWHAT an eye-opener it was, to
experience an event with 12,000 pre
‘64 hot rod, muscle, and custom cars at
this year’s ‘Back to the 50’s’ event in St
Paul Minnesota. The Minnesota State
Fairgrounds is like a town on its own
with main streets, side streets, blocks
and alleyways, all of which were easy to
get lost in. Just when I thought I’d seen it
all, I discovered another street even after
three days of walking 20 km per day.
Everything from perfect original Concours
muscle cars to top-level show winning
customs to large diameter chrome, bling
wheel, baby boomer-driven shoeboxes.
But, of particular interest was the large
presence of ‘30s traditional hot rod culture
and style. Steel wheels and hubcaps are
in, old cracking nitrocellulose lacquer is
in, as displayed by the cool cats at Swillco
Speed Shop. Was a bit of humour to be
recognised by the Kiwi accent alone, and
to hear the Swillco crew’s impersonation
of said accent. Nice one, guys!
The traditional hot rod scene is alive
and very, very well. The guys at Union
Speed and Style were great to catch up
with. A long conversation with Jordan
Dickinson over the details of traditional
style chassis building and 500 horsepower
and even 900 horsepower flatheads,
was a pleasure. These guys are building
dream frames for early Fords: ‘34 style
centre-sections, rivets, step boxed rails,
transverse leaf rear. You can have a fully
rolling chassis with a quick-change rear for
USD$14,500. What an awesome package!
During the Back to the ‘50s
weekend, Union Speed was in the
process of moving premises. Their
new shop is an abandoned, old Ford
dealership. Untouched since 1914.
They have made a few improvements
without ruining the historic vibe.
Old bricks, riveted steel roof trusses,
that vintage turn of the 19th century
feel and handcrafted ‘30s hotrod and
chopper artistry all in one place. Hard
workers with great attitudes and an
eye for detail and traditional style,
inspiration enough to carry through the
same enthusiasm and work ethic back
home on the other side of the world.Factory Tahiti Coral and black paint made Jon
Mathisrup’s ‘56 Buick convertible a standout.Rob Penning’s 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door sedan
was straight from the sixties with a diamond tufted crushed
velvet interior and a nasty 427ci big block under the hood.
1953 Chevrolet Bel Air
convertible was delightful.This diminutive ’59 Morrie Minor was very well
done and looked so cool. Under the hood is a
fully chromed and polished hot smallblock while
upfront that egg-crate grille looks like it came
from a Volvo. Best Morrie we’ve seen in 40 years.