March 13: A sign of Spring

If you think that a sure sign of Spring is a slightly underweight robin searching for a recently woken up worm, then you are reading the wrong blog, Bucko. The real first sign of Spring is the custom and hot rod show, in this case the Motorama held last week in Toronto. Loaded with famous customs, hot rods and race cars, this show gets us ready for those warm Summer days and nights - the smell of burning rubber and the displays of pristine old cars. Examples, please, from the old style classics to the fire breathing hot rods.........

Ah, yes, nothing says Spring and Summer like an old Willys from the '30's running some sort of blown motor capable of terrifying grannies and young kids. Not scary enough, you say? Then add a dollop of beautifully painted flames to the front end, just in case the giant blower sticking up thru the hood is a bit too subtle. Run this beast down your local dragstrip and post a number.

Powerful, yes, but want to talk real power? Power that wins races between equally wild competitors?

Ok, I feel your need. Ever heard of Drag Week? Neither had I. Simple concept. Run your car at five US dragstrips over six days and whoever has the bestoverall times wins. Easy? Not so fast. The cars in the top class have close to 3000 HP and quarter mile time slips around six and a half seconds at over 200 MPH. Serious speed. Hardly a street car, but to win this contest the car has to be driven over 1000 miles (1600 kms for us Canucks) between the tracks and has to tow a trailer. Now that is a challenge and here is the 2017 winner........

Local boy makes good, as the winner is from Toronto. Want to know what kind of coin it takes to field a car like this? Well, if you have to ask........

And speaking of Corvettes, check out this show winner from Iowa......

Almost stock looking, but you had to see the paint in real life to appreciate its beauty. One of those finishes that is so deep you can't see the bottom.

And of course, lots of local oval track racers.......

.....but they never have the gorgeous finishes of the drag cars and with good reason, which is bumpin' & bangin'. Whereas these three will never or should never touch another competitor.........

Pick what pleases you and with any luck you can spend fifteen or twenty minutes chatting with the owner......

Me? I love the new nostalgia funny cars. Oxymoron? Not really, as these are new versions of old funny cars from the late '60's early '70's. This is a knock off of the Jungle Jim (Google it) cars that were so famous back in the day. I chatted with the owner about his funny car for far longer than he wants to remember. Are you kidding, I made his day!

My favorite standout of the Motorama? Something different and oh so cool........

Now I ask you, when was the last time (or the first time), you saw an custom ramp truck with an early '30's hot rod riding on its back? One of the best pieces on display.

How much patience do you have? I've got dozens more pics, but for the sake of your sanity, I picked these few to show.

Like car shows, but not interested in what you can find in any local showroom? Then a Motorama type show is right up your alley. Every March and a sure sign of Spring.

Until next time......