Another winner...

Our car show participant being featured this week is one of our show winners.

This 1958 Chevy Impala was the 'Best Street Rod' winner and is owned by Steve and Marilyn O.

They have owned this car since it was new back in '58 and have since added three two-barrel carbs to the 348 big-block.



They have done much of the work themselves through the years and try to get out and about when the weather is warm and the sun is shining. This is a completed car, and it looks great.

Congrats Steve and Marilyn!

Some news, then a Chevelle

The last Anoka River Run Cruise was essentially rained out this past Saturday night. Thankfully, they have one more event (well, really two) coming up next weekend. Look at the calendar above and check out what is going on at the Anoka County fair grounds. This is looking like a great end-of-the-year blast for the whole family.

I expect to see you there.



Doug O. and his wife, Carmine, and son, Daniel, brought with this clean 1968 Chevy Chevelle. Under the hood resides a hot 355 small block. The tranny is a Powerglide that sends the juice to a 12 bolt rear complete with a 4.11 posi.



They have had this Chevelle for over fifteen years, but this is far from the end for Doug's muscle car. In the near, or possibly far future, an overdrive automatic and a bigger stroker motor are on the agenda.

Doug has worked on his own rides for years and wouldn't have it any other way. Doug is a great guy, and he even might lend a helping hand the next time you are dropping an engine or doing a valve job; unless he is doing one himself.

Classics by the Lake '08

Downtown Buffalo was alive with the smell of muscle cars, hot rods, and quite a few cruisers earlier today.

The events entitled 'Classics by the Lake' has been going on for at least the last two years and plans to continue on the first Saturday morning of September into the future. The local Ford dealer helped out many other local business organize the show and get the word out to ensure a good showing.

I counted around 200 cars and was very impressed with the quality and variety. Here are some examples:

This 1955 Chevy had some of the nicest paint and body work or the show.


The world needs more Cobra's out and about on the roads. I wonder if he has an extra set of rims for this one for the snow tires.


This old Ford retractable hardtop is exactly like the one a relative from southern Minnesota had back in the day. It was an amazing thing to see, and hear, the top go through the transformation process, but the battery technology then wasn't very forgiving. If he would run it up and down more than a few times with the engine off, he was stuck and looking for a jump.


For most people, a new Corvette is fast enough. Most people. Not this guy though. Under the hood of this 2000 Vette is a stroker motor, a supercharger, and a sniff of nitrous. He claims a little over 1000 rear-wheel horsepower. I'm not going to argue, are you?


Lastly, we have a 1957 Thunderbird. This is a special factory hot-rod model with a pair of four-barrel carbs and a hot cam. They made a super limited edition T-bird in '57 that was supercharged. I haven't seen one of those yet.


They had a cruise after the show to a few small towns in the area which ended at the local Culver's. What a day, what a day.

Shifting gears and burning rubber,

geoff

A late-model Stanger

This is Mike E.'s 1998 Ford Mustang. This was one of a couple of nice Mustangs that made it to the show.

Mike and his dad, Tim, were one of our later arrivals, so this is the only picture we have. Mike, if you're out there--email us a few more pics to put here, okay?

Tim is one of Kenny's car buddies from way back. Tim is planning to bring out one of his long-term projects for next year's show. Tim--we are going to hold you to it.

Here is one more nice pic of a 1998 Mustang.

All I can say is he must be in a hurry...

Shifting gears and burning rubber,

geoff

MMCSR&C=MMNHR&C

This is it.

This is the last time our fine organization will change (adjust) its name.

During the show, I spoke with many car guys and gals who didn't consider their vehicles to be a muscle car or a street rod.

So, with deep thoughts, the change was made to Minnesota Muscle Cars, Street Rods, and Cruisers. This helped satisfy a few drivers out there.

And now, we have what you see at the top: Minnesota Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, and Cruisers. The term 'hot rod' has much less baggage and a little more class than 'street rod.'

So, there we go...

Welcome to the new (old) Minnesota Muscle Car, Hot Rods, and Cruisers.