Vanning


Vanning is a compulsion, an obsession, an occupation, an affliction, a fascination, a fate. It is not a hobby. Those who do it, must. Those who don't, think it's a waste of time. For me it is a calling.

Monday, December 29, 2008

It's 2009. Man the time goes fast when your having fun. As I always do the second week of december ,I went to L.A. to attend the Mooneyes party.What used to be the Rat Fink Reunion ,still brings out the stripers and artists.I flew into John Wayne airport south of L.A. ,and went to my buddy Jimmy C's place. He and Dena have been kind enough to have me stay with them while there. Thank You Both!! You Guys Rule!!

The first stop after getting off the plane.............In-n-out burger!

Got to Jimmy's and helped to pour some resin castings. Also loaded the van with stuff for the party.
Even made a piece for my van. nyuck nyuck!!! Jimmy was paintin' up a storm. Then the best part... a trip to the FAT BURGER
Sat. at the crack of dark :30,we went to the Irwendale raceway to set up.





And the whole gang was there!!!



Dude. wheres your teeth??





Whats in there...Beer??












Lots of kool rides and the e-z-up Tiki hut!! Thats the shop truck of our bud Jeff Styles....GET OUT of my picture!!

Verry cute.....
This was cool......1962 for sure!! After the show I headed to the Brush Off party. A gathering of stripers and sign artists. The freeways in L.A. are like no others. thought this thing was going to tip over.












WOOOHOO!!!! FOLLOW ME TO MY HOUSE!!!


This was the panel from Hot Dog.....Everyone there brings a panel and there is a drawing to exchange them. I ended up with Lil Louie's panel. Heres some of the fabulous art that was produced for this party.


























Guess who did this one!...
You wouldn't know it to look at them,but these are some of the best stripers and sign guys on the west coast. This party is now held at Rons Colorworks in the L.A. area,and is the best that I've ever been to. Lots of fun and very informative...THANKS RON!... GREAT TACOS TOO !!




Saturday, December 6, 2008

Back to St. Cloud

Long time customer and friends,Laura and John Had me do their latest project a 53 pick up rat rod... she wanted a logo to match the one her dad had on his gas station back 50 years ago, and wanted it to look old and faded . Worked out pretty good. When i'm at the shows in Datona,Laura and John bring me breakfast every morning. Been doing it for nearly 10 years.. you don't know how much I appreciate that.

















Speaking of appreciating..when in St.Cloud I stay with my vanner friends Lew and Agnes..what great friends they are. last trip Lew helped me fix a broken steering pump. Nothing quite so drastic this time.

Here is Lew getting ready for his lunch time nap.NYUK NYUK.




This time Lew's boss David had me do some work on his Harley




















Then went to my favoritest mexican place,and had shredded beef buritos... ummm.. next was a rat rod that I've done before. Russ had me add some to the dash and a jacket he brought along.











then off to Judiths ..She had me help install a new screen door on her front door, get out the christmas decorations. Dang , this is too much like work!



Time for me to go home!!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

more turkey ( run )










Striping for 4 straight days can be tiring. Up at 5 am to get to the track. working till dark. Lots of fun,but thankfully I don't do many shows in a year. The weather was great for all but the last day.



The first car in one day was a Plymouth Savoy. Turned out to be the red heads favorite car. Thought she was gonna bust.. I made her day when I asked her to move it for me.







Luckily there wasn't much gas in it, or it would have moved to California. There she goes Moe!!








More lines.Lines Lines.






Sunday dawned with storm and high wind warnings. after picking up everything 3 times we decided it was time to tear things down. 30 mph wind made it difficult. nice thing was we got an early dinner (at the holiday house) and got to bed early. There was more work to do after the show. I ended up in Deland Monday to do a car for Allen, one of my regular customers.





Its his daughters car. She wanted a small graphic with some barbed wire..and a skull on the back. She supplied the skull pic. Then it was off to St.Cloud to do more.



The padal van is coming along. Just before I left to go to Florida. Vance brought me the rear axle that he widened foe me. The next step is to make a frame to attach it to, and that the body can sit on.This frame was origionally cut to fit the astro body. I can widen it and it will work for the Ford as well. the entire frame can be made of 1-1/4" pvc pipe. Very light weight and strong. The lower frame is reinforced with steel pipe . The pipe used for chain link fencing is exactly the right size to slide inside the PVC and it is strong enough to hold up to 500 pounds. There are bearings on the axle just inside the wheels. I can make a mounting plate to fit on the frame.