Sacramento Autorama 2012

For a while I had planned on making sure I didn't miss this years event. I figured I wasn't going to make it to Pomona for the AMBR Show, so I really just could not miss this show. So, I did what I normally do. I called some friends to see who was willing to go with me. And, as usual, my buddy Alfredo was the only one that made the time to go with me. He had been with me to several other shows, and knowing how I can be at shows, he still decided to come. So when the day came, I had my wife drop me off at a Denny's to meet up with Alf, have some breakfast, and head up to Sacramento for the day.

BRE "BATT KRUISER"

We got up to Cal Expo a little after 10:00 am and went right in. We started off by heading into the building with the Bike-O-Rama. As we headed in the door I was just amazed. There were several stock bikes that I always love to see, when I see them. Then there was the custom bikes. Along with a few other treats. The custom pedal cars, a tractor, and a really cool wagon. I was in awe at the talent and quality that had been used to do some of the work on these bad pieces. So I did my usual photo and video work and then we moved on to the next few buildings.In the other buildings were some sweet clean rides. I'm not a fan of low riders, but then their the craftsmanship and details that blow my mind. I have to check out all the details. We skipped over the boat building, not sure why, but we did. Then we hit the building with a few vintage or custom dragsters. Always love to see dragsters.
Then there was the sweet Flat Black Kustom Cadillac out in the quad area. This Caddy was awesome! I just couldn't pass up the chance to shoot some photos. Then I figured out what I wanted to do and I took my time so I could  of it to use in my video of the the car. I placed myself in various places that surrounded the car. But not at ground level. I used the upper area as my starting point, then worked my way around to the car at ground level. The segment turned okay. I also met a few gentleman that were there waiting to do a pin up model shoot with the car. The main photographer, Nick Koljian, was doing some work for MyRideIsMe.com, and so we all sat for a bit and chatted while he was waiting. Then the model showed up. He took his photos, and then we all saw that the car now had some interesting sun tan oil placed on the car. This model must have buttered herself up big time. anywhere she leaned or touched on the car now had her mark on the car. It was actually funny! Anyways, once all was done, we moved on.

We moved on to the next building and on the top floor of the one side were some beautiful examples. One builder, Rick Dore, had 3 customs. One of which was "Voodoo Priest" A beautiful custom 1937 Lincoln Zephr built for James Hetfield of Metallica. The other was the 1953 Buick Skylark. I have to say, I am very jealous! These cars are so beautiful that I wish I could get a job in a shop of this caliber. Someday! Also on display was another James Hetfield Custom. "Iron Fist", a 1936 Ford Custom built by Blue Collar Customs out of Sacramento. This was their home turf, and they brought out a nice ride. They have also built another ride for Mr. Hetfield. I saw the Ford Custom pickup a few years back at a Goodguys show I had attended. Man oh man! Another great builder! This show however is what I am here to finish discussing. So, also in the building on the top floor on the opposite side, was several sweet cars. The stunning Pink Cadillac owned by Pinup Model, Darling Danika. I was checking it out and happened to meet her husband, Jay. He's a cool car guy! Well obviously! Anyways! He took me over to meet Danika, who had just had some surgery and was not feeling to good. So I kept it very brief and went on my way.

When I got downstairs, I saw more beautiful examples. I was really amazed by what I saw. John D'Ogostino had another amazing ride this year. He brought out "The Carribean". I took several shots of it too. Since I still don't have a wide angle lens, I did my usual shots from the upstairs area. Then I ran into John. Spent some time talking with him and got some photos with him. Then off to the next ride. The Purple Kustom "Wild Cad" brought up by Mario, a Koolsville Beatnik Car Club member from Australia. He was great! I got a few shots with him and had him sign my program since his car was on the cover. I took some shots of the Caddy as well. And of course I had to go back upstairs just to get my shots. But it made for some good shots from up there.

A little later after walking around, I came to Gene Winfield at his booth. So I spoke with him for a few minutes asking about when his next Metal Working Class was to be as well as the "Winfield and Watson" show. Then I decided to do something a little different. I asked Gene if he would be willing to let me do a short interview. He was all for it, so I asked Alfredo to hold the video camera and away we went. I just went on the fly and just asked a few questions that popped into my head. It turned out pretty good for not being something that wasn't planned. Once we were done I got a couple shots with Gene, as well as having him sign my vintage track jacket. So, since he signed the jacket, I wasn't sure if I should wear it anymore and then Gene showed me a patch to go with it. His shop logo patch. It looks great on the jacket too now.

Once I was done having fun with Gene, we moved on and saw more great kustoms, classics, muscle cars, trucks, and hot rods. I ran into Herb Martinez at the Sacramento So-Cal Speed Shop booth and chatted with him for a bit. then he asked me to watch the booth for a minute while he ran to take care of some much needed business. Then Alfredo and I finished up our tour of the show and headed home. All in all, the show was as fantastic as it should be. There was nothing to disappoint the enthusiast. Now to look forward to attending next year and enjoy another great day. Or should I just pull the trigger and go for two day and make the best of a great weekend and get even more photos and video of more great cars and trucks. Until then! Check back for more of my experiences at other shows and racing events.

To see all of the photos I did actually take at the event, please visit - http://razzi.me/a/10461

Video: Sacramento Autorama #2 - Bike-O-Rama

Here is my latest. This is the stuff I liked that was in the Bike-O-Rama building at the show. Check it out and tell me what you think.

PICS: My Callaway SC 540 Silverado Experience

OKAY! Not sure how many of you reading this actually read the Prelude write up, so if you haven't it's not necessary. But feel free to read it so you can get a better understanding of this one.

Rim Detail

Sometime between the November 2009 SKUSA event and the point of when this new experience happened, Mike C. and I would occasionally keep in contact with one another. Usually it was about what Hot Wheels Ferrari we had recently found for our collections, or just to see how things were going. One day Mike and I were talking and he proceeds to tell me got a job out of Southern California. He didn't tell me what the was at that time, but he did tell me he would be through my area on occasion and that we should meet up and have lunch when he did. Of course I was all for that. Catching up with friends is always a great time. Then that time came. So we're texting back and forth and finally decided on a time. So I figured since he was here out of the area, that I figured I would just pick him up and we'd go to lunch.

I drove into the hotel  parking lot up to the overhang and out he came. So he gets in and off we go. The conversation gets going. I asked him where he was working at that would bring him through the area. He then proceeds to tell me he works for Callaway Cars. My eyes went wide open and my mouth dropped. I couldn't believe it! So I asked how he managed to get that cool of a job. He filled me on the details while driving up to where we had planned to grab lunch. I was happy as a guy could be. A friend of mine works for an awesome car company. My only run-in ever in my life with a Callaway was way back in the early '90's when I stumbled into the Route 66 Rendezvous with some friends when going to a Punk Shop in San Bernardino that I used to frequent. There were 2 Callaway Corvettes there in the street at the event. I was in my late teens at the time and yes I was into cars, but not as much as I was into music. So I really didn't take the time to walk around them. But now I have this guy I spent a day with in Las Vegas chasing the greatest driver in modern day racing history to have a chance to get his autograph and picture sitting in my car. If I had known, I would have had him drive to lunch.

Tailgate Badging

We get to where we were going for lunch, pull into the parking lot, and there is this truck with a hauler behind it. On the hauler is 2 cars that appear to be BATMAN's rides. So we stopped to check 'em out. Another time I wish I had kept my camera equipment in the car. Oh well! The iPhone will have to suffice for time being. We took some pics of the 2 cars, chatted with the builder for a bit. We then decide we were staving at this point, so we tell the gentleman we will be back to check them out afterwards. We grabbed lunch and chatted for a good while about life. We then left and went back out to check out the NOT BATMAN's rides. They were kind of cool to check out, but it just wasn't my thing. I would have been happier if they were the real deal though. Then back to the hotel we drove.

We got back to the hotel and switched over to the Callaway SC 540 Silverado. We pull onto the freeway and Mike floors it. WOW! What an awesome truck. It was up to 90 MPH in a matter of a few seconds. We get to the the exit where I planned on going to set the truck up for a few photos. Yeah I only had my iPhone, but I just had to get some pics. This was a rare opportunity for me I figured if I didn't get some photos, I would be pretty unhappy afterwards. Mike maneuvered the truck around and I got the pics I wanted. Then back to the hotel we went. I got a brief ride in a Callaway. I was pretty excited. Then off home I went. So, I hoped that the next time he was in town we could do it again. Well, the day he came into town, I was out doing some things and didn't get that chance. DANG IT! This time he was in the Corvette too.Oh well! There is the next time right?

NICE RIM!

Dash Plaque

Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Badge

Embroidered Headrest

Embroidered Floor Mats

Door Badging

Grill Badging

Hood Badging

Decal under hood

VIN/Build Plate

DROOL!

Still Droooling!

Nice Power Plant!