SEMA 2007 bonspeed Storms the Show!

The SEMA show is a massive car Mecca and you must do more than just be there. Make a statement, be bold and be seen...that is what bonspeed and the bonspeed boys did at SEMA 2007! The new booth seen above was created by our in-house graphic guru "RM" and you could see it for rows and rows.

The new bonspeed Wheels catalog was so popular that we blew through thousands. The bold graphic theme was created by the team at bonspeed and everyone dug the new look.

The new catalog features the seven new styles we introduced at SEMA and features a few of the vehicles rolling on bonspeed wheels.




No party at SEMA is complete until the celebrities are in attendance. At the bonspeed Wheel booth fans could meet NHRA Top Fuel Champion Larry Dixon. Again in 2008 be sure to watch Larry's visor for the familiar bonspeed logo. Larry is a good friend of ours and the fans lined up for autographs and photos.











What is cooler than having the bonspeed designed and constructed 2008 GMC Sierra blasted across the big screen? The truck was displayed at the Sony Xplod display for the duration of the show, but GM kept the crowds in full view.

The bonspeed "King Sierra" went on to win the coveted GM Design Award!

The truck features one of our newest designs the bonspeed 22" Vector wheel.








Barry Meguiar grabbed bonspeed boy, Brad Fanshaw and Larry Dixon for an interview with Car Crazy.

The two spoke with Barry about Larry's NHRA Top Fuel title chase, hot rods, bonspeed and the new projects that are being created at the bonspeed design studio in Orange County, California.

Watch for this interview as part of Car Crazy's coverage of the SEMA 2007 event.


No mention of the SEMA show would be complete without talking about the parties!
SEMA is THE party of the year for car guys
and needless to say the bonspeed boys partake
in as many as we can.

So there it is another year of walking miles, talking and meeting friends, endless nights preparing and swearing we will never stay out so late on a tradeshow night...yeah we say that every year!

Hey see you in 2008 and thanks for representing for bonspeed!

bonspeed Wins GM Design Award at SEMA 2007

SEMA has grown to such a size that even a die-hard car guy can push overload! This is the show that has thousands of top quality cars, trucks and exotics. Industry heavyweights are rubbing elbows with auto executives and everyone is looking for that extra something...somthin'.

bonspeed "the california speed and design studio" and wheel manufacturer came to SEMA with seven new wheel styles, a new booth , a new catalog and a 2008 GMC Sierra. We left with tons of new business, some stories that are better left in Vegas and the GM DESIGN AWARD!

The GMC Sierra was designed and constructed at the bonspeed shop with some expert assistance from our partners. The truck arrived about five weeks before SEMA and we immediately tore it apart. After choosing the paint colors of; Dupont's Kandy Sunset with a Kandy Apple Red stripe over a black base we added the tan pinstripes. The paint was completed at L&G Paint in San Dimas, CA. The pinstripes were laid down by Theresa who has mad skills!

Thanks to all of our partners and the skilled people who assisted us in making the truck a reality.

Build List:
Paint- L&G
Suspension- Custom Truck Shop
Interior- Andy Harrison
Wheels- 22x8.5 bonspeed Vector (what else!)
22x10 bonspeed Vector
Tires- Pirelli Scorpian 245/45/22
Suspension- McGaughy's 3" and 4" drop
Audio/Video- Sony Xplod
Audio install- Mark's Auto Sound
Brakes- SSBC 14" rotor/6-piston
Exhaust- Borla stainless steel
Bed Cover- Retractable aluminum by Peragon
Expanded Wire Grills- SES Trims

Watch for our bonspeed "King Sierra" in leading magazines.

VISIT: bonspeedWheels.com

Dixon Chases Top Fuel Title in Pomona

It was the final race of the year; NHRA's World Finals in Pomona, California. Larry Dixon the bonspeed sponsored driver of the Don Prudhomme Top Fuel dragster was in the top four and things looked great! Boyd and Jo Coddington joined Brad Fanshaw for a trip to the races. During round one we were invited to watch from the starting line, directly between the two thundering dragsters. Wow, what a rush horsepower and nitro.

Between rounds our hosts; Larry Dixon and Don Prudhomme took time for a quick photo. Even though Larry was unable to clinch a third top fuel title in Pomona there is some great news. The 2008 season will see Larry driving with the U.S. Smokeless banner, formerly Skoal.

Thanks to the Don Prudhomme team for a fantastic season, bonspeed is very happy to be associated with the team and Larry Dixon.

Hell Freezes Over at SEMA 2007

Brad Fanshaw and Boyd Coddington made big news at the SEMA show in Las Vegas by announcing that after eleven years they would again team up! One reporter asked if, Hell had frozen over? He referred to the fact that when the two split, it did not seem as they would ever reunite. Read more below from the actual press release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Charlotte Mielke
info@bonspeedMedia
714.666.1999

Boyd Coddington Links Hot Rodding Past With the Future

Innovator, Fabricator and TV Star Teams With Former Partner

Anaheim, CA- October 16 2007- Boyd Coddington may be most commonly known today, as the under-the-gun, deadline-stomping star of “American Hot Rod”. Coddington’s on-screen persona may give the impression that he storms through and demands others to make the impossible happen. In fact, Coddington is a hot rod industry icon, that is more automotive stylist than drill sergeant.

The legend of Boyd Coddington and his now familiar and very copied look began in his backyard garage in 1976. The Disneyland machinist had an ability to execute his innovative ideas. It is his eye for color, textures and a smooth high-tech look that are his trademark. The first to machine aluminum parts and wheels for a personalized and functional approach, Coddington built a team to develop his dreams.

Coddington’s innovations have become not just hot rodding touchstones, but influences that have helped the entire aftermarket industry flourish. In the late 1990’s, as Coddington’s unique billet aluminum wheel line began to grow, he met a young car enthusiast, Brad Fanshaw. Fanshaw had just completed several years of growing a popular skate, surf and snowboard brand to huge success and sales exceeding $100 million. Coddington recognized the value of a true car enthusiast with ideas born from a cutting-edge industry and the business acumen to help his fledgling hot rod shop and wheel company.

The team of Coddington and Fanshaw is famous to some in the aftermarket industry and yet an enigma to many enthusiasts. Together, the two stormed the hot rod industry creating products, promotions, celebrity of some employees and most notably the industries first publicly held wheel company on NASDAQ.

Making the company an industry leader was due to the efforts of many talented people; however, Coddington and Fanshaw developed and executed the strategy. It was Coddington’s skill in the factory and the hot rod shop that kept things rolling. Fanshaw, the ever behind-the-scenes man promoted, marketed and created the mystic of the legendary brands while positioning the company for an IPO.

“We had most likely, the finest group of fabricators ever assembled under one roof. There was magic when we built a hot rod and I enjoyed every car that our shop constructed. Beyond the cars and products, it was the branding and innovative ideas that allowed us to grow.” says Boyd Coddington. The creative hot rod think tank kept turning out innovative cars, wheels, apparel and accessories.

“I believe Boyd does not get the credit he deserves, he is what I call a conceptual designer. He may not be able to draw or sketch his cars or ideas, but he is no less a designer. Boyd looks at a car or develops an idea in his head, sure someone else must draw it, but only so it can be executed. He is never credited with the open attitude in which he has tutored others like Chip Foose and Jesse James they were allowed the opportunities that provided them with a foundation for accomplishment.” states Fanshaw.

The business relationship between Coddington and Fanshaw split in 1996. The IPO took its toll on the working relationship and each went their separate ways; with Coddington continuing his wheel and hot rod business and most recently his fame on TV. Fanshaw applied his ideas and marketing skills in creating a Swiss watch manufacturing company before returning to the aftermarket industry with wheels, apparel and gauges.

At a time when Coddington’s star is as shiny as the billet parts on his custom creations, the hot rod legend is certainly not standing still. With television, corporate endorsements, licensing deals and a customer waiting list he is ready to create even more magic. So after no more than casual meetings at car shows or trade events in the last eleven (11) years, the two have announced that they are again working on some special projects, ideas and developing new business strategies.

“There are times when everything just runs perfect, no misfires or stalls and it is due to the team with who you surround yourself. I am certainly not taking a step back, but rather a leap forward while remaining true to the past. You know the best hot rods always blend the old and new. The combined knowledge, new ideas and positive influences of people like my wife Jo will allow me to embark on projects that before now were only dreams.” explains Coddington.

The Coddington Companies and the “Boyd Look” supplied a baseline for the aftermarket industry. Now after eleven years Boyd Coddington will team with Brad Fanshaw to bring a new generation of enthusiasts as well as loyal die-hard fans more Boyd magic.

About Boyd Coddington and The Boyd Coddington Company
Boyd Coddington is an internationally recognized automotive designer, builder, fabricator and television star. He is recognized as one of the winningest hot rod builders of all-time and has been included in many automotive Hall of Fames. The Boyd Coddington company is well-known for designing and constructing numerous show quality custom automobiles for celebrities such as ZZ Top and Michael Anthony of Van Halen. The corporations that have sought Boyd Coddington include Budweiser, White Cap, Sobe, Old Milwaukee Beer, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Hershey. With his name representing companies and products world wide it is not uncommon for the Boyd Coddington name to be found in most automotive stores. His trademark billet aluminum wheels the product that launched an industry are today manufactured under a license to American Racing.

For additional information contact:
bonspeedMedia at 714.666.1999 or visit www.boydcoddington.com

Bonspeed Boys Website

We have a new website called the "bonspeed Boys" and man do we have some cool stuff planned. The new site is a photo blog of what trouble the boys at bonspeed can find or conjure up!. The mis-adventures, projects, places we go and the people we meet.

Michael is going on tour with Sammy Hagar in October and bonspeed is building three new show cars so you never know what you will see at the site. Let me tell you it will make for lots of behind the scenes action. There is already a great look at the adventures of the Boys posted. Coming soon, Monterey, Private Jet Customizing, boats in Newport Bay, SEMA GMC truck build, project updates and Michael preparing for tour.

Tell your friends and check out the website every week. If we can keep up with the bonspeed Boys and their out of control lifestyles this will be one hell of website.

CLICK HERE: bonspeed Boys website

Car Guys On My Space.com!

Ok, I admit that until recently I thought that myspace.com was for kids, bands and movie trailers. Then while doing internet research I began visiting the site. I was surprised to find that there are thousands of car guys, truck guys and girls who participate at myspace.com.

I visit forums like pro-touring.com and yenkos.net, at those sites it is hard core car guys. I enjoy reading the posts, interacting and learning. At myspace.com, I found young guys and girls from all over, but also enthusiasts of every age. It really gives me and our company a chance to interact one-on-one with customers. Not just that, but car events too, yeah tons of cool events for car guys.

The myspace.com community allows me to notify my friends with message blasts. Lets say I am posting new images of the bonspeed project car or we are planning an open house. My friends at myspace can get a message that appears at their myspace page. They are the first to see our newest information!

Old tech for some, but many of you are still old school and need to get a profile set-up. If you do not experience myspace you are missing a ton of fun, friends and cars!

Go to www.myspace.com/bonspeedwheels and check out the profile, also be sure to become one of our friends. It is a new world for car enthusiasts!

www.myspace.com/bonspeedwheels
http://bonnevillesports.com/index.htm

bonspeed Sponsored Larry Dixon- In Run for NHRA Top Fuel #1

Larry Dixon the driver of the Don Prudhomme Racing- Sky Tel dragster has clinched a position
in the NHRA Top 8! Larry who is sponsored by bonspeed has clinched a position by commanding constant driving skills.

The new points system that NHRA is using has proven to be exciting!

We congratulate Larry on his 2007 NHRA season and wish him the best on grabbing another Top Fuel Championship!

See the NHRA Standings
Visit bonspeed.com
See the bonspeed boys!
bonspeed Wheels at My Space

Scottsdale in January is Car Mecca!

It's January and that means that the "bonspeed boys" and our friends are headed to Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale in January is like Mecca for car guys, it has something for everyone.

There are so many car auctions you begin to wonder just how many rare cars are out there. You also realize that almost every enclosed transport company has there fleet parked in town.

From January 13th to the 21st there is the Russo and Steel auction, RM Auction, Kruse and the Barrett-Jackson event. Between these events you can find a car, an atmosphere and some fun for just about any like.

Brad Fanshaw, bonspeed's President has been attending the Barrett-Jackson event for over 20 years. Brad began trekking out to the event when he was young and could only dream of the cars that crossed the block. Now years later he has transacted over 12 vehicles at the event.

It was five years ago that Brad and his wife Charlotte introduced Michael Anthony (bonspeed co-owner) and his wife Sue to the Barrett-Jackson extravaganza. Since then they have not missed a year and have bought two cars; a GT 500 Shelby for Sue and the '57 Nomad above.

The great thing about the auction week in Arizona is you don't need to buy or sell to have fun. These events are cars shows, excitement and the car world is in attendance. So plan a trip to Scottsdale and find us, the "bonspeed boys" and say hello!

PHOTO ABOVE:
Sue, Michael their daughter Elisha and Brad on stage at Barrett-Jackson 2006. Michael was the winning bidder on this super clean 1957 Chevrolet Nomad custom. Our Friend Jim Peterson is hiding behind Brad while Mike Riley (in black T in front of auctioneer) is considering out-bidding Michael for the car.

bonspeed Boys On Speed TV!

In case you missed it over the holiday's the "bonspeed boys" were featured on Speed TV! The segment was part of the Barrett-Jackson event coverage on their show "Life on the Block" entitled; "ROCK-ON!

The show aired on December 18th and again several times including Christmas day and New Year's day. The crew at Speed TV followed Michael Anthony and Brad Fanshaw, the owners of bonspeed as they sold five of their cars and helped Sammy Hagar sell his prized Shelby GT 500.

Speed's producer Jana DeHart did a fantastic of job capturing the excitement and crazy tension of moving almost $575,000 worth of cars across the block one after another!

Watch for re-airings of the show throughout the year on Speed TV! You can also check our bonspeed website as we will post the air times as we learn of them.

Click Below to visit:
bonspeed website
Speed TV
Barret-Jackson

New Year...New Project Cars

© bonspeed 2006

The new year is more than parties and Times Square around the bonspeed design studio. While most car guys in the Midwest and East are safely storing their cars for winter, we are dreaming up new SEMA projects. Yes, SEMA! I know that show-of-shows just ended a month ago, but the car makers already want new fresh ideas.

Every year at this time we are conceptualizing our newest ideas for the factories. Some of the ideas are accepted and others are thrown in a drawer. Some of those ideas are damn good ones too!

In 2006 bonspeed was asked by Ford to create a design that would make the already steller Mustang GT 500 Shelby even better. This car never was built, but these illustrations will show you just one project gone but not forgotten, maybe one day we will dust off the drawer of old ideas for a customer or ourselves!

Wait till you see what we are designing for 2007!

© bonspeed 2006 All rights Reserved

New & Improved bonspeed!

Everything is new at bonspeed; a new website, new products and a new catalog. Check it out and let us know what you think? You could even shop online while you are there!

CLICK HERE: Visit the new website
CLICK HERE: See New T-shirt Designs
CLICK HERE: Order the bonspeed Catalog

Edsel Ford's Hot Rod Has bonspeed Wheels!

Edsel Ford II, the grandson of Henry Ford is a real car guy, but he is also a giving guy. The bonspeed boys have had the opportunity to get to know Edsel. When asked if we would create a set of wheels for his charity '32 roadster we jumped!

Wanting the car to have the right look Edsel asked for a set of bonspeed's. We built a set of 18" wheels for the front and 20" wheels for the rear. The style is the bonspeed "V8", our retro inspired kidney bean, baby moon look. The Hot Rods and Horsepower built roadster debuted in the Ford booth at SEMA and Edsel had a big grin.

Edsel's charity is the JDRF, (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), and he has teamed with Hot Rods & Horsepower who will build the cars. This first car, #7532001, will be signed and driven on-stage by Edsel Ford II, at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, January 2007. The entire proceeds will benefit the JDRF. In addition to the premiere vehicle, Edsel Ford II will sign an additional 9 cars, each with a $25,000 premium that will be donated to the nearest local chapter of the JDRF to where the purchaser resides.

Learn More:
hotrodsandhorsepower
bonspeed Wheels

When Muscle Cars Cruised The Streets!

Are there any real cruise nights anymore? Not the fairground cruises that Goodguys and NSRA promote. Those overly structured, local parking lot gatherings do not count either. What I am seeking is a place where every week, on a given day, street machines, muscle cars, hot rods and barely street legal race cars just know where to go and when to be there.

No glossy advertising, monthly magazines or even a flyer, you just know. That is how it was on Van Nuys Boulevard, or Central Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona and even one of my stomping grounds Dodge Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

Towns big and small around the country all had a local cruise night. Some cities had numerous cruise night locations! It was just a known fact that places like these existed. They were unorganized bastions of youth rebellion where your shouts were made with Hooker headers and screeching tires.

Like I said, Dodge Street in Omaha, Nebraska was where I learned the ways of real car cruising. Every Friday and Saturday night, from the first night in April (above 45 degrees) until late Fall, we gathered on Dodge. I learned quickly that parking was done in a hierarchal manner. Just pulling in anywhere could get you at best, leering stares, at worst a fight. On Dodge, it was Big O Tires, McDonalds, the Music Store and National Automotive. Sure there were other places to park but these were where “The Cars” parked and National Automotive was “The Show”.

During my second season of Dodge Street cruising, I was asked by a guy with a notable LS6 triple black 1971 Chevelle SS if I wanted to park at National? No need to ask twice, I was in the show!

That night, my 1967 Chevelle SS drove down Dodge with a newly found swagger. I pulled up to the driveway of National and inched my way into a parking space. The night was warm and humid the exhaust fumes just hung around and made the night air grey. The haze was no annoyance, this was the spirit of horsepower.

My Chevelle was ready for this night, the car was unmistakable with a bright Vega Orange paint job that sat in stark contrast to the Blue, Black and Red muscle cars of the day. The big block was bored .40 over, with an Holley 850 double-pumper, Hooker headers, a Powerglide with a high-stall converter, B&M shifter and 9” slicks wrapped around Corvette rally wheels. Ready, if someone wanted to meet at Abott Drive by the Airport for a late night street race.

Nothing worth mentioning happened that night. But, I can still remember seeing my car parked at National amongst the best cars on the street. Nowadays, that collection of cars would command millions at Barrett Jackson.

Cars like “ThunderColt” a Pearl White Mach 1 Mustang, a Black 1969 COPO Camaro, Hemi cars of all types, a flamed H.O. 455 Olds, the dual-quad Galaxy lightweight that ran pop-can Thrush glass packs. So many notable cars that were impressive then for their command of the street not the auction block.

I guess those days and those cruise nights are gone forever? Today, liability limits the parking lots and corporate-minded promoters organize the cruise. I’ll keep searching and if you know of a place that still exists, let me know. Maybe I will visit it sometime!

Barrett-Jackson 2006 Revisited

Every January Barrett-Jackson plops a giant tent in the Arizona desert and sells some of the finest cars, trucks and motorcycles in the world. This year bonspeed brought five concept cars and Sammy Hagar's GT500 Shelby to the event.

It was hard to see these cars cross the auction block. Each represents hours of fabrication, our original ideas and the collective creative soul of the bonspeed crew. The cars included the 2004 bonspeed X-Type Jaguar, 2003 "Speed Cult" Pontiac Sunfire, 2004 bonspeed "Banshee" F 150, 2005 bonspeed "Black Rose" Mustang GT and the 2003 Saleen "bonspeed Edition" Thunderbird.

Sure we emptied the warehouse and refueled the bank account by selling these cars. Still it was difficult to see the cars drive away. in one case literally. The new owner of the F-150 drove his new purchase home, even after I advised against it. The bonspeed concepts are not just show cars they are one-off vehicles built for the factories and really represent part of american car culture and history. It was nice to know these enthusiasts bought our cars out of the 1500 or so at the event, but deep down I had hoped they would go to a museum or maybe a foreign country. Some place I could visit them regularly or that far off land where I would never again see them.

The F-150 buyers trip home, Phoenix to Palm Springs, it is just what the truck was built to do, however, I recommended, after you familiarize yourself with the GT motored six-speed road demon. I also directed him to the fiberglass front fascia and like all of the bonspeed concepts, it represented the only one in the world. A late night run across the desert might prove fatal to such a part!

Maybe I'm just an automotive parent who hates to see the kids leave or maybe deep down I wish they still had a place in my warehouse?

It was the Monday after Barrett-Jackson and the phone rang at the office, it was him! I wondered, what happened is my truck wrecked...ummm....is his truck wrecked? Worse, maybe it was something mechanical and he was stranded in some desert town and totally pissed at me. I picked up the phone and his cheery voice exclaimed something to the effect of, "What a truck! I got 18 miles to the gallon and it drove perfect, I love this thing.

I hope the other cars are appreciated and will be put to good use, I even hope to see them again some day. Now it is time to begin filling that warehouse again and we have already begun working on two new concept cars here at the bonspeed studios. When the time is right we will tell you about them here. We will design them, build them and some day sell them.

See the cars at: www.bonspeed.com
Also Visit the new bonspeed homepage

Rock-N-Road Michael Anthony & Sammy Hagar On Tour

It was hot, really hot last Friday when I jumped in the car and fought Friday traffic on the 15 Freeway. If you don’t live in Los Angeles you cannot imagine how many people pile in their cars to drive the 15 on their way to Las Vegas.

But who am I to complain? I was headed to the Glen Hellen Pavillion; just off the 15 freeway for an afternoon in the sun at Michael and Sammy’s pre-tour rehearsal. This would be the last fine tune before they head out for an entire summer of concerts. They had invited some close friends and family to watch the run-through of songs and last changes.

Sammy, who I had not seen since the Barrett-Jackson auction; when we sold his Shelby was in great spirits. It was either he was ready for a summer tour or he had already hit the Cabo Wabo tequila bar? Michael was trying out each of his bass guitars and tuning his bonspeed designed Ford GT bass he will be using this summer.

Guitar Row Backstage

These car guys will be away from their cars all summer, so support them by attending as many shows as possible! If you are up front where Michael can hear you, give a shout out for bonspeed, Michael will surely give you the big thumbs up!

Check out these links for tour dates and more information!
http://redrocker.com/
http://madanthonyblog.blogspot.com/
http://madanthonycafe.com/

Von Dutch - Ed Roth - Rat Fink & Robert Williams

Car Art: Ed Roth, Rat Fink Von Dutch

A few weeks ago, I attended an RM Auction at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. The auction was a collection of art and memorabilia from the Brucker Collection. This auction was a collection of items from the once museum; Movie World: Cars of the Stars that closed in 1979.

When they cleaned out the museum the brothers Bruckner stored anything and everything in an airplane hanger. This included a turbine powered car, to paintings, signs and even personal items from such low brow artists as Von Dutch, Ed Roth and Robert Williams!

The treasure trove survived thanks to these guys and was vast because Roth worked for them and Von Dutch had his home there (an old bus parked out back). Every sign, toolbox and office item has now become a part of Kustom Kulture because the hands of these artists and usually their striping brushes touched them!

The auction was small and attended by true enthusiasts of the low brow art world. I ran into a few old friends like Craig Stysek a supporter of the art since before it was cool to like the style.

I must say, I felt that estimates were low in the catalog but the prices even surprised me! The Von Dutch pinstriping box fetched an incredible $270,000, the tailgate from his truck got a whopping $149.000.

Roth items also grabbed some big prices like $25,300 for an ink drawing used for t-shirt and sticker art. Almost all of those drawings went for prices in the thousands of dollars.

I had my eye on a few items like the Howard Hughes motor on a pinstriped stand by Von Dutch. One of the many paintings by Robert Williams or the striped tool boxes, those however were scooped up by much wealthier enthusiasts than me!

Later in the day I found my chance and was able to get something for my own collection! An original Ed Roth ink drawing complete with a monster, blown motor and huge tires. The drawing was mine at the drop of the hammer and I can now say I own something that Roth drew in the 1960’s.

Check out all of the auction results at: http://rmauctions.com/index.cfm

Click Below to Visit our Other Blog!

Why Car Guys Love Cool T-Shirts

James Dean and Steve McQueen both were t-shirt guys that enjoyed cars. Both of these icons had the choice of any t-shirt; as long as it was white. We have the choice today of t-shirts emblazoned with virtually any type of car, performance product or event.

T’s are great because they show your pride in Chevrolet, Ford, Mopar, Ferrari or whatever you drive. Now they come in a variety of colors including the ever popular belly-reducing black. Admit it, black looks cool and promotes your bad-boy image, but, it also hides the results of too many late night burger runs.

Ebay has a great selection of vintage t-shirts and even some very nice reproductions. You can also find a huge selection of car-guy t-shirts at car shows. The t-shirt tells the world who you are and what you like, it also says you have style; so I would recommend a bonspeed T!

http://www.bonspeed.com
http://www.ebay.com

For Sale 1967 Chevelle SS

My Dad asked if I was interested in looking at a car his friend had for sale? I was 15 years and 11 months old, so needless to say, I would have looked at a ratted-out Pinto. Dad then told me that his friend had a 1967 Chevelle for sale, an SS he added.

Although, my Dad always had powerful Fords with 429 Interceptor motors he was not what you would call a car guy. His cars were ordered with the legendary motors because he traveled a lot and wanted the power for the open highway. When he uttered the words Chevelle, immediately followed by SS, he honestly didn’t realize my knees were weak.

All Dad knew was his buddy had a car that seemed like something I might like and it fit my budget. Yes, three words that are never mentioned in the same sentence anymore; “muscle car and budget”. It was 1978 and this 1967 Chevelle Super Sport with a 396 and posi-traction rear end could be mine for a post negotiation price of $535.00.

This 35,000 mile Chevelle was all original in Marina Blue with a black interior. This is the car we all dream of finding in a garage or barn today. In 1978 it was transportation for a family in Iowa and was soon to become mine!

I bought the car with my paper route money and the proceeds from selling my YZ80 dirt bike. Times change and today cars like this even in nearly junkyard condition, fetch $5-$6k while a 30,000 mile original would cost far more than paper route money.

Unlike so many people who can only wonder what happened to the muscle car they drove in high school, I know. My Chevelle sits apart awaiting restoration in my garage. It was a high-milage car when stored and now after 26 years of gathering dust, it is a low-milage jewel. I better get that car back on the road before I’m high-milage and unrestorable!

Hot Rods Need To Be Reinvented!

It was a great idea in the 1950s when guys began building hot rods. They were bored, wanted cars that would go faster and desired something with a cool, new look. In the 1960’s, hot rods took a turn toward futuristic design with bubble tops and gimmicks.

It was the late 1970s that hot rods again changed, builders wanted cars that handled better and took advantage of the technology of the day. Jaguar independent rearends, power windows and late model drivetrains found their way under the bodies of the 1920s and 1930s. It was thought that these cars could get no better.

As the 1980s dawned, innovative thinkers reinvented the hot rod again, the “Vern Luce Coupe” and the “Jamie Musselman Roadster” dramatically changed hot rods forever! These two hand-built hot rods utilized aerospace machining technology and artistic vision to create what is considered commonplace today. These were the hot rods that introduced billet wheels, billet components, smooth style and laid-back grills and windshields.

The 1990s saw this style of hot rod refined and developed virtually every way possible. It was a fantastic time for hot rodders as imagination, innovation and opportunity loomed around every shop. As the Millennium grew closer so did the anticipation that a new era in hot rodding would dawn. Who would usher in the next era? What new style would some innovative hot rodder develop?

Just like the ballyhooed Y2K scare, nothing happened! It is now 2006 and still no new innovative look has emerged. The cars that win Riddler and the GNRS all would look virtually the same if painted white. The smooth look sans door handles and flush mounted everything is now overdone. The only new look in hot rods has been rat rods. I love rat rods and have been happy to see this trend grow, but it is the restoration of a 1950s look.

Sure, I see cars that I really like and I see parts or small details that scream with innovation. What I don’t see, is a fresh new look, an overall design that changes how everyone imagines building a hot rod. Maybe it is the intimidation of the high six-figure cars that scares away anyone from trying. It could be that anyone who cares enough is looking to retirement and, hot rods are becoming a dying breed.

Will hot rods be replaced with the next generations interest in muscle cars? That is where the money is being spent, just look at Alan Johnson’s latest project, a 1971 Plymouth Cuda that has raised the bar and the standard for muscle cars or street machines, as you like. Nothing like that has found its way from a shop wearing a hot rod skin. It could be an evolution that will dawn, not the revolution of style.

The time is now for hot rod builders to take a forward looking eye at what they build. Hot rods have become a big business and any good businessman knows that products trend and that your next product better be new and improved!

See More Photos and read about the Alan Johnson built Cuda:
http://popularhotrodding.com/editorial/0604phr_cuda/

Hot Rods by Boyd 10.5 Years Ago

A little over ten years ago my days were filled with attorneys, accountants and tons of billet aluminum. It was 1995 and I had just achieved a tremendous goal, taking Hot Rods by Boyd and Boyds Wheels public!

I was the guy behind the scenes; Boyd Coddington’s business partner and President of both companys. Just six years earlier, I had joined a small but creative hot rod shop and now we were listed on NASDAQ. You have heard the saying, “These are the best of times and the worst of times.”. That pretty much sums up my last year with Boyds.

PHOTO: Boyd Coddington and Brad Fanshaw on Wall Street the day of Boyds I.P.O. 1995

The best of times are so endless, that I cannot even list them all, but here are some highlights:
• Leading the creative marketing and a team that crafted some of the finest hot rods and innovative wheels ever built!
• Working with Harry Hibler (Hot Rod Magazine’s Publisher) and Gray Baskerville (Hot Rod Magazine Legend)
• An assembly of the finest employees and friends to work with; such as all of the Swedes like Larry, Karl, Andy, Pele and Johnny, Keith Russell and Greg Morrell (Painters Extraordinary), Jesse James, Chip Foose and Lil’ John Buttera. Yeah it was quite a team!
• The planning and completion of the I.P.O.
• Having a job that was all about cars!

Instead of going into the worst parts, I’ll leave it on the positive side. The people, the cars and the projects are what made Boyds the incredible company it was. When I resigned and sold my stock in the company, I thought that I was out of hot rod and wheel business forever. If you love cars, I mean really love cars you can’t just walk away.

Many things happen in ten years and it was 1996 that I was starting a new part of my automotive life, that is when bonspeed was born. Born under the name Bonneville Sports and later the Bon was combined with Speed; “bonspeed”. This blog represents a new era and it is a great way to begin the next ten years.

That brings me back to a question, where were you? Leave your comments about where you were ten years ago and what you drove.

Top photo:
Boyd and I proudly showing off the newest creation from Hot Rods by Boyd. The Larry Erickson designed “Smoothster”, a hot rod that set new standards. With us is the team of craftsman who made the cars from Hot Rods by Boyd reality. Look just behind me and you will see Chip Foose, he had just recently been hired to sketch the hot rods.

http://www.bonspeed.com
http://www.bonnevilleworldwide.com

Car Collectors Need More Room!

The wish for a larger garage is never satisfied, no matter how many square feet. We all could use just a little bit more room. You have most likely seen the guy in a magazine with a huge car collection that sits in a 25,000 square foot warehouse. Undoubtedly, he has said at least once, “I could use a little more room.”

Now, I do not have a garage that is anywhere near 25,000 square feet, but I feel quite lucky to have a sizable garage. By Orange County, California standards, I have a huge garage. Mine is 1500 square feet and that does not include the garage where my wife parks her car. I actually should say, where she previously parked her car, before, I installed the car lift and stored another three vehicles in her space.

There was a time when the family room or den was the guys domain, now for car guys it’s the garage. Today, some garages have cable or satellite TV, phones, internet, heat and A/C. The days of impressing your friends by having the old refrigerator filled with beer in the garage are past.

Organizing a garage is also a big deal and having the best hardware is essential. Everyones needs are different but some items are just “Must Haves”! Here are a few things that anyone could use in their garage.

Cord or Air Hose Hanger:
If you still have an old Cragar SS hanging on the