Photos/Story: T-Bone
The Del Mar Nationals hosted by Good-Guys Rod and Custom Association is the big event for San Diego County. Sponsored by Meguiars the show was a standout of shiney panels and brightwork.
This is a great show to catch up with friends. The weather this year was a bit drizzly and riding the hog down to the show froze a couple of my digits. It wasn’t till I went through the first main building and then into the Bing Crosby hall when they thawed.
There were some standout rides as well as the Autocross course. I met up with Don Chambers who’s kustom 55 Nomad was in one of the buildings. The orange and gun-metal grey ride features over 90 body mods. Enough to make the Nomad purists to go nuts.
There was plenty of custom metal.
Outside there was a yellow COE, if that wasn’t enough, it featured a Corvette chassis. Then there was John’s rare Ford B400 with a Rolls Royce engine. You may recognize the car from our Garage Tour of Dan Fink Metalworks. Then my buddy and neighbor Wayne rolls through in his big white caddy with his pal Jones. There were some pretty remarkable rides out there. Another Cadillac, this time as a camper, John Oro’s red Blazer and pinup model Sage Marie brought her purple Chevy truck with matching (and equally low) trailer. I like this show because it has a cruise strip right up the middle of the show. And seeing a ’56 Victoria Gasser roll through was pretty cool as the owner was giving his young grandson a ride. Get ‘em hooked early I say.
There was a section for Woodies and even a pool with big clear balls with kids inside trying to balance themselves. Across the cruise strip, there was a Cacklefest going on. One last roll through the main building to catch some of the ultimate trailered cars, a couple of Kaiser Darrin’s one restored and another gasser style. Then I stumbled upon Jim and Denise Payne’s “Too Cool 31” which was far from cool with it’s hot yellow/orange paint and exquisite details. Thing is, this wasn’t trailered. They drive this car EVERYWHERE! What a great couple to give me some of their time sharing their car. Look for a feature soon. Now it’s out to the cruise strip where it loops around and back in the show as I head back north on the Harley and get home sharing the 5 freeway with more classics leaving the show.