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Event Coverage Autorama Houston 2012

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tfeverfred, Nov 24, 2012.

  1. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    I've been going to the Houston Autorama for 38 years. The few times I missed it, I was away from home in the Navy. In Houston it's a Thanksgiving tradition for car guys. I used to go as a dreamer. Even when I had a car, I never entered for various reasons. The main one being that my T Bucket is my daily and I couldn't leave it locked up for the duration of the show.

    This year, an outdoor exhibit was added for Fri. and Sat. during the day. The times were 9-4pm and afterwards you just drive home. The fee was $50 each day, which seems high, but the goody package made up for the cost. Two tickets for the inside show, a t-shirt and a plaque. A SMALL plaque.

    So, this year, I had a 38 year old dream come true. I entered my hotrod in the autorama. The number of outside cars was great. We were lined up on the street right in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. I made a few friends and folks seemed to like my T. Maybe because it was the only one.:D

    So, here's some pics that I thought were HAMB friendly. There were more, but I spent the better part of the day outside. I may get more tomorrow. Anyway..... here's what caught my eye. Enjoy!

    Here's my T FINALLY being shown at the Autorama. My dad would have been proud.

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    This trunk lid belongs to a Chevy shoebox owned by my friend Jerry, President of the "H-Bombs". He just got his ride repainted and these stripes kick major ass!

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    The "H-Bombs".

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    Now..... random rides.

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  2. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    About the swapmeet. There were a FEW items that caught my eye, but for the most part, pickings were slim. Or perhaps, my eye isn't keen enough. But in my opinion, it was basicly a toy store and crafts exhibit. I spotted a VERY used six Stromberg setup & manifold for a SBC and the guy wanted $1,850. I thoought that was kinda high considering the condition. But again, maybe my taste and knowledge are a factor.

    The food prices were CRAZY!!! A small tray of nachos and a gatorade were..... wait for it....... $9! Jebus Christo! Note to self..... pack a lunch.

    The number of cars inside was impressive. This was probably the biggest number of cars I've seen here in a few years. Rumor had it that this was the last year at the GRB convention center. Next year may be at Reliant Stadium Hall. Which would be cool because I live 7 miles from it.

    My drive into downtown was a humbling experience, as the temp was about 50*. I weathered it and had my T pegged the whole way. That's about a 15 mile ride. Wind chill about 40*. It took an hour for my nuts to thaw!:eek: I was shaking so bad that when I registered, the guy thought I was a crackhead, due to my shaky hand writing.:D
     
  3. MUNCIE
    Joined: Jan 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,347

    MUNCIE
    Member
    from Houston

    Congrats on being able to show your T. I bet the ride was worth it.
    Thanks for posting up some pics!
     
  4. THE BRONSON
    Joined: Jan 14, 2008
    Posts: 338

    THE BRONSON
    Member

    Congrats man, that show is a blast. Wish I could have been there this year, the man's got me working though.

    Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
     

  5. butch27
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 2,847

    butch27
    Member

    Way to go Fred. A dream come true.The old gang would have been proud--Rick, Thomas- ME etc.
     
  6. Anyone get pics of the Winfield display ?
     
  7. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,174

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  8. Great pics and story,
    Thanks for posting them up!
     
  9. sololobo
    Joined: Aug 23, 2006
    Posts: 8,378

    sololobo
    Member

    Thanx for some nice coverage, and congrats! on gettin the T to the show. I see a bunch of super cars, love Jerry's 53 Chevy coupe, that striping is off the hook. Thanx for sharin bro. The white 55's Chevy picup with red accents near the Summitt banner is sweet. ~sololobo~
     
  10. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,005

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Great story, thanks!
     
  11. aldixie
    Joined: May 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,662

    aldixie
    Member

    Well done Fred. Looks like I'll be going up there today.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2012
  12. flathead okie
    Joined: May 22, 2005
    Posts: 1,480

    flathead okie
    Member

  13. Sam Navarro
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 758

    Sam Navarro
    Member

    Congrats sir, I wasnt able to make it this year because my band had shows booked but it looks like another great turn out & I like the new outdoor display. I hope to have my Chevy entered next year when she is finished!
     
  14. loco 52 ragtop
    Joined: Apr 13, 2006
    Posts: 389

    loco 52 ragtop
    Member

    i have no pics but we work with him friday and saturday choping a 51 chevy hardtop.
     
  15. carlisle1926
    Joined: May 19, 2010
    Posts: 536

    carlisle1926
    Member

    This was the first time in many years that I wasn't set up as a vendor. I went out as a spectator for the first time since 1994. Someone did a great job on the Winfield backdrop where they were doing a live top chop demonstration.
     
  16. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

  17. junkyardjools
    Joined: Jul 3, 2009
    Posts: 12

    junkyardjools
    Member
    from Detroit

    Last edited: Nov 25, 2012
  18. junkyardjools
    Joined: Jul 3, 2009
    Posts: 12

    junkyardjools
    Member
    from Detroit

    Can you get me some pictures of the backdrop? I only have one while I was painting it in the shop up here in Michigan, thanks!

    If you want, you can see them in my album , I just posted them up here.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2012
  19. H.G. Wells
    Joined: Mar 11, 2006
    Posts: 386

    H.G. Wells
    Member

    That is normally my escape from the inlaws. $50 does not sound that bad if it keeps you from paying for parking (outrageous) and you get to take a cooler and have your own frosty adult beverage and snacks.

    Did Thanksgiving last weekend with them instead.

    Fred, maybe next year I will see your hotrod in person.
     
  20. loco 52 ragtop
    Joined: Apr 13, 2006
    Posts: 389

    loco 52 ragtop
    Member

  21. loco 52 ragtop
    Joined: Apr 13, 2006
    Posts: 389

    loco 52 ragtop
    Member

  22. loco 52 ragtop
    Joined: Apr 13, 2006
    Posts: 389

    loco 52 ragtop
    Member

  23. LOWCAB
    Joined: Aug 21, 2006
    Posts: 1,989

    LOWCAB
    Member
    from Houston

    I wasn't able to go even though I had planned on it. Ah life. How did the chop go?
     
  24. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    I forgot to tell about the parking. It was $20-25 anywhere near the convention center. I didn't know that until I was driving to the show. When it got to $10, some years back, I'd take the rail and walk the 4 or 5 blocks. Of course this limits what you can carry, if you make a score at the swapmeet. So, that definately made it worth while to be in the outdoor show.

    I never go downtown for a concert or ball game or anything else for that matter. The parking is expensive and unorganized. A lot of times, the people collecting money don't look like they work for the parking lot. Where do they get these bums? A couple weeks ago, there was a concert, a basketball game and some other crap, all at the same time. There were people who missed half the concert stuck in traffic. The same thing leaving. Houston is a fun city to live in, but sometimes the planning is piss poor backwoods thinking. All the city wants is money, they don't account for inconvienance.

    Since I didn't go today, I'm going to take the leftover ticket, plaque and a pic of my car and make a small shadow box. It'll be a cool way for me to remember my first showing at the autorama.
     
  25. skyrodder
    Joined: May 7, 2005
    Posts: 1,925

    skyrodder
    Member

    Gene
     

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  26. I had a good time Sunday. I found a free spot to park and got in free because I was voluenteering at a display booth. Seeing Gene Winfield and Omar(Skyrodder) chopping the Chevey was cool. Most all the cars worth seeing(in my opinion) I've already seen at other shows and/or belong to friends. I wouldn't go if I had to pay to get in and not be able to bring my own beer. Too much $$$/not enough traditional hot rods.
     
  27. pasadenahotrod
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 11,775

    pasadenahotrod
    Member
    from Texas

    Fred, one of the best cold weather rides in Houston in a roadster is a speedy run around the 610 loop, then exiting at North Main and running straight through downtown. A real fun jaunt also includes a banzai pass from the west loop onto 59N and through the "valley" then up onto the overhead by GRB.
    These trips are most fun at 2 AM in 30 degree weather.
     
  28. HighSpeed LowDrag
    Joined: Mar 2, 2005
    Posts: 968

    HighSpeed LowDrag
    Member
    from Houston

    I like the fact that you posted a picture of one of the cars that I painted. One of the other ones I helped on and both won awards.
     
  29. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    It's been a while, but I've done the loop 610 and 59 into downtown. I still have an image of a Vette driver and passanger I blew by. It was 6am on a Sunday. GREAT fun! But NOT at 45* or less. Windchill puts that at about 35*.
     

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