10 Days until Symco Shakedown - Summer Camp for Hot Rodders!

Last year was a blast....this year will be even better I am sure.

Last year there was high percentage of chance of rain.....that did not stop the faithful from coming out and having a good time.  Bands, pin-up contest, mini bikes, camping on site, and the coolest grounds in the USA for a car show.

Be there!!!

I will be!

http://www.symcoshakedown.com/

Thunderstorms and Neon Signs - Iron Invasion October 6 Woodstock IL

Wayne the Train Hancock is set to play Iron Invasion around 1 pm  at the McHenry County Fairgrounds - details http://www.ironinvasion.com/

Kustom Kemps of America is THE show in Kansas!

this is the show to be at - TODAY!
Salina Kansas!!!

FRIDAY NIGHT in Salina KS - DRAG RACING - check the video!!!

YES - every Friday night at the Kustom Kemps of America show in Salina KS they have a Drag Race in the park - it is amazing!!!

KKOA 2011 Video Highlights - Salina KS THIS WEEEKEND!

Many hear me going on and on about the KKOA at the different shows I attend....
Well - here is a video sample of what the show has to offer.
And yes we sell the DVD on the site - http://www.vintagetorque.com/
Seeya in Salina!!!!

What IS Iron Invasion?

RAIN OR SHINE!
Iron Invasion  October 6, 2012  Woodstock Illinois
$10 Weekend Pass Per Person - Free Vehicle Entry with Paid Admission
75 Miles from Milwaukee
45 Miles from Ohare Airport
43 Miles from Rockford
Iron Invasion is a Tradtional Hot Rod, Custom, & Cycle Show
No Billet - No Modern Wheels - No Digital Guages
Cars - '64 and older - Motorcycles '75 and older
Special FRIENDS parking for Muscle & Other Classic Cars
Complete Entry Guidelines are on the site
http://www.ironinvasion.com/


Iron Invasion is Not the Typical Show....Why?
Swap Meet - Vintage Parts and Automobilia Only (Hosted By Tin Butchers)

D.I.Y. Stunt Show - Take a lap in the pit to see how dirty you can get - or just burn 'em off!!!!

Classic Pin Up Contest

Classic Bike/Custom Bicycle Section

Model Car Display Area
A Very Special Showing of The Chrisman Brothers Coupe - one of the most influential cars of all time.
Iron Invasion Photo Booth! - Print Your Souvenir on the spot or post to Facebook

Vintage Kid Parade - Dress up the kids under 12 in their favorite vintage attire!
Special Car Club Display Building - Check out the ONE car each car club from the region has chose to represent thier name in the CC Hall

Retro Reels Cinema - Take a break from the outside - sit down and watch some history in action - vintage drags, stock cars, and other tasty treats from the past will be shown on the big screen.
Camping is available overnight - Friday & Saturday night

Historic Hot Rods & Customs Inside/Outside All 5 Buildings

Vendors from East / West Coast

PRE PARTY - Oct 5, 2012
Oct. 5 Pre Party/Cruise - AT THE GROUNDS
Pre Party West starts at Hopperstad Customs - Belvidere IL
Pre Party East starts at Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle - Addison IL
Both Pre Partys 4:00 Pm to 6:00 Pm
Cruise To Iron Invasion Friday Night to see Pearls Mahone & ???
Check the site for the latest details!

LIVE MUSIC
Wayne "The Train" Hancock
Hot Rod Hucksters
DJ Del Villareal from Motorbilly Radio will be spinning the tunes all day!
Jump up on Facebook and get your request in now!
www.facebook.com/del.villarreal
Others Will Be Announced - Check the Site!
AWARDS - Presented by YOU!
Iron Invasion Does Not Give Out Trophies
Individuals and Car Clubs CAN present their picks for what THEY feel were some of the choice vehicles on site.
Merlin Award - Victory Performance Fresh Traditional Build/$500 Award
See Website for Details!

Summer Road Trip 2012

Our road trip begins in about 16 hours....
First stop will be Salt Flats Racing in CO to see some shops and some first class fabrication.  Hope to film some for an upcoming Vintage Torque DVD segment.
On the way to LA we are gonna try to check out the Natural Bridges park in UT. And perhaps stop by and see some Bare Bones CC members in Las Vegas.
Then on to LA and make some buisness meetings happen.
Hopefully get a chance to hit Disney and check out the new Cars section that was added that includes artwork from Keith Weesner and Max Grundy!
After that - it will be another 90 minutes south and hit the giant geek fest - San Diego Comic Con.
I will be right at home.
This will be a road trip consisting of my eldest daughter and I.
We are going to have a blast.
Seeya on the road!

MAD MEN FINK - Auction NOW on Facebook - Bid here

This week we are auctioning off another Rat Fink that was unable to make it on to the main stage at the show.
We thank Milo from Modesto for doing this way cool Mad Men Rat Fink for the Hannah Wells Medical Trust.
Anyone that does not realize the story behind the show....
check out the site:
http://www.helpinghannahsheart.org/

Please bid here or on the John Wells Facebook page. Simply put an amount in the comments section of the picture.

While the gate proceeds for our events goes to help families with children that have congenital heart problems, Hannah Wells Medical Trust benefits directly from the sale of the art at the show.
So we thank everyone for supporting the event and specifically helping us out with all the medical bills.
For those that dont realize...last year we had to spend $18K on medical bills.....and this was a healthy year.  So we truly appreciate everyone helping out - from the artists that come up with these masterpieces to those that spend $$$ on some killer one of a kind art.
Thank You.

NEWS! - Where you should be....Summer 2012

->BIG NEWS - Vintage Torque DVD #7 is Available NOW!
->Vintage Torque Fest has moved to Dubuque
->Shows that YOU should be attending this summer
->Punk Rod Todd Lives On
->Iron Invasion Pre Registration is OPEN

Have not been able to email anyone lately...
Been crazy busy on the road and finishing up the Vintage Torque DVD #7
see preview HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWmsbL0yTL0
More info on the dvd here:
http://p4.hostingprod.com/@vintagetorque.com/DVD7.html

For those that did not know - we outgrew the Maquoketa location and have moved the Vintage Torque Fest to Dubuque.
We loved the grounds and all the support from the local community. Quite simply there was a lack of hotels, and we ran out of room for the swap meet, camping, spectator parking etc.
If we continue to grow at the rate we have in the past.....
there will be no where to put people next year.  This is why we had to move the event to a bigger location. Mark your calenders now for May 3/4, 2013 for the coolest show in Iowa.  Details at :  http://www.vintagetorquefest.com/

Just got back from the Punk Rod Todd Memorial Run and for anyone that did not know him....he was the coolest.
His wife is needing help these days since they did not have health insurance - if anyone goes to Greaserama this year - PLEASE donate some extra $$$ to help her out.  Punk Rod Todd was the creative vision behind Greaserama all those years ago and we know that the show will continue to grow with the help of all Los Punk Rod brothers.

Other shows of interest that will be coming up soon:
Barnyard Boogie in Monee IL - July 13-14
Bearded Lady Bike show in Minneapolis - July 21
Meltdown Drags July 21-22
Kustom Kemps of America in Salina Kansas - July 27-29
Battle at the Hill - Indiana Aug 5
Aug 10-11 SYMCO Shakedown - Wisconsin
Aug. 18, 2012 Relix Riot - Gilmore Auto Museum (Kalamazoo, MI)
Cheaterama  @ The Nite OwlAug. 25, 2012  Milwaukee, WI
Bombs Away Bash  Aug 25, 2012 East Peoria, IL
GREASERAMA Labor Day Weekend - Boulevard Drive Inn Kansas City MO
 StarLiner Sept 9-11 Wichita KS
Run Whatcha Brung Drag Fest - Cordova IL Sept 29
Iron Invasion  Oct 6, 2012  Woodstock IL
Iron Invasion Pre Registration is now open - if you pre register you will get the DVD in the mail, an exclusive sticker only available to those that pre reg and you get in 30 minutes early.
If you dont know about the show....click on the link below.

Hope to seeya at a show soon.

John Wells