Mickey Thompson was the Real Deal - not just a name on some valve covers

wow - this guy was the real deal....
most hot rod guys know his name from the after market products you see out there with the classic M/T on there.....
but did you know that he was the first American to break the 400 MPH mark in 1960?
He changed the way drag race cars were set up - coming up with the slingshot design.
And brought rear engine racing to Indy 500.
In 1968 he redesigned the funny car for drag racing and it wound up winning the NHRA nationals in 1969.
Those of us in the hot rod scene may know his name.....but we should respect it even more.
If you wanna see some vintage footage click above - OR
come to the pre party at the 29th Annual Rod and Custom show - come ot the back hall and we will be showing vintage racing, and old hot rod footage all weekend long on the big screen.

3 On The Tree to Rock the Joint - QCCA 29th Annual Rod & Custom Car Show

Three On The Tree are gonna be rocking the back hall at the Torque Fest Pre Party coming up Jan 20-22 at the QCCA in Rock Island. Hope you will take a trip to the back to see all the shenanigans that are going on back there.
I think Chuck the Barber will have some tools on hand to help out with the shaggy hair that is running around!
And Todd Jones is gonna come on over and show some of his fantastic art again this year.
We hope that River Rat Cycles will be showing up this year as well.

Bombers Car Club will be in the hall along with some cool cats from Erie Car Club!
And....
dont forget that the Coronados Car CLub will have FREE Torque Fest posters - so be sure to stop by and get yours!
And while you are at it - grab some promo postcards to hand out to the fellow gearheads that were afraid to get outta the house over the weekend.


http://www.facebook.com/pages/3-on-the-Tree/234688999880924

Von Dutch XAVW to be shown @ Torque Fest!

Antique Archaeology will bring Von Dutch XAVW Motorcycle to Torque Fest!

Mike Wolfe of Antique Archaeology has agreed to show the XAVW.

This is a creation that could only come from the visionary - Von Dutch. In 1966 Von Dutch got the idea to throw together a truly rare motorcycle, the XA Harley Davidson (Experimental Army) and a 36 hp VW motor. The result is a one-off piece of history that was thought to be lost to the ages.

After tearing the bike down, Von Dutch sold or traded (depends on who you ask) the XAVW to Ed Big Daddy Roth. The bike was then traded/sold on down the line until recently when Mike Wolfe was given a hint about the current location. After following up on the lead and confirming that this was the real Von Dutch bike from the late 60s', Antique Archaeology purchased the machine from a private owner once the pink slip was shown to still have Ed Roth's name still on it!

Vintage Torque Fest is excited to be able to have such a rare and unique piece on display at the show May 4/5, 2012. This museum quality piece will be on display inside the main hall with the other historic hot rods, kustoms, and cycles. Considering how few items still exist with a verifiable Von Dutch pedigree, this is truly a museum quality piece.

History on display is what you get at Torque Fest, and thanks to Antique Archaeology there will be another cool ride to check out!

www.vintagetorquefest.com

http://www.antiquearchaeology.com/

Vintage Torque Fest VENDOR ALERT - do you plan on being a vendor this year?

OK - so - we have a pretty large waiting list of vendors that want to get into the show........
so if you want to renew your spot from last year - you need to get the $$$ to us!
Email vintagetorque@gmail.com
If you dont have the money to us by end of March, we will consider that as not wanting to do the show and give some other vendors a chance at doing the show.
Artist Alley spots are on a waiting list as well - but please email me if you want to get on the wait list for the artist alley.

NEW Asphalt Fiends Coloring Book 2012 - We Need Your Help!!!

We need your help!

We are trying to assemble art for the 2012 Asphalt Fiends coloring book.

Do you know anyone that would be into getting their art distributed nationally?

The art does NOT have to be new - but does need to be a hot rod/motorcycle with a monster.

And we need the art to be vertical - not horizontal.

300 dpi on 9 x 13 is preferred, or something close to those specs.

This is for medical expenses incurred for Hannah Wells heart surgery, MRI's, x-rays, lab tests, shots, etc.

All participating artists will receive coloring books as a thank you.

Last year we had the following artists contribute art:

Todd Jones, Sinclair, Mark Thompson, Scott Fisk, Chad Lampert, Gary Mizar, Grant Cushman, Anthony Ausgang, Zakka, Joey Finz, Big Toe, 3 Sheets, Jim Hively, Mike Learn, Doug Dorr, Tingler, Eric Foust, Arlo Dillman, BOMONSTER, Ryan Curtis, Ben Mitchell, Ick, Jeff Allison, Corrie Erickson, Max Grundy, Jeff Roads, Bwanadevil, Chad Scheres, Bruce Gossett, David Gabory, Nick Hansen, Ger Peters, and Britt Madding. And a very special cover by Zombie!

More details at:

http://p4.hostingprod.com/@vintagetorque.com/asphaltfiends.html

http://www.helpinghannahsheart.org/

Date Set - Cordova Run Whatcha Brung - Sept. 29, 2012

Cordova Dragway - September 29 - Run Whatcha Brung Drags.

It dont matter if you are pushing 18 seconds - just come on out and have a good time.

This event starts late and goes late.

Special thanks to the Bombers CC out of Peoria for all their help last year - I think 2012 will be much better.

www.runwhatchabrung.com

Welcome 2012 - Dates you should write down NOW!

Yeah yeah - I know - there are so many people out there that feel Bono is lame. But I love mullets - and his is the mulletiest of all.
Be sure to schedule time off of work on May 4 - it is a Friday - you will want to be on the road en route to Maquoketa Iowa about 9am Friday morning to get to Torque Fest in time for the racing and bands.
The show starts at noon on Friday - but you know people will be arriving all day long.
Hope to seeya there - rain or shine.
14 bands - art show - vendors from all over the country - historic hot rods and custom cars inside one building and the killer historic bikes in the other building.
This is a show with one intention:
Have Fun.
and we hope to raise some $$$ for the foundation as well
Speaking of raising $$$ for the foundation - if anyone in the Chicagoland area that wants to have a good time - you should come out to the Burning Love party on Feb 11 at the Flat Iron.
The weekend before that will be the Polar Bear Cruise with Bare Bones CC.
Looks like I will be spending some time in Chicago soon!
And before that is the Torque Fest Pre Party that is held in conjuntion with the 29th Annual Rod and Custom show in Rock Island IL on Jan 20-22.
Who says there is nothing going on in the winter?!!!
http://www.helpinghannahsheart.org/
http://www.vintagetorquefest.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Half-Fast-Chicago/60432778480