Monday, October 31, 2011

Go Buy the new issue of Ol Skool Rodz - Vintage Torque Fest coverage!!!
















wow - it is on the shelves NOW - go pick it up!!!




We are super stoked by the coverage we got in the newest issue of Ol Skool Rodz!




Check it!




sorry for the lack of Halloween post - but I am too busy getting out there and getting some candy!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Oliver Built Group PINK HELMET AUCTION - to help pay medical bills























Well - I finally unearthed the last of the helmets that were supposed to be auctioned off at the FIRST Vintage Torque Fest.



yeah - yeah - I know...organization is not my strong suit....


This was a very popular one and the work that went into it was crazy.


Lace work - striping - super nice. ALAN McWILLIAMS did the lace and base paint.

DEN OLIVER did the pinstriping and Oliver Group did the super cool bag that comes with this amazing piece.



Thanks to all involved and hope that you will want to bid to help out with some medical bills.



For those that dont know what is going on:http://www.helpinghannahsheart.org/


This auction $$$ will go directly to the Hannah Wells Medical Trust.


Info on payment will be provided once the auction is complete.



For those that dont know about the art show we have every year in conjunction with Torque Fest - you should check it out.


This year we will be getting artists from around the world to do their version of Rat Fink!


At the shows these helmets were bringing about $125-$200


Hope you will go on the HAMB or on Facebook to bid - THANKS























Thursday, October 27, 2011

Last Hunnert Car Pile Up The First Iron Invasion & Donna's Caddy Amb...



wow - I had no idea we would get so much coverage from this local Chicago cable show!!!
THANKS CHUCK!
And of course - the Chrome Czars - we are eternally grateful for your support.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Lucky Tubb to play Vintage Torque Fest May 5, 2012



OK - two of my favorite artists collaborated on the above song.
Wayne the Train Hancock and Lucky Tubb

Wayne will be playing the Iron Invasion Oct. 6, 2012
Lucky Tubb will be playing Vintage Torque Fest May 5, 2012.

If you can't dig this music....
well....
sorry.
There is a LOT to do and see at these events so if you prefer to look at the cars or art or swap meet - then go to it.
ME.....
I will be front and center for both of these guys!
www.myspace.com/luckytubb

http://www.waynehancock.com/

Sunday, October 23, 2011

don't mess with THE SLACKERS






so after getting past the initial rough exterior of these Southside Chicago boys......they are really decent guys. AND talented.
Glad to know they are down with the cause - for BOTH - The Vintage Torque Fest and the Iron Invasion.






http://slacker-carclub.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 21, 2011

Need Your Opinion - Was I a JERK?






OK - so here is an email I just got from someone - let me know if I was outta line with the response.






From: Disgruntled Biker Guy
I will agree that Torque Fest was a huge hit! And we all will be there again next year. But I got to say I have only one disapointment......the vintage bike show? Pre 1970? wow there were so many custom billet bikes there (In addition to the vintage bikes) and the one that won....? Nice sled but by no means a vintage bike, I mean really. I know your hands were tied on this but maybe someone should be judging that does not know the winner and does know what a true vintage bike is. It seems that every bike show you see anymore , the winner is a friend or a person that knows the judges or works for them? It is at a point that ..why bring my bike? There were Pans, Shovels



My Response:

not sure what show you are referring to........Vintage Torque Fest does NOT give out trophies. - This is CLEARLY stated on the website. Click on AWARDS link. Yes we have CLUBS that present their picks - but this is NOT sanctioned by Vintage Torque Fest.....why?cause people get all pissed off and start moaning about what won this and what won that - its all bull. Who cares what won?It is only a matter of one guys opinion................I have seen this directly with the ISCA - and this has thousands of dollars for winners on the line - it simply gets down to one guys opinion of what is "correct" - even though there are supposed "rules" in place to prevent this type of thing from happening.....awards - trophies - they are all lame.






If you are there for some kind of "award"You are there for the wrong reason.




As for the motorcycle section being "screwed up" last year - yes - fer sure.The guys on the gate that were supposed to be letting ONLY the vintage bikes or retro style bikes in....they left their post about 230 pm on Sat. As a result - newer bikes came into the show - they were NOT welcome and I tried to get them out.These people that came in on the "new" v twin crap did NOT understand the show and can stay home next year if they want to disrespect the rules again.
We had a special parking area for those bikes but they simply chose to ignore the rules.
Not cool.
If you were one of those bikes - then you know how we feel.
If you had something cool and vintage - we apologize to you for letting that "new" stuff in.
If you still dont understand what we are all about.........well...not sure what to tell ya
in case you did not read the entry requirements:




Bring out your Norton, Triumph, vintage Harley or Indian, or BSA. Yes, custom Jap bikes are welcome. As long as the bikes will be something that looks like it would be in Choppers magazine circa 1969, Cycle Source or DicE magazine.
Occ Bikes, touring bikes, and fat boys are welcome - but will have special parking outside.
Bikes must be old-school/traditional looking choppers, bobbers, or pre ‘75cafe racers. All pre-1965 STOCK motorcycles are welcome. Jap bikes are OK - no crotch rocketsthough - take a look at the current trends in Japan - the Yamaha SR400 is being transformed intosomething completely new.
1. No art bikes
2. No stock bikes
3. No twin cam Harleys
4. No new Indians, Buell, Big Dog, or West Coast Chopper/OCC style bikes
5. No aluminum wheels
6. No wide rear tires
7. EVO bikes are OK - just need to be TRADITIONAL STYLE!
In order to get everyone in and parked quickly, there will be no reserved
parking. If your club wants to park together, you must arrive together.
We reserve the right to refuse entry to any vehicle that we feel does not fit the spirit of the show






From your email - I could not understand if you were bringin a "new" bike or something old.



This was only our second year at our event and the first for trying to incorporate the motorcycles into the show.






We have had a LOT of resistance from the car guys about letting in the motorcycle guys.I have no idea why.






Perhaps there really is a different mindset between the two.For me and my friends - we all get along and we all appreciate the cool bikes and cars.....
I guess some people dont "get it"
We hope that you will want to join us again and have a good time.



Bottom line - this event is NOT about trophies - it is about having a good time and raising money for kids that have life threatening heart issues.If you cant get down with that........well....we will all be having a good time out at Maquoketa May 4/5.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Blast from the Past - Go Cardinals!



ha - well - I am an old TV geek - what can I say.....
also raised in southeast missouri before heading off to california - so I have been raised with the Cardinals as my only "team"