Attebury Street Rods, LLC

Closing out 2011

2011-12-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

It's obviously been awhile since we've posted on here, but we didn't want to pass up the opportunity to say Happy Holidays!

This year has been great for ASR, and we hope it's been great to you and yours too! We've finished many and taken on a lot of new projects, many that we are very excited about. The shop has expanded it's specialties once again and is excited about the production of a new Bonneville motorcycle. We're doing a lot more work internationally, and still building street rods of course.

I've made a New Year's resolution to blog more so we can keep you all more up to date with ASR. Until next time, we hope you have a great Christmas and prosperous New Years.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Attebury Street Rods!

First video, Speed Week 2011

2011-08-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our new Australian friends we were able to get an on-board camera in the car this year, thanks Troy for sharing your technology! A little long, but enjoy.

Speed Week 2011 Pictures

2011-08-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

Please stay tuned for a description of the car improvements and race results. In the mean time please enjoy the pictures from Speed Week 2011!

You can also view the web album here, or click on each picture if you want to enlarge it.

We're here and off to work!

Passing tech again

Jack and his jokes

It got a nose job over the off season

Shop apprentice hard at work

Ron built this streamliner about 20 years ago, and now it's on its way to Australia

New paint scheme

Notice the body change?

Duck tape fixes all

Press from Japan

See ya!

The actual prop for "The Fastest Indian"

B's helping and inspecting

Storm's coming!

Smile = Good Run

Storm came!

Third times a charm

John the Australian engineer, and Carl the American engineer, wonder what those two minds could think up?

Ladies cooking breakfast

Too true!

Jack's car that is on this years event poster and shirts

Press from Australia interviewing Ron

Something went missing...on purpose of course

New additions and more dick tape!

Wow, that was a long week, I'm pooped, lets go home

Loading up

Thanks to all for a successful Speed Week 2011!!! All the hard work paid off this year. We'll be back to get that record in 2012, see you then!

Bonneville Speed Week 2011

2011-08-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

We leave for Speed Week in less then 18 hours. But we've been SO busy finishing the car and getting ready we haven't had one second available to get pictures uploaded and update you on the new changes to the Salt Car. There's been lots!

So please stay tuned, and hopefully we can have current pictures and an update posted by Saturday.

Salt Flats here we come!!!

A stroll down memory lane at Infinion Raceway

2011-07-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

Back in the 70’s, Ron’s first career was building dragster chassis for the many Legends of today, like Shirley Muldowney. And the championship dragster that Ron built and Shirley won with has been resurrected with the help of ASR last year. The pink dragster was restored to it's original condition and tentatively will be on display at the FRAM Autolite Nationals this coming weekend at Infinion Raceway. Infinion is hosting their 2^nd annual Nostalgia Get-Together throughout the weekend, which will feature more than 30 vintage racing machines and hot rods in the paddock behind the main grandstand.

ASR will be there on Friday. There's nothing like qualifying under the lights!

1955 Chevy Cameo Pickup

2011-05-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

This recently finished project came to us as an 85% original truck. It was used as a daily driver for many years, until the owner, Dave Newman of San Jose CA, decided it was time for a little face lift. ASR completed the surgery as a complete frame off, nut and bolt restoration. We're happy to say the Cameo turned out show room perfect!

Restoration by Attebury Street Rods, Grass Valley, CA
Paint by Danny Settle of Innovative Auto, Grass Valley, CA
Upholstery by Mike Miller of Miller Rods, Grass Valley, CA

1941 Ford Coupe

2011-05-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

Some metal fab work by Matt on the 41' Ford Coupe.

It's that time of year again!

2011-04-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Pull the car covers off and get ready! This weekend is the jump start of the car show season for Attebury Street Rods, and we're so glad it's finally here. And to top off the good news, Mother Nature is excited too because she's going to grace us with some great weather to enjoy it in.

If you haven't already, check out our Events Page to find a local car show or event here in our backyard of beautiful Northern California.

On Saturday we'll be at one of our hometown shows, the 26th Annual Grass Valley Car Show, taking place in historic downtown Grass Valley. They always do a great job of packing the streets with local rides, and it's always a nice way to spend a Saturday in the gold country.

Also, just added to our Events page is the 3rd Annual B.R. Cohn Charity Car Classic to be held on Sunday, July 3rd. What's better than spending your extended 4th of July holiday weekend in wine country enjoying classic cars, wine, food and music? Sounds like a small piece of paradise to me, wine and cars, two of my favorites! Better yet this event supports the Redwood Empire Food Bank of Santa Rosa, so bring your donations and be ready to have a great time.

Happy cruisin' in twenty eleven folks!

These were the good old days

2011-03-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Robin was looking for an old email and came across this gem of an email she never saw before! Fred Gunton was nice enough to forward us some AWESOME pictures from the 70's of Ron and his dragsters! We absolutely LOVE looking, finding and reminiscing over old pictures of the good old days!

Can't thank you enough Fred!

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

The Nationals (of some kind, does anyone know?) Both Ron Attebury and Shirley Muldowney being pushed back....I wonder who won?

See Ron up in smoke at Ontario, CA? The car that Shirley is driving there is the same car Ron built for her. And that SAME car has been resurrected and is premiering at the March Meet in Bakersfield this weekend!

Ron's top fueler at Washington in 1977

Ron Attebury and Gary Ritter at the Camden Avenue Shop in Campbell, CA

Ron's brother, Raymond Attebury, strapping Ron in, around the early 70's. This was the first car.

A younger, skinnier, and hairier version of Ron Attebury!

37 Roadster Package For Sale

2011-02-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

A long time customer of Attebury Street Rods has decided to not move forward with a current project and he's selling the package he started with for the project.

Here's whats for sale:

1937 Janow Roadster Assembled Body and Fenders (from Williams Street Rods)
Glass Windshield
Aluminum Grill Insert
37 Stretched Frame, Center Crossmember Section, Rear Shock Bars and IFS Front Crossmember

We are asking $15,000 (OBO) for all of the above mentioned. Or we can also turn this started project into a roller for you. If you're interested email or give us a call to give you pricing on the roller.

Connect with us on LinkedIn

2011-01-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

To our online networking fans and customers, are you on the professional network LinkedIn? If so connect with Ron and grow your network today!

Connect with Ron Attebury here!

Attebury Street Rods Custom Parts Page Launched!

2011-01-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce we finally added a Custom Parts page to our site here! It has been a long time coming but finally started and soon to grow in the near furture. We have a few NEW parts Ron will be adding to the inventory this year. Go check out our most popular item for years - The Optima Battery Mount!

2011 Events

2011-01-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

Check out the Events page up top. I've updated all the local Car Shows and Race events that Attebury Street Rods will be attending (or wish we were) in 2011. I must say I'm really excited for some of these events, mainly because we should have some new "in house" cars to take to some of them. Stay tuned in 2011 we have some big things in the works......

Finishing 2010 Strong

2011-01-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

Bob Zieske of Rocklin CA, and his 1937 Ford Cabriolet have once again pulled in an award. At the Goodguys Autumn Get Together in Pleasanton, the '37 won the Best Bitchen Award!

Also, at this same event Bob was approached by a representative from Nitto Tires. The '37 was picked to be one of the featured cars for Nitto in Japan! In May it will be shipped over there to do a display circuit for them.

ASR is thrilled to have one of their customer's cars be recognized and make its way over seas!

Congrats Bob!

Our old stomping ground

2010-09-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I've posted anything, but after hearing this news it was a must for this blog!

If you don't know already, Attebury Street Rods used to operate out of a very small shop in Morgan Hill, CA, when we used to live in San Jose. I loved Morgan Hill, it was a small town (that now has grown rapidly) but still holds onto that homey feeling. It's a popular location for families because of the short commute into the Silicon Valley. But even though the town has grown from farms and fields to business buildings and shopping centers, it still knows how to recognize its roots and bring the town together.

Among many of the small town celebrations the town puts on every year, one is The Taste of Morgan Hill. A street festival down town with what else, food and wine! But like the article below says, its grown and so has the car show that coincides with the weekend event.

This year Gary Thompson of Gilroy, entered his '37 Coupe and took home the Showcase Trophy on Sunday! This car has seen its day in the lights like here, but I'm sure there's more to come for Gary and his beauty! The coupe is clearly an eye catcher with the black and dark candy apple red flames, but like Mark Reuter says in the article it is "subtle and clean," and that is probably another reason it gets attention.

The '37 Coupe also made it on the front page of the local newspaper and the website of the Morgan Hill Times.

Congrats again to Gary! And as I finish this post, I'm actually leaving for a weekend trip to Morgan Hill to visit family, its been a while. Can't wait to wake up and smell the garlic again...

Here's the picture from the newspaper

Bonneville Speed Week 2010 PICTURES!!!

2010-08-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

We're there!

New Scoop

New Steering Wheel

Cheers!

New Primer

Dude your shorts are cool!

Thinking, that's all he ever does.

Good Morning!

Sunrise

Wonder what the feet mean?

Notice the clipboard?

Dale, Carl, Matt, Ron, Bud, Danny and Leo...where's Chet & Brian

There's Chet!

Breakfast

Jack don't forget the station

Yes it is!

Weight!

Brother-in-laws

Captain Carl our engineer

Duck tape!

Notice the look on her face, that helmet is more then likely soaking, and it's not water!

A few additions...

Good bye Bonneville, see you next year!

Speed Week 2010 comes to a close

2010-08-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

There's a light at the end of the tunnel! The guys left Bonneville Wednesday with a positive outlook on the car, even though there was no record achieved this year. But they are VERY HAPPY with the cars performance this year, and feel they have a handle on it now compared to last year.....at least they're hoping. With all the runs they learned something new each time, but they are leaving with the major issue of figuring out the balance of the car. Once that is tackled we should be a competitor for next year...or possibly the finals in October?

We want to THANK everyone that came out and supported us this year, not to mention all the people that were supporting us from off the track! We wish we could of told you we got a record but at least we're having fun. Without your support this experience wouldn't be the same. THANK YOU!

2010-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I'm lagging at updating this on Bonneville! Maybe its because its been like pulling teeth trying to get thourough info from the salt. Here's what has happened since yesterday:

After Monday's last run Ron felt the car was ready, so the plan for Tuesday was to go for it finally. Through the events of the day, including one run where the car got completely sideways, Ron was able to get his 175mph license which entitles him to be able to run the full 5 mile long course. Yay! So that's where we stand this morning, 200mph license here we come!?

Also over the weekend the record for our class was broken again, it was 199mph, now its been bumped to 224mph (I think). I also saw on the the SCTA website the entrys for Speed Week: 521 Entry Forms: 325 cars, 164 bikes and 49 Class Changes (472 Vehicles inspected). WOW, thats a lot of entrys!

Slow and steady wins the race...right?

2010-08-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

Slow progress that is.

First, there was a minor set back in tech. It wasn't anything wrong with the car, but maybe the best way to explain it was a little administration issue...

Now to the racing.

With all the changes the guys made to the car in the off season it was still getting loose on the runs. Luckily this time they brought some weight! With each run they've been moving the weight around and slowly adding more. That was as of yesterday, and I have not yet got a report on today so far. But they were feeling optimistic.

And they must be too busy, and having too much fun to bother sending pictures back to home base for me to share with you. So hopefully later today I'll have more to report on the racing with some pictures!!

Do you have your driver's license yet?

2010-08-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

I'm telling ya, the little people are taking over the shop! Either Barron has some serious cuteness competition going on, or a new girlfriend he didn't tell mommy about!

This is Gracie, Chet Thomas' grandaughter. She visted the shop yesterday and went for a ride!!!

And here's Barron playing with Grandpa in the car as the new Creafoam Seat was setting.

Two more days till Bonneville 2010

2010-08-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned yesterday Salty has had some upgrades done over the year off. Some were much needed, and some were just because we can. But in the end this car is almost all brand new except for some of the body.

First the much needed changes. Ron, Matt and Chet left Bonneville last year with one thing on their minds...how to fix the problem of Salty trying to lift-off into the air. They came back with an idea to relieve the pressure from underneath the car to keep it from lifting. And like most ideas around the shop, they turn into realty. The idea was two tunnels running from the middle of the car to the rear of the car to suck the air out and create down force. So Ron tore the car apart and stared at it for a few weeks, finally all the thoughts and ideas were ready to be put to use. Lets hope these new tunnels direct the air better, if not were bringing some weight just incase!

Next, as you see in the above picture louvers were added because they're cool and we needed them. Next one of the biggest changes to the body was the new air intake for the engine.

It also received a butt lift. A new rearward tilt was added for easy access.

It got a larger water tank for more weight up front and mainly to keep the engine cooler longer.

The cockpit got a new safety device. Its a foam seat insert that forms to the drivers body for a more precision fit. It's called a Creafoam Seat from Bald Spot Sports. Ron feels much more comfortable and that's important.

And one of the last major improvements is the new Air Pressure Sensors, built and designed by Carl Sorensen, aka Captain Carl. And another feature Carl added is a Tilt Over System that deploys the shoots if the car tilts or rolls more then 45 degrees. Talk about a major safety device!

I've never seen the guys so calm today before a race. Tomorrow will consist of a lot of tinkering but mostly loading and packing. More to come on the car later.

SEE YOU THERE!?

The count down to Bonneville 2010!

2010-08-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yes people its time! Are your bags packed and sitting by the door? Have you purchased your sunblock and sun hat? Is your camera ready with new film or empty memory cards? Have you confirmed your hotel reservation, or have you scoped out your spot at The Corner?

But most importantly.....are you feeling a little flushed with SALT FEVER?

Count it, only 3 days left until Attebury Street Rods, along with Matt Dowd and Chet Thomas, hit the salt again at Speed Week 2010. The train will be leaving around 3:30am on Friday, and heading East for the long drive across flat, flat and flatter Nevada.

There has been MANY changes to Salty! He's had many improvements and is eagerly awaiting his 2nd appearance at Bonneville. I will hopefully be updating the blog daily with all the happenings. So stay tuned and wish us luck!

More to come tomorrow!

New customer base in our future?

2010-07-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

We have a great customer and friend in Australia we've been working on some projects with lately. And a few weeks ago Barron got a special delivery all the way from downunder. I'm not sure if this means Barron really is spoiled or we're expanding operations to include kiddie car production. Either way, this is going to be one FUN build!!!

HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS FROM DOWNUNDER!

Barron and his 1st Hot Rod

Do you see the concentration in his face, pretending the steering wheel is already there and cruising down the road.

What color should we paint it?

Cover Car - Cruisin' Calistoga 2010

2010-06-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

A faithful customer and friend, Bob Zieske of Rocklin CA, and his 1937 Ford Cabriolet have made the cover of the 10th Annual Cruisin' Calistoga car show. The show is Saturday, September 25, and located at the Napa County Fair Grounds. And I don't want to forget to mention its a Beer and Wine festival as well. Cheers to Bob!!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or is buying gifts for grown men the hardest task to tackle ever! Here's one reason why:

Amanda: "Dad, what can I get you for Father's Day?"

Ron: "Nothing, I don't want anything."

Amanda: "Oh thanks, that really helps a lot!"

Ron: Laughs at me

Well here it is....I've found the ultimate Father's Day gift! What is one thing men know how to do beside wrench around on cars, they know how to grill. I've never met a "real man" that doesn't know how to grill it up properly for his friends and family.

"Matt and Dad if I could get you anything in the world this year (other then a ride in a fighter jet) it would be this.....

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you hot rodders!!!

And an extra special Happy Father's Day to Matt...it's his 1st!

Grass Valley Down Town Car Show

2010-04-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

It's hard to think we're going to be enjoying 75 degrees this weekend as I look out the window right now and see snowflakes coming down. But we're going to welcome the sun with open arms this weekend and attend the Car Show in downtown Grass Valley. They block off the streets of historic down town and the classics fill the streets for a few blocks. Can't wait to see what our neighbors have to offer!

New Season - New Look

2010-04-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

If you visit frequently you may have noticed things have changed around here. Well things have changed around the shop as well (more to that later) so I felt the blog needed a pick me up too.

Notice at the top we now have pages, and I'm especially excited about the Events page, be sure to check it out! I also promise to have seaonal headers. If you missed it we had a poll to take, but don't worry there will be more to come. And if you're lucky you may be able to be the winner of a free product giveaway soon!

Feel free to look around, and be sure to check back in a few weeks to see the custom parts page.

Time to pull off the car cover

2010-04-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ms. Mother Nature is finally releasing her greedy little grip on the sunshine and warm weather here in Northern California. It's been COLD and WET, and down right annoying! But now I can see the sun shining and the plants blooming and all I can think about is all the stuff going on this summer as the calendar starts to fill up.

It's car show season folks! It's time to pull off the car cover and get cleaning and tuning. Dust off the lawn chairs and clean out the ice chest with last years left over beer cans. And if you're still deciding which shows to enter or attend check out the new "EVENTS" page here at ASR. While listing all the events we often attend, it was getting me excited!

Hopefully we'll see you at one!

Counting the days

2010-03-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Of course when summer is fast approaching there are always events to look forward to. But if you look closely at this calendar there is only ONE.

This giant calendar is hanging on the shop wall, impossible to miss, and a constant reminder that it's almost time to play.

It's obvious what we're looking forward to!

We start them young in this family...

2010-03-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Tis the Season

2009-12-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

And as naughty as you've probably been, maybe Santa will still bring you everything on your wish list!

Newest Arrival to Attebury Street Rods

2009-11-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

Do we have a future employee on our hands? It's possible, I'm sure Grandpa would appreciate that. That's right, I said "GRANDPA"

This is the reason I've been so behind on updating this page. We have a new little guy consuming our every moment, and that's perfectly fine with all of us.

Ron and Robin's new grandbaby, and mine and Matt's first son, Barron David Dowd, was born on November 3rd, 3 weeks early and ready to join the party! He weighed in at a whopping 6lbs 2oz.

We can't wait to see him running around the shop and getting into all sorts of mischief!

New endeavors around the shop

2009-11-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

I first have to apologize, a new post on here is way over due for Attebury Street Rods! But I have to admit, the last month has been a little hectic in my court, and in about 3 weeks (give or take a few days) you'll know why.

But I wanted to let you know there's a NEW project that's underway right now, and it will hopefully be debuted next year at the 50th NHRA Winternationals! That's right people, Ron just can't resist the temptation of the drags.....after all these years I think his heart now pumps Nitro.

But here's a hint of what this project has to do with. Stay tuned for more information.....

Cherry's Jubilee Winner

2009-09-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

The car show season is coming to an end but ASR's latest finished projects are still going strong. This last weekend Gary Thompson took home the "Peer Choice Best In Show" award for his 1937 Ford during Sunday's 2009 Cherry's Jubilee at Laguna Seca.

The '33 Willy's Strikes Again

2009-09-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sunday September 27th, a local television show nationally aired a piece on some delicious idea's our customer Bruce Cohn is pouring. Are you a wine-o like myself? If so you need to get yourself down to BR Cohn winery and have a taste of the Car Wines.

Ok, back to cars....the show 'In Wine Country' had a visit with Bruce and the 33 Willy's. Check out the video and you'll see how his cars have inspired a wallet friendly idea. And of course we love to see the Willy's getting all the attention in this video clip, CHECK IT OUT HERE!

1934 Ford Cabriolet

2009-09-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

This Henry Steel '34 Cabriolet is a pretty stock looking piece on the exterior, but underneath it has a full built chassis and it is loaded with an independent front and rear suspension all done at Attebury Street Rods. It has a mild small block Chevy, with a 700R4 transmission hooked up to a Corvette third member. The striking oxe blood interior was done by Mike Miller at Miller Rods here in GV, and the classic paint was done by Danny Settle of Innovative Auto here in GV. And this beaut is owned by Mike Scianna.

Cruisin' the Pines

2009-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend Attebury Street Rods will be hanging out under the beautiful pines of the Sierra Nevada's right here in our own backyard. Every year the Roamin Angles Car Club puts on a nice event at the Nevada County Fair Grounds. It's a smaller show but the quality of cars that come is no small feat!

See you there?

Ron's selling his baby

2009-09-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? He may be stepping away from drag racing F.O.R.E.V.E.R....for some reason I find this utterly impossible to believe. I'm sure in some way or another he will find a way to get involved again, but it won't be with his Front Engine A-Fuel Nostalgia Dragster because it's FOR SALE! Or maybe he's just making room for his newest toy.

Here's a brief descpription, and he's willing to talk about parting it out only to serious buyers. Pass the word on if you know anyone interested, or if you'd like more pictures or want to talk about buying it please email us at atteburystreetrods@comcast.net

2001 ATTEBURY CHASSIS

225" WHEEL BASE

RACE READY

'03 VRA CHAMPION A-FUEL DRAGSTER

Forged BAE Block

BAE Fat Heads

671 Kobelco Blower

AFT 3 Disc clutch with 13 extra floaters

MSD Pro Mag

Racepak Data Acquisition System

DSR Fuel Pump

Complete Strange Rear End

Weld Alumistar Wheels with Bead Locks

Lenco 2-Speed Transmission w/ reverse and 3 extra gear ratios

Starter with battery pack included

Hand built body by Jack Hagemann

Carbon Fiber driver seat

AND A LOT OF EXTRA PARTS!

Coming soon...

2009-09-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

A new section on current projects in the shop...and there's plenty to share with you!

Streamlined A-Arm Front End

2009-09-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

This is Attebury Street Rods new streamlined A-Arm Independent Front Suspension, made from solid steel. They are CNC machined out of square bar stock into the streamline shape, then fully jig fitted and welded for each individual car or chassis. The a-arms were designed to be used with a pushrod style suspension to conceal the coilovers and show off the solid steel streamlined a-arms. To finish off the front end we also offer billet spindels with a billet steering arm and a smooth backing plate or fined backing plate that will mount our billet 4 piston calipers.

For more information give us a call! 530.272.7154

Good Times at Good Guys

2009-08-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

The 23rd Annual West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton is this coming weekend and Attebury Street Rods will be there. No booth or anything like that, but Ron will be out there with the white Slammed '32. Haven't seen him in awhile, have questions, or just want to talk hot rods scope him out because he'll only be there from Thursday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.

See you all there!

Conclusion to Bonneville Speed Week 2009

2009-08-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

If you haven't all heard by now, there were no land speed records broken this time, but we're positive we'll get 'em next year.

The salt car ran great and we learned a lot. The experimental gear box and belt drive worked perfectly, no issues at all, we're very happy because everything worked like it was supposed to. But there's one thing we weren't expecting. Ron's a drag racer and in drag racing you obviously want the car as light as possible...well this sure isn't drag racing! On the salt you want it heavy and the guys learned that very quick. So the car was aero light, and the air had no where to escape under the car, which caused it to keep lifting up the back end every time he would approach 155mph. After a lot of thought and talking to some experts in air flow there's a plan for some changes to the belly pan to create some down force.

We won't be attending the World Finals in October, there's way too much going on from now to then, but we will be back on the salt in 2010. See ya in the new year!

The Willy's wins again!

2009-08-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

The enthusiastically attended event known as the 2009 Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue, which was held on August 11th was a hit for Bruce Cohn and his gorgeous 1933 Willy's Roadster finished last year by Attebury Street Rods. Bruce won 2nd in class with the 33 Willys out of 200 cars attending the event.

This car has seen it's days in the lights and it hasn't slowed down since. Congrats Bruce!!

Short and sweet...kinda like today!

2009-08-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

We don't have the shop around the corner for more readily available parts, and Salty is still trying to liftoff.

One good thing is Ron got his C license today, so at least the car got him that far before trying to perform a dance routine on the salt.

Back on the road to home tomorrow, and I'll be posting again soon with the new "plan" to get Salty to keep his butt firmly planted on the ground.

Attention passengers,

2009-08-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

This is your captain....

Salty spread his wings today. Thank goodness for some dragster kinards (anti stall wings) left in the trailer. I can't even start to explain how they attached these things to the back of the car to create a wing for down force. It took a lot of fabrication and brains. AND not only did Salty spread his wings today we fattened him up with a healty diet of lead blocks in the front and rear.

Because of all the work that had to be done today we didn't get a chance to make a run, but the alarm is already set for the butt crack of dawn and we'll be in line first thing to see how this car reacts to all the changes.

We did learn today that Ron received his E and D license, so if he clocks in at 150-175mph tomorrow he will get his C license and we'll be moving over to play with the big boys on the long course.

Flyin' 34

2009-08-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

We've got a jet on our hands now!

First I'll talk about the positive that happened today. Weather was beautiful and that's always a plus here on the salt. And on the first and only run this afternoon the car was running and shifting perfectly....until it started to attempt to liftoff when Ron started to increase the speed around the 2 mile marker.

Maybe Ron shouldn't have tried to tighten his pants and lose all that weight before the race. Lead we need lead, stat!!! And I specifically remember the conversation Ron and Matt had while packing the trailer for the race.

"Ron, do you think we need to leave all that lead shot in here just incase."

"Ah nah Matt, we'll be fine I don't foresee us having a weight issue at all."

WRONG! So we've came across some lead that Jack Costella gave us, and tomorrow we're visiting a local shop to fabricate some brackets to mount some wings on the back of the car, leftover from the dragster actually.

We have some work to do tomorrow but we're sure it's easy enough we should have time to get at least one run in tomorrow. Other then that Ron is feeling great about Salty. There's no doubt he'll be entering the long course in the week to come. We need some down force and weight and 200mph is within reach.

On another note, Jack Costella, Ron's ex brother-in-law (and one of the main influences that got Ron into racing at a very young age), one of his cars broke another record today. A naturally aspirated flathead streamliner that he built ran 278mph breaking another record once again.

AND finally here are some pictures of Salty!

First Run

2009-08-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

The first run is complete and a success. Ron passed the 125mph mark and can now move on to the next few rounds before being able to enter the long course hopefully by tomorrow close of track.

The rookie driver meeting this morning took 2 long hours, and waiting in line to run is taking even longer. We don't know exactly how many rookies came out this year but so far we're guessing at least 100.

We have pictures to down load and will have much more to update by tomorrow evening...so stay tuned.

Mother Nature can be a #$!%* at the races

2009-08-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know the previous story of when we were at a Good Guys nostalgia race in Las Vegas I'm going to tell you. Lucky you! Now when I think of Vegas I think desert, and when I think desert I sure don't incorporate huge, large, nasty bugs with the hot dry desert. I was proven wrong.

It was really late for our last qualifying run of the day, close to midnight. We were in line waiting for some door bangers to finish up when the lights started to dim a little bit. Then they started to dim a lot, and slowly we started to notice people scurrying away in every direction. Then, women start to squeal as if they were in pain, and in a matter of seconds the entire Las Vegas race facility was being taken over by an alien life form known as Cicada. Notice in the description how it keeps saying "LARGE size" and notice it has wings! Wings the size of a Boeing jet I swear! And then imagine thousands of those bugs with Boeing size jet wings flying around you like one of those cash prize machines where the dollar bills are flying every where and you have to try and get as much in your pockets before the time is up. Well I sure didn’t put any of the Cicada in my pocket that night, at least not by choice.

Ron was strapped in the car at this time ready for his run…guess what, Ron doesn’t like bugs, more so the kind with 8 legs, but hey, a bug is a bug. We tried covering the cockpit to keep the Cicada out, until it was his turn to qualify. Luckily, Ron likes racing a lot more then bugs, but the officials were tempted to stop the race because if you can imagine what happens to a drag strip when hundreds of LARGE bugs get ran over on the asphalt…I’m thinking a slip ‘n slid is the best way to describe this.

Officials let us run, we qualified really well, and when we got to the end of the track to pick Ron up the dragster was blanketed in bug juice. “How’d that taste Ron?”

So I’m guessing the Cicada thing could be classified as a natural phenomenon of some sort since we heard through the grape vine that the Cicada ONLY come out like that once every 10 years or so…lucky us! But when we thought we couldn’t get any luckier we hit the jack pot with another natural phenomenon yesterday when arriving at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Mother Nature saw us coming from miles away and now we get to check something else off of our “What to Experience Before You Die List.” Yesterday she delivered us right in the middle of a Salt Storm! Don’t be jealous, you only wish you were as lucky as us.

Between the salt, 40mph winds, people being swept off their feet as if they were a woman being sung a solo by Frank Sinatra, and objects in the pits being turned into projectiles, somehow we managed to get the salt car to tech. And it PASSED! The rookie car Salty, who was so feverishly created by Ron, Matt and Chet is going to see its day up in the lights. Keep those land speed record fingers crossed for us because Ron and the team will be seeing what Salty can do starting tomorrow, Saturday.

Hey Mother Nature you can’t stop us, we’re looking to catch Salt Fever!

Fun Friday Night

2009-08-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

Big congrats to Bob Zieske of Rocklin CA, and his 1937 Ford Cabriolet rebuilt by ASR. Bob attended Vintage Fridays on Friday, July 31st put on by Sacramento Vintage Ford and took home the 'Best of Show' award for the evening!

The '37 was rebuilt by ASR including the chassis and rear end, and paint was done by Danny Settle at Innovative Auto.

That's huge, keep pulling in those awards Bob, you and that gorgeous car deserve it!

Smooth '37

2009-08-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer a long awaited homecoming finally happened. On Father's Day Gary Thompson of San Martin, CA picked up his finished 1937 Ford from Attebury Street Rods.

I must say this is one of my current favorites to leave the shop. Maybe it's the striking paint job done by Trent Jones, the beautiful interior done by Mike Miller, or just simply the mix between classic and modern styles throughout the Ford but it sure is a looker. Or maybe I'm partial because of the striking resemblance to another familiar hot rod close to my heart.

What a beaut Gary!

Bonneville or Bust

2009-08-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

Imagine a place so flat you seem to see the curvature of the planet, so barren not even the simplest life forms can exist. Imagine the passing thunder of strange vehicles hurtling by on a vast dazzling white plain. This is not an alien world far from earth; it is Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats, and Attebury Street Rods is on their way! (Description from www.utah.com)

From Thursday, August 6th to Friday, August 14th we will be attending and participating in Speed Week 2009 courtesy of SCTA. Ron, Matt Dowd and Chet Thomas will debut their Gas Rear-Engine Modified Roadster in the C/GRMR class.

It has been a long nine months of hard labor, relentless motivation and not to mention team work. Countless hours have been put into what is affectionately know as “Salty” who is anxiously awaiting his birth coming this Thursday. We hope he’s a kicker and a screamer, and what he’s showed us so far he’s pointing in that direction and we love it.

Salty is a collaboration of Ron, Matt and Chet’s desire to get back behind the wheel and get their names in the record books. It never would have been possible without all three parties involved and not to mention all the family and friends who have helped along the way.

Stay tuned for race results, photos and our experience from the Salt. We can't wait to come down with SALT FEVER!

Very rare 1933 Willy's Roadster

2009-03-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

1956 Ford Crown Victoria

2007-11-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

1932 Ford Roadster Highboy

2007-11-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

The pictures don't do the color of this car justice!

1932 Ford Roadster Highboy

2007-08-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

Black with red leather interior, striking!

1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe

2007-03-27T21:35:00.000-07:00