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Let's do something different this month! How
about a virtual visit of the 2005 Watertown, SD Rod Run? (AKA Kampeska Kampout at Lake
Kampeska)
Before I share my Watertown Rod Run photos with
you let me tell you the good news! Project33 is running again!!!
At 7:31 this morning she fired up for the first
time since the transmission was pulled. I still need to bleed the brakes and put a seat in
it (child's play) before it hits the streets again. I can't wait!
50 photos on one page is a lot but I think you'll agree, it's worth the
wait to load. What an event! It's a 3-day event and campout however Ken and I went
up just for the day on Saturday. We made sure to get there in time for the world famous
Garage Tour we've heard so much about.
At 9 AM
they loaded six big school busses with attendees and visited two professional street rod
shops and three private garages. I'm not going to share the names of the private parties
in case they'd rather not have everyone know who they are or what they own.
The first stop was a privately owned ORIGINAL 1938 Sinclair
service station (and Ice Cream Parlor next door). Too cool!
I can't believe this
shop has never been butchered or remodeled! What a find - only in the Midwest. The inside
and large windows are still original 1938.
The station even has the original
wooden hoist tracks . Looks like they were probably hard to work around. There isn't much
open space.
Nice touch! They even served
Sinclair Dinosaur cookies! There was a large dinosaur outside as well as Sinclair globe
top pumps and the original sign.
Even the office was original. The
roll-over "Ding" bell was a novelty for the kids... ever jump on those
as a kid? Ah the memories...
Next stop was Laven's Hot Rod
Shop. Watertown should be named Hotrodtown! This little town supports two professional
street rod builders.
There were some nice
projects underway like the woody in the background and some custom bikes.
I'm a sucker for a 33-34 highboy and this 5-window is going to
be one sweet ride! The little flattie will be
sporting four carbs. and some vintage (and current) performance goodies.
The polished Buick drums behind
the ET spokes looks awesome. In the rear there was a quick-change and tail lights similar
to what I'm running.
There was a 33 (or 34?) Mopar
5-window coupe with a blown BDS Hemi. That bugcatcher looks familiar :)
The next stop was a private garage with a hot rod bar in the back.
This Vette was parked out front.
Next it was on to Gribble's Lake
City Rod & Custom (Randy Gribble installed my king pins) to see what's taking shape
there.
There was a long row of cars to look at
outside and a bunch of new creations inside.
Everything from Hot
Rods to Lead Sleds are taking shape inside. This is a neat little (and long) 36 Ford. Oh
daddyoh!
There were a lot of projects
underway including a new Dearborn Deuce Convertible and some unique nostalgic stuff but
you had to look up above in the loft and on the walls to see some of the coolest stuff!
Our last stop was
another private garage that was full of vintage motorcycles and hot rods. The crowds made
it hard to take pictures but I did get some nice close-up shots of the rides parked out
front, like this traditional style 32 roadster.
I couldn't share these photos without showing you the car I rode
up in. This is Ken Jump's 48 Chevy. What a comfortable ride. You can see the lake in the
background. It's a great place for a rod run.
Contrary to popular belief, Ken
actually does work ;)
I caught him in action
to prove it!
There was a Show &
Shine in downtown Watertown immediately following the Garage Tour. What a turnout! Several
city blocks were filled with rows of cars. I'm protecting the guy in the photo's identity
in case he was supposed to be somewhere else that day :)
Surfboards in South
Dakota?? We only surf the web around here :)
Golden Hawks are sooo
cool! Dig that 160mph speedo.
The teal and white really popped
on this little deuce. The wide whites, a white top insert and and Radar wheels really
looked sharp.
I used to have one of these. A `62
Corvair Rampside, except mine was red. There's no better vehicle for moving large
appliances - or freaking out passengers when you pull up close to something.
Hey! That was my idea! :)
Either a Project33 follower or great minds think alike ;)
Can you say "straight"? And black to boot! Amazing
what you can do with a six-foot sanding block :)
She's real fine.
Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin about.
There are lotsa holes and louvers ventilating this South Dakota
ride.
This little Chevelle would sure look good in my driveway.
There was something for everyone
at the show. The 34 sedan was the most unique color I've seen in a while. Is it yellow or
orange? I think I'll call it yellange.
This was one of my favorite cars at the event. The guy looking
inside is on his knees! That's Norm Fey's front wheel drive Cadillac in the
bacground below.
The car belongs to Gary Gonyo who
must be all of six foot tall at least. The roof is removable but doesn't lift for entry so
he had to prove he could get in and out to a few non-believers. It's tight! This 30mpg car
has a Chevy S10 4 cylinder/5-speed drivetrain so he's clutch'n and shift'n in there too!
It sure looks like fun though, once you're in it!
This one caused a stir. As much as I like the "rat rod" or "old
school" rodz, I think there should be some safety rules in place before they kill
themselves or someone else and give hot rodders a bad name.
The rear suspension was clamped to
the frame (not even round U-bolts) and there was NO FLOOR. In fact you can see one of the
cushions they sit on.
The sharp metal behind
the passenger's heads could make a real nice scalp scraper.
The dash has been cut out to
activate the brakes (rear only) and with no room for a gas pedal it is now hand operated
using the front shift lever.
The battery was
not tied down and you can see the street below.
Has crudeness gone too far?
Back at the camp grounds just in time for the pork feed. They
boiled the sweet corn "street rod style" using huge
propane blow torches. It was great!
What a nice place for an event!
The weather was great although a little windy, the food was great and so were the people.
I heard there were about 400 cars. It was a well run event and I'm
certain I'll be there next year - WITH MY CAR! :)
Another South Dakota sunset out
the passenger window of Ken's `48 on the way back home. The end of a perfect day.
South Dakota is Lakota for "Land of the street rod" :)
This was a relatively
fresh car. Around here we drive em!
Until next time, Keep the shiny side up!
Scooter
