Issue No. 13 April 1998
Issue No. 13 April 1998
They say getting there is half the fun. Whilst in San Francisco recently, I was scouring the local paper, checking out the auto classifieds, and happened upon an ad for the Goodguys 11th World of Motorsports Show at the Santa Clara Convention Centre, and, this was to be the first show for "Frankenstude". Checking out the tourist maps showed that it was about 40 miles southeast of the city. Piece of cake (I thought).
Before leaving Australia, I had considered hiring a car, as I had driven in Los Angeles on a previous visit. But, San Francisco was different, lots of one way streets and trying to read a map and drive, and stay out of everyone's way, didn't appeal to me. So, I decided to catch the train instead, plus I would have a better chance to rubberneck on the train.
It took about half an hour to walk to the CalTrans depot, the train ticket was $9 return, then I looked at the timetable. It would take an hour and half to get to Santa Clara. Ah well, I was in no hurry. The trip was very interesting. I got to snoop in heaps of back yards, and behind all the shops and factories which back on to the train line. I guarantee there were at least one or two dead cars or pick-ups for every property. Some looked to be in reasonable nick, with some very rough diamonds in there too. Anyway, I finally got to Santa Clara, and started looking for a cab, as I had no idea where the Show was. All I knew was it was at the Convention Centre, next to Greater America (whatever that was!) Just as I was beginning to give up hope, a bus turned up, and it was going to the "Greater America" joint, so I figure "That's close enough", and jumped on! This took me in an industrial park, where I noted that there were lots of computer company's buildings. (It wasn't till I got home that that I realised that this was "Silicon Valley") After about 15 minutes on the bus, I was there! (About 2 � hours after leaving the hotel).
The first thing I noticed was there were absolutely no rods in the car park, or out front. But, once inside it was a different story. There were over 200 rods, pick-ups, drag cars, oval trackers and other collectible cars. There was even an old time, wooden hulled, blown, hemi powered speed boat! For about the next 5 hours I just soaked it all in. It was interesting from the point of view that there was no attempt to display the cars, no boards, special stands, lighting or props. They just parked 'em and roped 'em off. I have never seen so many '32 roadsters in one place. The level of detail and finish of each car was as good as the best cars we have here. It was the components that really set them apart, all top of the line, the best of everything.
Neat flamed hi-boy deuce with the late Bill Burnham's '32 roadster in the background.
Clever use of graphics and forward opening bonnet on this trick '34 coupe.
Blown '55 Chevy, with both front & rear axles moved forward.
Frankenstude. When you see it in the flesh, it's a relatively small car. Very low, and very purple!
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