RENO, NV (June 16) – It’s Father’s Day weekend and several groups held car meets as well as staging cruises. Great weather set the stage for these meets.
• On Saturday the Impalas Car Club of Reno had its Summer Jam Taco Truck Throwndown.
Location was Baldini’s Casino and there were a large amount of various cars, trucks as well as Impalas.
The Impala Row had various models as well as an Impala row close to the club’s easy up. There were also awards to be given out later in the day.
In addition to the cars there were some really tricked out motorcycles like these two. For those that were hungry not far away were several food trucks as well as the casino.
• One traditional show is the annual Father’s Day Show ‘N Shine at the Bonanza Casino located on North Virginia Street.
There were a huge variety of vehicles and contrasts between modern and classic. Walking into the parking are two modern Corvettes were parked near a vintage VW Beetle.
Usually Rad Mods sit every low and speed bumps can be a problem. Steven Benge had another idea so his is anything but low slung and there is some history to his constructing this.
“It is a ’94 Dodge Cummings 4-Wheel Chassis, everything from the truck is in the car. The car is a 1938 Chrysler Imperial Governor’s Car,” he said. “According to Carson City the car was crushed in the 50’s.
“They actually sent a Sheriff from Carson City DMV, from Reno DMV and a Washoe County Sheriff Officer to my house to ask questions on how I wanted to get a bonded title on it.”
The problem was that the cab was technically crushed even though it wasn’t. While it took a bit, he was able to overcome that problem and get the title.
Asked about his inspiration he said, “My cousins are the Millers, from Millers Chop Shop. So they build a bunch of lowered 4-wheel drive Rad Rods and I wanted to build something lifted as I build rock crawlers in Sun Valley.
“I got the Dodge chassis for about 400 bucks in Lemmon Valley and, you know what, I wanted to build something cool so I was actually looking at a 90’s YG tub but my buddy that gave me the Chrysler said ‘I’ve got something better’. Look at my house in Lemmon Valley, there is an old car on a trailer and see if you want it. “
After seeing it Benge said he started drawing ideas in his head. He then borrowed a friend’s Bobcat to pull the cab off the chassis then started work on it. Went out there, fell in love with it and started drawing up ideas in my mind. I borrowed his Bobcat and ripped the cab off then started setting the body on the frame, which he shortened then worked on the driveline.
“Start to finish in five days,” he said. “This Hot August Nights will be the third year it does that. It’s big, it does everything and draws a lot of attention. It’s been on Motor Trims website already, KOLO news used it three or four different time, it was on the Hot August Night web pages so its pretty famous.”
Over on another tow were two beautifully restored cars again showing the contrast between eras. One was a Ford Roadster while beside it was a 1960’s era Impala convertible.
Not far away was a classic that looked as though it was right out of the dealer’s showroom. That car belongs to Josh Schneider and his wife Diana Lee.
“This is a 1963 Buick Wildcat. I had to paint the bottom of the doors a little bit, that’s about it,” he said, “I bought in Ohio and it was shipped out here to Nevada for me. The guy that painted it used a paint stripper and he didn’t clean that off real good so I cleaned that up and I’m happy.”
Then he continues, “The thing’s got 30,000 miles on and it runs like brand now. Look at the interior, looks like a brand new car. It drives great, fantastic, cruises right down the freeway.
“Used to have Corvettes as I was a speed racer but now that I’m older I’ve got this cruiser. This is my third Buick, had a ’56 Buick, a ’61 Bubble Top Buick and this is a ’63. I think they look better than Chevys.”
There was also a Corvette row where all but one had their hoods up.
A couple rows over was an interesting roadster that had a matching trailer hooked on to it. The license plate was GRUMPST and this vehicle is owned by Danny Sherman.
“This is a ’23 T Bucket and I built everything possibly I could myself,” he said. “I bought the body but I made the frame. Probably five years to build it, I had to do it with overtime money. Probably 2016 was when it was finally painted and everything.”
Next question was how does it drive?
His answer was, “It’s a handful, you’ve got to watch the gas and baby it. The motor is probably like 425 horse, something like that and it has a 10-gallon gas tank. There’s a little play in the steering but I’m used to it.”
He added, with a smile, that Grumpy on the license plate comes from his nickname.
All in all it was a great way to celebrate Father’s Day. The Bonanza parking lot was full of great looking cars that were being admired by a large crowd of people.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• As it’s the third Monday of the month this means the new Pizzava Classic Nights is on. Times are from 4 until 7 p.m. and location is 670 Prater Way in Sparks.
• This Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m., Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada will mee at Betos Mexican Restaurant. Location is 575 West 5th Street in Reno.
• Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m. is the weekly cruise in a the Sparks A&W. Located across the street from Reed High School and the address is 1311 Baring Blvd., Sparks.
• Davey’s American Racing is found on Face Book. His focus is on western oval tracks as well as national series.
He recently started his broadcasts so to check Face Book around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
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SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are up on the site.
We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
• Our newest sponsor is State Farm agent Kelby Schoorl, who was a racer in his younger days. He has some supplemental insurance that racers might be interested in checking out.
There is medical that covers visits to the ER, ambulance rides and if a person has to stay in a hospital. In addition trailers as well as tools and tools in shops can be covered with additional policies.
If Kelby isn’t available the other guys at his office will be very happy to explain what they can offer both to racers and those enjoying motorized recreation.
Office hours are from 9 until 5: 30 Monday through Friday, appointments are needed on Saturday. The phone number is 775-827-2255 or at his website, www.kelby@insuringreno.com.
• One of our sponsors is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 890 Gentry Way.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
• Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
• The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus the showroom has about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is,www.moto-source.com.
• Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
• Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, good time to meet fellow riders and have a great dinner.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. Sponsorships are very reasonable and one can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
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