RENO, NV (Aug 25) — Two car meets bookended the weekend. One was for veterans while the other ended a series of six summer meets.
• Saturday began in front of Sportsman Warehouse where the annual Cars and Strips Classic Car Celebration happened. The event is sponsored by the Iron Mafia and Nevada Car Coalition.
Despite the rain there was a pretty good turn out. One row had a Red VW in a line of various cars.
There were also some pick up as well taking their place in several rows.
And there was even a Corvette row. That had several types of these cars.
There was judging during the event and several owners won various awards. They were Eric Chennault with a ’71 Jeep, Frank Amato had a 1940 Ford Delivery Sedan and John Vesik had his 1971 Cuda on display.
Other winners were Dan Doss who brought a Ford Ranchero, Hamony Hobbs won with her 1969 Chevelle. The Veterans Choice was Leon and Susie Watson that brought their 1966 Ford Mustang to the meet.
This annual meet is to benefit a couple of veteran groups. Honor Flight was one of them and received a donation.
• The weather improved on Sunday and the west parking lot of Baldini’s Casino was the site of the summer’s final Brunch and Classics meet sponsored by Northern Nevada Classics.
Once again there was a big variety of cars and trucks. One of them was a Back to the Future Delorean. It’s tricked out to look like the one in the movie.
There was also a Roadster Row that had a number of these on display.
Sitting in another row was a roadster owned by Jason Dugan that featured a hand painted body. This car, like many others, has some history behind it.
“It’s a ’32 Ford Roadster, it’s fiberglass but it’s an old body, it’s about 50 years old,” he said. “It’s a car my dad, Bob Dugan, originally had. It was a basket case when he got it so he did a frame off on it and he did everything himself from the original black paint to the upholstery to building the engine and everything.
“He was a semi prolific top gas racer in the early 60’s in San Fernando Valley. He was partnered with Tony Nancy for a while where he learned how to do upholstery. He was a very skilled man, he didn’t do upholstery as a profession.
Dugan added that his father passed away in 2020 and that’s how he got the car.
“I was a little worried at first but he would have wanted for me to make it my own. Been an artist my whole life, been in tattoo over 30 years I got the idea to start messing with the paint. At first last year I kind of the did trunk. I have a large inspiration from Low Rider paint jobs but I really love 60’s gassers and fuel altereds and their wild paint jobs.”
Dugan related that the past few years have been troubled times for him.
“In 2020 my wife was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and she passed away this January 26th. In trying to keep my mind occupied I started messing with the paint more and more. I went out there one day, last December and just took out tape and taped off the flames on the driver’s side.
He related it took him four nights to tape every thing then he just started painting it and his wife told him, ‘do it.’
“I’ve never painted a car before, I painted a few helmets a few years ago but that’s the most experience I had at it.,” he said. “So there’s some trial and error and some imperfections in it. But it’s kind of cool, as it seems the DIY look to it gets more appreciation than thousands of dollars to have it done.
“I decided if I was going to flame it I was going to flame the living hell out of it. So I did and I did it in a garage that’s about the size of this parking spot. I never got more than six feet away to be able to look at it until spring-time.
But there was still more to do.
And then it needed clear coat then I messed around with the red sparkle on top of it. I had some silver wondered what color will bring it together. The purple goes with the red and blue but I never anticipated having a purple car but put that clear coat on it. It’s got some imperfections but I’m happy with its outcome. It’s got a lot of attention and stuff and it sparkles a lot.
The number one main thing is just using it and having fun in it. There’s a lot of good memories of me and my wife in it. She wasn’t like a car girl but necessarily to the extreme like I am but she liked being with me in it, cruising around and going to the shows and stuff.
He also removed the mufflers and removed some things around the engine to make it look more traditional. Dugan also changed the tires but added it’s still pretty much his father’s build.
“The main thing I’m 50 years old and it’s kind of like the guys my age that still have an appreciation for it. It’s kind of up to us to keep this alive.”
There were trophies handed out for this meet, like the other five. Then after a break votes were taken and the best overall trophy was to be given out. All the other winners were also in attendance.
This time it was close so the best in the car shows won by a single point. The owner Byron Hisey was given a large trophy as well as the $200 that went with it.
Asked about the car he said, “Your looking at a ’69 Plymouth Road Runner that is what I would describe as a Restomod now. I’ve got a real 426 Hemi in it, I’m running a Chevy transmission in it a 406LT, got a complete front suspension system made by a company called Freak, it’s a coil over type situation.”
There is even more things he’s done to the car.
“The whole undercarriage has been redone, a traction master system for the rear wheel traction. The trunk is custom upholstery and the dash is custom. About the only thing still stock on the car is the body.”
He was surprised to receive this award for the best in the series.
“It was amazing, there’s really a lot of nice cars here. I’m totally surprised, I had one of the other cars picked. But I lucked out, good day,” he said.
Now that their summer series has ended Northern Nevada Classics has one more event. On September 15th they’ll host the 4th annual Hounds & Hot Rods meet. This is to help the ASPCA and will again be at Baldini’s Casino in Sparks.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• This Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada will meet at Blitz Bar located at 400 South Rock Blvd. in Sparks. It is by the first signal just south of the railroad tracks.
• On Wednesday there is a cruise-in at the Sparks A&W. The fun begins at 5 p.m., there is a D.J. plus prizes and location is across the street from Reed High School.
• 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 check Face Book around 6 p.m. Wednesday. He also posts during the week.
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• 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.
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Nice recap Dan!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.