It's no secret that the Chicago World Of Wheels has been lacking for years. The content was constantly warmed over '84 four door Cutlass' with Dubs and belly button Camaros. A few years ago, the board invited Django and I to put on a display. They requested something cool, and very Traditional. So we designed a 50's hot rod garage display, and with a ton of help from shop people, their families, and a bunch of volunteers, we pulled it off and won best display. Last year, the requested we do another display, and return with the hot rod garage. Not wanting to repeat what we'd done the year before, we declined, as there wasn't enough time to design and construct another display.
This past summer, they again approached me here at the shop, and asked if we could help improve the show based on the response our display had gotten. After thinking about it for awhile, and talking it over with the guys at the shop, Django & I came up with the idea to re-create the first Hot Rod show in Chicago. We did some research, and found that a club called the Gas Hoppers had put on what was called the Chicago International Rod And Custom show. Cars like the Outlaw and El Matador were in attendance. Some more foot work my Harry found seven of the Gas Hoppers still above ground. And between two of them, they still had three of the customs that were at the show! Untouched, just as they had been in 1962! These three cars, along with the seven Gas Hoppers that we've found so far will be at the show! A meet and greet area will be provided for them, along with photographs that have survived from that era.
The show will be presented as a "show within a show." The area will be cordoned off, making a separate event within the WOW2009 show. A special ticket will be required (free of charge) that is an exact reprint of the ORIGINAL 1962 Event ticket. We'll punch the ticket showing that you attended, but you'll be able to keep the ticket as a souvenir. We're making arrangements to see if we can get the Outlaw clone and one of the El Matador clones to be there, along with something from Carl Casper.
Here's your chance to be part of the history. We're accepting applications for cars that people believe should be in the show. All cars must be 1962 and earlier, traditional Hot Rod, Traditional Custom, Dragster, Show Rod, Show Dragster, Land Speed, Vintage Bike, Vintage Racing Bike, and FINISHED. That means in the style the Gas Hoppers would have let in. Cars with history are a plus, and we are encouraging everyone to put on a real, early 60's style display. Show boards, angle hair, thick shag, what have you.
And to boot, two "other" magazines were going to sponsor this. When I was told that, I said, "hmmm. I don't know if I'm interested in being involved with an event that involves "those" magazines." Bob (from ISCA) asked me if there were something that would change to help that. I quickly said, "I'll call my buddies Zombie (Traditional Rod & Kustom) and Punk (Hometown Hot Rods) and see what they say." Bob agreed that if I could get them to agree to cover the event, he'd oust the "other" magazines. Zombie and Punk both readily agreed. And now are proud sponsors, and will provide quality coverage of what should turn out to be a great mid-western, mid-Winter show.
When he asked why I didn't want to work with "them", I explained that "they" had aligned themselves more with the rat rod faction. And that if we were going to do this show, why not do it right? Put on a real, quality show. One that will display the craftmanship and quality that guys are working their asses off to put into their cars. And a show that better reflects what a show would have looked like in 1962.
Post your car here and PM me your email and I'll get you an entry form. There is money to be offered if you live far enough from Chicago to help with transportation costs.
BE A PART OF HISTORY and help change a boring show into something worth going to!
