Monday, April 27, 2009

What is a Street Rod?

By definition a street rod is: An automobile of 1948 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization, to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. A street rod is to be driven to events under its own power and is to be used as a safe, non-racing vehicle for total family enjoyment. The "National Street Rod Association" (NSRA) was in town over the past week end. They have held the "Western Street Rod Nationals" in Bakersfield the last 23 years. I went with my father-in-law who enjoyed the oldies immensely. He could relate to some of the car and brought back many memories of "The good old days".
The National Street Rod Association produces thirteen of the world’s biggest and best specialty vehicle events.
The National Street Rod Association’s great slogan is “Fun With Cars.”
At no time in history have Americans been as interested in specialty automobiles as they are today.
A street rod is a means of self expression for the creator. The builder of a street rod is not confined to guidelines set down by someone else...he can be his own man, and the street rod can be whatever he wants it to be, as long as the basic vehicle was manufactured prior to 1949.
The street rod builder has the option of adding a late model engine and drive train from any make of car, he can modify the suspension to give better ride and handling characteristics, and he can incorporate whatever creature comforts he wants. Air conditioning, cruise control, AM-FM stereo radios and CD players, power steering and brakes, and automatic transmissions are common.
The vehicle can be driven for long distances in comfort, with safety to the passengers and others on the highway. In addition to making the car more comfortable, improvements in steering, lighting and brakes are nearly always included in the building of a street rod.

A street rod is a nostalgia trip, and while it retains most of the appeal of an old car, it still permits self expression by allowing the creator to incorporate his own ideas in paint, body work and the mechanics that make it go.


What's the problem officer?












Sunday, April 26, 2009

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Minter Field, Shafter California

Took a ride to Shafter’s Minter Air Field this morning. A fly-in was being held for their open house. There were many type of aircraft from different eras to different branches of the military.
Operations at Minter Field began in June 1941.

Minter Field is base for many flying WWII aircraft, including Stearmans, Ryans, Stinsons, North American AT-6s, and Harvard, and a P-51 Mustang. The base was a major basic training facility where nearly 12,000 pilots received basic training in BT-13s, UC-78's, AT-6s, P-38s and B-25s. The field was named in honor of First Lieutenant Hugh C. Minter. By July 1942, Minter Field had become the largest training base of its type on the West Coast.
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