Butler Cruise-A-Palooza 2012

We've been busy the past few weeks, taking in lots of car shows and other events. So sorry for our lack of postings here. Today I ventured North to Butler Pennsylvania, birthplace of the Jeep and home to American Bantam for the 18th Annual Cruise-A-Palooza put on by The Rodfathers Car Club. These are just a few of the pictures of some of the awesome customs, classics, and everything in between that was on display. A rough guess would be easily over 1000 cars in attendance. Here's a link to the full collection of pictures I took.

Picks from the Pittsburgh World of Wheels: Round 2

Fritz Holzer from RPM Hot Rods showed his 1954 GMC pickup which made its debut at the show. It's refreshing to see a GMC as opposed to the more common Chevrolet trucks of this vintage. This truck oozes cool.

Your fearless editor, Albert Heiles showed his 1959 VW Herbie the Love Bug. A rarity at any show, this car is car number 6 and was used in the filming of The Love Bug and its sequel Herbie Rides Again.

No ISCA show is complete without at least one 1970s show car. This big block 1968 Corvette is a former championship winning car from 1972. Aside from one repaint a few years ago, this car is exactly how it was built. Complete with the fat McCreary tires, black and white Sony TV, and the wild flip nose front end. This one was originally built by show car builder Jerry Roman. 

Picks from the Pittsburgh World of Wheels: Round 1

This past weekend saw the 51st annual Pittsburgh World of Wheels come to town. I spent the weekend at the show as I had a car entered so I had the opportunity to spend a LOT of time looking at all the eye candy on display. Here's some of my choices of cars and trucks that were on display.

This 1965 Corvette was shown by Ron Champe. This car was a retirement project that took over two years to complete.

Bob Liberatore brought out this awesome 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 light weight replica. Gotta love the old factory racers and this one had all the looks, plus the punch thanks to a motor from Ford Racing. Bob had the 64 hooked up via a tow bar to his equally nice 64 Galaxie convertible. 

Atomic Orange is one of my favorite recent GM colors, it's also a favorite of Jim McGruder from Ohio. He brought his mildly customized 2007 Corvette which is themed around Orange Crush soda.

Here's another food themed entry. This 1955 Chevy Pickup owned by Gary & Flo Garman of Mt. Wolf, PA. Called Home Grown. The color theme of this tasty ride is watermelon. And interesting touch is the slight patina purposely placed on a few raised edges and the tail gate. And you have to love the watermelon shaped and painted air cleaner cover. 

Tammy Rayof Dahlonega, GA brought the 2011 Ridler Award winning 1933 Ford Phaeton to Pittsburgh. It's hard to hide that this is a Chip Foose designed hot rod. This one will be back in Detroit in a few weeks to defend it's title.

Dennis Mascari, owner of Mascari Auto Body brought two cars from his collection to the show. This 1957 Chevy Nomad carries factory fuel injection and genuine Corvette knockoff wheels.

Slow and Low! 1977 International Loadstar

We've all seen them at one time or another. A decked out big rig style commercial truck that's slammed to the ground and smoothed over with lots of chrome and wild paint. This is a take on one of those trucks. This '77 International Loadstar in it's stock form wasn't going to win any beauty contests back in the day. But by today's standards does have a nice sense of style compared to the cookie cutter looking commercial trucks today. Filled in seams, some minor reworking of some sheet metal and adding the cool suicide doors make for a unique look. Then add in the reworked frame, airbags, and the low pro tires and a new Ford diesel motor and you're starting to get a cool looking one of a kind truck. Rob from Ontario Canada had really built a wild ride! Just check out these stats below.

1977 International Loadstar 1600 – Complete Mods List

Chassis/suspension
-Full frame custom built
-3X6 ¼” wall, fully sealed and used as air tank (25 gallons)
-3 link front with custom solid beam suspension
-front hubs and brakes from 1991E350
-3 link rear with Sterling 10.25 differential
-10,000lb transport truck bags at all 4 corners
-3/8” air valves, ½” hard line
-digital air gauge
-york engine driven compressor
-5th wheel hitch
-dual fuel tanks custom built
Drivetrain
-7.3L Ford IDI diesel from 1991E350
-Ford E4OD transmission
-2001 Dodge intercooler
-2002Ford powerstroke turbo on custom manifolds
-massive transmission cooler
-turbo code injectors
-injection pump turned up and timing advanced
-5” exhaust to 5” slant cut stack
-3” intercooler piping powdercoated cream
-holley red electric fuel pump
Exterior
-floor and firewall from scratch
-suicide doors with fabricated hinges
-shaved door handles
-welded and smooth front body seams
-pedestal mount cab lights
-LED front and rear lighting
-HID headlights
-chrome visors over all lights
-cargo basket
-painted Chrysler classic yellow
Interior
-smoothed and painted dash
-seat from 1993 Chevy truck recovered by owners wife
-autometer gauges for- speedometer, tachometer, boost, egt, trans temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, volts, fuel level
-alpine stereo in glovebox
-soundstream 5 channel amp
-RE Audio 6.5” speakers
- 2 12” RE Audio subs
-triple trumpet air horns
Wheels and tires
Front wheels- 22.5” semi wheels milled to 22”
Front tires- 255/35zr22 Falken FK452
Rear wheels- 24.5” semi wheels milled to 24”
Rear tires- 255/30zr24 Falken FK452
Custom adapters

Read more: http://www.stanceiseverything.com/2011/04/featured-ride-robs-international-loadstar/#ixzz1LJurBZMz

Source: Hemmings.

Photo Credit: Steve Wharton