Survivors...

Salvage In The Desert 

I don't want to make any car guys sad with this post, though this first photo looks as if the '53 Chevy died of dehydration in the desert like a run down horse in a spaghetti western. (The quarter that wasn't eating by buzzards!) If you're familiar with the legendary "dry heat" of Arizona and likely want to strangle the next person who utters the obvious in a phrase, you know that it's a lack of hydration that is keeping this car alive. Chrome still shines out in the Casa Grande desert and classic sheet metal is still holding up better than anywhere else in the country. (Okay, that's a guess based on the phrase "But it's a dry heat" ..hands gripping throat now.) To their credit and financial success, Desert Valley Auto Parts (DVAP) is saving these classics from the scrap heap, with some restoration sales, but mostly selling classic parts to local car enthusiasts, out of state guys and they even ship parts to Europe.
I had met Jason McClure, who co-runs the business with his dad, Ron, at a Good Guys show back in 2010. He urged me to visit one of their two sites and photograph the amazing collection of cars.
I chose the Casa Grande site which contains 1950's and earlier models. Here's a few images...

60+ and still a shiny smile, or grimace...orignal teeth.

Click here to check out Desert Valley Auto Parts (DVAP)

I'll be posting more from DVAP down the road.

Stay hydrated.

Good Guys 2011 Spring Nationals Scottsdale

Here are some hi-lights of my three days at the Good Guys show. The show ended for me today (Sunday) around 1:30 and I've been going through photos from all three days. I'm whipped, so I'm going to let photos speak for themselves for the most part. It was a great show and I met a lot of really cool people...some local celebrities.....yes I have photos. 

One of my favorite parts of the show is the swap meet area. There's everything from old rusty Hot Wheels to old rusty classic cars and all the parts in between. 

There are plenty of cars for sale too. Some are ready to drive away in while others are projects waiting to happen. My understanding is that this wild Cadillac-Camper was ready for a weekend in the mountains. 

How about that for a custom job? 

Friday as I was heading out of the swap meet area I came across the Desert Valley Auto Parts (DVAP) space where they were selling a small array of parts and handing out pamphlets for the next day's auto auction. For those not familiar with DVAP they have a cool reality show on the Discovery Channel that takes place at their two giant salvage yards; one in north Phoenix and another down south in 

Casa Grande. Their goal is to put the old abandoned cars back on the street and make a profit at auction.

I first met Andy, he's a mechanic on the show...a very nice guy.

Then I caught Jason McClure heading out. The following day I was down on one knee trying to get a photo of a cool rat rod and was stretching my flash unit on it's cord as far as my left arm could. I was likely grunting and swearing in this awkward moment when someone comes up behind me and offers to position the flash for me...it was Jason. 

Hell of a nice guy!

Here's the photo we took together....

Here's a link to DVAP:  http://www.dvap.com/

The TV show is "Desert Car Kings" and it's on Wednesdays on the Discovery Channel at 7pm here in AZ (Mtn Standard). The first season is midway through (showing on TV) and Jason says ratings have been good, but Discovery is keeping quiet until the season runs its course in regards to a second season. I hope to see more. With Jason's encouragement, I also plan on getting out to DVAP and shoot some of their sun baked classics

Now for some award winners!

Here they are, Dave and Laura Miller and their '59 Kustom Plymouth Fury. They won a very cool award for best "Chopped & Dropped" at the show. 

I came across this beauty just shortly after Dave got the news. He said he was still a little stunned. It's a high honor at the Good Guys show. There was a lot of impressive competition for sure. It couldn't have happened to a nicer couple and more unique ride. Cheers to the Millers!

MORE RIDES...

This is one bad-ass grill ornament! It's Mr. Horsepower meets Von Dutch's flying eyeball. The owner, who's name escapes me (sorry) knows a guy who used to work with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. He created this snarling cigar smoking masterpiece just for this car. Well done.

There are more photos in the gallery.