WATCHING THE COCKROACHES RUN

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Flip the light switch and watch the cockroaches run. That's how it goes in the SGE kitchen, anyway. Why the human fascination with racing without a defined finish line? Aren't we wired more linearly than that? Where the hell's the trophy queen? 

Many of us share the capacity to recall very early childhood memories. I can close my eyes and see my mom teaching me how to speak English (or what the English call American). What a revelation that was! Suddenly, I was communicating with my fellow humans - an interactive member of the pack. Neither my mom nor myself had any comprehension of what a monster we were creating. But it got worse. Our town had no Kindergarten or other pre-school, so Ma taught me to read and write before I bused off to Elementary school. That's where I learned to write stories (manifested in song form for the first four decades of my life).

Today, I actually get paid to write people's stories. Amazing. And the satisfaction of shining a light on someone's accomplishments is a rush akin to learning to speak. The work is so fulfilling that I even enjoy doing it for free on this blog (which was originally intended to chase cockroaches away, but I quickly tired of that negative approach). The monetary payment I receive from publishers is but a pittance, so I must promote the work for the sake of more Bachelor Chow. Promotion is, by far, my weakest skill set, so I'm practicing on the SGE Guinea pigs today. Thus, this spammy post, guaranteed to attract enough cockroaches to keep us all entertained into next week.

The latest, from CarTech Inc. Get yours at http://www.amazon.com/Show-Rod-Model-Kits-Showcase/dp/1613251564, or directly from www.cartechbooks.com. The modeling community has created an impressive buzz around this release. Thanks guys!

The current model book was inspired by the reaction to a single chapter on scale models of the featured cars in this book. Get hip at: http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Wildest-Show-1960s-1970s/dp/1613250363, or  www.cartechbooks.com. Lots of fun stuff jammed in these pages.

Oh, don't act so shocked. You know I'm a lifelong beater guy. These are mostly just extreme beaters. And many are too well done ("Well dressed rats" to quote Tim Bernsau's Foreword) to even be considered beaters! See for yourself at: http://www.amazon.com/Rat-Rods-Roddings-Imperfect-Stepchildren/dp/1934709212, or at http://www.cartechbooks.com/rat-rods-rodding-s-imperfect-stepchildren.html

My first assignment for CarTech Inc. was this tribute to my beloved station wagons. It sold out and no second printing is planned, so happy hunting to you on Amazon.com, eBay, and wherever else obscure out-of-print books are sold. 

I wrote this one for free, and paid dearly for the privilege. The freshman release from the Gosson Bros. Racing Library has yet to pay for itself (despite exploiting Cole Coonce right on the cover). Regardless, more GBRL books are idling in the staging lanes. Invest in a modern collectible at: http://www.amazon.com/Racing-America-Global-American-Motorsport/dp/1490539778, or mainline it from https://www.createspace.com/4338903

Previously on SGE, we exposed Chris Shelton's photoshoot of Aaron McClinton's Model A. See the finished product in the April 2015 issue of Street Rodder magazine. Now playing at your local news stand.

Look for a feature piece on hot rod pioneer Clem Tebow (of C-T Strokers fame) in the May issue of Hot Rod Deluxe magazine. It should be on your local magazine rack in mid-March. Photo not available. (Artist rendering courtesy of Floyd Lippencotte Jr.)

Still can't get enough Scotty spam? I'll be on Motormouth Radio this Thursday (at noon Eastern time), plugging away. Tune your dial to www.motormouthradio.com. There's even a video feed now! And hosts Chris and Ray baked a cake for my 12th appearance on the show. Thanks guys! I'm hungry. And nice shirt, Ray! (Photo courtesy of Motormouth Ray)

Remember when Gosson Bros. Racing Library released the soundtrack to my Surfing the Asphalt Playground book last year? If not, refresh your hindsight at: https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=2233253

February is National Surf Month, so producer/drummer Rob James and I are cranking out a new Scotty Gosson Combo album in Rob's garage. That's Rob at the board, focusing on a playback listen, or dozing off. It's hard to tell.

We even have mini bikes for break-time steam venting purposes.

The secret blueprint for the new album. With any luck, it might come somewhere kinda close to this plan, maybe. There's no controlling the creative process - just gotta let it happen. (Scotty shots)

Okay, that oughta be enough promotion to keep the publishers happy for a few more months. Sorry, everyone.

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UPDATES

The big news in Gossonville is brother Rocky's '34 Ford. I know, it has a '33 grille. Call it a 33 1/3. Either way, it's home from the body shop, and Rocky is now making up for lost time (seven years worth).

Rocky and the 5-window coupe aren't above a little Selfie promotion either. They have good reason to celebrate.

What the fuss is all about. Tin basher Jimmy Vaag outdid himself on the body (previously a dirt track car). Suspension and drivetrain are just mock-ups, but that is changing quickly now.

That's right, traditionalists, it has a 5-speed. You'll just have to deal with that.

Rocky and Jimmy fabbed a new firewall while they were twisting the tin...

... which Rocky has now covered up with 370 inches of Poncho power ( a stroked and poked '57 347). This single 4-barrel version will suffice for break-in and initial testing purposes, then Rocky will install the good stuff.

Looking ahead, Rocky has been experimenting with color on the custom dash. Nothing wrong with a dash of color. (Photos courtesy of Rocky Gosson)

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The Ghost of Doctor Lockjaw floated through the Custom Metal shop last Sunday...

... and wailed away on his hot rodded wah wah pedal just like Sly Stone! It was creepy-cool.

Then we tacked the sides on the SGE Model A motor mounts (passenger side shown)...

... and fabbed up matching mounts for the driver's side. Doc puts the tacks to that one here.

We also made and installed the trans crossmember and roughed out a tranny mount, to be finished and installed next week (this revolutionary design will be worth waiting for, trust me). All of these baby steps are starting to add up to something. (Scotty shots)


SQUIRREL AND TOOLBOX

PSA: Keep each other warm this winter. Hypothermia is no joke. If you can survive this winter, spring shall be your reward. It's waiting just around the corner, honest engine. I'm no meteorologist, but I stand by this prediction: It'll be roadster weather before you know it.

World renowned award-winning photographer Spike Kilmer caught Brian Smith's Cadillac sunbathing last week. Savor the sun showers when you can. I know what's in the jug, but I'm not talking. Instead, I direct your attention to the '80s-vintage Craftsman rollaway in the background. I've said too much. (Photo courtesy of Spike Kilmer)

GRIN

Since we're spamming up the joint, why not a word on the new '57 Hoover? Word is, "It beats..."

THE COMPLEX LOVE LIFE OF STACIE ALLISON

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A classic romance: Stacie Allison and her Model A, a match made in Wisconsin. Until some Northwest hot rod guy turned it into a love triangle of Shakespearean proportion and everything went upsidedown. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

Estrogen-fueled hot rodders are no strangers to this blog. It has featured many, from every micro-niche of the hobby. Such media exposure was considered a novelty not so long ago. But when the women of Generation X came of age and threw their rule books out the window, glass and status quo shards were shattered and scattered from here to eternity and back. There were many fearless women who pioneered the way (bless their souls) and paid dearly for the privilege. Alas, those heroic explorers are now fading faster than their epitaphs can be written. But the cycle of life has also graced us with a beautiful new day.

Most of the hot rod women you've read about here are people I've crossed paths with in the course of my work and have come to know, to various degrees. Exhibit A is SGE favorite Lori Bentley Law, who chronicles notable female gearheads regularly on her Motor Dolls blog (www.motordolls.com). Lori writes of these women with more credibility than I can possibly muster with all of this stuff between my legs. I don't know Stacie Allison or her husband Jeff, but feel like I do, since reading Lori's blog. I'm sure we will meet some day, if it's meant to be. Until then, here's an outsider's perspective:

Following a string of motorcycle projects and a V-8 Austin Healey, Mechanical Engineer Stacie Depner developed a crush on hot rods and decided to build her own. Respected hot rod artist Jeff Allison volunteered to show her the ropes, upon their meeting at the Grand National Roadster Show. This primer-stage shot of the '32 chassis Stacie built illustrates the harmony Jeff and Stacie realize when working together. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

A natural born tinbender, Stacie fabbed the body from the usable components of two derelict A-bones, under Jeff's watch. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

To my knowledge, this 327" Chevy is Stacie's first engine build. Highlights include a 6 X 2 induction system and a venerable Duntov 30-30 cam: "It has that wonderful vintage lopey sound." (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

Also a quick study on the welder, Stacie chopped the windshield and stanchions, but went conservative on the lean, keeping the car's traditional Midwest values intact. (Photo courtesy of Chadly Johnson)

That magic moment when the puzzle comes together. Who can't relate to that adrenaline smile? (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

Fruit of the labor: Stacie Depner's dad drives her up the aisle at her wedding. It doesn't get any sweeter. Stacie loves her dad. Minutes later, she magically transformed into Stacie Allison. (Photo courtesy of Sasha Landskov)

Every wedding requires a little drama to keep the guests awake. As usual, Stacie took the DIY approach. You can always get more Bridesmaids. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

Celebration of the four year build has now moved from the Midwest to the West Coast, without losing any momentum whatsoever. Note narrowed '54 Plymouth dash. (Photo courtesy of Josh Kurpius Photography)

Jeff Allison, esteemed hot rod artist, private fabrication instructor, and vintage tin pilot. Please send healing prayers for Jeff's thumb. The hair looks healthy though. In between building cars and knocking out design work, Jeff founded Thee Inland Emperors car club in his native Spokane, Washington playground. We're practically homies. He then did a stint in Minnesota, and now makes his home in California.

A Jeff Allison sampler:

(Images courtesy of Jeff Allison)

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UPDATES

Last week, my brother Rocky Gosson brought his '34 coupe home from a seven year stretch in Jimmy Vaag's body shop purgatory (details on last week's blog).

Rocky's one car garage had accumulated a few odds and ends during the coupe's absence. This was the scene last week. The coupe would be a snug fit in here.

The Rocky shop today! The coupe will still be cozy in here (can't open doors), but will now share this decadent hospitality area. What happened to the welders, toolboxes, and piles of parts? Rocky surprised wife Janet with an artful redecoration of the living room! That's right gals - sorry, but he's married (as of this writing, anyway). (Photos courtesy of Rocky Gosson)

Not to be outdone, my other brother, Mark Gosson, redecorated his bathroom (he's a VW guy). (Photo courtesy of Mark Gosson)

While my brothers were sidetracked with interior decorating activities, I was at Dr. Lockjaw's Custom Metal shop, gettin' right after it. Doc and I managed to design side supports for the SGE Model A motor mounts on Sunday, and got the passenger-side pieces cut before the Super Bowl started. Next week: The driver's side! 

My heart was set on side supports that would angle outward from the center upright piece at 45 degree angles, offering increased strength and style. Unfortunately, such pieces would require a redesigned (larger diameter) motor mount pad to attach to. With Super Bowl kickoff looming and steel supply shrinking, we went with this 90 degree side support design, featuring radiused outer edges to continue the theme established by our suspension brackets. I was apprehensive regarding the "box design", but pleasantly surprised with the final shape.

The side supports look even better from this angle, and are downright impressive from a dead-on front view. Alas, my trusty Olympus E-420 faceplanted on its way to the front of the car, damaging the lens to the point of being inoperable. We had a good run together - seven years - which probably isn't bad for a Chinese student-model camera, subjected to cruel abuse in hazardous environments from salt flats to drag strips to fab shops, and several wild rides in rowdy race cars.

The diagnoses turned out to be less than terminal. One of the lens cover tabs had broken off, allowing ambient light to sneak in and freak out the camera's little computer, which defaulted to shutdown mode. I had some two-part epoxy handy and tried to bond the busted piece back on, to no avail. Looks like an expensive tube of Super Glue is in my future.

I started duct taping the camera card door shut a few months ago - a sad reality slap and a sticky pain in the ass. 

The Olympus tests positive with the wide angle lens on, which is a relief. With enough duct tape and Super Glue, I should get another seven years out of it, no sweat. Thank God I have my cellphone for backup, so I can keep selling amazing shots like these to discerning publishers worldwide. (Scotty shots)

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SQUIRREL AND TOOLBOX

Ah, how this image transports me back to my photography days. That was a long time ago - over 36 hours now. God, I miss seducing my subject into that perfect intersection of light and angle, and claiming my conquest. I can't take it anymore. I'm off to Walmart for Super Glue and duct tape. With any luck, the camera will be healed up by Valentines Day, and I can take it out for a celebratory dinner at a romantic restaurant. 

Stacie Allison's weekday box includes every tool she needs for her work at Onsite Muse Hair and Makeup Artistry. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)



GRIN

Hot rodders tend to mark their territory wherever they go. From tire tracks to pinstripes, the world is their canvas. Stacie Allison's mixer may have been a wedding present, but is now tagged for posterity in retro-traditional fashion. She can't help it. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Allison)

Neither of these guys are wearing safety glasses. 

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