The '08 Version of the Primer Nats was verrry cool!
By Jim McGowan
THEY HOPE RUST NEVER SLEEPS! The alternative auto style, Rock-A-Billy, pomaded and tatted up automotive Kounter Kulture strikes again. This year's venture into severe rustification and bright red lipstick was held over Labor Day weekend at the Ventura Fairgrounds, in Ventura, CA. Vehicles with no tops, no hoods, questionable floors, no seats, no windows and definitely only Mother Nature's A/C, came from all points on the western map. Without counting each car, it appeared there was approximately 500 cars and several thousand tattoos in the show on Saturday, plus a ton of spectators filling the fair ground's streets.
Not all the vehicles were dropping parts and fine rust powder on the ground, there were some knock out customs, hot rods, street rods, and trucks on display. This year there were also many new types of vendors, but we missed the swap meet. For some reason, this important part of the show was omitted. Beside the cars, there was a great display of motorcycles and Forties and Fifties outfits. I asked an old acquaintance, who's not really a car person, why he showed up at this particular event. His answer was, "I only came to look at the women!" Actually, not a bad reason, since the scenery was excellent.
This show has something for everyone, from the ridiculous to the sublime and most everything in between. Despite the fact that many vehicles looked like they shouldn't or couldn't leave the driveway, upon inspection, the mechanicals for the most part looked road worthy. Since there weren't a lot of tow trucks, flat beds or personal trailers in the parking lot, our observations must be somewhat correct. They actually drove in! Check out some of the most outrageous examples in the photos, and if you get the chance to go next year, be prepared for some rust filled fun.
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