a ROCKIN' great time, definitely had by all, at CLASSICS AND CHROME in Rockford, IL

Troy Finner in his 2005 Chevy Cavalier Pro Stock drag car (above)

John Holt's 2006 Bone-Bike (above)

Walt Baranowski Jr. in his 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible (above)
more Bone-Bike (above)
Bob Schaltenbrand's 1928 Ford Model A pickup (wife Judy above)
Irv Hammack's 1957 Pontiac Bonneville (above)

Darlene Hamaker admiring and wearing . . . the Little Deuce Coupe

Jon Esler, Headmaster, The Keith School (above)

1937 Cord, Lycoming engine inside (above)

Darrel Burnett in his 1957 Ford Thunderbird (above)

John Brizzolara (aka BRIZZ on WKGL-FM/Rockford (The Eagle), where he's Program Director) with son Reilly (above)

Arlene (the original Mustang Sally) (above, in her Mustang)

Arthur Swanson's 1942 Cadillac Model 62 (above)

look-- a 3-book guy!!!

I spent this past weekend at the Classics and Chrome event in Rockford, IL. My hosts were Jon and Jackie Esler (Jon is the Headmaster at The Keith School, the annual beneficiary of this fine event; Jackie teaches there as well). Jon and the school's event committee asked me to sign and personalize copies of ROCKIN' which the school purchased to raise money, and I was delighted to do so. I met hundreds of great people and I hope everyone enjoys their new book.

-

Thousands of car fans and gearheads turned out, and I urge everyone in southern Wisconsin, northwest Illinois, northeast Iowa, and western Indiana to attend next year. It's that good!

-

Gotta thank Donna Goomas for inviting me. Donna unfortunately witnessed the event from a hospital bed, thanks to a persistent flu that finally did her in. Donna--you were everywhere (in spirit)! Also, special thanks to Diane and Vince Zammuto; Darrel Burnett; Helen; Jeff; Brizz at WKGL; Ziggy (Craig, my rockin' chauffeur); and Annette and Lin Schryver for all their assistance and support. At the sponsors dinner, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the Myles Nielsen Band. Myles is the son of Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), and Rick, who was playing a gig in Florida that weekend, had his own T-Bird and a '58 Ranchero in the show. Rick also donated a number of famously-signed guitars to benefit the school.

-

Thanks also to screenprinter-artists Ron Donovan and Chuck Sperry of the Firehouse Studio in San Francisco for donating one of the Eric Clapton tour posters they designed (portrayed in an earlier blog here), and Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine Studio in Chicago for donating his last copy of the Ferris Bueller film tribute poster which he drew and screenprinted You guys rock!

-

I especially enjoyed seeing the Lycoming engine inside the '37 Cord; several magnificent Austin-Healey 3000's (my all-time favorite sports car); every one of the muscle cars; and the mustache-grille on the black and red '46 Chevy pickup. I could go on and on, tho.

-

Nevertheless, the ROCKIN' car-of-the-show award goes to Darrel Burnett's black and white Thunderbird (having gone through a full-frame restoration, and estimated to be one of approx. 20 produced in 1957 with the combination of a 3-speed overdrive and a non-porthole (removable) top). See picture above. This, in honor of the greatest car song ever sung, "Black and White Thunderbird", by The Delicates (see page 181 in ROCKIN').

-