(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – This is the LAST article of the LAST Carl Casper Car Show.  Sad to see it go and it seems nothing else is in the wings to take its place.  In this collection we have the nostalgia-type rides which include recreations and some real-deal racers from back in the day.  We begin with Tom Hans’ blue ’55 straight-axle that was freshened just last year, but remains a reported 95% correct to its origins back in the 60s.  It has all the cool parts from a stout Pontiac 9.3” diff to a Vertex mag.  This was one of a few time-capsules we saw there.  Many of the cars in this group will be familiar to the faithful followers of my articles covering the Straight-Axle Mafia, US-60 Dragway, Thornhill, NSRA Nationals, and Somernites.  I don’t get tired of seeing them and it’s rare to capture them inside and all clean.  One new thing is the newest straight-axle Falcon of Joe Bridges from the Straight-Axle Mafia.  The ‘Mexican Blackbird’ is an original car from way back that Joey brought mostly back to snuff.  The stance and paint are awesome.  Bob Lathery Pinstriping and Lettering handled the graphics while Lowhorn & Sons handled the glittery roof paint.  We were notified shortly after the show someone talked Joe out of the car and it was sold.  The beautiful lettering and artwork were supposedly removed.  Oh well.

Farewell to the Carl Casper Car Show and we will continue to remember what we’ve seen an experienced there.