(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – Getting to the site of an event when it first opens is usually a great time to walk around and catch some really good photos as the sun comes up.  There’s not a lot of people, little traffic, maybe some birds singing, etc.  We, however, almost never get that opportunity.  This event was different.  We were on point this time getting there either before the gate was open or immediately after.  Yeah us.

In this gallery we have some serious doses of awesome.  How about a Datsun Z-car with a LS and tons of attitude to go with its no-nonsense stance.  Next we have the Studebaker Champion powered by 500 inches of Caddy.  As has been mentioned – easily the most valuable car on the property was a REAL Mercedes gull-wing sporting about a mile and a half of braided lines and one serious-sounding mill.  How gorgeous and the best part is its not sitting in some museum or private collection.  Then we have a streamlined coupe with the shape of a dagger.  It’s got a 304ci LS built to spin 9,500rpm and its backed by a Jericho tranny.  Check out the way the starter space problem was solved.  They had some shifter issues, but I’m sure once the bugs are worked it this thing will reach their intended goal of 300+.  Oh, its plumbed for juice just in case grunt doesn’t suffice.

The SAAB is just something you have to cheer for.  It’s a 3-cylinder, two-stroke mini-beast that runs over 100mph and uses a solar panel to charge the electrical system in staging.  Wild stuff.  The beautiful burgundy roadster fragged a u-joint which took out the carbon-fiber driveshaft and messed up more stuff in doing so.  It’s powered by a SB2.2 that should see this thing loudly singing the song of our people through the traps.  Enjoy these classic body styles that seek to cheat the wind and set new bests.