What a ride!

This beauty of a ride is owned by Ron Hughes and was seen at the top of South Third Street in all of her glory at the recent Renton car show, Return to Renton. A 1948 Dodge, Ron has owned this car for about 4-5 years, but just recently got around to getting the last finishing touches done and ready for public ahhhing and ooohhhing.

A big fan of Ed, the owner of Kenny's Upholstery right here in town, some bits and pieces of the car restoration were still not getting done. Ron looked at the work faux finish painter, Norm Petersen performed on the Happy Delusions store sign for Mary Clymer (see here) and wondered if some similar magic could be applied to the interior of the Dodge. Norm was off and running with the project in no time.

The dashboard and all the the other interior trim pieces were taken out and given a paint treatment that made it all look just like lovely, handworked pieces of wood. Except that they weren't wood - just metal painted with great care and skill to look as if they were. Many people have been fooled into thinking that all of the interior was original .

Both Norm and owner Ron have stories of car owners and restorers coming up and telling them how good the wood looks inside the Dodge, only to be see their completely shocked faces when they realize that it is just some clever paint and brush work on metal. It never fails to amaze people. A cursory glance, or even an good inspection by a car enthusiast can have you fooled.

Norm Petersen is a master hand at many an assorted finish, and maybe this car will start something new in his business. Check out his blog on finishes to see some of the other examples of his lovely work and creative endeavors.

Besides being the proud owner of the 1948 Dodge, Ron Hughes can often be seen riding to morning coffee in his 1967 Datsun. He also has a '68 Electra Convertible, a '53 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and a '69 Riviera. No shortage of vintage flash and fun rides there. These aren't trophy cars for Ron either. He drives them and appreciates them for exactly what they are - automobiles, a means of transportation and just a bit of eye candy for those inclined to see the beauty in a well designed car.