The color of Spring and a '48 Chevy

The color and hue of Spring in a '48 Chevy - that is what turned my head today and put a smile on my face. This baby has been in the hands of owner, Lou Gulman, for nearly a year and she is looking oh so purple and oh so good.

This '48 Chevy Fleetline Arrow was the same model that Lou drove back in his younger days. He rescued it for a 4 year stint where the old chevy was deteriorating fast and put a lot of elbow grease and time into this beauty to have her sparkling and cruisin' the streets of Downtown Renton.

Love is in the details. Just look at the purple dice on the tire rims and the top of the door locks. The hood of the car has a subtle array of flames that you can only admire from close up. Lovin' it.

Lou Gulman is not a trophy queen - he drives his beautiful purple car whenever he can, even making long road trips over the mountain pass to see family. But the seats aren't as comfy as he would like, so that will be one of the next improvements he makes on his baby (heads up to you Kenny's Upholstery). Not unlike The Picaroon's friend Ron Hughes, seen here and here, Lou believes that vintage is best - and not meant to be left at home under a tarp till the car show comes to town.

Thanks, Lou. You and the "old chevy" made my day!

Gotta love a car like that

This was the view on South Third Street just the other day. Yesteryear, today - it all melds into the same. Lovely vintage ride provided by car owner Ron Hughes. Gorgeous weather thanks to our indian summer.

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.

Caddy Cool

Original spray paint job - "rattle canned" to perfection. This Caddy is owned by Mike and Crystal Roberts.

Mike has had many people ask the question "How did you get this texture on here?" It looks that good and the details (cobwebs) are very sweet.

The car sat in front of the Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes during the Return to Renton Car Show this last Sunday. And since Crystal works there during the week, this made perfect sense.

The back of the car has some awesome features as well = check out the license plate frame- fangs!

Don't put your kids in the back without supervision, folks - they might make off with Dad's rad skateboard collection.

The continuing SAGA of the Return to Renton Car Show last Sunday that I am still salivating over 4 days later. Vintage Cars - luv em!

Carlove Continues at the Picaroon of Renton

1955 Chevrolet Belair - owned by Steve Lightle. What a lovely two-toned gal!

1925 Ford "T" Sedan with Flames Galore owned by Tom Knebel. Pirates Ahoy!

Marysville Speed and Custom - "Yesterdays Cars - Tomorrow's Technology" Smilin' Grillwork. Give them a call if you need to "pimp your ride!"

Owner Lansing's Chevrolet - can't make out the year, but the the paint job was
SMOKIN"!

The Continuing SAGA of the Return to Renton Car Show held this last Sunday in the DTR!

Car Candy

1970 Plymouth Roadrunner - unrestored, original owner (pictured in photo), drives with stuffed animal in the rear seat (still can't use the commuter lane).

The sign says it all - and was so classy, I took a picture of it instead of the car. Go figure.

1955 Buick Roadmaster - owned by Valerie Pipkin, 38 K original miles. Looks like a marine vessel with that design, don't she?

Can't have too many of the cute Nash Ramblers now can we? The secret is that Mom used to have one so we had to look at each model available for viewing yesterday, here in good ole Renton at the Return to Renton Car Show.

Car Show Gleam

This is the symmetry of car commotion that pedestrians were treated to today at the car show. Hope you made it down here, 'cuz the views were hard to beat.

I got soooo excited by this gorgeous hue of orange, I forgot to get this car's info, so mea culpa to owner and fans alike - but this was one sleek roadster.

Owned by Ray Nuemiller, this car is aptly named "Pinki". She is a 1960 Metropolitan Nash/Rambler and she is cute!

1941 Lincoln Zephyr owned by ALex and Virgie Cordas. That is sleekness personified.


Return to Renton Car Show - over 400 cars, extending down S.Third Street (formerly known as "The Loop") and shooting off onto adjoining side streets. Fabulous. Fun. Sooooo photo worthy.

You will be getting photos of some of my favorites all week long. I took almost 250 pics today, and I will be subjecting you to them regularly. So hold onto your carburetors, boys, Mama's gonna be bringing the cars on home to the blog!

Gorgeous Car Show - let's go

This beauty is "rattle canned" design by Mike Roberts - on show whenever Mike and Crystal drive it in the famous DTR!

Sunday from 10 - 3pm, you can wander on downtown to The Piazza and beyond and see 700 gorgeous cars in the Return to Renton Car Show and Cruise - In. The Renton Chamber of Commerce and the Piazza Renton Organization assist with the production of the show, which is supported by local businesses, organizations and area residents. Arts Unlimited will be hosting an art show that we all get to view at the same time as the metal works of art know as the cars. This year will be almost twice the size as last years and encompass for more of the streets in our cool little downtown. Prizes, DJ to get us in the mood, a booth for kids, and many types and classes of cars to ogle.

There is still a chance for those who would like to enter there car here in this, the 19th year of this show. The $20 registration fee goes to the Renton Police Department's Youth Education Program.

Judging begins at 11:30 and the trophy presentation and Cruise- in at 3 pm.

Put this event on the weekend calendar folks - it's gonna be fun!

Ain't she a beauty?!

Gorgeous view on S. Third Street today - that is one beautiful ride right there. Owned by Ron Hughes. I am experiencing deep car envy.

Yesteryear/Today - Downtown Renton

These were shot yesterday just on Wells Street in a little parking lot just off South Third. I swear, those tow cars look as if they have been parked in those same spots for years - and just maybe, they have.