#all american homecoming headers

[kennarrowan]

lando johnson 🖤 (all american homecoming)

credit to @kennarrowan on twitter

[empress-of-snark]

(@caseyblu can’t do whatever a spider can, but he can make a cool header)

SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING (2017)

AKA: Tony Stark, reluctant father figure (Part II).

(Spoilers, obvi.)

Ah, another one of my top favorites of the MCU. I’ve actually rewatched this one several times since it came out, so I know it a bit better than lots of the others, and I still enjoy every bit of it. It’s just so fun.

Like Incredible Hulk, Marvel chose to skip right over the whole backstory where Peter gets his powers because after two failed attempts at Spiderman franchises in the past twenty years, we know what happens. Plus, we’ve already been introduced to Peter in Civil War, meaning that going back to his spiderbite would be even more of a hassle because it would be a flashback and they wouldn’t have a chance to expand on his relationship to Tony.

The Tony and Peter dynamic is one of my favorites in the MCU. Tony as the Exasperated Dad parenting his rebellious adopted son Peter is just so fun to watch every time. It really shows how much Tony has grown as a character, because 2008 Tony would absolutely not be giving fatherly speeches to anyone about responsibility, but that’s where he is now. He doesn’t want Peter making the same reckless mistakes he has in the past.

And I mentioned this in the review for it, but all of Iron Man 3 gives so much more context and weight to the line, “If you’re nothing without the suit, then you shouldn’t have it.” Tony had grown so dependant on his suits that he didn’t think he was really Iron Man without them, and he couldn’t cope by himself. He doesn’t want that happening to Peter.

I’m so sorry that every review is just turning into “Why I Love Tony Stark” hour but this is where I am. This is the problem with watching all the Marvel movies together in less than two weeks. Things get emotional.

Anyway, he can recognize that Peter is acting reckless and impatient when he really needs to slow down a bit and focus on helping the little guy until he’s ready for a bigger challenge.

This movie is great partially because it lowers the stakes a little and gives us some breathing room after all the intense movies that came right before it. Lowering the stakes can be underwhelming if done wrong, but it’s a good choice for a Spiderman movie because he’s still a Beginner Superhero. Maybe he’s not ready to save the entire world just yet, but he can save Queens.

Actually, this is one of the few cases of a villain who’s actually not out for blood. There’s no grand plot to blow up the city, kill Spiderman, or topple buildings. Toomes is literally just looking out for his family, doing whatever he can to survive. He’s a working class anti-hero. Yeah, he’s selling dangerous weapons to people, but he’s just making ends meet in these trying times. He’s another really relatable villain.

Tom Holland was a fantastic casting choice for Peter partly because, unlike the last two actors to play him, he actually looks like a teenager. He’s just so short and skinny and baby-faced that I almost can’t believe he’s not really 15. And out of all the fake Americans of the MCU, he may be the best at covering his natural accent, which is impressive.

By the way, shout-out to one of my favorite shots of the entire movie--Peter sprinting down the dark school hallway while dramatically ripping off his tie. It’s such a classic superhero shot and I love it.

This is just such a fun, teen movie. It’s a nice reprieve from all the intense, more action-packed MCU movies of the past few years and good to watch if you need a good laugh. It’s also got some of the most accurate representations of high schoolers and their teachers that I’ve ever seen. And Captain America’s cameos are a treasure.

RANKINGS:      Hero: 9 frogs-in-the-mouth out of 10. It’s refreshing to see such a young hero who hasn’t yet grown bitter and hardened by the world. He’s still idealistic and hopeful and saves the Vulture when he could’ve easily let him die. Peter’s just a joy to watch and so so easy to like.

     Villain: 9.5 mistaken anti-gravity guns out of 10. Michael Keaton is just so perfectly menacing in this role. He’s come so far from playing Batman. The car ride is the most stressful scene in the entire movie and even though you still sympathize with him a little, you recognize that he may very well be a psychopath.

     Supporting characters: 8 confidence hats out of 10. The supporting characters are part of what makes this movie so great. Aunt May, Ned, Liz, Happy, etc. are all just so loveable, even when Happy’s just the most annoyed babysitter. Tony shows up enough times to make an impression but not so often that he steals the show. And Zendaya is, as always, flawless.           Female characters: 6.5 Bechdels out of 10. This one does not pass the Bechdel test and none of the women really have a huge impact on the plot. Liz and her mother serve as Toomes’ motivation for what he does, and Aunt May looks after Peter, but that’s about it for them. To be fair, they’re all still fairly dynamic characters. And if Karen can be considered a woman (even though she’s a robot), she helps Peter out a lot, too. I’m thinking maybe May and Michelle/MJ might have bigger roles in the sequel.

     Action scenes: 7.5 punches out of 10. Each action scene is unique and shows off a different aspect of Peter’s powers. They’re fun to watch especially for the fact that he’s still not very experienced in doing this, so he’s just kind of fumbling his way through.

     Stan Lee: 2 cameos out of 5. He’s the grumpy neighbor who starts yelling with everyone else when Peter tries to prevent a ‘carjacking.’ Not one of his better cameos. This one’s just okay.

     Charisma: 8.5 points out of 10. The overall tone of this movie is very lighthearted and fun--it only deviates from this tone a few times in some more sinister scenes, but these are done very well. The themes of responsibility are very evident (as they always are in Spiderman movies, but at least this one didn’t include that one Overused Quote) and carry through until the end, where Peter decides to do the responsible thing and keep looking after New York for the time being. You leave this movie feeling very good.

In total: 51 out of 65, a 78%. Rotten Tomatoes said 92%.

Onto Thor: Ragnarok!

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

Okay lets dismantle this one for the road. But it’ll take a few goes to do it properly

To begin with what a charming header image. 

“He may have abandoned his alternate universe of the same description, but Miles Morales is, without a doubt, the ultimate Spider-Man.”

 SPOILERS!

There is more than a little doubt.

 “In just a few short years, the webheaded wunderkind has stolen the shine from right underneath Peter Parker’s nose. ”

“His adventures hearken back to the high school heyday of the original wall crawler (soon to be returned to on the big screen in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”) while offering a completely new, modern and unique perspective of the teenage superhero.”

 Why does this make him better?

 Peter Parker grew in popularity under John Romita Senior when he had LEFT high school and was in college. Most adaptations which have the option of choosing tend to either begin with him as or quickly progressing him into a college student.

 Spider-Man the Animated Series only briefly showed him in high school in a few flashbacks.

Spider-Man 2002 began with him in high school on the cusp of graduating and then advanced him into college by the half way point of the film.

 Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3 depict him as a college student.

 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 depicts him as a college student.

 The only major TV and film adaptations which have not had to do things for the sake of synergy which have actively chosen to make Peter a high school school are:

 -       The Spectacular Spider-Man Animated Series

-       The Amazing Spider-Man 2012

-       Spider-Man: Homecoming.

 The Ultimate Spider-Man Tv series might also be counted but it was released the same year as the ASM movie meaning there was likely a desire for synergy there.

 The Spectacular Spider-Man Animated Series was the first major adaptation which chose to make him a high school student when they didn’t have to and they did it because they were the first attempt to truly replicate the Ditko run and differentiate themselves from all previous adaptations.

 The ASM movie was retelling Spider-Man’s origin and also desperately seeking out any uniqueness amidst the fact that they were covering the same ground again. So they had to make him a high schooler and keep him there.

 Spider-Man: Homecoming similarly wishes to depict Spider-Man’s early days as it’s depicting the early days of the Marvel universe as a whole and it makes no sense for Spider-Man to have been publically active off screen for any length of time.

 Furthermore another CBR article actually listed over a dozen reasons as to why the 1980s (a decade where Peter was never a high school student) was the best decade for Spider-Man ever.

http://www.cbr.com/1980s-greatest-spider-man-decade/

 So what’s the big deal about Miles harkening back to the early days of Spider-Man?

 Or should I say what would be the big deal because between his mother dying, SHIELD having anything like a presence in his series, Venom, Blackheart and frequent crossovers and events and big events which might potentially shape the Marvel universe, there is more than a few elements unsuitable in Miles’ adventures if he is in fact harkening back to the simple down to Earth days of the Ditko era where Spider-Man was just living his day to day life, trying to make ends meet and coping with regular life ups and down.

 And...completely new and unique perspective of the teenage super hero?

 How so?

 It can’t be in so far as he is the first teenage superhero ever. Well over two dozen characters preceded him.

 It can’t be that he’s the first teen hero or hero in general to have spider powers or call themselves Spider-Man.

 It can’t be that he is the first teen hero or hero in general to have spider powers in post millennial society because we’ve had Mayday Parker/Spider-Girl and Ultimate Spider-Man do that.

 It can’t be that he is the first poc teen hero. There have been shittons preceding him and shittons more after him thus he hardly offers anything unique even if he was the first out the gate (but again he wasn’t....at all).

 Well okay maybe Miles is ‘unique’ as a take on the teen superhero because he is the first teen hero who’s taking over the legacy of another hero...whoops no he isn’t. See every Robin ever.

 Let’s tweak that. He is unique because he’s the first POC teen hero to take over the legacy of another hero...oh hello Cassie Cain what are you doing here over 10 years before Miles Morales was ever dreamed of.

 More tweaking? Okay. He’s unique because he’s the first POC teen hero to take over the legacy of another DEAD white hero who’s superhero identity was based upon a creature usually thought of as an insect and who Steve Ditko had a hand in creating.... Miguel O’Hara and Jaime Reyes? Who are they?

 AH! Could it be that he was the first poc teen hero who offers an African American perspective of regular life as a teen?

 Oh no wait no he wasn’t. There is quite a lot of stuff in his life which takes him away from just being a normal teen and even if there wasn’t Virgil Hawkins got there first too (and did it better). Not only was he actually created and defined as a character by black creators but here is what John Semper Junior (himself a black writer, story editor, and producer, with work including ‘SPIDER-MAN THE ANIMATED SERIES’) had to say about the character:

 “... I was one of the writers and story editors of the animated "Static Shock" TV show some years back (for seasons three and four), and I was nominated for an Emmy for my work on that show, so I have a warm place in my heart for this young super-hero character. In fact, I've always considered him the first black "Spider-Man," which made it very easy for me to segue from one show to the other....”

 Yes, Miles sure is unique all right. Nobody like Miles has ever existed before in comic books ever.

  “The creation of Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, since his debut in 2011’s “Ultimate Fallout” #4 Miles has gone on to utterly dominate “Spider-Man” across all media, with appearances in video games, the “Ultimate Spider-Man” animated series and a movie in the pipeline.”

 Yeah dominate all media. Because as we all know he was utterly vital in all those Spider-Man video games that have come out since 2011. He was sure as heck the lead of every Spider-Man movie appearance since 2011. He was totally the main character in that crappy Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon.

 He’s just so DOMINATING you guys!

 “As well as doing the usual superheroics to a tee, Miles has opened the character up to a wider, more diverse audience in the process.”

 Opened up what character to a wider more diverse audience? Spider-Man?

 Surely most people on Earth knew Spider-Man long before 2011.

 And doing superheroics to a tee?

 I don’t think having spider sense, invisibility powers and a venom blast that if used in combination means every fight should last 2 minutes is doing superheroics to a tee.

 Nor is just being handed your superhero costume or being fairly quickly accepted into prominent paramilitary/superhero organizations despite little experience.

 “But why stop there? Here are 15 ways Miles Morales is a better Spidey than Peter Parker.”

 Here are 15 ways CBR will make bullshit points for the sake of clickbait!

[npsparkclp]

Building Community in Nicodemus, Kansas

Camouflaged within the rural landscape of the Great Plains in western Kansas is Nicodemus National Historic Site.  A seemingly simple rural community, Nicodemus is a symbol for the strength, determination, and endurance of many African-Americans.

The history of Nicodemus starts at the end of the Civil War before the “Exodus of 1879,” when former slaves began moving out of the south to lands north and west where they could support themselves and make a living primarily through farming their own land. 

There were two significant groups that settled Nicodemus beginning in September of 1877. A real estate agent, W.R. Hill, and Reverend W.H. Smith led the first group of about 350 African-Americans from Lexington, Kentucky to Graham County, Kansas (where Nicodemus is located). Another group of 250 arrived in the spring of 1878.

A ca. 1885 view of Nicodemus, Kansas shows the original First Baptist Church and the Williams General Merchandise store (From Kansas State Historic Society, in NPS Cultural Landscape Report).

Nicodemus quickly grew into a typical western town, with general stores, livery stables, a bank, a law firm, a post office and many other professional practices by 1887. With the Solomon River just south of the town, the land and soil were rich and provided perfect conditions for agriculture, which is still the primary industry today in Graham County, Kansas. 

While Nicodemus exhibited promise and hope of becoming a flourishing community of former slaves, the town suffered greatly when the Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific railroad were rerouted south and north of the town. This led to loss of jobs and a declining population.

Even with its disheartening decline, the roots and history of Nicodemus persevered and the original settlers along with their descendants make sure the story, their story, was never forgotten. While very few live in the town today, the descendants champion for the history and its stories to be told. Every year, in late July, the Emancipation Celebration, now known as the Homecoming Celebration, takes place. The tradition is itself historic because it has occurred annually since 1878 after the settlers arrived. It’s a special festival that has descendants from all over the United States, as well as the world, come “home” to celebrate their roots, history, and stories.

During the first half of the twentieth century, the Emancipation Celebration was a regionally popular three-day affair for both blacks and whites, often attracting several thousand people. (NPS)

Nicodemus also prides itself on the symbolism of the “pillars” of the community: religion, commerce, education, community, and family. There are five structures that stand tall and represent each of these pillars: A.M.E. Church (religion), St. Francis Hotel/Switzer Residence (commerce), School District #1 (education), Township Hall (community), and Old First Baptist Church (family). The five structures were designated as one unit of the National Park Service on November 12, 1996. The structures and their symbolism hold the meaning and purpose of what the original settlers wanted to achieve when they founded Nicodemus, Kansas.

Map of the Nicodemus Townsite and National Historic Landmark and surrounding area, including the structures and road systems that contribute to the landscape's historic significance (USGS, in NPS Cultural Landscape Report).

While there were many other communities settled on similar ideas during the “Exoduster” movement, after the Civil War, Nicodemus is the only community from that time period that exists today. Nicodemus not only holds its own history and symbolism, but it is a symbol for the strength, determination, and perseverance of all former slaves and African-Americans finding a new life after the Civil War. 

Nicodemus National Historic Site Cultural Landscape Report (PDF)

Nicdemus National Historic Site website

Nicodemus, Kansas is a site on the NPS Cultural Diversity Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary

Discover more stories of African American history, civil rights, and the pursuit of equality for all at National Park Service sites

[frontproofmedia]

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai-Juan Francisco Estrada II Finalized for April 26

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

PRESS RELEASE

Follow @Frontproofmedia!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');

Published: February 26, 2019

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Juan Francisco Estrada will meet in a rematch for the WBC and Ring magazine Super-Flyweight titles and WBA and IBF Super-Bantamweight World Champions Daniel Roman and TJ Doheny clash in a unification battle on a blockbuster night of action at The Forum, Los Angeles on Friday April 26, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.   Rungvisai (47-4-1 41KOs) and Estrada (38-3 26KOs) clashed at the LA venue in February 2018 and delivered a memorable all-action affair that saw Rungvisai defeat Estrada by Majority Decision to retain his WBC Super-Flyweight title.   Pound for pound Thai star Rungvisai, who recently penned a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA, successfully defended his title for the third time in October on home turf against Iran Diaz, while Mexican ace Estrada enters the bout on the back of wins over Felipe Orucata at The Forum in September and Victor Mendez in Carson, California in December.

“I am extremely excited and honored to be back fighting in the US again,” said Rungvisai. “Estrada is a great fighter, and we had an amazing fight last year. Our round 12 was awarded Round of the Year by WBC. That is an evidence of how entertaining the previous fight was.    “I believe that this fight on April 26 will be even more entertaining. I am training extremely hard in Thailand. And I am confident I will be the winner on April 26th.   “Thank you to Matchroom Boxing and DAZN for this amazing opportunity, it's such a great honor to be fighting for them. I also would like to thank WBC, NKL Team, and 360 Promotions for making this possible. I can't wait to give a great fight to all the fans on April 26th!”   Roman (26-2-1 10KOs) and Doheny (21-0 15KOs) clash in a unification bout that is certain to entertain. Roman was one of the standout fighters of 2018, winning a wide points decision in the first defense of his WBA crown in Japan over Ryo Matsumoto in February and followed that with another authoritative points triumph over Moises Flores in Frisco, Dallas in June.   The LA man then punctuated his year’s work by stopping Brit challenger Gavin McDonnell in the tenth round of their clash on the first American boxing bill live on DAZN in October, and now looks to make a flying start to 2019 against IBF king Doheny.   Doheny’s path has echoes of his opponents as like Roman, the Australian-based Irishman travelled to Japan to land his first World title when he took the strap from Ryosuke Iwasa in Tokyo in August.

The unbeaten 32 year old signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA in January and swiftly made his first defense in New York against Ryohei Takahashi, stopping the Japanese in the 11th round at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, with Roman watching in the crowd.   “This is the biggest and most important fight of my career," Roman said. “I haven't been shy about wanting to unifying the division. This is the fight that I've been asking for since I became a World Champion. I need to deliver on my goal of becoming the best and a win against another World Champion puts me in that conversation.   “It will be a new experience for me because I'm not fighting a challenger, I'm fighting another belt holder. It's exciting in a lot of ways. I'll be at my best because I'm planning to add another title on April 26.

“It feels pretty damn good to fight in front of my hometown fans. My last five fights have been away from home, but I don't feel any added pressure in this homecoming of sorts. I know I have a job to do. Nothing is easy at this point. It's going to be a heck of a fight. Two World Champions fighting for control of the division. What more could you want?”   “Danny is one of those rare boxers that is motivated and committed to fighting the very best," said Ken Thompson, President, Thompson Boxing Promotions. “He understands the risks that he is taking, but that's what drives him. Against Doheny, he gets to show the world what he's made of. It will be a tough fight, but one that Danny is more than capable of winning. We expect him to fight his fight and come out with another win and another World title.”   "This was my ideal scenario," said Doheny. "Get the voluntary defence out of the way, then go straight into the unification, so great work from my team, and Eddie Hearn with Matchroom Boxing USA for getting this fight on. It’s unbelievable, it would mean the World to me. It’s just another boxed ticked, after I won the World title, the next goal was to become a unified Champion. I’m looking forward to achieving that.

"We met in the ring after the fight in New York, and there was a lot of respect for each other. That’s the way it should be. We’re two World class fighters, two World Champions in the division. A fight like this doesn’t need any false hype, I think that when you’ve got two World class fighters like this that’s enough of a selling point for a high-calibre fight like this.

"Danny’s a great fighter, he adds a lot of pressure, he’s a great puncher, great punch selection, he’s got it all really. It’s going to be a great fight between us, and I won’t be surprised if the fans get to see a bit of a war. Fighting Danny in his home city, that doesn’t bother me. I’ve been fighting on the road my whole career, so it will be no different to me. It’s me and him in the ring, and it’s going to be all action."

 A stacked card in support of the huge World title double-header is led by Jessie Vargas’ move to 154lbs. The Las Vegas-based LA man (28-2-2 10KOs) headlined the aforementioned Chicago show in an entertaining clash with Thomas Dulorme, a draw the outcome after 12 pulsating rounds for the WBC Silver Welterweight title, where a last round knockdown cost Vargas the win.   The 29 year old will start the journey on becoming a three-weight World Champion on April 26 and will have a new but familiar face in his corner with the bout marking his first fight under hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach.   Roach will be a busy man on the night, with former Super-Bantamweight World Champion Scott Quigg returning to action. The English star (35-2-2 26KOs) returned to winning ways in Boston in October with a spiteful second round stoppage of Mario Briones, and will be on familiar ground in LA where he trains with Roach and shared a bruising fast-paced battle with WBO Featherweight ruler Oscar Valdez last March.   Unbeaten Super-Middleweight talent Anthony Sims Jr is set for a breakout year and will fight for his first title on the bill. Sims (17-0 16 KOs), who is in action in Peterborough, England on Saturday night live on DAZN and Sky Sports, clocked three stoppage wins in the second half of 2018, and will look to convert that momentum in style in first the UK and then in LA.   Shakhram Giyasov (7-0 6KOs) and Diego Pacheco (2-0 1KO) landed wins in Tijuana, Mexico this weekend and will fight on the bill, while Eddie Hearn’s latest addition to his blossoming stable of young USA talents, Houston’s Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, will make his pro debut on the card.   “I’m proud to announce this huge card for our first show in LA,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Rungvisai vs. Estrada was one of the fights of the year in 2018 and fans can expect another war on April 26 for the WBC and Ring Magazine World titles.    “LA’s Danny Roman attempts to unify the division against IBF champ TJ Doheny and two division World Champion Jessie Vargas returns under his new trainer Freddie Roach as he begins his quest to win World titles in three different weight classes.    “Former World champ Scott Quigg returns to LA after his war with Oscar Valdez and unbeaten Super Middleweight star Anthony Sims Jr challenges for his first title. This is one of the cards of 2019 to date and fight fans can expect a wonderful show at the Forum and live on DAZN and Sky Sports.”

(Featured Photo: Matchroom Boxing)

[itsworn]

This 1932 Ford Roadster Was Huge 27 Years Ago. Now It’s Back!

The Jun. ’89 issue of Rod & Custom magazine contained coverage of the Grand National Roadster Show. To commemorate the 40th birthday of the Oakland Roadster Show (as the GNRS was originally known), the magazine paired two photos on its cover. One was a 40-year-old photo of a T-bucket from the first show in 1949. The other was a photo of the R&C Best In Show winner from 1989: Gary Matranga’s blown and injected Hemi-powered Deuce. Gary’s roadster got such an enthusiastic response from R&C readers that editor Pat Ganahl put it back on the cover again two issues later. The Oct. ’89 issue (Rod & Custom was published bimonthly in those days) included a feature article on the amazing high-tech highboy. Ganahl titled the story “White Lightnin’.”

The groundbreaking roadster from Sacramento was built by Dennis King at Kings Fabrication in Turlock, California. King handbuilt the car, adding hundreds of one-off parts and custom details. Like the other 23 Deuces in Gary’s collection, the white highboy’s body is Henry Ford steel. Of course Henry wouldn’t recognize all the modifications to the body, such as the shaved body panels, handbuilt hood and grille (with frenched turn lights), hoodside scoops (necessary to fit the Hemi), hidden rectangular flip-out headlights, molded-in mirrors, molded windshield frame, reversed doors with hidden hinges, and slotted taillights. The proportions were modified too. Those doors have been stretched 2-1/2 inches, the cowl was shortened 2 inches, and the hood was extended. The wheelbase was stretched 4 inches from the stock 106 inches.

In Oakland in 1989, Gary’s ’32 was in competition for the America’s Best Roadster award. As radical as it was, it was edged out by Ermie Immerso’s ’25 Model T track nose roadster. Disappointed, Gary decided to change the car and take it back to the GNRS for another try two years later. In 1991, the roadster was back in Oakland, this time wearing pale turquoise paint. Immerso was back, too, and for the second time the Model T went home with the AMBR trophy. Gary’s Deuce won many other shows throughout the year. After driving it for a while, Gary put the roadster away and started collecting other ’32s.

In late 2015, Gary was invited by John Buck, owner of the Grand National Roadster Show, to bring back the Deuce for the 2016 event. That invitation gave Gary the push he needed to redo the roadster. Tim Lohrey at Tim’s Hot Rods in Rio Linda, California, rebuilt the roadster for its third GNRS showing. The roadster hadn’t received much attention in the 25 years that had passed since its last public appearance. Rather than keeping the 1991 look of the car or redesigning it once again, Gary and Tim restored it to its ’89 style. Comparing these new photos with the old Rod & Custom photos, it’s remarkable to see how successful the restoration has been.

Lohrey went through the entire car, redoing whatever was necessary to recreate the look of the ’89 version. The chassis, built on a handmade frame, retains the Kugel rearend with a 3.50:1-geared Culbert Automotive Engineering independent quick-change rearend (now wearing a new custom cover). A Panhard bar and quadruple QA1 coilovers. The frontend features a 4-inch tubular dropped axle with four-bars, sway bar, and two more QA1 coilovers. A Vega box handles steering and Wilwood 14-inch front and rear brakes handle stopping.

Massive rear meats have always helped define the look of the car. The new Hoosier Pro Street meats measure a massive 330×15, riding on painted 15×14 Americans with chrome knock-off-style caps. The front skinnies are 185×15 Hoosiers on 15×6 wheels.

The ’57 Hemi engine was originally transplanted from Gary’s front-engine Top Fuel dragster. It’s fed by a fabricated air cleaner on a Bowers supercharger and Weiand manifold, with Hilborn injection feeding fuel. Brian Barnet did the rebuild, using a roller cam, 5/8 stroker crank, and Keith Black geardrive. A Vertex magneto ignition fires the Hemi to life, and custom stainless steel headers send exhaust to custom pipes and ed mufflers. A 727 Torqueflite transmission delivers torque to the CAE quick-change.

The roadster’s interior is both sophisticated and simple. The design is low-key, but the individual elements aren’t. Dave Putnam from Orangevale, California, built the seats and door panels on the original build as well as on the new recreation. The buckets are upholstered in black Italian leather. A custom console between the seats holds the ignition switch and toggles for the headlights, fuel pump, tank, and trunk. The upper console opened to reveal an audio head unit in the early days and now hides the battery studs and shut-off switch. The three-spoke steering wheel and the column are both custom pieces.

Gary has said that he never liked the turquoise paint that the roadster wore for its second GNRS appearance in 1991. It was a happy day when the car rolled out of the paint booth at Tim’s Hot Rods refinished in eye-catching white paint, just when it was first built. The paint is contrasted by lots of chrome, done at Sherm’s Custom Plating, Gary’s company.

By 2016, the Grand National Roadster Show had been out of Oakland for almost 20 years and Gary’s roadster hadn’t been at the event for 25. But when Gary Matranga drove his restored high-tech hot rod into the L.A. County Fairplex for its third GNRS, it was like a homecoming. Nowadays, the car is on display in Gary’s collection and, like every car he owns, it gets driven.

For photos of Gary Matranga’s roadster from its early days, and being restored at Tim’s Hot Rods in Sacramento for its third GNRS appearance, visit www.hotrod.com.

The post This 1932 Ford Roadster Was Huge 27 Years Ago. Now It’s Back! appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1932-ford-roadster-huge-27-years-ago-now-back-2/ via IFTTT

[chinad]

once stress now hilarity

Nov 9, 2017

dreamt of a podcasting event. the host likely recent hot leaker, Guo wengui(@KwokMiles), who revealed lots of dark secret of CCP high ranks. the first version was cancelled and the Guo decided to remake. a new van pulled in, likely as an award for publishing, but its tire is half empty. I among other volunteers push the van to podcasting stage. I also handle the microphone, wire connection, recording etc. yesterday really over elated. a planned event aid by my elder brother realized: renew woz's dearest domain, woz.fm for 2 more years now that migration to new registrar who support 4 years ahead to subscribe. our first registrar, godaddy forbidden more than a year to renew the domain, so every year I was anxious about it, and last year I really paid more for the domain after it enter recovery mode strangely before expire date. also, the domain under icann's administrative increases price $25 since next month. so I badly want to save the ￥500 before new renewal charge complies. I never thought I would raise money from my hometown relatives who mostly live average wealth. but God know its OK. my kid brother who has a small mill & bought 2 large houses, dishonored me heavily each time I ask for loan, did same lest my more aid requests. but my 2nd elder brother, my childhood main enemy and in recent years whose contribution to our old family, esp his favorite fishing skill brought more colorful meals in our old family times, warmed my heart and turned me into gratitude, and started to appreciate his loneliness. this time he touched by my cause & urged my kid brother leased the loan from him own proxy, even his family was not so capable to loan me. God dad, now I gained loans from both my sisters and brothers, each ￥1200. 2017 designated to be blessing, like yesterday's shallow snow here. God dad, grant me grow our fortitude against harsher siege PRC surveillance setup us. let my ancestor's gift and needed support reach us in time. let copycat tyrant missing in frustration. bring holy glories on shinny earth. bring me Royal China and my Crown Queen from Japan, Asoh Yukiko to broaden my life entrenched so far here from limelight.

Nov 2, 2017

this post designated to be brief: I just want to report my satisfaction yesterday and today. yesterday I blogged without dream's escort and narration went smooth. this dawn I dreamt my temporary inhabitant in a remote place, say northwestern China. I managed a lot and barely got aboard, on train or airline, to Harbin. near last stop I found my destiny far from Harbin where almost half China apart from central China, my hometown. so intensive triumph turned half completed in fact, I didn't regret but knew new journey ahead homecoming. then I woke up from vivid dream. yesterday I posted among boring, pale reality without nutritious dream. I contented with my work and avoid lunch. dining time I felt rewarding, and all female people I concern shown in daily jog refreshing outside around QRRS square. their kindness leaves me supplement to complacency. after settled in dorm and TV time began, my kodi under heavy surveillance. search result of my favorite episode appeared but playing back abrupt quit before rolling up. still I harvested via youtube which much readier accessible. I learned current world affairs, some situation in China first hand there. I also enabled gzip on my web server for speedier page load, after google reports test result on my site performance via gmail promotion. that's really nice to boost my site for greater audience. I have no other means to improve our voice, Royal China's emerging gospel, for world and our people beside this tiny technology. God dad, I really enchanted by podcasts' companion all day long during deadly siege by PRC tyranny, thx for the commodity, grant us freedom of voice & informative stream on base of poverty prevails mainland China with dying surge of ghost communism. bring me sooner my Royal China to broaden national. bring our Christmas day gift on time and cure our need of support of our living as well as investment in cyberspace. bring me sooner my Crown Queen from Japan, Asoh Yukiko, to extend my life folded so many years alone. dad God, let me resilient as usual.

Nov 1, 2017

Its a sunny golden summer morning. in the week I hardly in detailed dream, but still I felt so blessed. internet in PRC tightened much since the ccp congress. ai powered surveillance periodically disabled my internet upon triggered key word or something other incurred self-posed punishment. it can be dozen times in an hour. quite boring and spiteful. in the beginning of last week I almost thought I will be idle totally, but then on Wednesday I saw tasks: reinforce zhone dynamic sites with ssl from let's encrypt, a website promotes ssl worldwide with its free certificates issued more than thousands hundred copies. dabbog.com backend webapp also need update after near 2 weeks delay since its official update. I contacted godaddy hosting but the support crew made it clear that as a main upgrade godaddy will free itself responsibility but let my alone to do the update lest failure of lost. I loathed to join security tasks for I lack hacker experience and IT security training. after a day scrutinized the operational I launched near dinner time to upgrade my site, and smoothly done in an hour. it really cheers me up with new confidence in server management. next day I prepare ssl upgrade. I previously thought cert installation is the core problem, but soon I was detained by domain ownership verification hours. for one of my registrar's dns strangely didn't support root level text record, I have to single out a domain under the registrar for single certificate. then I got my first let's encrypt cert installed for 3 domains verified by dns txt record. cost some more time google web server's .htaccess hacking not to block file upload to server for verification, the another ownership of verification method adopted smoothly and 2nd let's encrypt cert installed. both likely least cost while my option one is server extension installation which has more impacts on linux os. its really marvelous to see zhone sites' ssl green & formally. since my first website on google cloud my ssl which is self-signed, never independent without malware's precaution and more click through before homepage load out. I also spend little more time to rip off http source of header & footer images to ensure full site ssl. in the weekend, ie Sunday, I demonstrated my work narrowly done in Saturday to my son, woz. my site traffic also booming recently, thanks God and faith we beholding. now its another Wednesday aimlessly, God dad, bless us with some engagements. bring me sooner my Royal China, and my Crown Queen Asoh Yukiko, for family & homage. grant us year end bonus to sustain my small investment online, and our business never so prominent in China history.

Oct 21, 2017

dreamt enter university again. the day is opening school day. I with other enrolled youth led to our school and dorm. through scenery natural hill, we passed through crowd parents to get seat in our campus. lately I carried my son explained to crowd what's philosophy in my view and why I study in university gain. my anxiety of dorm wet and over jammed disappeared at destiny chamber and I won friendship from alumni, includes alumna. my explanation turned like public speech, by which even myself moved. yesterday is salary day. I got ￥3060, 200 less than last month. even so, I arranged my monthly reunite my son in my dorm after cinema. transfering 4 domains from godaddy to dynadot almost done. dynadot home website online chat did wonderful support work. after 4 or 5 contacts including with godaddy support via land phone, I informed by dynadot crew that .io since 2017 July refuse in its whois database stores registrant information. so my long time dissatisfaction with godaddy for its hiding my registrant info with .io sponsor organization is not their fault but limitation of newly incursion. in review my smooth transfer I left positive comment on godaddy facebook page praising their gracious service. the comment arose comments at once. some of them questioned if I was godaddy's post bot. last night I read an article how insane Chinese parents flattered their kids' teacher mischief in their teacher and parent social circle via wechat, a PRC mainstream social app, and despise other parents' lawful requests for their kid's privilege like mobile not be seizure by school authority, bargain for favor of teacher. most poor Chinese just too feeble & coerced confronting organizations. that's why when I contact service providers in cyberspace I prone to be thankful even they are within my privilege: I am afraid to be punished for dispute with legal person. that reminds me long time in PRC society legal person stamp on nature person in lawless reality in socialism, and why PRC Chinese made their society a hell of institutional crime swarm: indifferent bureaucracy, warded gangster groups behaviors, shameless prey, brutal bully, hate & cry for others' transparency esp free media of voices. these characters all led to tyranny, like most mid-east countries where poorest & most violent led civilian only option, to exile. most PRC Chinese want to be a leader in an organization, just try to manipulate a puppet & behind curtain. and most forceful puppet is national army, largest dog or monster the tyrant invent to rein constitutionally, at cost of national surrender and sacrifice. that's the reasonable consequence of a society prefers superman/trojan horse, ie legal person to nature human. I at first thought I got the hidden truth about Chinese failure, and its cure, Capitalism, but then I saw more insane is extinguish of free speech/express, freedom of media, death of publicity. that also led me to review President Trump's efforts to blame American media. I first time felt dubious upon Trump's intention, esp my hero, former President G.W Bush recently criticize Trump, too, even undebatable Trump's self-discipline of American, and America first, both holy missions I believe in. God dad, PRC stepping into new Empire. but tyrant lacks qualification to put him up for throne, like what happens in Russian shows, even the small bitch trying getting his new turn of Presidency, relentlessly. nobody except holy chosen leads to Crown. that's China future political landscape. thx dad God, bring me sooner my Royal China, with my Crown Queen from Japan, Asoh Yukiko, with new territory we vested.

Oct 13, 2017

dreamt at hometown saw my kid brother had affair with a new bride whose husband's name same as mine in the village. he is an adopted son of a couple lately had their own younger son. in half nap I heard water heat system just water pumped in this season first time against chill and made sound inside channel. then I dream my kid brother bathed with the girl together in our old family's natural earth heat spring tube. the adulterous bride is granddaughter of the only woman whose most life is introducing half wizard religion with her tool of fate-telling in the village. my passed mother first attracted by the far neighbor then introduced to my dad, who since then more closer to faith and treated the old woman friendly in his late life till elapse. the old woman's surname is Mao, the same as PRC legendary leader. she never had a child and a life time smoker which quite strange among villager women. the bride father is also adopted by the old woman whose shrank husband also in surname Zhu as the founder of the village Zhudajiu, once prince of Founder & Emperor of Ming Dynasty. my kid brother introduced I had 2 other options to bath in the village. one is my aunt's homemade, another far from village near the village's dam & fountain. I hardly settled in man-powered bath tube in my aunt house. my youngest elder sister helped me to heat the water and chat with me. I just put off most of my lower part clothes but remained my chest covered in the scenario, squatted in bath tube before the water warmed up when later my cousins, ie my aunt's children, returned & gossiped around. I just felt awfully inconvenient with rural water heat system esp bath tube in dream likes old time rural toilet, maokeng or shit pit. in the last week I almost settled transferring out 4 domains from godaddy to dynadot. at first my son's domain, woz.fm, refuse display transfer authentication code. contacted godaddy then it fixed. then zho.io stuck in missing whois information and new platform can't find my email to send me initiating verification email to start transferring. I phone called godaddy 3 times barely explained my problem by my poor English. next day the hard initiative procedure rolling into track. that's all wonders I experienced after empowered by my hometown relatives' aid, and wonderful American gift of discount of my web presence cost, near ￥1200. the whole week in unease and relief of awesome of resolving. dad God, last to settle domain will arrive next Tuesday. help us clinch it unshakably. the whole week I felt unreal with the gain. now launch me in new land of adventure lest outpaced. God dad, in long run, let my investment on domain & our web presence weightless financially, burden free while rampant accessory as civilian in western democratic market nations. let us harvest in content and purposefully resourceful. in the week I review lots of my passed life, what my life means to others, including my son and my people in PRC. I hope my free of routine job while remains productive and self-rely. Dad God, bring me sooner my Royal China to carry mission longer. bring me sooner my Crown Queen from Japan, Asoh Yukiko, for better homing. thx for this golden autumn morning, dad.

via Blogger http://ift.tt/2AwrBAq

[itsworn]

Early ’60s 1941 Ford Custom Show Truck Makes a Big Comeback

Styles took a turn for the wild in the early ’60s, and custom rods and show rods helped lead the way. Since the ’50s, builders like George Barris, Dean Jeffries, Ed Roth, Bill Cushenberry, Darryl Starbird, Gene Winfield, and many others were pushing the boundaries of customization further than they had ever been pushed.

In some cases, these extreme custom styles were applied to trucks; the wildly customized Rod & Custom Dream Truck being one famous example. Another was a yellow Ford pickup exhibited at the 1962 San Mateo Auto Show. Owned by Joe Crispin of Redwood City, California, it featured a heavily louvered hood, a 1956 Oldsmobile engine, Eldorado wheels, Corvette taillights with 1959 Cadillac lenses frenched into the rear fenders, and a telephone and TV in the bed. A year later, the truck was back in San Mateo, this time with dark green metalflake paint, flames on the rear fenders and spare tire cover, frenched quad headlights added by Bill Cushenberry, and a new name: Crème De Menthe.

Steve McClain was a little kid at the time, just old enough to be impressed by those far-out show rods. Now he owns Crème De Menthe, a resurrected piece of Bay Area custom history.

Steve learned about the truck from his friend Dave Simonds, who found it at a swap meet in very rough condition. Steve was interested in the truck’s history as a Bay Area custom show vehicle. He offered a trade—the truck for an unfinished project of his own. What he received in his end of the trade was a far cry from a show truck. He brought it home in pieces, finished with a worn orange paintjob. “The truck was a basketcase,” Steve says. “The cab was a mess. All four corners were rusted out with huge holes in them. The floor was rusted out and had large holes in it. The firewall was toast, the back of the cab was dented, and the driver side door had some problems.” The lower portion of the cab was beyond repair. The bed was also in bad shape and had been tubbed when the truck was redone as a Pro Street–style race truck—but the louvered hood, front fenders with Cushenberry’s quad headlights, rear fenders with the custom taillights, and other distinguishing components had survived various rebuilds.

Steve wanted to preserve as much of the original truck as possible. Old timers in the Bay Area who had memories of the truck shared copies of show programs and a July ’62 issue of Rod & Custom magazine featuring photos. Eventually, Steve ordered repro cab corners, floor, and bed from Northern Classic Parts—and a new firewall and kick panels from Bitchin Products. He also bought a MIG welder to do his own sheetmetal repair. He replaced the rusted sheetmetal and added a new front frame section to the boxed Ford ’rails (which have now been powdercoated satin black). The new Mustang II–style front suspension from TCI includes polished tubular A-arms, 2-inch dropped spindles, and coil springs. A Ford 8.8-inch rear with 3.73 gears and limited slip came from an Explorer and is suspended by Posies parallel leafs. Front and rear antiroll bars were added and brakes were upgraded to front and rear discs.

American Classic offers tires with a narrow whitewall just like the tires seen on this truck when it appeared in Oakland and San Mateo back in the day. These 225/75R15 and 165R15 radials are mounted on Wheel Vintiques chrome reverse wheels.

The rebuild was not intended to be a clone of its early ’60s version, and Steve proceeded like a true customizer, making modifications that suited his taste and the truck’s personality. The Olds engine from the early show years was removed years ago. Power is now provided by a 1992 Ford 5.0L HO engine, aspirated by an Edelbrock 600cfm four-barrel mounted on a polished Edelbrock Performer RPM intake. A finned aluminum air cleaner and finned Moon valve covers give the engine a traditional look. The front pulleys are a Vintage Air Front Runner system. Sanderson headers connected to 2-inch pipes with glass pack mufflers handle the exhaust. Faux ripple exhaust pipes extend along the upper edge of the bed, just like they did in the ’60s. A Ford AOD trans built by Nor-Cal Transmission was treated to a shift kit and spins a Ford Explorer driveshaft, modified to fit.

Hot rod builders Brandon Flaner and Aaron Groesbeck had just opened East Bay Speed & Custom in Concord, California, when Brandon was contacted by Steve. Things were progressing on the pickup project, and he needed some professional attention to push it to the next level. The guys at East Bay are young but have a love for early customs (they restored Mickey Himsl’s historic 1929 Ford Pickup a couple years ago) and Brandon said that building the Steve’s ’41 was a fun project. He straightened and refined the bodywork, repaired some of the vintage lead work, and recreated the rear fender metalwork surrounding the custom taillights. Brandon and Freddie Bedolla used House Of Kolor paint to return the truck to its early ’60s green finish, complemented by some lowkey pinstriping. East Bay also rebuilt the aluminum bed tonneau cover and spare tire cover.

Old photos show gold and brown tuck ’n’ roll upholstery in the truck. Bob Divine at Divine’s Custom Interiors brightened up the interior, using light green and vanilla shake colored vinyl to cover the inside panels and the Ford minivan bench seat. The stock instruments were restored, and a trio of Stewart Warner gauges was added to the center of the dash. The steering wheel is a reduced 1940 Ford from Vintique on an ididit column.

In addition to doing his own building and working with Brandon Flaner and other professionals, Steve received help and support from fellow members of the Early Ford V-8 Club. After final assembly and a few weeks of working on final details, Steve, Brandon, Aaron Groesbeck, and Bob Flaner loaded up the 1941 Ford and took it to Pomona for the Grand National Roadster Show.

Spectators loved seeing a genuine early ’60s custom show truck make its 21st century return, and judges selected it for a couple of “Best” awards. If trucks have feelings, being back at the Roadster Show after 50 years must have felt like a homecoming for Crème De Menthe.

1941 Ford Steve McClain

CHASSIS Frame: 1940 Ford, boxed Rearend / Ratio: Ford 8.8-inch / 3.73:1 / limited slip Rear suspension: Posies parrallel leaf springs, tubular shocks, antiroll bar Front suspension: TCI Mustang II–style IFS, polished tubular A-arms, TCI coil springs and shocks, 2-inch dropped spindles, antiroll bar Steering: Power rack-and-pinion Brakes: Ford disc brakes with 11 1/2-inch drilled and slotted rotors, GM calipers, booster, custom pedal assembly Fuel tank: Bob Drake steel tank Front wheels: Wheel Vintiques chrome reverse 15×5 Rear wheels: Wheel Vintiques chrome reverse 15×7 Front tires: American Classics 75 Series narrow whitewall 225/75R15 Rear tires: American Classics 75 Series narrow whitewall 165R15

DRIVETRAIN Engine: 1992 Ford 5.0L HO Heads: stock Carburetor: Edelbrock 600 cfm Intake manifold: Edelbrock Performer RPM Valve covers: Moon finned Air cleaner: aftermarket finned Ignition: PerTronix Alternator: 100-amp, one wire Wires: Taylor Headers: Sanderson Exhaust / Mufflers: custom 2-inch pipes / glasspacks Radiator: Walker brass Fan: electric Pulley system: Vintage Air Front Runner Transmission: Ford AOD, built by Nor-Cal Transmission Driveshaft: Ford Explorer, modified

BODY Style: 1941 Ford pickup Modifications: Louvered hood, cab seams filled, replaced running boards, replaced bed, frenched antenna, upholstered spare tire cover, upholstered aluminum tonneau cover, quad headlights, custom taillights, Spotlights, radiused front wheel openings Hood: stock, louvered Grille: Bob Drake Door handles: stock Headlights / Taillights: custom quad lights by Bill Cushenberry in 1963 / frenched Corvette taillights with 1959 Cadillac lenses, rebuilt by Brandon Flaner Bumpers: 1941 Ford Super DeLuxe modified by East Bay Speed & Custom Mirrors: SO-CAL Speed Shop Glass: stock, tinted Bed: replacement from Northern Classic Parts Painter: Brandon Flaner, Freddie Bedolla, East Bay Speed & Custom Paint: House Of Kolor, candy basecoat, Organic Green, Graphics: Brandon Flaner, Freddie Bedolla, East Bay Speed & Custom Chrome: Walker’s Custom Chrome

INTERIOR Dashboard: stock Gauges: 1941 Ford truck, Stewart Warner Steering wheel: Vintique 1940 Ford Steering column: ididit tilt shifter Seats: Ford minivan bench, modified Upholstery: Bob Divine, Divine’s Custom Interiors Material / color: vinyl / Vanilla Shake, light green Carpet / color: cut pile / black with white piping Air conditioning: Vintage Air Wiring: EZ Wiring installed by Steve McClain and Tom Johnston

The post Early ’60s 1941 Ford Custom Show Truck Makes a Big Comeback appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/early-60s-1941-ford-custom-show-truck-makes-big-comeback/ via IFTTT