Shore Blvd., Astoria, 5.16.10 Part II

After photographing the gorgeous Corvettes this past Sunday, I strolled north on the boulevard, content with what I shot and thinking about heading home. I had seen a hot rod buzzing around earlier, then I saw it pass me again, turn around at the end of the strip, and slowly head back towards where I was walking. I took a few "candid" shots, then after it parked, walked over and asked the owner if I could take a few shots. His name is Vinnie but everyone knows his as "Cuz," as can be seen painted on the windshield of the '23 Ford T-bucket.
(It says "Cuz's T.") I've seen him down here before, but like the Corvettes, he's got a steady stream of admirers asking questions about the car. (Maybe he should make a sign like Joe Chevy.)Straight to the engine shots:



I love all of the little details he's got on the car - he's got dice capping every valve cap:

As we talked, a friend of his in a Prowler pulled up. Lucky for me, the minivan behind him pulled out so the Prowler could park. The two cars together were irresistible to everyone passing by! Groups of people stopped to admire them. I had to be patient to get the shots with as few people and their shadows as possible.

Wow - thank you Plymouth for this beauty...

Shore Blvd., Astoria, 5.16.10 Part I

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day. Shore Blvd. was blocked off in the morning for a race, but as I walked around, the police opened it to traffic. I walked north and saw this gorgeous 1963 Buick Riviera parking:

There wasn't much else going on, so I headed home.

I went back to the park later in the afternoon, and it was apparently Corvette day; a black and a red one were parked along the sidewalk as the owners enjoying the sun in their chairs. I did chat with Joe about his black Corvette as he gave me tissues and cough drops for this cold that keeps hanging on:His car gets so much attention when it is parked on the boulevard that he just puts out this sign so he doesn't have to repeat the details over and over:





The special red interior:
As we chatted and I took pictures, people would stop and admire the cars - it was difficult to get photos without gawkers in them. He also told me that he and a whole bunch of classic car owners hang out every Tuesday night at the McDonald's parking lot in Woodside. He invited me to come and take all of the photos that I want there - I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow...

And on to the red one. The owners of the '59 seemed content to enjoy the sun, so I let them be and just took photos:





Part II will have photos of a '23 T-bucket and a Prowler... by the end of the week, I promise!

1960 T-bird - Weatherford, Texas

I took a lot of great shots at the classic car contest in Weatherford, and may post more outtakes during the week. I chatted with the owner of this Thunderbird about his car for a couple of minutes.

The interior is all original, and had barely any noticeable wear and tear.
The chrome was in great shape...


...and the paint job a creamy baby blue.
He won fourth place:

Stroke of Luck - Weatherford, TX

I had to go to Texas last week for a family emergency. Heading into Fort Worth to stay with a friend before I returned to NY Sunday, my parents and I pulled into a Cracker Barrel in Weatherford for some lunch. As we turned into the parking lot, we saw a whole row of classic cars roped off. Cracker Barrel was having a little classic car contest! I spoke with the restaurant manager and he said that he has it once a year - invites people in with their classics, whether it's a show car, a beater, whatever - and has the patrons and his staff vote on the favorite. While I photographed, my parents chatted, so I have to credit them with some of the details.

Hoods up!

Great hood ornament:Gorgeous T-bird. I talked with the owner for a few minutes, and will do a whole post just on this car:

There were a few Chevy Bel Airs. Surprisingly, not a single '57:



Car guy with a sense of humor:

There were a few muscle cars - this orange Ford Torino GT was a beauty, and won the judge's choice award:
I drooled over this one for awhile:

Tachometer on the Mustang:

And the winner, Morris, with his '54 Chevy:More cars from Texas to come!

All images ©2010 Megan Green, All Rights Reserved.