A ’47 FleetLine is the game and “Dana’s Desire” is the name.

Once found in a junk yard, owner and builder, Alex Gomez knew the hidden potential this classic had and made sure it was nothing less than perfection.

His talent was recognized and featured in the June ’98 ‘LowRider Magazine’ issue.

I got the honor to meet Alex at the SFV (San Fernando Valley) Council BBQ and he took the time to show me the pride he had towards his car- the pictures speak for themselves.  

Twice in one month?!

I can’t seem to get enough of ‘Gasser Lounge’…

First, it was my adventures at “Star Wars de Mayo” (<-- click) this past weekend and now for May 11, 2013 ‘Gasser Lounge' will be holding a kick ass roller derby event! 

See flyers (below) for details

What do you get when you attend a “Star Wars de Mayo” party?? It’s easy – a bunch of festive people with their own interpretation of costumes.

According to Wikipedia (yes, I trust it’s knowledge as far as the next sentence goes) – “May 4 is considered a holiday by Star Wars fans to celebrate Star Wars culture, books and honor the films.^[2] It is called Star Wars Day because of the significance of the "May Fourth Movement" as an anti-imperialist, cultural, and political movement, a major theme of the original films and of the popularity of a common pun spoken on this day. Because the phrase "May the Force be with you" is a famous quote often spoken in the Star Wars films, fans commonly say "May the fourth be with you" on this day.” (photo -bleow- courtesy of Instagram)

It also helps that it’s the day before Cinco de Mayo which gives people, in the U.S at least, more of a reason to start early in the weekend to go out and get drunk with little to no judgment.

I, of course, started my weekend celebration on the 4^th and there was no other place I could’ve had a great time in than at ‘Gasser Lounge'…

The night was chilly, but of course that didn’t stop me from rockin’ a grayish blue dress with small white flowers with a hint of yellow all over. I matched yellow pumps in which I purchased at one of my favorite thrift / modern shops- 33 Rooms and my hair was styled with victory rolls adorned with a shimmery gold flower hair accessory.

My friend Lilly joined me for a night that would include Long Island Iced Teas, shots of Patron, Jäger mixed with Red Bull, and Sex on the Beach (the drink not the actual *clearing throat*). We arrived around 10p and walked up to a driveway filled with motorcycles, good lookin’ men and a taco truck.

After making my way thru the crowd I came across “Obi-Juan Kenobi” with the lovely “Padme Im-a-chola” by his side and entourage “Darth Vato” and “Yodale”. A good looking bunch I clearly didnt want to mess with.

Inside I got to see a “Storm Trooper” and “Boba Fett” (Derek and Ashley Hildebrandt) share a kiss.

I met the lovely Elizabeth who bought me the first two rounds of alcohol. Elizabeth- a HOT single mom who not only dedicates her time to her 2 y/o, but ALSO fixes motorcycles for a living or on her spare time (this Im not too sure because of the alcohol). 5 drinks later and it was getting warm inside so Lilly, Elizabeth and myself decide to step outside for some fresh air and Elizabeth decides to get on her friend's Honda bike to show the men how it's really done. 

As the evening was coming to an end and the goodbyes were being made, I met "Princess Ade-Leia" and "Edgar Villa" who represented both Star Wars and the Mexican soldiers, 'Adelita' and 'Pancho Villa'. Two more great reasons to LOVE "Star Wars de Mayo".

by Ryan Cash

Story: If my life mirrored a movie scene.

Day: Saturday, April 27th

Place: ‘Pin Up Girl Clothing’ and ‘VIVA Cantina’ 

I joined the vivacious Nicole from ‘NicCoCo Creations’ to Micheline Pitts DVD release party held at the ‘Pin Up Girl Clothing’ store. I must admit, I was not too sure of what to expect. Normally, “DVD release parties” end up being filled with unfriendly people hanging out with the friends they arrived with.

I met Nicole outside the store so we could walk into the unexpected and as we entered the ceiling to floor glass double doors, the scene was a snapshot out of a 40's movie. The women styled in “vintage” or “modern vintage” dresses and the men wore suits, ties, and shiny shoes. The smiles were endless and the friendly energy filled the room.

Chilled cider served in the back across the eclectic artwork from the talent of Leobarda “Lucky Hellcat” Grijalva made nice eye candy. 

Nicole was my intro lady. Talent knows talent and I was able to meet some pin up models that worked with Nicole in the past. I got to meet the elegant pin up models, Ashley Nichole and Angelique Noire, who radiate classy (blog coming soon). I also got to know the gorgeous pin up model Erika Reno who's also a make up artist, and while the stylish and hilarious Tamera Von Tart showed me the custom made classic jewelry pieces she makes, we all enjoyed seeing the set up of what was soon to come.

Doris Mayday was gathering the crowd so the rockin’ ‘Rhythm Shakers’ could start performing (yes, there was a band playing). Soon as the music started pumping, Doris Mayday started to show off her smooth moves. It was a great start for what lied ahead.

While the release party came to an end the party continued after at ‘VIVA Cantina’.  VIVA is the hidden gem of the SFV. A lot of great artists perform and the eclectic scene makes for an epic night. I met up with my ladies Nicole and Tamera Von Tart where I met, cool cat ‘Skratch’ (from Skratch’s Garage) who is, as his business card states, “ I ain’t the best, but Im better than you!”

It was great seeing everyone pumped up to see the Rhythm Shakers continue their performance and to hear DJ Chuy “spin the wildest wax on the planet.” When the music started so did the dance moves- feet stomping (courtesy of Jose Valdez), skirts twirling (courtesy of Miss Ruby Rockabilly and Erandi Moren) and cheers belting to what ended up being one of the best weekends of my life. 

by Ryan Cash

Ahhh, springtime.  That wonderful time of year when skies become brighter, skirts become shorter, and peoples’ winter projects come rolling out of their garaged hibernation.   Normally, a trip to Las Vegas on Easter weekend would be the jump-off point for celebrating another year of all three of these things, as it has been for the past decade for me.  But as great as past experiences have been, I couldn’t help but tire of being stuck in the same hotel, seeing the same people, the same “projects” that have yet to ditch their primer day after day, year after year.  To paraphrase the late, great Lux Interior, I was lookin’ for some new kind of kick.

But for the past few months, a number of like-minded individuals continually mentioned a show further out than a four-hour drive through Death Valley.  They raved on and on about a friendlier, more laid back setting.  One where the desert sun didn’t keep you indoors unless it was truly necessary to venture out to the steaming pile of black asphalt, and where the famous Texas hospitality flowed through town like barbecue sauce out of a squeeze bottle. 

The place?  Austin, Texas.  The event?  The 12^th Annual Lone Star Round Up.  For those who have been yearning for something completely different out of their annual Spring pilgrimage, this shindig is for you.

Since its inception, the 'LoneStar Round Up' has been about the splendor and the glory that is the automobile.  It’s not a clusterf*** of attitudes, penny slots and inebriated vanity with an obligatory parking lot of hack jobs thrown in for saving face.

No, this is kustom kar kulture at its finest, and it shows the second you walk in through the gates of the Travis County Expo Center, minutes east of downtown Austin.  It’s genuine hot rods, taildraggin’ sleds, skinny-tired gassers and glorious chop tops as far as your eyes can gaze.  It keeps to the tradition of great car shows like the 'Pomona Grand Nationals' and 'Mooneye’s Christmas Party', where the car is the star.  What sets Lone Star apart from these shows, however, is the energy and atmosphere that it draws from the city of Austin.

To the credit of the Kontinentals Car Club, who organize this event to perfection, there are a number of amazing vendors, bands, and local grub to keep you occupied for hours on end. Where else can you enjoy some amazing local bratwursts while watching the insanely good Junior Brown perform to a lucky crowd of fans?  Chances are, you won’t be seeing that in Pomona any time soon.  Or where can you find a nice, shady tree surrounded by swaths of comfortable grass, where you can take a nap and begin to sleep off the six-pack of Lone Star tall cans you’ve thoroughly enjoyed?  Good luck trying that in Vegas.  The last time I tried, I was asked to vacate the MGM Grand immediately (something about disturbing the white lions or something, it was a bit of a blur for me.)  Needless to say, even those poor souls who could care less about slammed shoeboxes and twin-turbo flatheads can still find themselves thoroughly entertained, and quite possibly, amazed at the plethora of classic steel surrounding them.

Now even the most fervent of grease monkeys will want to find something else to occupy their time, and they couldn’t have picked a better place than Austin to do so.  Known for decades as a bastion of all things musical and counter-culture, Austinites do their best to show the tens of thousands of visitors from abroad a great time.  From the endless parties local car clubs and speed shops throw on the outskirts of downtown, to the cruising and shopping on Congress Avenue in the SoCo neighborhood, to the borderline hedonism lovingly referred to as 6^th Street, the wonderful residents of the City of the Violet Crown don’t just center their annual hot rod celebration in one venue – they let it take over and spread like a shop rag fire.  Needless to say, my friends and I had very little problems with partaking in the celebrations – our bloodshot eyes and recovering livers can attest to that.

There comes a time in one’s life when tastes and preferences evolve.  When the comfort of repetition and familiarity no longer seem, well… comfortable.  While I’ll always look at my past experiences in Sin City on Easter weekend with fondness, I have very little desire to continue my Spring trips there. To those who feel the same, I say give Austin and the 'LoneStar Round Up' a chance to show you that there’s more to this lifestyle we all claim than the same off-strip property, year in and year out.  Besides, if I’m coming out of hibernation, I’ll take Texas barbecue over four nights of hotel food any day!

by D.B Bean