Bill Swanson wanted the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang after reading the book by Ian Fleming.  Unfortunately, it was not for sale. So, Mr. Swanson was determined to build his own.

This car started it’s life in Los Angeles and sold at the Dealership of Ralph Hamlin.  The car, a Roadster,  was driven to Santa Barbara and was quite the attraction.  When Locomobile closed its doors in 1929, the owner of the ‘26 Locomobile decided he would donate it to the Santa Barbara Junior High since he could no longer get parts!

The school shop removed the body and placed the chassis in the auto shop.  There it was used to display mechanical functions and teach students clutch and gear shifting, the driveshaft was disconnected.

After 1949, the engine was disassembled by students to teach various components.

In 1952, the car was acquired by Robert Dowdin in exchange for several modern engines.  Mr. Dowdin stored the car outside the shop unprotected until purchased by Bill Swanson in 1974 for $150.00.  I have a record of every part purchased for this car from 1974 to 2003.

The car was finally finished with the body of a 1906 Locomobile (The Famous Locomobile #16 that won the Vanderbilt Cup) and registered May 5 1993.

Please enjoy this amazing Automobile

Dana Newquist

The story of my ride.

After finishing my retirement project of 8 ½ years which was bringing a BASKET CASE 1957 Corvette to TOP FLIGHT status.  I decided to pursue my long time dream of building my own hot-rod and to my liking.  A dream I have had since high school.

Restoring an “NCRS” Corvette, per someone else’s guidelines, was fun but not ‘my cup of tea’.  One can view my Corvette at:

I started looking for my project car on the internet and found a candidate approx. 1,000 miles away.  Needless to say, Patti was NOT fond of going that far to purchase a piece of junk so she got on her laptop and within an hour found my DREAM project right next door.  I guess I was using all the wrong search engines……….

I could NOT drive to Solvang fast enough to purchase my newly found jewel.

The dream build began October 2008 and I departed with the 1957 Corvette in November 2009.  The Corvette found a new home in Nice, France and is “living the life of Riley”.

I proceeded to build my dream hot-rod in my two car garage.  I can PROUDLY say that I have done all the work myself.  Of course I could have never been able to do it without the internet.  I learned so much from so many great ‘gear heads’ and their advise and guidance was God send.  They say that a “picture is worth a thousand words”.  One can follow my entire 6 ½ year project by viewing my web page.  There are six folders listed- to get the most out of the display, view the pictures on SLIDE SHOW and FULL SCREEN and you will get the rock and roll music which adds ‘icing to the cake.’

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Building my dream hot-rod was one heck of a ride.  Glad to have gotten the urge out of my system and I can tell you I could NEVER do this for a living, “I would starve to death”.  Had to do many things more than three times and still NOT get it a 100% perfect.  I have a LOT of respect for these builders/restorers.  They are true craftsman.

LG,

Mike Noguera

Just over a month away! We are looking forward to seeing these beauties at the show on June 30th. Happy viewing!

Ray & Terry Seider; I found My car, a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT, 12 years ago in Oregon and brought it home with only 55,000 original miles on it. Someone had painted the car flat black. I sold the car to a friend in Texas to add to his very large car collection   He had the body removed and had the original color applied as you see here. I bought the car back this past January with only 56,000 miles. Love 💕 the car.

John Carrillo; 50 golden anniversary 1968 c10 short bed. This truck is a little unusual, normally in this color the interior came a yellow and white bench seat , this truck was special order with BLACK buddy bucket seats, in dash tachometer and anniversary gold and white paint and a 350 cu.in. EngineSince Then an LS 5.3 connected to an 6L80 transmission and 12 bolts Eaton posi-traction  were added. The truck was lowered 4-6 with the help Early Classic Suspension and Restoration.  It’s been a pleasure to rescue and drive.

Jack Cole; The car is a 1971 Buick Riviera Boat Tail, I bought the car about a year ago, the paint job is a Candy Apple Red,  House  of Kolors paint, the engine is a 455 motor, 400 trans, a/c, pwr windows etc. I have changed a few things but the car is mostly original. The car is driven on weekends only, because I work part time. I enjoy the car because it’s very comfortable, also I take it to car shows like the one you have in Carp so Senior folks like my self can live their memories with other people.

As we count down the days to the 2018 Rods and Roses car show, we wanted to share with you the story of Joe and Kim’s Jeepster. Be on the look out for this special vehicle at the show on June 30th!

“Well it wasn’t too long after Kimberlee said, “Yes” to my marriage proposal, she confided in me that although she liked old cars, she wasn’t into the old cars that I had as a collection. (I had a series of 46-48 Chevy Sedan Deliveries on the beachside of the RR tracks in Carp, known to locals as “Dogtown”).

Kim, as a California girl liked convertibles, and myself being from New Jersey didn’t really care for convertibles due to any rain leaks and the bitter cold temperatures. At that time Kim had a Jeep Cherokee, and enjoyed the Jeep Life associated with ownership. Thus, when the classified ad in SB News Press listed a 1950 Jeepster for sale, I had to see what this “Jeepster thing” was all about, located nearby in the Montecito hills.

A deal was struck for the purchase of the Jeepster, and plans were in the works to surprise my bride-to-be with her new convertible. (‘New’ being the term to be used for ‘new’ to her!) The Jeepster was in-semi drivable condition, needing a whole bunch of TLC in order get it in shape to be a SURPRISE. Within a month, working on the car in my spare time, the day came to deliver her wedding present.

“Oh My God!!!” Kim’s proclamation was one of surprise and delight. Just what she appreciated in a car. Still a long way from being Concourse condition, it was drivable. Yes, it was used as our wedding car when we were married at Casa Dorinda in 1990, where we both worked at the time…the residents being our extended family.

Currently, 28 years married, and many adventures enjoyed in the Jeepster over that course of time. The Jeepster has been coast to coast, receiving current drive train upgrades here in California, with body and interior work completed in New Jersey.
Our driving pleasure continues to rev-up regularly, with car shows, and picnic cruises to watch the sunset, happening often in our routine.

What the Jeepster has become: 1950 Willys – with a 327 engine – 350 Turbo Transmission – Mercury cougar rear – Jim Myers custom built Mustang II front end. (Custom in a way that retained the original stance of the Willys Jeepster, not lower). GMC Sierra (full power) seats – Weatherguard flooring.

The Carpinteria area is the perfect setting for Kim to enjoy her car, and you’ll see her often tooling around town in “What Dat”, as the license plates reveals the question most asked when the Jeepster is out and about.”

Harry Sutter’s car has been in storage since 1968 and underwent a ground up restoration in 2017.

It has the following options:  Hardtop, Convertible Top, Power Steering, 4-Way Power Steering, Telescopic Steering, AM Tube Radio, Tonneau Cover, Seat Belts, True Wire Wheels, Wide White Wall Tires, Ford-o-Matic Automastic Transmission, Engine Dress-up Kit, Original CA Black & Gold License Plates.

Only 16,155 produced and the first year of the Ford Thunderbird. Special color: Aqua Blue/Green exterior with matching interior.

Be sure to look for Harry and his 55′ Thunderbird at the Rods and Roses car show July 1st!

Rods and Roses is proud to announce the first blog post of the 2017 Rods and Roses Car Show. It is an honor and privilege to have Ray Seider participate with his beautiful cars each year. This year is no different as we have named Ray and his 55′ Chevy our featured car!

In June 1960, just after graduation from high school, I purchased a blue and white 55 Chevy with a v8 and Manuel shift. I had to sell it the following April as I entered the Army Reserve program. After 6 months I attempted to buy it back but…no dice.

Over the years I’ve owned two other 55 Chevy’s but never had the same feeling until I found this one in Solvang.  Rods and Roses first enters the picture in 2012 as this is where I was told about the car. I drove over the hill to where I found what I had been looking for all these years.  The car has had a body off restoration including a 350 engine, 4 speed, power steering and disc brakes, all new paint and upholstery. I replaced the 4 speed with a 5 speed Tremec transmission and wheels and tires from Colons Garage. Once again Rods & Roses enters the picture. I was approached at the 2014 show with an offer for the car that I just couldn’t say no to. I sold it and immediately regretted it. I was able to buy the car back about 4 months ago and it’s here to stay???