Header_300_DPI_TALL2900_wide

South West Treasure

     Jack and Mary Ann took a trip to Texas to pick up a car they bought on the internet .... not a hot rod ....  a daily driver made by a great American company... FORD.  .  The first big treat was when  we finally had a chance to come face to face with none other than  “Too Low”  our long time roving reporter in Central Texas,  Richard Haas.  We have “known” Richard for many years and our readers have always loved his show pictures from Austin and beyond .... especially since Richard always has great captions for his photos.   Richard treated us to a gourmet meal that could only be found in Texas .... the legendary  Texas BBQ.    And all we can say is AMAZING ...  Rudy’s is a rather inconspicuous establishment, but the welcome to us as  “rookies” was great and the BBQ was the best ever.  If you’re in Austin, you’ll want to be sure to find Rudy’s for a real treat.    Even without  the excellent “company” of Richard Haas to go with your meal .....  you’ll still enjoy the BBQ.  It was so good to see Richard ....  the visit was too short but as with most in the car hobby,  we were immediately old friends even though we had never met in person. 

On the trip home,  Jack had his  old car nose radar on high alert and of course he found TREASURE on the road.  It’s unbelievable how many car guys and car treasure you can find in small towns across America.   And of course it’s all about the great guys who have  all that treasure....  car people ... the best people in the world.

IMG_02200006

And here they are... Richard “Too Low”  Haas and Jack at world famous Rudy’s BBQ

IMG_02220008

With an unusual way of ordering your food ...  meat by weight then you do what you want with it..  make a sandwich...  or just eat

IMG_02230009

Nothing left here but the napkins

IMG_02260012

You can even get a sample before you order

IMG_02270013

Heading north from Austin, it isn’t long before Jack spots treasure and has to get out to investigate

IMG_02280014

A great project... but there’s no one around to talk to about it.

IMG_02290015

shots from the car while Jack trys to find the shops owners

IMG_02300016

Then further north, on the highway, Jack spots a house with lots of cars in the back yard.

IMG_02310017

So he has to stop and see if anyone is home

IMG_02340020

A bunch of great cars, but no one answers the door so Jack just leaves his card and we’re off again.

IMG_02350021

Next stop  Brownwood, Texas where Jack spotted this storage yard full of cars. 

IMG_02360022

We made a new friend here named C.A. Brandstetter.  He was having some trouble getting his email working after a lightning storm had knocked out his service... so Mary Ann stepped in and got him up and running again.

IMG_02370023

C.A. had a shop full of Volkswagen stuff which Jack has always had a big interest in, so they had a lot to talk about.

IMG_02380024

He also had some very cool old cars out back.

IMG_02390025

Jack spotted this COE along the road at a car lot.

IMG_02400026

Turns out the guys at the lot know all about Hotrodhotline and they were glad to meet Jack.

IMG_02410027

Many stops off the main highway yield treasure

IMG_02420028

 

 

IMG_02430029

Jack thought this looked like a good project

IMG_02440030

 

 

IMG_02450031

 

 

IMG_02460032

 

 

IMG_02470033

In Snyder, Texas Jack spotted another stash

IMG_02480034

 

 

IMG_02490035

After circling the building, Jack found an open door and went in to meet  a really great car guy named Dave Strunk.. 

IMG_02500036

From there, Jack was sent to meet a friend of Dave’s ,  a guy named Jimmy Wilson ... where he took  NO Pictures because he was so busy visiting.  Hidden away in a small town in Texas was a really nice guy with a huge warehouse full of Hemi motors for racing and rodding... wish Jack had taken pics...

IMG_02510037

Okay...  on the road again

IMG_02520038

and more treasure to be found

IMG_02530039

Driving down Waylon Jennings Blvd in LIttlefield, Texas treasure is spotted...

IMG_02540040

What is that ?

IMG_02550041

Waylon Jennings Blvd  sign

IMG_02560042

Okay.. Jack has to see if anyone is home...

IMG_02570043

This turned out to be part of Jims Toy Box ..

IMG_02580044

and what a great bunch of toys Jim has ...

IMG_02590045

Jim said someone told him  he can’t take it with him so he’s decided to keep adding to his collection ...

IMG_02620048

 

 

IMG_02640050

 

 

IMG_02660052

 

 

IMG_02630049

 

 

IMG_02650051

 

 

IMG_02680054

 

 

IMG_02670053

 

 

IMG_02600046

 

 

IMG_02610047

 

 

IMG_02690055

 

 

IMG_02700056

 

 

IMG_02710057

 

 

IMG_02720058

 

 

IMG_02730059

 

 

IMG_02740060

 

 

IMG_02750061

 

 

IMG_02760062

 

 

IMG_02770063

 

 

IMG_02780064

 

 

IMG_02790065

With carports and sheds full of stuff everywhere.

IMG_02800066

Then ... on the road again... this looks like an old Fifties concession stand ...

IMG_02810067

Then from the Interstate Jack spots a yard full of cars .. so of course we have to grab the next offramp and find it....   and LOOK ...  in the small town of Moriarity, NM lives a fantastic guy and his collection

IMG_02820068

Jack starts out by asking if he can wander the premises....  there is just a ton of great stuff to look at

IMG_02830069

 

 

IMG_02840070

 

 

IMG_02850071

 

 

IMG_02860072

 

 

IMG_02870073

Just look at this...

IMG_02880074

 

 

IMG_02890075

 

 

IMG_02900076

 

 

IMG_02910077

 

 

IMG_02920078

 

 

IMG_02930079

 

 

IMG_02940080

 

 

IMG_02950081

 

 

IMG_02960082

 

 

IMG_02970083

 

 

IMG_02980084

 

 

IMG_02990085

 

 

IMG_03000086

 

 

IMG_03010087

Then we were invited in by owner Archie Lewis and his wife... where they have a great collection  of restored cars.

IMG_03020088

 

 

IMG_03030089

 

 

2012-02-05_12-27-43_286

In another bay, Archie has tons of parts all lined up...  

2012-02-05_12-29-10_14

Talk about car guy heaven....

2012-02-05_12-30-39_209

Jack was having a great time

2012-02-05_12-30-58_578

 

 

IMG_03040090

We had a great time visiting with Archie.  He’s been a collector for 50+ years and he has lots of great stories about his cars and many great friends he’s had over the years.  His museum is a  “must see” for anyone traveling near Albuquerque, NM.  You can reach  Archie Lewis at 505-832-6131   or better yet stop by and see his collection.

IMG_03060092

Then it’s time to hustle home....

IMG_03050091

 

 

IMG_03080094

and enjoy some of that great American Landscape on the way.

IMG_03070093

 

 

IMG_03100096

Our great southwest is beautiful country.

IMG_03090095

 

 

     This was a great trip .... through an area Jack had not explored before ... now he’s thinking that Texas and New Mexico may rank up there with Montana as great hunting grounds for car guys.   We can’t wait to explore this area of our country again.  See you again .... on the road ! 


[Home Page] [2011 Show Coverage] [Press Releases] [Barn & Field Cars] [Blast to the Past] [Book Reviews] [Build Articles] [Buyers Guide] [Classifieds] [Club Directory] [Event Listings]
[From our Friends] [Garage Shots] [Guest Columnists] [www.hotrodhotline.com/md]
[New Products] [Newsletter Archive] [Order a Catalog] [Our Heroes]
[Rodders Forum] [Rodders Row] [Shop Tours] [Vendor Directory]
[Young Rodders] [Advertising Information] [Modern Rods]

Copyright 2012  All Rights Reserved   Hotrodhotline.com
Contact Us:    877-700-2468
230 S. Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709
[email protected]