Many of us have followed the long build of the Kart and have admired the many published photographs, but to see the Kopper Kart actually cruise the Jersey streets was nothing less then awesome. Included in the list of trophy winners at the Hot Rods & Harley’s show the Klone was awarded “Best Custom”.
After the show Big John and I spent the night listening to the team recap the excitement of their trip to Detroit and future plans they have up their sleeves for the next historic build. Did I hear someone say .... ”The Golden Sahara”? Stay tuned for more news! I would like to personally thank Vic Collins and the whole build team for showing us a great night out on the town, we had a blast! (Oh and Daran, you shouldn’t have done that, but thank you again.)
The next morning before heading back to Virginia, we headed to Northwest New Jersey to visit with Alan Johnson. Alan is a successful independent pinstriper and custom artist who is sought after for his vast experience with his award winning masterpieces.
Alan is a native to Jersey and has been hooked ever since he saw Ed “Big Daddy” Roth at a car show in New York when he was just a boy in 1957.
We toured AJ’s shop, a restored barn built in 1825, where his work is displayed. While talking to Alan and his lovely wife, Judy the hours flew by like the speed of sound. The walls are filled to the brim with art pieces and samples of different styles of antique and classic car pinstriping, flames and graphics, hand painted chrome, gold leaf, and lettering. It would be safe to say that I walked around the shop no less then 50 times and with each pass I would see something new. What a wonderful place to spend the afternoon.
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Our visit was most enjoyable and look forward to visiting the studio again someday. “Alan and Judy, thank you for your gracious hospitality, the pleasure was all ours.”
Next up was the NSRA Street Rod Nationals East, where once again we were able to visit with Alan Johnson, but this time Alan was hard at work doing what he does best. Despite all there was to see at York, I found myself drawn to Alan’s work, only this time I didn’t walk around the shop 50 times, but instead shot frame after frame of Alan in action striping.
Thank God for digital cameras. The Expo Center was full house, the weekend was both over the top hot in degrees and in Hot Rods. What a great display of automobiles from ‘48 and earlier.
On our next adventure Mother Nature must have known it was the 25th annual for the KKOA Sled Scene East in Gettysburg, PA. Despite bad weather this show has had the green carpet of grass was rolled out for this year’s show.
Paul Lemat, “Milner” from American Graffiti was on hand signing autographs along with a fine display of a ‘58 Impala, ‘55 Chevy Sedan and a ‘32 Deuce Coupe was there to represent the cars featured in the all time favorite movie, “American Graffiti.” The Kopper Kart Klone appearing for the 2nd time on the east coast was awarded a trophy. Jerry Titus of the KKOA presented Vic Collins and the build team a special award, the “25th Champion of Kustoms.”
Next we headed for the hills to Roanoke, VA to the Star City Motor Madness show. This was a two day event with Friday evening cruisin’ a long stretch of Roanoke’s Historic strip. Saturday afternoon was set aside for the car show. I believe the whole town came out for this event, the streets were lined for miles.
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