SPARKS, NV (May9) – Sparks Cars & Coffee held its first meet of the month. As usual the location was by Buffalo Wild Wings and there were the usual variety of exotic, not so rare and restored cars and trucks Great weather helped highlight the day as there was a good turnout of many types of cars and trucks.
Among all the cars was a exotic classic. On display was a 1980 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II. Not a small car but elegant in the old school sort of way.
Next to the Rolls was a 1955 Chevy Step Side owned by Rob Hannah. Although now retired he used to have a well known act where he impersonated Rod Stewart.
“It was my dad’s old work truck, “he said. “He had rental properties, we used to clean those out and used this to go to the dump. The broom sitting in the back is the original one used to sweep out the bed after we unloaded all the garbage.”
He added it’s been a ground up restoration.
“All the way from powder coating the frame and new suspension. Pretty much tried to keep the body as stock as we could,” he said. “Had a straight six but got a small block 327 in it now. Put some brakes on it, rack and pinion steering and it’s got some air conditioning in it.”
There was another 1955 Chevy but this was a tow truck. The owner hasn’t fully restored it although the tow part still works.
Not far away was a black Mustang GT 500 owned by Terry Sanders. While it might look stock it’s anything but.
“This is a 2008 GT 500, “he said. “It’s got a one-piece aluminum drive line that’s cages. Has a Watts Link, Panhard and got adjustable Coilovers all round.
“Has an Eton 2300 Supercharger on it, super cold jet throttle body and it’s tuned at 620 wheel. And she’s only got 27,000 miles on it.”
Asked how it drives he said, “Like grease lightning. This thing will get away from you in a heartbeat so you’ve got to be careful. She’s a little heavy and while the Coilovers and everything help when your going around a tight one you can feel that inertia. It doesn’t sway, doesn’t have roll on it but you can feel that inertia and it weighs 3,900 pounds.”
He explained the car has drag radials so one really doesn’t want to break traction.
“This is a straight-line car but will never go to the drag strip,” he said. “I would have to pay additional insurance to take it out. It’s on Haggerty and they have their rules. That’s fine for me, it lives in the garage and it never goes anywhere for a daily. So I’m good with their stated value so it’s insured for 40,000.”
The selection of cars also ranged from Corvettes to other brands as well. Like Hannah’s truck there were several cars that have been given extra lives by their owners.
Be sure to check nvracingnews every Thursday as in the preview various Cars & Coffee events are listed.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Are you an experienced motorcycle technician? If so then there is an opportunity as Moto-Source is looking to hire one. Please send your resume to rich@moto-source.com.
• On Sunday Reno Area Dirt Riders (RAD) is having a fund raiser ride. It is to benefit fellow RAD members Nate Tillman and Rachel Ward. They have three children so it’s been a tough time for them. The poster has the location where people can meet. If a person has a dirt bike and loves riding this is the group to join.
• Tuesday evening, starting at 5:30 p.m. is when the Grid, located in Fallon behind the Walmart has another sock hop. Should be music and a nice way to cruise in.
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. It can be heard in Northwest Nevada on 1060 AM.
The show is also on a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or can be seen live on Face Book. Co-host Emily Cook is a young racer and her website is www.emilycookracing.com that not only has updates but merchandise for sale to help her racing efforts.
SPONSOR LIST:
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We now have eight very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
Tread Connection is our newest sponsor and Blake Sobiloff owns the local franchise. The business brings the tire store to the customer so they don’t have to take time off work or even leave home.
Once the tires are ordered Sobiloff picks them up and arrives where the customer’s car is in a van packed with state of the art equipment. He observes all safety precautions and it’s no contact so tires can be chosen and paid for online.
Another service he provides is scanning tires as that will tell if any alignment is needed. A useful service for fleet owners so they won’t find several vehicles need new tires at once. There are discounts for First Responders, veterans as well as active duty military and members of the National Guard and Reserves.
His primary area is Reno and Sparks and one can either go to the Face Book page or check the website at www.treadconnection.com. The direct line to the business is 775-870-3600.
Next sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series.
Among the services offers are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and how has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
Racing photographer Melissa Coker is another sponsor. If you raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
She’s also been at the Duel in the Desert, Northern Nevada Modified Tour, Wild West Tour and the IMCA Super Nationals. She produces hero cards and memory books. To see her collections or to place an order check at www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about.
Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. You can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
