RENO, NV (Oct. 11} – According to the forecasts Sunday’s weather appeared questionable so car counts were lower than expected. However, while cloudy and slight cool, it wasn’t bad.
• Saturday started early in the west parking lot of the Atlantis Casino. The event was Community 4 Vets Last Detail, a car truck and motorcycle show. Hosting the event were several groups including the Iron Mafia, Nevada Car Coalition and Honor Flight.
There were also trophies to be won. And a raffle was also part of the show as well as a DJ playing a lot of car songs from years ago by the trailer.
There was a mix of newer and older cars. One of the older, or vintage cars, is owned by Robert Planeta.
Asked about it he said, “It’s a 1950 Studebaker Champion, this was their best selling model they ever had. It was in petty bad shape when I got it, was running, had the original flat head in there. Kept vapor locking and everything I did would not solve it so I changed the engine, it’s got a Chevy 350 and an automatic.
“I put a Fat Boy front end on it, disc brakes all around. Did have to change the rear end because of the 350 and it’s got a Ford Explorer rear end in there. I had a new exhaust in and the dual exhaust comes out in front of the back tires.
The car itself has a plain flat paint job. The reason he said was, “for the body man I ain’t.”
He worked on it fore 20 years but on the first trip, while going up to Virginia City a woman ran into him. As a result the car has no front bumper.
Asked how it drives he said, “It’s not a show car, it’s my driver. You know it’s such a smooth rider it’s a pleasure to drive.”
There were various cars including at least one motorcycle. The cool morning may have kept others away.
Over in one row was a Ford 100 Custom Cab pick up. In the back was a dirt bike motorcycle.
On the other side of the pickup was another Ford but this was a Ford sedan that was built when cars were much larger and is owned by Leon Mills.
Asked about the car he said, “It’s a 1960 Ford Starliner, it’s a one-year body style as the ’61 had the same roof line but the fenders were completely different. This is what I consider a garage find as it was stored in about 1999 inside a dirt floor shed in Central California where it sat for 20 years.
“It’s a 63 thousand mile car and the gentleman that owned it, every time he did something he wrote it down. It he put windshield wipers on it he wrote it down, if he put air in the tires he wrote it down. So I have a book basically from him about everything he did until the time the car got parked.”
He added after getting the car in 2020 there was a lot of buffing and polishing needed as it looked very different from that it is now.
“I did have to do mechanics because something had eaten all the wires, the brakes were locked up but the paint is old but it was repainted about 40 years ago. What you see is that paint buffed and polished. “
Asked how it rides, he smiled and said, “Have you ever tried to steer the Titanic? It’s a very, very big car it’s 20 feet long. If you see on the front fenders it’s got little bullets because you can’t see the fenders from the driver’s seat so those show you where the outside is. Even in the owner’s manual it says to be aware how wide the car is. It’s been retired, it’s just for show now.”
There wee all kinds of cars, from domestic to imports and restored. As the morning went on more arrived.
• That same day Sparks Cars & Coffee was hosting its first of the month meet. As usual it was by the Starbucks on Disk Drive.
While the turn out was low, probably due to the cool weather and forecasts of maybe rain, there were a bunch that showed up.
The Corvette group showed up and had a row. A Porsche anchored the far end.
On the exotic side there was a Lamborghini Countach 5000 at the end of one row. The owner, Scott Davis, brings it to most of the Cars & Coffee meets.
“It’s a 1987 Countach and I’ve had it about two and a half years. I redid the whole thing basically, just had to clean up a lot.
“I replaced the wheels and tires, all new windows, running lights, rear lights and grills. Had to do a lot of work on the body, just really scuffed, nothing lined up very well, lot of the body gaps were really, really bad.
Asked how it rides he said, “Rides great, like a little rocket ship. I like to keep it down here, close to home in case anything does happen.”
Not too far away a Toyota Cressida was parked by a Alfa Romeo.
Looking closer at the Cressida its power plant may have been enhanced. The one sitting in the car is turbocharged.
Not far from there many were looking at a Toyota Supra. Polished on the outside as well as the motor got a lot of attention.
Next week both Reno Jeeps & Coffee as well as Reno Cars & Coffee will meet.
• This week, starting at 6:30 Tuesday evening Trucks & Tacos meets at Jalapenos Mexican Food. Location is 295 Los Altos Parkway in Sparks.
OTHER RACING NEWS
• There are two events on Wednesday and both are for bikes.
- Starting at 5 p.m. PJ&CO, located at 1590 South Wells, has its weekly Bike Night. There are usually some great bikes to admire as well as great people to meet. Inside one can enjoy a good drink or a good meal.
- That same night, starting at 6:30, Crazy D’s Hot Chicken also has a Bike Night. All bikes are welcome and the location is 3652 South Virginia Street.
• If one has a youngster racing with Battle Born MX or in the MRANN series the Moto Mouth Mini Team is accepting resumes. Deadline is November 17 as they are forming the 2027 team.
• Wanted to give a head’s up as there will be a Cruise Night this coming Saturday at the Sparks A&W. Location is 1311 Baring Blvd., across from Reed High School.
• Davey’s American Racing can be found on Face Book.
He also posts schedules for various tracks and there related subjects.
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• Our newest sponsor is State Farm agent Kelby Schoorl, who was a racer in his younger days. He has some supplemental insurance that racers might be interested in checking out.
There is medical that covers visits to the ER, ambulance rides and if a person has to stay in a hospital. In addition trailers as well as tools and tools in shops can be covered with additional policies.
If Kelby isn’t available the other guys at his office will be very happy to explain what they can offer both to racers and those enjoying motorized recreation.
Office hours are from 9 until 5: 30 Monday through Friday, appointments are needed on Saturday. The phone number is 775-827-2255 or at his website, www.kelby@insuringreno.com.
• One of our sponsors is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 890 Gentry Way.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now 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.
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 the showroom has about any thing a rider might need or want.
The shop services not only dirt bikes, especially those used in motocross but also road bikes and quads. The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is,www.moto-source.com.
• 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. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, good time to meet fellow riders and have a great dinner.
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.
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