steve blades 57 chevy

this guy is as cool as can be he has a Lotta cool cars a 64 SS impala covert a orig 50s custom built by his dad w all the crap his dad left in it in the 60s when he parked it sweet car its a 49 50 ford has a few things this 57 has 2 750 holleys siting next 2 each other and the car sounds like a harley w no exhaust at all its a bad mother

That thing is sweeeeeeet

Steve use to work for Advance in Newport a few years ago.

As stated before on another picture thread. I use to work for Nationwise Auto Parts back in the day. Seeing that '57 with the Rod Shop on the door brings back some good memories for me . Back when we use to look everything up in a catalog not on a computer.

I said something about Nationwise to some of the younger crew the other day. They had no idea what I was talking about. lol

I knew what Nationwise was. I remember Reb talking about who "TUNED" a car. I worked at Ky Motors and usually looked up everything in catalogs, those computers are usually wrong. Its only as good as the person who enters it.

RebStew wrote:I said something about Nationwise to some of the younger crew the other day. They had no idea what I was talking about. lol

But do you remember who and where the Rod Shop was?

I Remember Super Shop up in Ohio by St. Rita's and D and J Automotive (small florence shop for a bit) I never spent much time in the speed shops, I was into the whole bike and Corvette thing in my youth.. I can tell you where the Corvette shops where and are and the old Bike shops as well...I was always told that speed killed....

LRS30 wrote:I can tell you where the Corvette shops where

I'm about to start on my frame and need to get bushing, bolts and possible u-joints for my rear end. I know some of this can be had a regular parts store.

Mr. Fabulous wrote:

RebStew wrote:I said something about Nationwise to some of the younger crew the other day. They had no idea what I was talking about. lol

But do you remember who and where the Rod Shop was?

Nope. I figured it was where he got his start in auto parts sales and just used it for the coolness. Maybe I'm wrong. The rest of the decals are from Falmouth where he lives.

i worked with him at penske [formally kmart auto service] in newport, real cool guy he did work for nationwise auto parts, when he left penske he worked for gearbox grannys, then advance auto, lost touch with him though he moves around a bunch.

Bill you works at the service center at Kmart? That's been a while ago. Do you live in Newport?

there all painted on !

I can’t believe you big time car nuts don’t know about the Rod Shop. They had probably the biggest and most successful drag team in racing in the late 60’s and early 70’s. There were about three generations of the Rod Shop team. The first was solely shop sponsored from the little shop in on the east side of Columbus. I think the shop was started by Gil Kirk and Jim Thompson. There were two guys from Mendon, OH that I knew that went to work there when it started, hence my interest back then. They had Anglias of which one was a panel all running in modified eliminator, altereds, super stockers, stockers, a Pro Stocker, a couple of Funny Cars and a Top Fuel car driven by Tommy Ivo. Besides the Anglias, there were fords, Chevys and Mopars They all had red white and blue paint schemes that were painted up top notch and lettered and striped by Dauber. Most were record holders in their given class and some were big names from the gasser wars in the area. I think the theory was that no matter what eliminator was running, you would see a Rod Shop car. The next generation was when Dodge was heavily into sponsoring them. The Rod Shop Dodges were killer cars in their divisions. During this time I think the Colts were the most fun to watch. They had a couple of sedans and a wagon running in Comp eliminator. One of the sedans had an elongated frontend that was weird looking but really quick. This is when they had Dave and Judy Boertman racing the two Dodges in stock eliminator. Both won national events and Dave was World Champ a few times. The last era was when Nationwise was affiliated with the team. This was during the declining years. As racing became more and more expensive I just don’t think they could keep up. There were many big names that have driven for the Rod shop; TV Tommy Ivo, Butch Leal (the California Flash), Larry Morgan, the teams of Blackwood, Eckard and Kirk, and Bob Riffle and (BEEP) Stiffle among a few.

I thought you were asking where it was.....Duh.... Yes I remember the cars/team very well..

LRS30 wrote:I thought you were asking where it was.....Duh.... Yes I remember the cars/team very well..

Yeah, they were killer cars and good lookin. Kinda like you and I.

Maybe we should have a history section on here for racing and customs and such. John B knows alot of this crap.

RebStew wrote:Bill you works at the service center at Kmart? That's been a while ago. Do you live in Newport?

i worked there with steve blades when it was penske auto center,we both had this boss that was a real tool, we hung out his old man had a '58 impala that was real nice that ford you guys was talking about was a '50 it didn't have a motor in it, when i met him we went all across the northern kentucky area looking for a flat head his old man sold the original out of it. as far as newport i have hung out in that area since '87 and graduated from newport hih school [long story]

still ain't got a motor in it but has one in a 50 that runs and drives I'm waiting 4 him 2 pull it cus I'm supposed to get the 50 ford that the motor is in now

FalconEddie1964 wrote:

LRS30 wrote:I thought you were asking where it was.....Duh.... Yes I remember the cars/team very well..

Yeah, they were killer cars and good lookin. Kinda like you and I.

Maybe we should have a history section on here for racing and customs and such. John B knows alot of this crap.

Start it up,, and yes we are good looking....

RebStew wrote:I said something about Nationwise to some of the younger crew the other day. They had no idea what I was talking about. lol

I had Nationwise for a bit.....then i switched to State Farm ....just kiddin....i spent many pay checks at Nationwise back in the day

HOLLY COW I love that intake carb setup!!! I dont think I have seen that before actually on a car

Thanks for the good input on my car. I'm going to try to bring it to the Sonic Cruise in April, if non-members are welcome too. Still want to get my straight axle and cheater slicks on this year. Guess time and money will tell!

Oh man, you cpnsidering a straight axle? I've wanted an axle car for more years that I can count. I guess that's one of the compromises I've had to make over the years that's really bothered me. You are my hero, sir!

I have driven 2 straight axle cars both set up by knowledgable guys...Cool to look at, but a pain to drive unless your on the strip.., that is if you plan to drive it alot, just my stinky opinion... I'd like to have on as well ..