R. Todd Rothrauff

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  1. The Virtual Car Show . . .
  2. April 5 - 6, 2019: Charlotte Auto Fair, Charlotte, North Carolina . . .

April 5: A dreary Friday . . .

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  • Several Chevrolet El Caminos were on display for the model's 60th anniversary.  The first car in line in the photo above with its very unusual paint and graphics is a 1986 model.

    Several Chevrolet El Caminos were on display for the model's 60th anniversary. The first car in line in the photo above with its very unusual paint and graphics is a 1986 model.

  • The car owner, Robert Luczun, is a retired art teacher who decided to cover the body of this 1986 Chevrolet El Camino with various elements of Americana.

    The car owner, Robert Luczun, is a retired art teacher who decided to cover the body of this 1986 Chevrolet El Camino with various elements of Americana.

  • The sign says it all and explains why this project took three years of working six days per week to complete.

    The sign says it all and explains why this project took three years of working six days per week to complete.

  • The images represent the American Experience from every era.

    The images represent the American Experience from every era.

  • References include the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, Mad Magazine, Facebook, and South Park's Eric Cartman.

    References include the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, Mad Magazine, Facebook, and South Park's Eric Cartman.

  • Robert Luczun's Art Deco 1986 Chevrolet El Camino.

    Robert Luczun's Art Deco 1986 Chevrolet El Camino.

  • A rare 1971 Chevrolet El Camino SS454.

    A rare 1971 Chevrolet El Camino SS454.

  • Power comes from Chevrolet's RPO LS5 454 CID V8 that makes 365 hp.  No El Camino production numbers are available.  But the RPO LS5 454 found its way under the hood of 9,502 A-Body Chevelles and El Caminos in 1971.

    Power comes from Chevrolet's RPO LS5 454 CID V8 that makes 365 hp. No El Camino production numbers are available. But the RPO LS5 454 found its way under the hood of 9,502 A-Body Chevelles and El Caminos in 1971.

  • This vehicle in the photos above and below is known as the Rocket Ship Car.

    This vehicle in the photos above and below is known as the Rocket Ship Car.

  • The name "Rocket Ship" is a reference to the Rocket Ship ride at the now defunct Euclid Beach Amusement Park in Cleveland, Ohio.

    The name "Rocket Ship" is a reference to the Rocket Ship ride at the now defunct Euclid Beach Amusement Park in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • The Rocket Ship was a "circle-swing" ride at Cleveland Ohio's Euclid Beach Park.  Three "rocket ship" cars were suspended by chains from a rotating base.  When the park closed in 1969, the rides, including the Rocket Ship, were dismantled and scattered about.  <br />
<br />
Joe Tomaro and John Frato have been collecting items from the park for decades and have become known as the "Euclid Beach Boys."  In 2005, they purchased one of the original Rocket Ship ride cars after finding it in a Cleveland warehouse and decided to make an actual "car" out of it.  The rocket ship body was mounted onto a modified Chevrolet truck chassis.  Power comes from a 512 CID Chevrolet V8 that makes 525 hp.

    The Rocket Ship was a "circle-swing" ride at Cleveland Ohio's Euclid Beach Park. Three "rocket ship" cars were suspended by chains from a rotating base. When the park closed in 1969, the rides, including the Rocket Ship, were dismantled and scattered about.

    Joe Tomaro and John Frato have been collecting items from the park for decades and have become known as the "Euclid Beach Boys." In 2005, they purchased one of the original Rocket Ship ride cars after finding it in a Cleveland warehouse and decided to make an actual "car" out of it. The rocket ship body was mounted onto a modified Chevrolet truck chassis. Power comes from a 512 CID Chevrolet V8 that makes 525 hp.

  • The Rocket Ship Car can carry up to 10 adults or 15 children and is available for tours and charters.

    The Rocket Ship Car can carry up to 10 adults or 15 children and is available for tours and charters.

  • Another featured exhibit consisted of several vehicles labeled as the "Best of the Best."  The car seen in the photos above and below is a rare 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454.

    Another featured exhibit consisted of several vehicles labeled as the "Best of the Best." The car seen in the photos above and below is a rare 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454.

  • According to the sign, this car has been restored to the "most exacting details" available.  This means that everything on this car is as it was on January 12, 1970, the day it left the assembly line.

    According to the sign, this car has been restored to the "most exacting details" available. This means that everything on this car is as it was on January 12, 1970, the day it left the assembly line.

  • The car is named Sweet Pea, which I'm guessing is a reference to the color combination.  Paint codes 45 - 45 indicate Green Mist lower and upper paint.  Interior trim code 784 indicates "Metallic Dark Green Coated Fabric."  The window sticker calls it "Dark Green Vinyl."

    The car is named Sweet Pea, which I'm guessing is a reference to the color combination. Paint codes 45 - 45 indicate Green Mist lower and upper paint. Interior trim code 784 indicates "Metallic Dark Green Coated Fabric." The window sticker calls it "Dark Green Vinyl."

  • The frame-off rotisserie restoration has returned this car to as-built condition with the exception of the paint, which was upgraded to the modern environmentally friendly two-stage process.

    The frame-off rotisserie restoration has returned this car to as-built condition with the exception of the paint, which was upgraded to the modern environmentally friendly two-stage process.

  • EVERYTHING on this car appears as it did when the car left the assembly line.  All parts, fasteners, hose clamps, stickers, assembly line inspection markings, etc. are either original NOS replacements.

    EVERYTHING on this car appears as it did when the car left the assembly line. All parts, fasteners, hose clamps, stickers, assembly line inspection markings, etc. are either original NOS replacements.

  • Looking under the RPO LS5 454 CID V8 that makes 360 hp.

    Looking under the RPO LS5 454 CID V8 that makes 360 hp.

  • Chevrolet produced 130,657 Monte Carlos for 1970.  But only 3,823 were equipped with RPO Z20 Monte Carlo SS Equipment.

    Chevrolet produced 130,657 Monte Carlos for 1970. But only 3,823 were equipped with RPO Z20 Monte Carlo SS Equipment.

  • The details of this restoration were incredible.

    The details of this restoration were incredible.

  • The car was displayed with a window sticker that documents what options it was born with.

    The car was displayed with a window sticker that documents what options it was born with.

  • The interior trim code 784 indicates "Metallic Dark Green Coated Fabric," which the window sticker refers to as "Dark Green Vinyl."

    The interior trim code 784 indicates "Metallic Dark Green Coated Fabric," which the window sticker refers to as "Dark Green Vinyl."

  • The sign seen in the photos above and below describes the car's options.

    The sign seen in the photos above and below describes the car's options.

  • SS454, Turbo 400 automatic transmission, 2.56 rear axle, and Automatic Level Control.

    SS454, Turbo 400 automatic transmission, 2.56 rear axle, and Automatic Level Control.

  • Lots of original documentation was displayed with the car including the build sheet, original Maryland title, and sales agreements.

    Lots of original documentation was displayed with the car including the build sheet, original Maryland title, and sales agreements.

  • The car's build sheet provides additional documentation of the car's options, and confirms that this car was a "customer order."  Paint codes 45 - 45, (Green Mist lower and upper), and interior trim code 784, (Metallic Dark Green Coated Fabric), are present, as well as RPO Z20 Monte Carlo SS equipment.

    The car's build sheet provides additional documentation of the car's options, and confirms that this car was a "customer order." Paint codes 45 - 45, (Green Mist lower and upper), and interior trim code 784, (Metallic Dark Green Coated Fabric), are present, as well as RPO Z20 Monte Carlo SS equipment.

  • This car was a "Special Order for F. Ellis Benjamin Jr."

    This car was a "Special Order for F. Ellis Benjamin Jr."

  • This is probably the finest Monte Carlo SS454 in the country.

    This is probably the finest Monte Carlo SS454 in the country.

  • The car's build sheet shows code "YH" for the wheels, which indicates 15x7 "Rally Wheels."

    The car's build sheet shows code "YH" for the wheels, which indicates 15x7 "Rally Wheels."

  • An amazing 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454.

    An amazing 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454.

  • The 1940 Ford Opera Coupe seen in the photos above and below was another "Best of the Best," having won a Ridler "Great 8" award at the 2018 Detroit Autorama.

    The 1940 Ford Opera Coupe seen in the photos above and below was another "Best of the Best," having won a Ridler "Great 8" award at the 2018 Detroit Autorama.

  • This car was a seven year project.

    This car was a seven year project.

  • Power comes from an all-aluminum Chevrolet ZL1 big-block V8 that rests on an Art Morrison chassis.

    Power comes from an all-aluminum Chevrolet ZL1 big-block V8 that rests on an Art Morrison chassis.

  • The car owner purchased the car in 1965 when he was 16 years old.

    The car owner purchased the car in 1965 when he was 16 years old.

  • The car settled into its role as a combination of "driver" and "project" for many years until this 7-year build began in 2010.

    The car settled into its role as a combination of "driver" and "project" for many years until this 7-year build began in 2010.

  • As is the case with Ridler Award cars, just about everything on this car has been customized in some way.

    As is the case with Ridler Award cars, just about everything on this car has been customized in some way.

  • This car sports a unique feature in that the Ford V8 logo has been etched into the headlamps.

    This car sports a unique feature in that the Ford V8 logo has been etched into the headlamps.

  • The car seen in the photos above and below is 1949 Cadillac convertible named the Golden Empress.

    The car seen in the photos above and below is 1949 Cadillac convertible named the Golden Empress.

  • The car actually belongs to the builder's wife.  The story goes that at one time, builder Chris Ryan of Ryan’s Rods and Kustom sold a 1948 Cadillac convertible that belonged to his wife.  She was not happy about this decision.  I found a quote online where Chris said that his wife, Lori, "didn't talk to me for a day or two after that."  Being the smart husband that he apparently is, this meant he needed to find a replacement ASAP.

    The car actually belongs to the builder's wife. The story goes that at one time, builder Chris Ryan of Ryan’s Rods and Kustom sold a 1948 Cadillac convertible that belonged to his wife. She was not happy about this decision. I found a quote online where Chris said that his wife, Lori, "didn't talk to me for a day or two after that." Being the smart husband that he apparently is, this meant he needed to find a replacement ASAP.

  • Ryan found a basket-case 1949 Cadillac convertible in Ohio and brought it home.

    Ryan found a basket-case 1949 Cadillac convertible in Ohio and brought it home.

  • With the amount of rust present, everything had to be made from scratch.

    With the amount of rust present, everything had to be made from scratch.

  • Instead of going the modern route with the engine, a 390 CID Cadillac V8 from 1959 was selected.  The Stromberg 97 carburetors sit atop an extremely rare Jot Horne intake manifold.

    Instead of going the modern route with the engine, a 390 CID Cadillac V8 from 1959 was selected. The Stromberg 97 carburetors sit atop an extremely rare Jot Horne intake manifold.

  • The most noticeable feature of the car is the custom PPG Gold Pearl paint.

    The most noticeable feature of the car is the custom PPG Gold Pearl paint.

  • The seats are modified pieces from a 1964 Ford Thunderbird.

    The seats are modified pieces from a 1964 Ford Thunderbird.

  • The Golden Empress debuted at the 2015 Detroit Autorama where it won three awards.

    The Golden Empress debuted at the 2015 Detroit Autorama where it won three awards.

  • Speaking of Chris Ryan and Ryan’s Rods and Kustom, the car in the photos above and below is of another one of his creations - a very rare 1956 Continental Mark II named the Scarlet Lady.

    Speaking of Chris Ryan and Ryan’s Rods and Kustom, the car in the photos above and below is of another one of his creations - a very rare 1956 Continental Mark II named the Scarlet Lady.

  • The Continental Mark II was Ford's "Halo Car" built specifically to regain the luxury car crown back from Cadillac.  Each car was handbuilt at the Ford Pilot Plant in Allen Park, Michigan.  The staggering $10,000 price tag in 1956 kept sales to a minimum, (just over 3,000 Mark IIs were built during the car's two year lifespan).  And even at that price, Ford reportedly lost about $1,000 on each car.

    The Continental Mark II was Ford's "Halo Car" built specifically to regain the luxury car crown back from Cadillac. Each car was handbuilt at the Ford Pilot Plant in Allen Park, Michigan. The staggering $10,000 price tag in 1956 kept sales to a minimum, (just over 3,000 Mark IIs were built during the car's two year lifespan). And even at that price, Ford reportedly lost about $1,000 on each car.

  • This car's original owner was Academy Award winning actress Susan Hayward, "The Brooklyn Bombshell."  Susan and her car eventually made their way to Georgia.  The car was complete but in rough shape when Chris acquired it.

    This car's original owner was Academy Award winning actress Susan Hayward, "The Brooklyn Bombshell." Susan and her car eventually made their way to Georgia. The car was complete but in rough shape when Chris acquired it.

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