What’s up everyone! The month of November is finally here! Usually I regret seeing another month roll by, but this one has its own story! Shortly the Gauge Staff and I will be on a cross country road trip to Las Vegas, NV for the SEMA Show. The long awaited journey has sent the majority of us into sleep deprivation while giving our Project Vehicles (Matt Petro's Air Dancer, and the Big Wood Project) their Monster Garage build up before the show. Deadlines and Budgets is the true definition to the SEMA show, considering most vehicles for SEMA are built 2-4 weeks before the show. It is always a gamble but well worth the hard work when your creation is sitting at the Las Vegas Convention Center with millions of admirers on hand to check out the latest product to hit the market. Stay tuned for next month as we bring you back some of the hottest coverage from the SEMA show and some Las Vegas Night life.

On the cover we bring you Michael Rovansek representing East side Lower Level Car Club in his 1992 Chevy Dually. When Michael first bought his Dually it was to tow his 1982 Buick Regal Lowrider, needless to say once bit by the custom bug there is no turning back. Michael modernized his tow pig with the ever popular Escalade front clip and carried the Caddy theme throughout the modifications to present you with his one of a kind “Duallac”! Throughout the hard work and dedication of his 4 year build up into his ride, Michael still held its Tow Pig title pulling his Regal to all the hottest events throughout the Mid West.

To top off Michaels ride we bring you the gorgeous November Gauge Girl Dre DeRosa. I was able to meet up with Dre at the Ass in the Grass show this past September in Dayton, OH. While furthering her career in modeling Dre still finds time to hit the car shows and check out the latest creations. See how this blue eyed cutie seduced the camera in her seductive Gauge Girl feature.

We start off this month’s coverage with the Gauge staff and I at the German Park Car and Truck Show. The 3rd annual event was presented by Lowered Horizons on July 17th 2004 at German Park in Greenwood, IN. The live Musical Festival played throughout the day while some of the hottest vehicles were displayed throughout the show field. For more information on next years event or extended coverage check out www.Lhshow.com.

Next up we take you on a trip down the drag strip with Photographer Erod for the
J-Body Bash. The Bash was held at the Thompson Dragway & GM Lordstown Assembly Plant in Thompson, OH on August 6-7 2004. Unfortunately this will be the last Year for the “J Body Bash” where it is strictly for the J Body family. The show will go on but other GM vehicles will be grand fathered into the J Body category bringing a new name to the Bash. To get more information next years event check out www.jbodybash.com.

Not missing a beat we catch up with Freelance Photographer Smalls covering the Drop em Wear Mini Truckin’ Nationals in Pigeon Forge, TN. The 15th Annual event was held at the Sevier County Fairgrounds this past July 2-4 2004. Year after year this show brings out some of the hottest rides to roll the Mid West. For directions or information on this event, check out www.classycreations.com.

Last but not least the Gauge Staff and I mounted up to head east for a little Ass in the Grass. The 6th Annual event was presented by Trendsetter Customs in Dayton, OH at the Dayton Gym Club this past September 11-12 2004. This has to be one of my favorite events to start the closing of the show season, and to hang out with the awesome crew over at Trendsetter Customs. The quality of vehicles that filled up the show field gave an awesome impression of what the future holds for this ever popular show. For more information on this event for next year give Trendsetter Customs a call at 1-937-235-9060.

We begin this month's stunning line up of feature vehicles with Kenny Dean in his 1937 Ford Coupe. I met up with Kenny at the Dr. Dashboard Extravaganza in Terre Haute this past June - as he walked away with Best of Show and Gauge Magazine Editors Choice award! We were able to set off this feature with the help of the Vigo County Fairgrounds, we shot in the middle of the drag strip to add the perfect setting to this immaculate machine. As flawless as this piece is, its total build up time was 6 months, be sure to check out the in depth detail of Kenny’s impressive ‘37!

Next up we bring you John Holcomb Representing Exotic Creations in his “4 N Orange” 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse. As always the majority of custom vehicles that are built have had an incredible story line to go with them. When John purchased his ride off the internet as a 'total loss', he had more on his hands than a fresh paint job and some custom goodies. When they say “Total Loss” on the net it means I hope you have some time and patience. John and his Father brought this Eclipse to the next Level by giving it a complete custom makeover. Catch up with John at the next event for the full scoop on the build up of his pride and joy!

Last up for our vehicle features this month is Matt Spence in his 2004 Ford Expedition. I was able to catch up with Matt this past June at the Scrapin’ the Coast show in Biloxi, MS. Short from still having the paper plate in the window this clean Expedition was no stranger to attention while sitting in the show lot. Its daring stance and impressive stereo install topped off this photo shoot on the coastal waters of Biloxi.

As usual, if you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me!

Until next month keep your heads up and at least one frame rail on the ground! Viva Las Vegas Baby… Peace!!
BIG WOOD
bigwood@gaugemagazine.com