There is always a certain buzz in the air this time of the year that makes everyone act a little different: for some it is a new job, for others it is a new house, for some it’s spending countless hours building a new project for others it’s spending countless hours trying to mend a dead relationship. For me, well, I am just hungry for a true hard core truck show. You know, the kind you spend half the day in line just to get in the gate, drink beer with your buddies just waiting around to see someone throw sparks or do a massive burnout. Last month when Matt and Toby got back from Spring Fling in Panama City Beach, FL., I spent an entire day picking their brains for every detail of the show. All of this, just to fill the gap in my heart that winter takes from it every year. 

            We start this spring issue off in the sunny state of Florida at the cover shoot of Andrew Schoen 2005 Chevy Colorado. Andrew had no fear in the building of this modern mini. Body Dropped, shaved everything and a totally radical paint job.  All of these modifications made it easy for Staff Photographer Toby Mosholder to pick this bad mo fo out of the massive crowd at Spring Fling 06.

            To step up the intensity of Andrews’ Colorado is the beautiful Rachel Smith. Rachel is a very active enthusiast in the Florida custom car scene. When we asked her to pose on this Colorado she knew exactly what we were looking for. Make sure to check out her gauge girl interview for an up close and personal look at this Florida beauty.

            To give us a little more feel for summer we catch up with staff photographer Brad Walker in the sunny mountains of Tennessee for a truly topless photo shoot.  There is nothing like a mustang that is built to be just bad ass; this is exactly what Hannah Shaw has done with this 2000 Mustang convertible. If you are a Mustang enthusiast this article is for you.

            Next in the feature line up, we travel to the West Coast with Jason Peckovitch and capture one of the most radical 1994 Acura Integra’s on the planet. Full front and rear body swaps, molded dash, killer audio system, and everything chromed. We just have one thing to say to vehicle owner Cristian Martin. BRAVO!!!!

            For show coverage this month we stay indoors. To start off we travel to Oklahoma City for Tuner Fest. When it comes to an import show in Oklahoma this is the one; an all day affair viewing jaw dropping hotties and awesome cars. I cannot think of a better way to spend the day in OKC. Make sure to stay up to date on all Tuner Fest show info at http://www.thetunerfest.com

            Next in the line up we travel to the motor city for the world famous Detroit Autorama. If you are looking for the largest and most exciting indoor show on the series the Detroit Autorama show is for you. The show is famous for several reasons, the Riddler award being #1. This award is the top dog trophy for all true street rod builders and owners. The 2006 Riddler Award went to Kevin and Karen Alstott with a gold and burgundy 1935 Ford Roadster.  For all info on the 2007 Detroit Autorama visit http://www.autorama.com

            Staying with the indoor shows we catch up with staff photographer Erod at the Pittsburgh World of Wheels on the weekend of Jan 20-22, 2006. Everyone knows that Pittsburgh is a football town. After looking at the coverage from this show; you will see it is also a car and bike town. Stay up to date on the 2007 Pittsburgh show at http://www.worldofwheels.com

            To wrap up, we stay close to home and catch up with Staff Photographer Toby Mosholder. He had the pleasure of covering the Cincinnati, OH Cavalcade of Customs on January 27-29, 2006. This show continues to pull some of the most radical vehicles from the Midwest. Keep in tune with the 2007 event by visiting http://www.worldofwheels.com

            For the Tech Corner this month, Toby Mosholder shows us how to keep a 4 linked rear end from shifting by installing a KP Components Watts Link. If you are considering this link for your vehicle, read this article first. It is full of valuable information about the Watts Link.

The Watts Link is available at gauge-store.com. http://store.gaugemagazine.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1048

 For special features this month we have the return of Custom License Plates. This is one of the coolest legal modifications you can do to your vehicle. Make sure to check out some of the hottest ones on the show scene.

            Automotive Artist Don Pace put in a little overtime preparing this month’s pin up. (Or should we call it a blow up?) Either way, I know what my desktop screen will be for the next 30 days.         

            Well that is it for me this month. Hopefully everyone’s spring fever will lead them to a car show. I will see you there. _DB 

donnieb@gaugemagazine.com

2006 Show Tour

see our event calendar for the latest upcoming show details!

The Club directory is back up and again after several months of being under construction. Please register or update your club today!!!

Please follow these directions before you contact us about your listing:

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