UPDATE – 3/19/08
     Well the Detroit Autorama has come and gone.  We are back in sunny, warm, FL.
 
     Before I continue this current update, I will tell you I wrote an update 2/20/08, after we arrived in Pittsburg to check on the car.  I didn’t put that update on here, mainly because I really lost it with Pro Comp after inspecting the car and seeing the terrible job they did with the fender-to-body-to-running boards fitment, and the condition of what should have been a spectacular paint job, among other things. 

     Well, I wrote another update March 2, after we got back to Pittsburg from frigid, snowy NH.  And yes; I didn’t add that one to this site either.  We were supposed to pick the car up Monday, March 3 and bring it to Detroit.  And YES; there was no way in hell it would be correctly finished by then, or even Tuesday!!  Our appointment time to bring the car into Cobo Hall was noon Wednesday!!!  You surely didn’t want to hear what I wrote for an update, plus this is read by minors, and I had no way, or intention, of bleeping out all the expletives!  We loaded ZZ RIDER onto the trailer at 1:00 in the morning Thursday, and were on the road to Detroit by 7:30, knowing we were not properly prepared to win the Ridler.

     Just a side note re Pro Comp Custom, because many have asked, and I have to tell it like it is.  They were quite capable, particularly for the first 18 months when they were here, five minutes away from me. Mario Santana created outstanding custom metal work. Unfortunately for all of us, however, everything was downhill from the time they decided to relocate to Pittsburg, and did all they could to convince me to let them take it there to be finished. They did many things very well, and some things very poorly, which cost us a shot at the brass ring, and thousands of needless extra money spent, which I am in the process of tallying up now. Ultimately the blame falls on me, the owner.  I should have resisted their promises, and assurances, all of which they broke; but I didn’t.  Yes; I could have held the car back in seclusion for another year while we found/paid someone else to rework/correct all their problems.  However; the question marks about my health were too great to take that chance.  Plus everyone here, and at Specialized put their hearts and souls, and efforts into trying to ‘get us to the Show on time’.

     ZZ RIDER won first place awards for “OUTSTANDING CUSTOM ROD”, “BEST RADICAL CUSTOM ROD/ 1935-1948”, and ironically “BEST PAINT”  (we had some fun with that one!).  More importantly, we spent many hours talking to attendees who stopped to admire ZZ RIDER.  The more I explained the trick innovations she contained, which aren’t readily apparent, the more they loved it.  That was very rewarding, but most of all was having some of our large Family there to share this dream of a lifetime experience with me.

     I’ve been asked frequently; would I build another RIDLER contender?..............................NO!
If my health allowed, I would consider building another high quality street rod.  But taking a car to the extremes required to win the RIDLER, is like traveling to another planet………..and I’m just not up for the ‘trip’.

     I’d like to thank the ISCA for putting on an outstanding automotive event. I’d also like to thank Butch Patrico and Dick Forton and crew from the MHRA for a great experience and all their help. Lastly, there was a gentleman by the name of Rick, who worked the Cobo Hall back ramp-entrance-dock area outside in the freezing weather the whole event, keeping everyone/ everything rolling smoothly under extreme pressure and conditions…RICK: THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP !!!

     ZZ RIDER is back in Pittsburg at Specialized to have more work completed, plus some work on the trailer.  We need to feel really proud of her, if we are showing her to you.  That will happen by the end of April, when we pick her up and bring her to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals-South in Knoxville,TN.  Our previous listed Show Schedule has been revised, and we will not be attending Hershey, or York Shows.

     Next on this web site, we plan to give you a “Build Summary” report, with specs, etc. in the “CREDITS” section.  And we’ll add ‘finished’ pictures to the picture show.  We will also be offering ZZ RIDER WEARING APPAREL at special intro pricing.

     The almost 2 1/2 year build of ZZ RIDER has been an emotional, physical, financial roller coaster ride of extreme degrees.  It’s been a helluva ride so far!(hey Jim; it ain’t over yet pal! )
Back at ya soon………………………..Rod On !

UPDATE  3-31-08
Here’s a few sites that reference or have pics of  ZZ RIDER on them.  If you come across any others, please let us know so we can add them.  
Thanx.
1. (If you Google:   zz rider   you can of course go to our main web site)
2.> www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0803_2008_autorama/photo_07.html
3.> www.jalopnik.com/photogallery/detroitautorama
4.> www.hotrodhotline.com   to link for “2008 Show Coverage”
      a. > March 11, 2008 > Ron Kregoski pics….Page 3  (he saved the best for last)
      b. > March 11, 2008 > Ray Schuler pics……Page 10 (3 pics)
      c. > March 10, 2008 > Fuzzy Fuerholzer pics…..Page 3 (look past the guy in the black coat)

In addition to ZZ RIDER coverage, these are 3 great sites for fellow gear heads to bookmark !

Next: when we arrived at the Detroit Autorama Sunday AM, we found famed auto artist Steve Brown (www.conceptualimagineering.com) hard at work on his version of  ZZ RIDER.  We thought it was great! Here it is….. tell us what you think !


 

UPDATE – 5/7/08
     First; here’s another site someone brought to our attention with Autorama coverage/pic of  ZZ RIDER…
www.automoblog.net <http://www.automoblog.net/>  > archives March 2008 > #17 “Autorama Detroit 2008” >Photo Gallery > middle row extreme right.
     Well, according to this UPDATE date, we should just have returned from the NSRA Knoxville Nationals…
NOT!  A combination of  ZZ RIDER still not being ready as I want, and my health problems, had us canceling a bunch of reservations and hoping we’ll be able to make the next trip: the GoodGuys 2nd NAPA SouthernNationals in Atlanta in June.  With this bit of extra time, I’ve been able to get back to some of my web car hangouts and local car club, the Cape Coral HOT CHILI RODS .  The pressure is the same from everywhere.
What is taking so long in Pittsburg!!!!  Well, if you read the 3/19/08 update carefully, and read between the lines as to as to why we didn’t make the “Great 8”, you’ll understand why we are trying to correct those things that cost us ‘big time’.  And they take a lot of time and patience (and $$$).  The other major situation is correcting the air intake/MAFs/computer-read malfunctions that occurred because of the custom air intake that Mario made.  While it looked real trick way back when, it wound up causing us nightmares and a small fortune to remedy.
We also had to figure out how the hood would first ; not move ‘metal-on-metal’, and second; to create guides and a ‘lock-down’ as it moved into the closed position and not fly off on the highway.  There’s lots more, but like I said before: “We need to feel really proud of her, if we are showing her to you”.  I realize that 90% of those who see her think she is one of the outstanding rods ever.  But if 10% don’t, including me, then she will not be leaving Pittsburg until she is 100% and I say GO!
     THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
      Jim Sobel
BACK AT YA SOON……………..ROD ON !