2009 street machine of year prolog.

[bigss396]

All of the finalist certainly were well represented money wise, builder wise, quality wise, trophy wise, and best use of materials we can't recognize, but do they all now have to look, as if they were built in a factory in Bavaria, or Stuggart? Talk about monotony, i.e. follow the leader . What happened to the American muscle look, real steel, chrome, and engines you could recognize! I'm sure that parts that look like glossy fiberglass matte turn some people on. Will we every see what was represented in winners back in the 1990's and early 2000's ever have a chance again. I'm all for evoloution, but is seems more like a revoloution is at hand. Why not just hook-up Ferraris, Lambos, and Porshes with big blocks and DOHC's, and call it World Street Machine of Year. That motocross challange guarantees that a red light racer will never be selected.

[BlackenedRR]

That's the trend that's popular today. The straight line, red-light racer had it's day, and most likely will again as trends tend to repeat themselves. If the cars winning the awards now aren't your cup of tea, build the opposite. Being different is what makes this hobby so much fun, and it's gonna take people like you who are tired of the same look over and over to make a change. Personally, I love American muscle with a Euro style to it, and love it even more that these cars can probably run circles around most Lambos, Ferraris and Porsches.

[XcYZ]

I agree with BlackenedRR.

And lets not talk chrome. We're not building Harley's.

[bigss396]

Actually, I wrote this message when I looked at the preview on the GoodGuys website of who would be attending this year. Certainly a car like the Bobby Alloway-built Ken Nestor Challanger, or Scott Whitby's black Camaro would be more in tune of what I was thinking about, sterling examples of combining old with new. And what was wrong with 1955/56 Chevys that competed and won back in 2003? They had character lines which distinguished themselves from the common examples of modern car building, coming off assembly lines, that we see going down the road, and what is parked right outside in the public parking lot at Columbus. Those cars can't even get through the gate at Columbus. I would hope that future judges would not use tunnel vision when making their choices. I kinda like a good straight axel car, but it don't belong in SMOY competition. As for chrome pieces, what's so bad about seeing your reflection in it? And can you tell me, what's more difficult: to get an original bumper, modified like crazy so it is a perfect fit, in flawless chrome, or a carbon fiber replicate? Like I mentioned, I'm all for evoloution, but would like some substitution. Throw in a dinosaur for some of us "dynosoars".

[cencal69]

I think most people like to see inovating and mind blowing craftsmanship that they havn't seen before. Pushing the envelope is a good thing. I know the shoeboxes have had a lot of representation through the years. Now we're starting to see models of cars never thought to be "great line" cars, modified and they look great. I'm in.

[Blake Foster]

i think it is amazing how high the bar has been raised even in the last 3 years.
take the last 3 winners, the reactor might have been in the top 5 this year but i doubt it would have won ( if it was a new release) no disrespect to
Jim and Mike by any means. the level of car that it takes to win has become "almost" to the Riddler level.
the customer who wants the SMOY trophy going forward will need to be very enthustiac about writing cheques!!

[bigss396]

Yes, I agree about the money part for sure. But there was I believe a 1969 black Roadrunner with a Hemi in it, with no hood, and black glossy rims and red line tires, that was I believe, built mostly by the owner. That car to me, was a great example of combining old and new themes. Also, the white 1968 Mustang finalist, with the great striping and zoomie exhast coming out the front fenders, had some of the traditional hot rodding elements that can be mixed in with the new technology. I think that Troy Trapanier's inclusion of the big Chrysler, was a fine move to break the mold, that seems to be shaping up. The Roadster Shop Corvette entry looks to be a unbelievable car, and I applaude them for their win. I'm sure all of the finalist were excellently constructed examples of today's trends.

[awr68]

Rodger's truck still has some shinny parts on it........and I like it!!

[GregWeld]

Is it really a street machine --- if it's never driven on the street?

[bigss396]

Where are the state inspection stickers located on any of the photos ?