Grand National Roadster Show
The GNRS is for the dreamers. The tinkers, the artists, the guys and gals who live with greasy fingers, smelling of gasoline. This isn’t SEMA. This isn’t Car’s and Coffee. You won’t find showroom floor rebuilds here. Many of the vehicles on display are in various stages of their lives. A chopped ‘56 Bel Air may bare raw steel doors one year, only to be painted green with gold flake the year after. Hotrod’s and Custom’s are often never complete. What I love most about GNRS is the personality that shouts from the vehicles. Most builders here treat their rides like family. These are their children, their best friends, their loyal companions. There is a level of respect here not often found.
Book tickets to attend the next show here: Grand National Roaster Show.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2, 18mm f/2 lens.
SEMA 2019 P1
Welcome back to the fabulous SEMA SHOW in Las Vegas! The past few years I was on a short hiatus, if you will. A much needed break from the hustle and bustle of jetting from car show to off-road race, feature shoots and shop visits. Much like in 2016, my SEMA agenda was wide open. This year, along with finding some of the best off-road vehicles I could, I decided to spend a little more time grabbing photographs of vehicles that would otherwise not be found in the pages of OFF-ROAD. It’s wonderful to see all the creativity and skill that goes into building these radical rods. One thing you can always count on finding at SEMA is a world of talent.
This gallery will be divided into two parts so it will load easy on web and mobile devices. Be sure to come back for Part 2.
Collision
Dark dress with white polka dots, red sash around her waist, matching red heels. Her hair up and to the left with a red rose resting behind the right ear. White gloves outstretched overhead waving a black and white checkered flag. Can you picture her? She's standing between a pair of dueling pistoleros. One red, one blue. Both out for glory. Eyes peeled on the road ahead. Fierce grip on the wheel. She offers each driver a wink as her arms begin to raise. It's almost time. Tension is high. Motors roaring, fans cheering, drivers at the ready. Her hands are up as each driver takes one last look at his competition. Fear is not allowed. They are ready. With a twist of her hips, she drops the flag. Front tires off the ground. Gone in a flash. Everyone standing to join her. Hoots for red, whistles for blue. Elvis on the radio. The race is done. The finish flag is in the air. She removes her sash and waves it in the air. It's time for round two.
Can you picture her?
Bel Air Blues
This 1952 Chevrolet Bel Air is more than just sexy. It is someone's dream. A dream forged to reality through hard work and ingenuity. Those long nights in the garage have paid off. Car shows are what originally lead me down this path behind glass. It has always been about more than just the gorgeous cars though. It's a culture you can't understand until you're in it. Beer and busted knuckles, the smell of burnt rubber, never getting oil out of your jeans, pissing off your neighbors. You have to live it.
Hit a show like the Ventura Nationals next year and be sure to ask the owners about their rides. They're proud of what they built and I promise you'll hear a great story.
SEMA 2016 P2
What most of you have come here for, the Trucks and Off-Road vehicles of SEMA 2016. So many great NEW builds popped up this year. That is definitely worth noting as we often see rebuilt, repurposed and over-used vehicles brought back year after year. It was refreshing getting to lay eyes on so new creations. SEMA may be an industry only event but I highly suggest you try and come to Las Vegas during the show. There is plenty you can still see in the outdoor areas that are open to the public. That includes most of the live driving demonstrations that happen throughout the entire SEMA week. Enjoy part two, Trucks and Off-Road.
Photography: Jordan May
All of these photographs were taken with my Fujifilm X-T1 and 18mm lens.
This gallery was originally posted to. A Gentleman’s Word.
SEMA 2016 P1
Welcome to the 2016 SEMA Show in the fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. This marks my 8th year covering the show. This year my agenda ran slightly different than in years past. Without an official plan, I was able to spend much more time shooting vehicles that interested me as well as meet more owners. In the past, I was typically sent to this booth, to that truck, to talk to these people. It was nice wandering around photographing the show in a way that my viewers enjoy. I decided to split this years gallery in two. Not only is there a huge amount of photographs I want to share, I thought it would be appropriate to separate the Trucks and Off-Road vehicles. Enjoy part one, Hotrods and Customs.
Photography: Jordan May
All of these photographs were taken with my Fujifilm X-T1 and 18mm lens.
This gallery was originally posted to A Gentleman’s Word. To learn more about AGW, please visit my about page.