“My wife Paige is as interested and enthusiastic about collector cars as I am,” says Rich Udell. “In our semi-retirement, our joy in life is the cars, the shows and most importantly all the wonderful people that we meet throughout the United States and Canada.”
“Our involvement in the collector car industry has provided us worldwide and nationwide exposure,” he continues. “We have been featured on the national television programs ‘Rides – Road to the Rider,' Hot Rod TV’s ‘AMBR’ and, most recently, another half-hour program entitled Hot Rod TV’s ‘Shine On.’ All of these and their re-runs have aired on ESPN and Hot Rod Television.”
Rich says that he has been passionate about hotrodding since his days of slipping issues of Hot Rod Magazine into his school books, during high school study hall. He said that there were three crowds at school: the athletes, the academics, and the “car guys.” Rich was a car guy—from admiring the hot rods to drag racing. And, while Rich got away from the car scene for a little while, when his children were young, by the time the kids hit their early teens, the whole family was enjoying the hobby together.
Rich’s first ever specialty car was a 1963 Plymouth Savoy that had the exact body style of the car he has now. He said that, as a senior in high school, he hands-down had one of the fastest cars in Boise, Idaho. And, the cool cars kept coming throughout the decades: a 1966 Plymouth, ’39 Chevy 2-Door, ’39 Chevy 4-Door, ’34 Ford 2-Door Sedan, ’34 Ford Hi-boy Roadster, ’34 Chevy, and his ’63 Plymouth 426 Max Wedge. He’s now working on what he believes will be “the most unique ’32 Ford ever built,” called “Timeless.”
There are two websites that provide specific information about Rich and Paige’s vehicles. One of them is www.instigatorhotrod.com, which gives a detailed analysis of their 1934 Chevrolet, called the “Instigator,” that won the 2006 International Show Car Association World Championship. The other website is www.timelesshotrod.com, which features their newest car that is set to debut at the Detroit Autorama, in February 2010.
Rich says that in addition to the Detroit Autorama, he attends anywhere from 20 to 45 events each year, taking up almost every weekend. He, Paige and their pup, named “Hoochie Mama,” have already ventured out to about eight events, this spring.
Rich is a member of the NSRA, ISCA, Rocky Mountain Street Machines, and a Mopar club; he says that he supports a couple other clubs, as well.
At ISCA shows, Rich frequently holds learning seminars, during which he speaks to high school students about the hobby. He says that he stays involved with the hobby for the love of the cars, the people and the youth—which he adds are the future of the hobby.
Rich and Paige sent us the following photos and descriptions about some of the award-winning vehicles that they have had the good fortune of showing on the show circuit. We hope you enjoy them.
Owned by Steve and Sheri Tracy, owners of Advance Plating, in Nashville, Tenn.; built by Greening Auto Company.
This 1932 Ford, called “Chromzilla,” won the 2007 International Show Car Association World Championship. This car very interestingly enough has 2473 chrome plated pieces, which were done by Advanced Plating, in Nashville. The entire frame and chassis of the car is chrome plated, as well as the entire engine block, heads and injection system of a big block 454 Chevrolet. As you look at these pictures, you will see a shift knob which is an interesting story in itself. Several decades ago, there was a TV program called 77 Sunset Strip, which featured a 20’s model Ford T-Bucket. The gentleman by the name of Norm Grabowski built the car for 77 Sunset Strip and he carved the shift knob which is his signature work. His shift knobs incorporate a skull with a gold tooth and always a cigar. These shift knobs are reputed to be valued at as much as $10,000. If you look carefully at the picture of the “Chromzilla” car, you will see that unique shift knob.
Owned by Sam and Patty Magarino, owners of the Magarino Ford dealership, based in Sussex, N.J.
This 1932 Ford called “Magnitude” won the 2008 International Show Car Association Rod Championship. This is a very interesting car by virtue of the fact that all of the coach work was done by the Marcels, who are an immigrant family in Southern California. They are known as the masters of coach building. The coach work is entirely hand done, and it is a 1932 Ford, with a front end resembling a 1940 Ford.
Rich and Paige's traveling partner is an eight-pound Miniature Pincher named “Hoochie Mama.” She is known all over the United States by virtue of her pierced ear with a diamond stud, her spiked collar and bright red toenails. She is the hit of both the indoor and outdoor show circuit.
“If I have not said this before, all of these major show-winning cars have been insured by Grundy,” adds Rich, as he wraps up his description of his unique vehicles. “We would trust our cars to no one else but Grundy.”
Story by: Becky McLaughlin |
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