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NNL Western Nationals 1-31-15


Vince Nemanic

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There is less than three weeks until the West Coast's largest show! It is at the Santa Clara Convention center right next to the new 49ers stadium in Santa Clara There is a swap meet and NNL running at the same time. The NNL themes are "Bonneville Cars" and "60th anniversary of the Small Block Chevy", but any automotive subject is welcome, including dioramas and projects.

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  • 2 weeks later...

this is all kind of comical. the theme (one of two) of the show is not "Bonneville Cars" as originally posted, it is, and i am quoting from the website http://www.nnlwest.org/nnlwest.html, "Land Speed Record Cars" (well, not exactly quoting but rather gleaning from the poster there for the event, otherwise the site is pretty disorganized and mangled and i don't even really see any real mention of theme in the text, when i look beyond the late 90s quotes from magazines and other forms of hysteric oops sorry historic self-promotion). Land Speed Record cars may never have ran at Bonneville Speedway, nor are "Bonneville Cars" (cars that have run at Bonneville Speedway) necessarily in the running for any land speed records.

what i am expecting to see is a bunch of otherwise non-LSR cars with Parks or otherwise spun aluminum disks on two or more wheels. because no one actually lays out what they mean by "Land Speed Record" cars. so it will be interesting to see what gets put on the theme table this year. i am hoping to see, amongst the 53 studes and 32 fords, with aluminum wheel covers of course, some scratch built belly tankers and some actual LSR cars like perhaps the Mormon Meteor or some Campbell cars, and even a green monster jet or two.

jb

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this is all kind of comical. the theme (one of two) of the show is not "Bonneville Cars" as originally posted, it is, and i am quoting from the website http://www.nnlwest.org/nnlwest.html, "Land Speed Record Cars" (well, not exactly quoting but rather gleaning from the poster there for the event, otherwise the site is pretty disorganized and mangled and i don't even really see any real mention of theme in the text, when i look beyond the late 90s quotes from magazines and other forms of hysteric oops sorry historic self-promotion). Land Speed Record cars may never have ran at Bonneville Speedway, nor are "Bonneville Cars" (cars that have run at Bonneville Speedway) necessarily in the running for any land speed records.

what i am expecting to see is a bunch of otherwise non-LSR cars with Parks or otherwise spun aluminum disks on two or more wheels. because no one actually lays out what they mean by "Land Speed Record" cars. so it will be interesting to see what gets put on the theme table this year. i am hoping to see, amongst the 53 studes and 32 fords, with aluminum wheel covers of course, some scratch built belly tankers and some actual LSR cars like perhaps the Mormon Meteor or some Campbell cars, and even a green monster jet or two.

jb

Well I'm bringing a belly tanker, '57 "Suddenly" Plymouth, "76 Yamaha motorcycle and a Bar Stool racer... B)

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Had hoped to make it there this year, but as often happens, 'life' got in the way.

Have a GREAT event. Have a GREAT time, everyone!

And, spread the word to put Phoenix on your calendars for April 11 . . . DESERT SCALE CLASSIC 11 is gonna be epic! Come see us. (Your wallets will have had 2-1/2 months to recover from NNL West! :lol: )

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Just returned from the show and, as always, I enjoyed my time there. The host club does a great job and I thank them for their collective efforts, year after year, creating a one-of-a-kind experience. One thing I found puzzling, however, was the condensed vendor/swap space—about 75 percent of what they've had in previous years—making it much more difficult to maneuver through and see vendor's offerings. I opted to wait until the lunch hour to venture over there. There was additional space available, but for some reason it was blocked off. Anybody know why? Again, love the show, but would respectfully suggest that next year that space be re-allocated to the vendors.

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Thanks for the kind words, guys. I had a great time too, and saw a LOT of friends yesterday.

There is not really a club running the show, but a handful of guys who form a committee that make all of the arrangements & decisions regarding themes, advertising, etc. The rest of us are basically "day help" who show up to set up the room, work the ticket booth and registration table, sell raffle tickets, etc.

The vendor area is set up depending on the number of tables that are pre-sold, with a few extra tables put in there if a seller shows up on the morning of the show and wants more space or wants to register at last minute. As you saw yesterday, a vendor bought two tables and for some reason did not show up. The Staff really have little control over the swap meet-they are reacting to the demand for tables-that is why the size and layout varies.

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Thanks for the kind words, guys. I had a great time too, and saw a LOT of friends yesterday.

There is not really a club running the show, but a handful of guys who form a committee that make all of the arrangements & decisions regarding themes, advertising, etc. The rest of us are basically "day help" who show up to set up the room, work the ticket booth and registration table, sell raffle tickets, etc.

The vendor area is set up depending on the number of tables that are pre-sold, with a few extra tables put in there if a seller shows up on the morning of the show and wants more space or wants to register at last minute. As you saw yesterday, a vendor bought two tables and for some reason did not show up. The Staff really have little control over the swap meet-they are reacting to the demand for tables-that is why the size and layout varies.

Thanks for the explanation, Vince. Again, love the event and wouldn't miss it for anything, your "committee" did a spectacular job as always.

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I'm suffering from a case of terminal overjoy, as this was my first NNL. The things I learned, the sights I saw, the stuff I snagged from the vendors tables, but more important than that, I think I've adopted a new family. A major shout out to everyone I met and special fist bump to John Teresi, Art Laski, Ira Dahm, Roy Sorenson and the crew that stepped up to shuttle me back and forth from the hotel.

Speaking of which, as I was walking out to the parking lot with my volunteer driver, (Roy?, Ron?, Scott? sorry, name overload too :blink: ), we were joined by another gentleman and we all pleasantly chatted. On our way out of the parking lot, I was asked if I planned on going to GSL. I replied emphatically in the positive as I wanted to see the International Model Car Museum.

Him: Any car in particular?

Me: Yes, that narrowed yellow Super Bee Funny Car.

Him: Do you know who built it?

Me: I know his name but I don't remember it....

Him: Was it Jim Keeler?

Me: THAT'S the guy.

Him: That's who was walking with us!!!

Me: GET OUT OF TOWN !!!!!

My mind was officially and totally BLOWN. Now I know how a Hemi feels. If you read this Jim, you were my inspiration for my love of Hemi's. Thank you a thousand times over.

As for all I met, I thank you for your hospitality and cheery dispositions. Again, a thousand apologies to those whose names escape me. Between Phoenix and the GSL, I'll get there.

DodgeFever.jpg

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Great pics Paul. Thanks for driving, buddy!

Joe, it was a pleasure to meet you and look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake.

Seth, I looked around for you, but hopefully we'll see you soon at a local show.

So many great models to see, and thanks to all who patronized my Pro Tech dealer table, and special thanks to Pro Tech Charlie for his support.

Art

Edited by Art Laski
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