Gasoline Girls Invade Ventura Nationals

It was labor day weekend, and you know what that means…leaving LA for the 100 mile drive to Ventura for the weekend. Although the show’s been going on for 8 years now, this year its name changed from “Primer Nationals” to “Ventura Nationals”…so don’t get confused!

Other then being filled with great cars, good music, a pinup contest…it was extra special because it also marked the first official show that me and my girl’s car club attended together! I’ve been meaning to introduce ya’ll to them, so no time is better then the present – say hello to the Gasoline Girls! We’ve been meeting up and getting together to wrench on one another’s cars for a few months now  – and having a darn good time at it!

Waking up early to get parked at the show is difficult (especially when there’s so many after-hours activities going on!) But its a little easier when there’s a pretty Studebaker waiting for you!

The show was at capacity this year, with sweet customs like this one from Cole Foster.

Alex Gambino showed up too, as well as my buddy, Gene Winfield.

This wild custom was a one-man job by E Dog Designs.

Part of the day was spent talking with other ladies. Hopefully these younger gals will be back next year with their own hot rods! The Gasoline Girls also got to meet up with fellow girl car clubs (that’s right, they DO exist)…the Black Widows and Hell’s Belles were represented at Ventura Nationals as well.

Perusing the show, I had to wonder how you’d see past this double-engine powered roadster to drive. Coming out of Las Vegas, this hot rod is pushed by 1007 horsepower – yikes!

The Lowdown Customs Car Club out of the High Desert made a good showing with lots of top notch custom cars.

No detail was overlooked (except that missing lug nut…oops!) as these fade-painted wheels illustrate.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen such a nicely chopped El Camino!

There were more then just customs though! This old-skool styled 1927 Roadster by the Menges Twin’s Speed Shop was bekoning me for a drive along the coast.

Another roadster that was made to be driven is this dragstrip-ready roadster with a very unique engine…can anybody guess what it is?!?

Everybody wanted to figure out how this airplane/missle-looking 3-wheeled contraption was enginereed!

When we couldn’t go on any longer, thankfully my friend Chryss had her restored 1957 trailer on site to be the Gasoline Girls lounge area!

Call it what you want, Ventura Nationals/Primer Nationals…this car show is a good time (even if it does tire a girl out!) Mark your calendars for next Labor Day weekend…the Gasoline Girls will be there!