NIA Convention Charlotte

[Verne_Frantz]

Just got back from the National Impala Convention in Charlotte. We had a great time. Turn out was a little low but there were some spectacular cars there. We had drags at Rockingham but I have no pics of that as I was in my car most of the time.

Starts with tech check and classification
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/DSC_0014.jpg

A "pointed" discussion...
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These next three are some of our Jersey guys
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Many of you have seeen this car before...
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/DSC_0098.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/DSC_0099.jpg

More later
Verne http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[mockingbird812]

Nice shots Verne. Beautiful cars!!!!! Very artsy photos too! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

More

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A site member, Tommy Nolen
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Another of our Jersey boys
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This '64 is owned by the original owner, who found the car after 11 other owners had it after him! Quite a story. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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All the above photos are courtesy of Tommy Nolen's wife, Debbie.....quite the shutterbug. Janet and I made the trip in our gold '63 and stopped overnight at Tommy & Debbie's both ways. I was treated to a ride in Tommy's Bristol Blue '61 Ventura 425A 4-spd car (a close match to his '61 Super Sport). I'd like to thank him and Debbie for their hospitality and helping me "re-tire" my gold car. (another story) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Verne http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

In case anyone is interested, I thought I'd post a couple pics of Tommy's '61 Ventura.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/NIAconventionetc002.jpg

Those '61 buckets don't exactly grow on trees...... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/NIAconventionetc005.jpg

And BOY, does it run good http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif
I think someone should bug him for a Member's Ride feature on that one http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Good job Verne....thanks for sharing.


wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

The drags were a blast. Not a whole lot of cars, but enough for 4 rounds. I'll try to contact someone who took pics there that I can get and post. Rockingham is an IHRA track, and they were really laid back. There was NO tech. They didn't even check for seat belts. An announcement came over the PA saying, "Put your wives, girlfriends or other friends in the car and make a pass". The only rule was that you couldn't go quicker than 11.99 with a passenger. You couldn't ask for a drag day that was more fun. The return road passed right in front of the snack bar, so on one of my runs I just pulled up in front and grabbed a burger, then went back to the pits. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif After elims were over, we were offered unlimited time passes. We had the whole track - not grouped in with another program. They prepped it for us, then dragged it down again before elims. FUN racing just can't get any better than that! And the NIA gave out more prizes than we had racers! Just ask Jody from Pit Pal, who coordinated the whole thing for us.
The convention had a NASCAR Legends seminar, a Drag Racing Legends seminar, several tech seminars, a tour of the NASCAR garages, a ladies brunch with a craft seminar, a business meeting and plenty of door prizes, along with great music in the parking lot every day. I can't wait till next year. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[m22mike]

Verne
Great pic's, thanks, and for the 61 Chevy's....

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

These views just came in.......

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/262s.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/Alrunner-up.jpg

Pay no attention to the white haired guy in the background.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/BThompsonpits.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/Hankatline.jpg


More to come.....I hope.

[camarojoe]

Cool stuff! I'm personally i'm diggin that green 67 427 Biscayne...or is it a Bel Air? I can never tell the difference! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[CC Rider]

Great event coverage Verne. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Xplantdad]

I agree...thanks for the "ride" Verne! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

That would be a Belair Joe. Biscaynes didn't have the side molding. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

Here are a few more that came in from the drags.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/58I.jpg

These two were BEAUTIFUL cars!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/AlLoew65.jpg

Time trials: The only TRUE race cars there!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/AllenAl.jpg

Semi-Finals
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/NIA09/AllenI.jpg

I hope I receive more... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[bb767]

Great pictures Verne, thanks. I know you were Top Eliminator there last year, who won this year?

Thomas

[Verne_Frantz]

Uuuuuuuuuuh..............Hmmmmmmmmmmm............. .Uuuuuuuuuuuuh.................................I did. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[mockingbird812]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Congrats Verne - you humble guy you. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Congrats Verne - you humble guy you. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif Verne! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[68427caprice]

Thanks for the great photos all.

Would love to see more as you get them.

and Congrats on the win!

[bb767]

WOW Verne, way to go. Two for two. You are indeed..........

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u288/BB767/sm.jpg

MR ELIMINATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Thomas

[Xplantdad]

THAT...is a great picture! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]


http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u288/BB767/sm.jpg

MR ELIMINATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Thomas

[/ QUOTE ]

For those who missed the connection; that's Tom Payne's Double Silver'64 SS. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[markjohnson]

Way to go, Verne. Love the "Game Face"! And the Frantz Dynasty continues........

[Verne_Frantz]

That photo has a story behind it, but I'm not the one to tell it..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

And I know I'll have a bullseye on my back at the next convention drags..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[alloy409]

Verne, great pictures! Email me at [email protected] and send me your mailing address. I have a DVD that I'd like to send you of the drags.

[bb767]

[ QUOTE ]
That photo has a story behind it, but I'm not the one to tell it..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

In Vern's defense that photo was staged last year at my request. I take full responsibility for it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif I'm trying to get the background photo up and then you'll all understand the method to my madness. Be thinking Dick Dale & His Del-Tones, 1964 Capital Records # T-2053 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

Thomas

[Verne_Frantz]

[ QUOTE ]
Verne, great pictures! Email me at [email protected] and send me your mailing address. I have a DVD that I'd like to send you of the drags.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the offer Al. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Welcome to the site. I'd like to introduce you to the other members here. This is Al's beautiful Biscayne, which I think won Best Appearing Car at the drags http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/VerneFrantz/VLFPrivate/DSC_0036.jpg

[Xplantdad]

Verne...hook me up with a members ride on that car! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif