NERVOUS SURGEONS
UK HOT RODDERS & DRAG RACERS
American Car Show Helsinki
On the morning of the 13th March I opened the garage, fired up my Devon, and began my journey, at the same time 8 other Rods from various parts of the country had either commenced or were commencing their own trip to the same destination, initially Tilbury Docks, where, under the expert guidance of Zane and Chevy Llewellyn we would load our Rods into containers, for their onward trip to the American Car Show in Helsinki Finland.
2 hours later and I was lost touring around the docks, a quick call to Zane however soon had me at the correct location, several cars had already been loaded and securely tethered within the containers, namely the Pop Ute of Pete Moore, Alan Spittles Centre Door T, and the V8 powered trike of Ivor Knapp.
Over the next few hours the gathered group of rodders got to know each other a little better and we all marvelled at the strange antics going on around us with numerous 5 – 8 year old silver Rovers being loaded into containers after being crammed to the roof with what appeared second hand televisions, microwave ovens and various wheels and tyres, and when we asked the dock workers where these were going they told us they were all destined for South Africa! We all nervously joked that we hoped our containers arrived in
It was also during this period that the dock workers informed us that during the previous year the shipping company had lost 10,000 containers, most of which were at sea. They went onto explain that Navy’s from around the world, used any containers lost in this way, as target practice if they didn’t sink, as they have to be sunk as they are a danger to shipping. The silence from the assembled Rodders was deafening!
We soon had the 39 Ford Coupe of Richard Parker and the 5 window Coup of Robbie Greig loaded and secured, then it was time for Jim Rutter to load his 32 Roadster and me to load the Devon, it was at this point that I couldn’t resist taking up Paul Kennedy’s challenge to load the Devon on open headers, but I am sure that Zane who was in the container guiding me in, wishes I had managed to resist, sorry Zane, I SAID SORRY ZANE!
Langy loaded up his T and as we left the docks we saw Dave Killick driving past in his Model A, he had been delayed but had finally made it.
A week later and the big band of Rodders gathered by the exit to Helsinki airport, we were all introducing ourselves to those we didn’t know and within a few minutes we were out into the gripping cold and soon on our way to the Hotel, courtesy of members of the Finish Hot Rod Association, who collected us in several mini buses.
We were soon all very relieved as we gathered at our containers and even more relieved when the doors were opened and none of the cars had moved.
Lining up outside the exhibiton hall
We all struggled to keep our cars running as the sub zero temperatures had there knock on effect. With all of the cars and trike lined up we cruised into the exhibition hall, and were guided onto the pre planned positions on the stands.
Almost on mass the polishing cloths, and polish were broken out, all except me as I prefer my car to maintain that lived in look ( yes I’m Lazy).
When the polishing frenzy had abated, the 2 lines of British Rods looked the biz and like the British rodders who had made the trip in previous years, we felt we represented our country and the NSRA very well.
A quick tour of the 5 exhibition halls revealed the areas that were worth a re-visit
and those that were perhaps less likely to warrant another look. The show is an eclectic collection of machinery with rods only making up a small part of the exhibits, with various mopeds, motorbikes , American muscle cars and the Max Power brigade in full swing. However nestled in amongst these was for me the star of the show, a Volvo Amazon estate, with a Pro Touring theme taken to the subtle max.
The other car that really caught my and everyone else’s was a VW Beetle, which showed just what happens if you leave one out in the rain long enough, it will shrink. This car was arguably the best Tot Rod of the year and had been cleverly made from a full size beetle, after being treated to some serious reductions to panel areas and sectioning.
Although on close inspection the final finish had room for improvement, it was none the less an impressive vehicle.
The incredible 'Shrunken Beetle'
Over the next 5 days we undertook various tourist type activities, the only drawback being the exceedingly low temperatures. We all made prodigious use of the tram and rail system, and on the Friday had a night out at a restaurant ‘Zetors’ where tractors were the overriding theme. When you consider that the many rods have larger rear wheels than at the front, you can see why we felt so at home amongst these tractors.
Saturday night was entertaining but not for the right reasons, as Chuck Berry was in town, unfortunately he didn’t seem to either remember how to play his guitar or the words to his songs! It was clear to most of us that perhaps when you are 80 it is time to take things a little easier!
On the Monday afternoon, prize giving rolled round, and the British contingent picked up 3 of the coveted top ten trophies, with Richard, Jim and Pete the successful recipients, unfortunately Pete was still looking round the show as he thought the prize giving was an hour later. He however made up for his no show, by filling his trophy with liquid refreshment and downing it in one go.
As the show wrapped up we packed up our cars and headed once gain out into the sub zero environment, Langy went for a quick spin in his T and Alan had an appointment with a Russian photographer with his black Centre Door ‘T’ looking superb against the snow filled background. The rest of us began re-loading our cars into their metal boxes for their return trip.
Well executed Mercury with a slice and dice!
Later that evening, we all gathered in the hotel restaurant for one last meal together and one last chance to spend that funny money, looking back on the trip I think we would all agree that the highlight was meeting and getting to know your fellow rodders and racers from the UK, if any of you get the opportunity to take part in this or any other rod based European excursions, then go for it, it will be an experience that will be at the least memorable and perhaps like all of us who went to Helsinki you will return with a whole new batch of Hot Rod friends.