Tag Archives: Chevrolet

New Skateboard – Death Dan Cates Killer Clown II

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Who remembers the Killer Clown panic that went round a few years back at Halloween time? When there were all these stories of people getting attacked by creepy weirdos dressed as clowns? Kids were scared silly about it and it was all just urban japes and bants created by the internet.

Anyway, I decided I need a new cruiser board to replace my Santa Cruz Street Creep re-issue. The main reason being, that the Street Creep is worth a few quid and it should be up on the wall as a decoration. Or DECK-oration, haha!! Sorry.

I also really miss the big, old shaped decks of yore, and thought that this would be a good shape to aid in my goal of getting better at slappy tricks.

I’d had my eyes on the Death Dan Cates deck for a while, and finally decided to go for it. Regular readers will know I’m a bit of a Death Skateboard fanboy, and this Cates deck looked perfect – great shape and graphic. Dan Cates is a talented skater who I’ve watched many video parts of. Plus it was within my meagre budget, so I bought it from Native Skate Store online.

The wheels are Powell Peralta Dragons 56mm and 93A, which I got from a contact in a Facebook group for a very good price. The only problem was the trucks: i re-purposed the Indy trucks I had on the Street Creep, but they’re actually not wide enough – wider trucks will be sourced asap.

So far, the whole set up rides amazing: the deck has a really nice concave and overall feel, plus the wheels are unbelievably smooth. I’ve just rolled around the carpark so far, but hope to take a trip to a pump track soon. And maybe do some more old school 80’s street skating…

As usual, here are the specs for posterity:

  • Death Skateboards Dan Cates Killer Clown II 9.375″ (free griptape)
  • Independent trucks (to be replaced)
  • Powell Peralta Dragon wheels 56mm 93A
  • Independent bolts
  • ABEC 5 Bearings

Check out Death Skateboards here.

Check out Native Skate Store here.

Hawarden Classic Car Show 2023

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Hawarden Classic Car Show

Gladstone Playing Fields, Hawarden

Saturday 27th May 2023

What a fantastic, sunny summer day it was! Beautiful weather, ideal for a laid back community event at the local park. This year’s Hawarden Classic Car Show, again organised by Deeside Round Table, showcased numerous classic cars from different times and places. There was also a bar, barbecue, music, numerous stalls and rides for the kids.

I turned up primarily to see the motors, photos of some you can see here. But the event itself was a lot of fun, and benefitted from the glorious sunshine.

This year I arrived earlier, and managed to take a photo of the gold Trans Am that eluded me last year. BOOM! Although as I arrived, an amazing yellow Mercury Cougar was rolling away. Never mind – if you scroll to my very first Motors post on Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub, you’ll see the very same car.

There were some favourite cars from last year making another appearance – like the Chevy Impala – and lots of new surprises.

A great mix of vehicles of various types, plus a relaxed afternoon – all good. I finished things off with a couple of ciders (don’t worry, I wasn’t driving). Here’s to more days like this in the future.

You can see last year’s Hawarden Classic Car Show blog here.

Hawarden Classic Car Show

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Hawarden Classic Car Show

Gladstone Playing Fields, Hawarden

Saturday 18th June 2022

Now this was pretty impressive. A classic car and motors show, right on my doorstep, in Hawarden, North Wales. Plus it was free entry! Organised by charitable organisation Deeside Round Table, with plenty to do and see.

There were vehicles on display from various places and of differing ages, all of them classic. Food and drink; music; stalls to browse; games for the kids – a nice, community, family event on a summer afternoon.

We got there late (I did warn my crew of the potential issues) and some of the cars were already leaving – including a beautiful gold Trans Am that I missed getting a phot of. A word to the wise: when it says the event is on till 4pm, don’t turn up for the last hour.

Any readers of previous Motors blogs at the Virtual Hot Tub will know that I’m a big fan of American classic cars, in particular, muscle cars from the late 60’s and 70’s. There were a few of those types of vehicles on display, plus a healthy showing of British classics from over the years (plus many other countries).

I did manage to take a few photos of the cars on display – hope you enjoy. It’s been a while since a Motors update on at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub, I’ll try harder to update more often.

Cool Car Pics

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It’s about time for some action in the Motors section.  So here are a couple of photos I took at the recent Wales Comic Con in Wrexham.

First up is a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, which I’m guessing was in attendance due it’s appearance in Smokey and the Bandit.  It’s an iconic car, and an old favourite of mine.  Probably had a Matchbox toy of this one, long ago.

Then we have got Optimus Prime and Bumblebee from Transformers.  Bumblebee is a very nice yellow Chevrolet Camaro.  I’m not a huge Transformers fan, but seeing these vehicles was pretty cool.

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac Firebird

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Camaro
Trans Am

Apologies for any inaccuracies in my descriptions!

American Classic Cars

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Stars and Stripes American Classic Car Show, Tatton Park 

Every year on or around July 4th, there’s a Classic American Car Show at Tatton Park in Cheshire.  I’ve been a few times over the years – weather permitting – and had a great day out.

Obviously there’s plenty of American autos to see; of all ages, varieties, colours and shapes.  Plus you’ll find tons of entertainment, from live bands, food, rides for the little ‘uns and a motorcycle Wall of Death.  Not to mention there’s practically a whole village of market stalls selling everything from car parts, to toys, memorabilia, cowboy hats and cowboy boots – the list is endless.

I thought I’d share a few photos from my last trip to the show in 2014.  To get the motor runnin’, here are a few fine examples of the fin and chrome variety…

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The Tatton Park website is here.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN

01625 374400