The vehicles featured in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge during July's SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will soon be made available for auction through ebay. Proceeds raised through the auction will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Camp. But before these carefully crafted masters of the metal dragstrip find new homes, SEMA eNews talked to builders Keith Kaucher and Brent Vandervort to uncover their motivation for making these pinewood cars special.
All of the vehicles featured in the Builder's Challenge will be on display in the HRIA booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. New builders and their vehicles will be included each week in SEMA eNews. Featured this week are Keith Kaucher of Kaucher Kustoms and Brent Vandervort of Fatman Fabrications.
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| Kaucher Kustoms' HRIA Builder's Challenge entry. Watch a video of the build here. |
Keith Kaucher, Chief Designer, Kaucher Kustoms
SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?
Keith Kaucher: I saw it as an opportunity for some much-needed exposure and a way to help out the kids while doing it—a win-win situation.
SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?
Keith Kaucher: No, I never did. I did, however, build more than 100 car model kits since I was nine years old.
SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?
Keith Kaucher: The custom Show Rods by Barris, Roth, Jefferies, Cushenberry, Starbird and Winfield from the mid to late ’60s.
SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?
Keith Kaucher: For me it was getting the track specifications so I knew exactly what I needed to do to make my car clear everything and still have a great ride height.
SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?
Keith Kaucher: That it's an original concept designed by award-winning, custom-car designer Keith Kaucher of Kaucher Kustoms.
Here is a video of Kaucher's build from beginning to end.
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| Fatman Fabrications' HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicle is based on a drawing of a ’40 Ford Tudor converted to a mid-engine, fenderless, topless Phaeton. |
Brent VanDervort, Fatman Fabrications
SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?
Brent VanDervort: For the most excellent cause and for the fun and honor of being involved.
SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?
Brent VanDervort: No, but I helped some friends as an adult.
SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?
Brent VanDervort: I have a drawing done years ago for a ’40 Ford Tudor converted to a mid-engine, fenderless, topless Phaeton. I thought this was a good chance to try out the proportions.
SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?
Brent VanDervort: Filling the grain in the wood.
SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?
Brent VanDervort: I built it kind of old school [pinewood]. I marvel at the exotic creations and appreciate the effort. As in all things competitive, it can get a little over complex, so I went old school. I hope my effort wasn’t perceived as being less intensive than it could have been.
All of the HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicles will be on display in HRIA's council booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. More details on the auction will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.