CGVol1Iss8

April 2012 | Volume 1, Issue 8

April 2012 Cale’s Garage - A Gulf Coast Automotive Lifestyle Magazine 1

Departments 2 Cale’s Thoughts 5 Guest Garage 7 Tech Garage 18 Truck of the Month 19 Events 21 Project Garage 24 Diecast Garage 26 SEMA 28 The Back Door

April 2012 | Volume 1, Issue 8

FEATURES

On The CoverCustom Art Based on Dave’s Dream Vette

Dave's Dream VetteMost of us are car guys before we even leave kindergarten and, while we are there, we are usually day dreaming about driving a car or owning one. For Dave Kelso, his dream took over forty years to come true. PG. 14-17

Chris’ Convertable“Blue is one of my favorite colors,” Chris said as we photographed his 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Convertible. On a bike like this, I can see why blue is one of his favorite colors.PG. 3

Bob’s Secret GaragePG. 5

Want More? See More Pictures of OurFeatures and Departments at

www.calesgarage.com

TPMS – (Indirect/Direct Systems: How do they work?)If you have ever wondered how your vehicle is able to warn you that a tire is low, this article will help you understand how these systems developed and how they function.

SEMA: The Specialty Equipment Market AssociationAccording to SEMA’s website, “It all began in 1963 when a group of small manufacturers who were suppliers of performance equipment for early hot rods organized their fledgling industry and called it “Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association” (SEMA).”PG. 26

PG. 12

PublisherBrad Chambers

EditorAudrey Chambers

Design/Layout/WebWayne Raybon

Contributing EditorsCale Hollingsworth

Scott Blair

AdvertisingBrad Chambers205-563-7788

Cale Hollingsworth251-222-4567

Scott Blair251-377-6724

2 Cale’s Garage - A Gulf Coast Automotive Lifestyle Magazine April 2012

Cale’s Thoughts and WelcomesIt’s quite amazing how close the correlation between

life and driving can be. We start out on a journey and sometimes we go the route that we intend to take. But sometimes, we end up with detours and road blocks that we have to overcome. Good thing we have GPS to lead us down our roads. Along the way we sometimes have to take a different road due to unforeseen problems and sometimes we choose to go down the roads for various reasons. Some of these roads are dead ends, some lead to opportunites and some disasters. With GPS leading our way we have confidence and hope that no matter what the journey holds we know that there is a way to get to our final destination.

Our magazine and television show are the same way. The road we chose was to show you the great automotive lifestyle here on the Gulf Coast from South Mississippi to Panama City, Florida. Two years into our journey we have met some really great people and seen some excellent automobiles. As we continue on our journey, the destination remains the same but the roads we go down keep changing. As we keep traveling these roads we depend on GPS to lead us through this mission field to bring you the best of our lifestyle. We appreciate you joining us on this journey and we hope that you are enjoying the ride with us. We also want you to invite your friends to join us as we spread the good news of what we have here on the Gulf Coast. If you have any questions or comments please visit our web page www.calesgarage.com and email them to us. Last but not least, remember our sponsors and advertisers, because without them we could not bring Cale’s Garage to you. Thank you and enjoy the magazine.


Chris’ Convertible“Blue is one of my favorite colors,” Chris said as we photographed his 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Convertible. On a bike like this, I can see why blue is one of his favorite colors. We caught up with Chris on one of many rides he takes with his club, the Southern Cruisers, to get a closer look and share with you.

Propelled by Harley Davidson’s Screaming Eagle Twin Cam 110B engine, Chis is able to cruise and have a great time when he rides with his fellow club members. Not only is the engine on Chris’ bike powerful but it looks great too, with all of that chrome.

Speaking of chrome, the 18-inch Custom Stinger wheels are covered in it. Watch out when he is riding on a sunny day, he’ll blind you if the sun hits the bike just right. These wheels are clean and distinct and the stopping power is provided by a smooth anti-lock brake system.

The combination of chrome and paint on this bike is very tasteful and well executed. Not too much paint and not too much chrome. The power of the engine is right and easy to bring to a safe stop with advanced braking systems, making this a great bike to admire and drive. When you see Chris on his bike wave to him in appreciation for this fine piece of machinery that he possesses.

You can also see this ride at the 2nd Annual Shine and Ride for a Cure, Saturday, March 17, 2012. Chris’ club is sponsoring the event, which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and I am sure that he would be more than happy to see you there checking out his bike.


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Guest Garage: ’68 Pro Street CamaroCan you handle 1,200 horsepower? This month Bob gives us a glimpse of his 1968 Pro Street Camaro. If a blown big block is not your thing then maybe the custom pearl ghost flames are. This car is wild with top of the line everything and over the top style. The ghost flames are everywhere on this car - exterior, interior, under hood and under car.

What Bob likes the most however, is the dual 4 inch exhaust that runs up and over the rear axle and comes out of the back of the car like a normal Camaro exhaust. Impressive. If you’ve never heard that type of sound before then you are definitely missing a joyful noise.

Don’t expect to see this car out at any shows because,

chances are, you will never find it there. Bob keeps this one tucked

away nicely in the back of his garage for only a select few to drool over. If you do catch this friend out and about you must pause to look the car over carefully and admire the

craftsmanship that went into building this truly “Hot Rod”.

With a car this hot I can see why Bob keeps it in a Secret Garage. It

takes a caring hand to keep a car like this in show shine condition and I think

that Bob has done a great job at preserving this car and keeping it hot.



Tech Garage

Plus Sizes and Inflation Pressure;Maintaining the Load CapacityWhen you want to update your vehicle and decide to install larger diameter wheels and non-OE tires, there are a number of issues to consider. First, the overall diameter of the tires needs to be within +/- 3% of the original tire’s overall diameter. To understand how this works, the following diagram will help you see how we lower the aspect ratio (Which we discussed in the February Issue) to compensate for the shorter sidewall.

In our example, we have three tires with different wheel diameters, but nearly the same overall tire diameters. The first is a P205/70R15 with an overall diameter (OD) of 26.30 inches. Next, a P225/60R16 tire has an OD of 26.63 inches and lastly a P235/50R17 with an OD of 26.25 inches. This is how we put larger wheels on a vehicle without affecting the speedometer.

Ride quality, however is almost always affected by increasing the wheel diameter. The shorter the sidewall, the more “road fell” you will notice in the steering wheel and seats. The reason is that there is less sidewall to absorb the variations in the road, which gets transferred through the suspension to the driver. There are significant differences in the construction of tires that will dictate the overall characteristics and handling feel of the tire, but we will cover that subject in a latter issue.

Now that you understand how we create a plus-size application, let’s discuss why air pressure may need to be adjusted to maintain the load capacity specified by the vehicle manufacturer. In our above diagram, notice that the amount of sidewall decreases as the wheel diameter increases. This means that the volume of air is diminished and air is what holds your vehicle up, not the tire itself. In many cases, when we plus-size, the volume of air decreases so much that we have to increase the air pressure to compensate. Think of a bicycle tire. If you look closely it will typically take 40 to as much as 60 psi to hold up 200 pounds, whereas a typical passenger tire only needs 30 psi to support 1000 pounds. What this demonstrates is how air pressure is increased to make up for a loss in volume. So the next time that you or someone you know swaps their factory tires for a non-OE size, let them know to ask a tire professional how much air pressure is needed. They should be able to make the calculation for you. If they don’t know how, you may want to reconsider who


is working on your vehicle.

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) offers training classes and certification for tire dealers. Ask if your tire dealer has a TIA certified technician. Look for this logo to be sure.

Scott Blair is a Tire Industry Association Certified ATS/TPMS Instructor and a SEMA Custom Wheel & Tire Specialist. He has over 18 years experience in custom wheels and performance tires. He can be reached at [email protected].

Scott Blair is a Tire Industry Association Certified ATS/TPMS Instructor and a SEMA Custom Wheel & Tire Specialist. He has over 18 years of experience in custom wheels and performance tires. He can be reached at [email protected].

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Spring is here and you’re still thrashing on your project to get it ready for cruising. If a new set of wheels is in your future, then this is the article for you. When I started out in the custom wheel industry, 14” painted steel wheels were still common and if you had 15x10 aluminum mods or 5-stars, well, you were a “player”. How time and technology has changed. The wide variety of styles, variations and methods to constructing wheels today makes it difficult to determine which is best for your needs and desires. To help make this a less painful experience, we are going to discuss the various types of construction methods used to build a custom wheel, which will give you some insight into the pros and cons of each.

First, we start with the basic steel wheel. Looking at our wheel, notice that the center is one piece and the outer rim, called the hoop, is another piece. They can be purchased raw so that you can paint them to match the vehicle, powdercoated like our example here or chrome plated. Most companies only offer these wheels in specific sizes and offsets, but you can find companies that will build this type of wheel with a custom offset to meet your specifications. Recently, I built a steel wheel similar to this for a late model Jeep Wrangler, which needed a specific offset to clear the 35” tall tires. You can see by our example that we have a range, indicated by the yellow dimensional arrows, which allows us to move the center forward and backward within a range to get the best offset possible for our application. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

PROs CONs

Inexpensive HeavyWide range of finishes Limited stylesGreat for off-roading Load capacity not as high as aluminum

Next, we move on to a composite wheel. This is old school, but they are still made today. This was an early attempt to reduce weight by replacing the steel center with aluminum. Everyone knows about the timeless classic, the Cragar S/S. This wheel is one of the icons of Hot Rodding dating back to the 60’s and it still turns heads today with modern applications such as 17” and 18” diameters to fit cars and even trucks. They are still built with a cast aluminum center, which is welded to a steel outer hoop.

PROs CONs

Nostalgic Heavier than castWide range of offsets Limited styles17” and 18” diameters available Chrome plated steel hoop may tend to rust

Now we get into the most common of all wheel constructions, the cast aluminum wheel. One-piece cast wheels are chosen most often due to the ability to paint, polish or chrome plate it. They are built by pouring molten aluminum alloy into a mold, then


cooling the metal until it forms the shape of the mold. Early designs where simple, but modern machining techniques make it possible to create complicated designs that afford near limitless possibilities of creating new styles.

PROs CONs

Relatively Inexpensive Lighter than steel, but heavier than forgedAllows Design flexibility Less load capacity than forgedPainted/polished finishes are repairable Limited offsets and widthsCan be chrome plated

Two-piece aluminum wheels are built much the same way as steel wheels that we mentioned earlier. The centers are welded to the outer hoops. One main difference is that the centers can be cast aluminum, billet aluminum or forged aluminum. Each has its pros and cons, and the price goes up in the order that they are listed here. Many designers, such as Foose, will offer a specific design in both cast aluminum and two-piece construction that can be built in multiple widths and offsets to fit your needs precisely.

PROs CONs

Light weight More expensivePainted/polished finishes are repairable Outer rim can be damaged easier than one-pieceImproved vehicle handling Cannot be chrome plated in most casesCustom offsets and widths available

Three-piece wheels are the upper echelon of the wheel industry. Some of the most famous are BBS, which have appeared on European sports cars for several decades. Three-piece wheels are built by combining a center with a two-piece hoop, instead of a one-piece hoop. This allows design and dimensional flexibility like no other. The center is bolted to the two outer hoops in various combinations to achieve the width and offset desired. This method of building a wheel allows the designer to choose any type of center, which is usually billet or forged, and apply a wide variety of styles, colors, milling techniques and even chrome plating. Higher end models will even have titanium bolts to lower weight in critical areas to achieve extremely low overall weight and rotational mass, which translates into quicker starts and more rapid steering response.

PROs CONs

Light weight Very expensivePainted/polished finishes are repairable Outer rim can be damaged easier than one-pieceImproved vehicle handling Bolts need to be re-torqued periodicallyCustom offsets and widths availableUnlimited design options

When purchasing an aftermarket wheel, you should compare not only price, but type of construction. As you can see here, there are many different types of construction methods each with it’s own pros and cons. When deciding which one to choose, the first constraint is budget. This will dictate where to go next. After that, styling and then sizes and offsets are determined to narrow your choices to hopefully two or three that you can choose from. Before you purchase a set of wheels, make sure to ask the sales representative if the wheels have passed SAE J2530, which is a certification developed several years ago that assures you that you are getting a quality wheel. It should be listed in either the literature or cast into the wheel itself. You may also see VIA or TÜV, which are industry standards in other countries that indicate that the wheel has been tested to meet strength and durability standards.

I hope that this has helped many of you understand the complexity of working with custom wheels. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, contact me at [email protected]’t Get Enough

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(Indirect/Direct Systems: How do they work?)If you have ever wondered how your vehicle is able to warn you that a tire is low, this article will help you understand how these systems developed and how they function.

First, the Indirect TPMS, developed in the 1990’s, used the anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensors and a software upgrade to detect the rotational speed of each wheel and compare them to each other. Imagine that four circles represent your tires. If one tire loses air pressure, the circle gets smaller. For this one circle to cover the same distance, it has to rotate faster. This basic premise is how an Indirect TPMS system functions. The system couldn’t pinpoint which tire was low, but at least it gave you a warning. In theory, this is a quick, cheap and efficient method of determining if a tire is low. However, the reality is this: If all four tires are under inflated, the circles are all rotating at the same speed. In this scenario, the system can’t detect any issues and the driver continues driving, potentially leading to tire failure or worse.

By the late 1990’s, a more precise system was developed known as the Direct TPMS. The first sensors used were banded


to the wheel using what looks like a large hose clamp. These were located at 180º to the valve stem. (Image courtesy of Bartec USA). This device is clamped to the drop center of the wheel. It detects air pressure and transmits the information through radio frequency signals to a receiver, which then relays the pressure to the driver data center on the dash. This method proved to be somewhat cumbersome for technicians and has been slowly phased out in lieu of a valve-mounted sensor, known as a clamp-in sensor, like we see here.

(Image courtesy of Bartec USA). As you can see from the diagram, the sensor is attached to the valve stem. In this case, we have a one-piece sensor/valve stem which fits only a specific type of wheel. Newer two-piece versions that have been developed have the ability to fit various angles and multiple types of wheels. The newest is a two-piece version utilizing a rubber valve stem and two-piece design that attaches the sensor to the rubber valve using a screw. This is becoming more prevalent

and aids in lowering the overall cost in purchasing tires, due to the lower cost in simply replacing a common rubber valve stem, instead of having to purchase costly service kits for clamp-in style sensors. (Image courtesy of Bartec USA)

Now that you have a better understanding of how this technology hardware works, you need to know that it takes a trained technician utilizing specialized tools and computers to perform what is known as a “relearn” procedure. After servicing or installing a sensor, your vehicle has to be programmed with the serial numbers and locations of each sensor. Otherwise, your Malfunction Indicator Light may illuminate or the system may indicate that one tire position is low, when actuality it is in another position.

When purchasing new tires, make sure to ask if the price includes servicing the TPMS valve and if there is an additional charge for TPMS relearn on your vehicle. Some vehicles are intuitive and relearn by driving them, others have a lengthy, and many times costly, relearn charge, so don’t be surprised when you see additional labor charges and lengthier times for rotation service due to issues that arise from working with TPMS sensors.

Scott Blair is a Tire Industry Association Certified ATS/TPMS Instructor and a SEMA Custom Wheel & Tire Specialist. He has over 18 years experience in custom wheels and performance tires. He can be reached at [email protected].

Dream Vettewww.calesgarage.com


Most of us are car guys before we even leave kindergarten and, while we are there, we are usually day dreaming about driving a car or

owning one. For Dave Kelso, his dream took over forty years to come true. Dave was like many car guys. He got married, had kids and plenty of bills to pay. That didn’t stop him from dreaming his dream but being a pastor on a limited budget certainly didn’t help.

Dave’s dream was a 1964 Pro Street Corvette. These cars are expensive to build and are not practical in the real world for family transportation or for going to the grocery store for that matter. So, Dave waited and dreamed. Over the years Dave has bought and sold many cars, enjoying them for a while and passing them on to another car guy to enjoy. Several times Dave thought that he had his dream ride but was never satisfied with a single car until now.

Dave had been watching this car for a few years, waiting for it to come on the market so that he could have his turn at his real dream. When this car came up for sale, Dave scooped it up and brought it safely into his flock. Like a shepherd chasing that one stray sheep and with this car, who could blame him?

The car was built in 2003 and had been meticulously cared for by the previous owner. This car was built with two things in mind - go straight and go fast. Under the hood is a 454 big block engine mounted to an automatic transmission that feeds the power to the narrowed and tubbed rear end. The exhaust pipes are routed out of the side of the car and dump just in front of the rear wheels.

The interior was done with care as well. Tan leather seats and door panels offset the body-colored full roll cage. Sitting in the driver’s seat makes you feel one with the car. The gauges are the original style but with one addition, a huge tachometer sitting on the center of the dash. Just below, on the center console, are all of the accessory switches to turn on the various systems in the car.

Every inch of this car is pristine. The paint is almost perfect, the interior is comforting and the engine


sings a big block symphony that is so sweet to your ears. When the symphony is performing it propels the car forward via traction from the massive rear street slicks. Oh yeah, this car is a streetcar. It is not a track only trailer queen. Dave is planning on driving this car often to his cruise-in at the Sonic in Robertsdale, Alabama. So, if you want the chance to see it in person, show up to the cruise on the last Saturday of the month. Chances are you will be able to catch a glimpse of this dream come true.


Truck of the MonthGoing from a Cadillac to a 600 HP 1956 Ford truck is a big change for Sandy Elliot but is something that she says she is getting used to these days. The candy orange truck caught her eye while she was helping her husband Brian search for a vehicle for him on the internet. After some convincing, they went to Georgia, looked at the truck and bought it.

According to Sandy the 600 HP engine was built by the brother of racecar driver, Bill Elliot, and mounted very neatly into the engine bay. Full of chrome and go fast goodies, attention was not just paid to the engine itself but also to the firewall, frame, underside of the hood and wheel wells. In true hot rod style flames start at the front of this candy orange truck and go all the way through to the back.

The interior sports the flames on the custom console door panels and headliner. Custom gauges keep Sandy aware of

what’s going on under the hood. Unlike most trucks of this era, instead of having a bench seat this truck has a pair of leather buckets adding some comfort and support during excited driving. A custom stereo is mounted into the console, although it is probably hard to hear over the exhaust of the engine.

If the 600 HP engine, flames, chrome and custom interior doesn’t excite you, maybe the truck’s tilting bed with clear floor will. The clear floor allows you to see through to the four link suspension and painted frame underneath. Want a closer look at that suspension? Tilt that bed back and you can see all of the fine craftsmanship that has gone into this truck.

Our hats are off to the Elliots and their candy orange truck. It is a well built machine that not only shows well but goes well. Look for this truck at events around the Mobile area. When you see it, admire it because it is a beautiful vehicle.


Events: For More Visit www.calesgarage.comNorthside Cruisers 5th Annual Car Show

On February 25, 2012 the Northside Cruisers held their 5th Annual Car Show to benefit the Saraland High School Spartan Band. This time of year, many shows are held every weekend across the Gulf Coast. Often, attendance gets scattered but that wasn’t the case at this show.

The weather was nice and people came out in droves. While speaking to one of the Northside Cruisers members, he said that the turn out was above their expectations. Considering the amount of the cars present, he was right. Cars, trucks and motorcycles filled the parking lot that was designated for the show. The parking lot for spectators was full as well.

While having a look at the vehicles, I was amazed to see cars that I have never seen before. I also spotted some past favorites, including our centerfold car from last issue. It was great to see all types of vehicles represented at the show. There were the classic hot rods plus modern hot rods.


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Project Garage: Ready to CruiseWhen the cruising season is over, most people park their cars in the garage and leave them there through the off months. A car that is parked is a car in decay. That’s why it’s very important to go over a few things before you get your car out of the garage and head straight to the cruise-in or car show. Gas goes bad, fluids leak and, along the Gulf Coast, rust happens.

A good thing to do before you even wash the dust off your car is to inspect it mechanically. Check the oil, coolant and other fluids to make sure they haven’t mysteriously disappeared from the car. This might save your engine and/or your life. Check hoses, electrical connections, brakes and other safety hot spots. You don’t want to put your pride and joy in a compromising position as you drive down the road.

While you are checking the items mentioned above, be sure to wipe and clean the areas you are looking at


as you go. This will save you time later when you are doing a full detail job on the vehicle. Plus, you get to put your hands on any potential problems before they become real problems.

Get your trunk ready for the lawn chairs that you are planning to take to the cruise-in or car show. Clean out the trash that you might have left in there from the last years’ show. Wipe down the drip rails and trunk jambs to keep them looking clean and neat. The little details make a huge impression. Organize any items that you will be regularly carrying to the events. Not only will it make things easier to find but you also won’t have items rolling around in your trunk, potentially damaging your ride.

Do the same thing as above with the interior of the car. Vacuum the carpet, clean the seats, dash, door panels and any other interior trim that you have. Get out that old trash from last season and scrub that milkshake out of the carpet.

Turn your lights on, walk around the car and lay your hands on each light verifying that they are working properly. Whether we like to admit it or not, car guys are talkers and when we get together we always talk more than the day is long. Driving home can be dangerous if your lights are not working properly.

As Scott always says, “Wheels are the jewelry to the car.” and he’s right. It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you have, what type of paint job you have or what mods you have done to your car, if your wheels don’t look good your car doesn’t look good. Clean wheels will make any car look great. Take the time to clean them, even the backside. I have seen so many cars that have open wheels and the street side looks great but the car side has an inch of brake dust and dirt. Clean the tires out to the edge of the tread and wipe on

some tire shine. Notice I said “wipe on” not “pour on”. If you take your wheels off to clean them, be sure to torque them back to spec.

If you have built your own car, had someone do it for you or had some major work performed during the off-season, check you gaps. These are small items that can get some unwanted looks at the event. If your car is being judged then you will most likely get deductions for the gaps being too wide or too narrow.

Other small details that we can easily overlook are the trim pieces on our cars. Chrome will become dull and painted trim will flake or fade. It is always good to pay close attention to these because if you have a brand new paint job the lack of luster on these will take away from the overall look of your ride. Be sure to polish or paint these


pieces before you head out to the event.

Another safety item is the glass. Yes, dirty glass can be a safety hazard. Glass that is hard to see through can cause you to see or not see a potential accident. If your glass is cracked, chipped or old and cloudy it needs to be replaced. If you haven’t cleaned your windows in a while, clean them before you go out to the show.

The last item on our list is the first thing that everybody sees when you pull up - the paint. Granted, not every car has perfect paint. Some cars are kept with worn paint for a reason and that’s ok, but if your car is presented and being judged on paint it needs to be up to standards. Just like the trim pieces, paint will tend to fade and have oxidation on the exterior. Waxing or buffing can usually bring it back to a shiny luster.

Now that you have gone through and made your car road worthy and cleaned it up you are ready to cruise. See you there.


Diecast Garage: Going Down the BoulevardHot Wheels takes you on a trip through automotive history with its new Boulevard Series. Replacing the highly collectable Garage Series, this new collectable line is sure to be highly desired in the future.

When Hot Wheels releases a collector line they anticipate that the series will be heavily sought after and they use the highest quality manufacturing available. Though the vehicles in the series come from the mainline Hot Wheels, they are built to higher standards with all of the best upgrades that Hot Wheels has to offer.

No plastic bases here, all of the Boulevard cars come with metal bases. Even if a car came with a plastic base on the mainline version, it gets the metal base upgrade in the Boulevard Series. The same goes for the body of the vehicle as some cars in their mainline form come with plastic bodies or body parts. Tires and wheels are also upgraded. Normal mainline Hot Wheels generally come with plastic wheels and tires, but not on the collector series. These cars come with Hot Wheels Real Riders® tires which are made of real rubber. The wheels are also upgraded with their highline wheels.

Last but not least is definitely the paint job. Just like any other custom vehicle, Hot Wheels puts their best paint on these vehicles. Custom pearls and graphics make them extra special. Even though these vehicles are made to higher standards. Hot Wheels goes one step further to make an extremely special and highly collectable vehicle, the chase car. The chase car in the Hot Wheels collector series is like the Treasure Hunt in the mainline series. There is generally one per case making them hard to find and especially valuable to collectors. These vehicles will have different paint, tampos and wheels than the other vehicles.



SEMA: The Specialty Equipment Market AssociationAccording to SEMA’s website, “It all began in 1963 when a group of small manufacturers who were suppliers of performance equipment for early hot rods organized their fledgling industry and called it “Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association” (SEMA).”

The show started out under Dodger Stadium and grew rapidly. A few years later, the show moved to Las Vegas where it has operated since then. The name was changed to Specialty Equipment Marketing Association to better represent the diversity of companies that were joining. The aftermarket grew over the next five decades to a $34+ billion industry encompassing anything and everything that could be put in, on or around a vehicle.

This show is the epitome of ingenuity and determination. At the show, you will see the likes of industry icons like Edelbrock, K&N and Holley. The cool thing is that next to these long time players are newcomers who are standing there for four days pouring their heart out and sacrificing time, energy and money just for the opportunity to meet the right person who can take their product and service to the next level. I have had the privilege of interviewing people like Doug McGoon, who invented the clear wheel. (Insert pic “Cale’s Garage March 2012 Clear Wheel Inventor”). Introduced in 2007, the three-piece wheel had a

center made from polycarbonate. He licensed the design to one Forgiato wheel company and later to MHT wheel company. Fast forward a couple of years and you see the wheel being used on an Audi R8 built by West Coast Customs for the TRON remake. Talk about a cool story.

This is what our hobby has to offer to anyone who has a passion and perhaps an idea on creating a product or service that meets a need that hasn’t been filled…yet. If this sounds like you, log on to www.sema.org and begin researching companies that you could target as potential distributors or resellers. The annual show is the first week in November and is a trade only show. Not only is SEMA here in the US, but the organization works diligently with international shows to help members find cost effective ways to exhibit and export to other countries. Most notably, China and United Arab Emirates are at the top of the list.


The Back DoorWe would like to thank you once again for visiting Cale’s Garage. We hope that you enjoyed our magazine and would like to invite you to watch our television show every Saturday at 7:30am on WJTC/UTV44. Our mission is to bring you local material from right here on the Gulf Coast, featuring the cars and people from our area.

For more information on events, products and interviews from the magazine please visit our web page www.calesgarage.com. We would also like to encourage you to email us any feedback on the content that we are bringing to you. We are here to discuss the things that you want to know about. While you are on our website, visit our Facebook page and “Like” us to receive all of the updates and upcoming article hints that we post. Sorry, we are not on twitter yet, but with enough persuasion I am sure that Brad will make us do it.

Please visit our advertisers and support their businesses, because without them we could not bring you Cale’s Garage. If you have a product or service here on the Gulf Coast that you would like to promote through Cale’s Garage, please contact Scott by phone at 251-377-6724 or email at [email protected]. He will be happy to assist you.

Look for us at upcoming car shows and cruise-ins around the Gulf Coast, wave to your fellow enthusiast on the road and keep spreading the Good News. See you next month.

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