TRUCKEE -- Art Winston has spent hundreds of hours customizing his 1931 Ford Victoria, but he's not afraid to put it on the street.
"I drive it everywhere," he said. "It has the appended rock chips to attest to the fact that it is what we call a 'driver,' not a 'trailer queen.'"
Winston, who lives Carson City, has built his car to drive and handle like a modern car so he would be confident it would run smoothly on the way to the many car shows he attends, including Truckee's Cannibal Cruise this weekend.
Part of the appeal of the hobby for Winston is his ability to tailor his car to his tastes.
"Each classic car is unique in itself," he said. "They don't come off the production line. Each component is a reflection of the owner."
Winston's Ford Victoria has an all-steel body -- a rarity. He refurbished it himself, seeking help from those who specialize in what he couldn't do on his own.
The Victoria was a model he'd always wanted. He bought it in Sacramento six years ago, and it has been a work in progress since.
"I think a lot of people don't realize what it takes to get one of these," he said. "You don't just rush down to the dealer on the corner and buy one."
After acquiring a classic, the work is far from over, Winston said. Car lovers are religious about the upkeep.
"Probably half of today's cars on the highway would not pass the safety inspections that we subject our cars to," he said. "We take very good care of our cars. We make sure everything works all of the time"
Winston began the hobby with a 1939 Plymouth two-door sedan he converted into his first hot rod. He worked on it himself -- making mistakes and correcting them.
"I think that's how you learn," he said. "I've been (working on hot rods) a long time, and I never get tired of it."
Winston is part of the South Lake Tahoe Road Knights, a club of classic car enthusiasts. They hold various fund-raisers to support their habit and often caravan to car shows together.
A few years ago the club welcomed a member who was 18 years old. He had inherited an Oldsmobile 442 from his grandmother, Winston said. He wanted to learn about hot rods, but had no one to teach him.
"It felt good that he came to us," Winston said. "That kind of 'feel good' is probably what it's about -- sharing the hobby with people who are interested."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Cannibal Cruise Car Show and Fair
WHEN: Friday through Sunday
WHERE: Truckee Regional Park
COST: No charge to spectators. Some events, such as concerts Friday and Saturday evening, have admission costs.
