Hot Rods, Pin Ups and Pompadours
Ever feel like your life has been taken over by technology and you just want to travel back in time to a simpler way of life? Put a little Rockabilly into your world. There is nothing like flashing back to the era of hot rods, pin up girls and pompadours to get your hips-a-gyrating (careful, folks). Retro is in and the car world is taking notice. So grab that hair grease and let’s travel back in time.
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Rockabilly Music Rules
Artists like Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis popularized Rockabilly music back in the late 50’s/early 60’s. Rockabilly combines rock-n-roll and country elements with a rhythmic beat, which sets it apart from anything else on the radio. Rockabilly dares to be different. Young people of the time (and the Baby Boomers of today) needed to break free from the mundane and this style of musical entertainment is just the ticket.
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Hot Rods – A Rebellious Spirit
Just like the music of the time, Hot Rods break the mold of what a car should be. Looking at the Hot Rods from the 50’s and 60’s you can imagine what parents were thinking as they watched them cruise down Main Street America. These cars challenge the status quo. The Hot Rod rebellious spirit was born and continues to burn brightly.
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Rebels with a Cause
Why are so many young people today fascinated with the Rockabilly lifestyle? For the same reason it was popular back in the 50’s and 60’s – they want to be different from the older generation. They don’t want to conform. Their cars, clothing and music are an “in your face” response to the establishment. They are rebels with a cause. (It does tickle the funny bones of the Baby Boomers out there, who were rebels with their own cause, once upon a time!) Rockabilly offers freedom from an overstressed, technology-sapping life. Socializing on the weekend with other fellow Rockabilly enthusiasts is their way of participating in actual face time (sans the computer interface).
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American Graffiti meets Comic-Con
More and more people are taking up the retro lifestyle. Weekend Rockabilly car shows are popping up from New Jersey to New Mexico. It’s American Graffiti meets Comic-Con (without all the aliens and zombies). Think James Dean meets Bettie Page, with a lot of body art and some really cool old cars. These are car enthusiasts who don’t fit into the typical classic car show etiquette and they don’t want to. For them it’s modification and customization rather than restoration.
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What’s a Little Rust?
The Rat Rod is quickly becoming the car of choice for the Rockabilly enthusiast. With blue collar pedigree, Rat Rods defy tradition by turning up at car shows with primer paint. The more authentic the condition the better. These owners are conservationists who comb junkyards for parts to bring their cars to life. They don’t want to restore them. They want to turn them into rolling expressions of their personalities.
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Las Vegas – The Ultimate Rockabilly Weekend
If you want to witness the ultimate retro weekend, head to Las Vegas April 14-17, 2016 for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Billed as the world’s largest Rockabilly festival with nearly 20,000 attendees, this event sells out fast. It is a non-stop four days filled with live music, burlesque shows, pool parties and dance contests. Don’t forget the car show. With close to 800 cars on display, there will be a lot to see.
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Channel Your Inner James Dean
So put down that cell phone, dust off those blue seude shoes and grease back the hair. There is a Rockabilly car show close by just waiting for you to experience. Don’t be afraid to live a little. Everyone has a little James Dean lurking just beneath the surface. Why not channel your inner rebel and check out some amazing cars and their Rockabilly owners? You may find you don’t miss that smart phone as much as you’d think. Viva Las Vegas! Viva Rockabilly!
Collector and Classic Car Insurance for Less
Rat Rods and Hot Rods need protection, too. Let our friendly staff at Classic Auto Insurance help you find the right policy for your needs. Visit our website at www.classicins.com and see how we can help safeguard the dream cars you still own.
