Good Advice From Artist Paul Chenard

Our friend and artist Paul Chenard from Nova Scotia recently picked up these two exciting paintings on Ebay. These original paintings are of brothers Ricardo and Perdo Rodriguez. Ricardo and his brother Pedro are two of the most celebrated drivers in all of Mexico and Ricardo Rodriguez was one of F1's greatest talents in the early 1960s but died at his home Grand Prix meeting in 1962. I learned a great deal about them from Jo Ramirez who knew them personaly but CLICK HERE for what is a must read about them.
























Ricardo's steering wheel after his fatal crash





















Paul offers some sound advice as he suggest that this is a really good time to pick up stuff on Ebay, because no one else bidding. Knowing Paul and his outstanding collection (make that collections with an S) he knows what he's talking about.

Just last week I called Frank Ruppert (Frank sponsored the Lincolns which ran and won during the early days of LCP) and his sons and told them about some awesome photos I had found on Ebay. They were beyound excitment after they were able to pick up several very special photos they had never before seen which included their father with the famous Lincolns both in Mexico and their dealerships as well as some personal and sentimential photos.

Here are three more LCP paintings for sale on Ebay right now.

La Carrera Fiesta a Huge Success

Ron and his wife and Cosmo the family guard dog.


After a relaxing six hour drive with Michael Emery of Lucha Libre Racing and Gerie Bledso we arrived on time at Ron Lee's home in Pasadena. The weather was perfect, the food great, everyone had a great time and the cars were fantastic... what else could anyone ask for? Our gracious host was Ron Lee and his beautiful wife who made sure everyone had a great time. The only problem I had with the whole affair was I could not get everyone to turn their back when I was trying to stuff one of Ron's cars in my duffel bag.

For many of us it was a great time just being able to reacquaint ourselves with friends that we had met at the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana while others who have been friends for years shared experiences with us about past La Carrera Panamericanas.



Eduardo Leon and Gary with Ron's 55 Kurtis GT coupe which was originally built to run La Carrera Panamericana. Notice Leon's grand daughter in the driver's seat. Leon and Ron were heard arguing if she was going to be Piloto or Co-piloto.

Another special treat was getting to spend one on one time with Eduardo Leon, the president of La Carrera Panamericana as well as his beautiful wife and their two daughters. There was lots of talk about past and future La Carrera adventures but it was also a time to meet families and others with interest in La Carrera as well and of course there was lots of beautiful cars to admire.

During the evening Gerie Bledso took time to thank Ron and his wife for having us all over and assured Ron that none of us has spilt guacamole on any of his cars however an apology was in order for the drool left on many of them. And drool we did. Ron has a unique car collection, one that any automotive enthusiast would be proud to have. On a personal note one thing I enjoyed about Ron is that his cars are not trailer queens stored in some place that prevents them for being enjoyed. No sir, Ron's cars are used for what they were intended to be used for... Rode hard and put away wet. It's apparent these cars get lots of love and attention but it's also great to know they are not driven at parade lap speed. From what I saw I don't think the word "Parade" is in Ron's vocabulary.

I hope you will enjoy the photos of just a few of Ron's cars and I would like to take the time to personally thank Ron and his wife for a wonderful evening had by all.



Gerie Bledso with Ruth and Chris "Coop" Cooper.




Gary and Bret Haller




Colin Herrick, Gary Faules and Kevin Jones recent Chihuahua Champion.




Father & Son team Colin and Eric Herrick ham it up with Gary




Sam Burg asking Gary why he's wearing sunglasses at 8PM.



President Eduardo Leon and grand daughter Stephanie admiring Paul Chenard's latest work. He truly loved it.



This is the car Ron Lee is presently building to race in this year's La Carrera Panamericana. (No joke)













OK, so since there are three photos of this car by now you probably have figured out which car I was trying to steal.











As I posted these photos I realized none of them can do justice to their beauty, their lines, workmanship by craftsmen not to mention you should have heard them when they were started up. I still have goose bumps. Gerie Blesdo is planing some more La Carrera Fiestas possibly one at Laguna Seca during the Monterey Historics. If you can find time to get to one of these family get-together's it will be a day you won't soon forget. There were many others I had the opportunity of meeting and I look forward to seeing each of you again. A few others in attendance were Eddie Marrazito, Marshall Chabot, Dara Herrick, Jack Heydorff, Monica Leon-Grossmann, Andrea Leon-Grossmann, Dyana Marlett, Tom Hollfelder, John McKain, Jane Park, and please accept my apologies for those I did not mention since I am great when it comes to remembering cars and beautiful women but terrible names.

Lucky Immortalized By Paul Chenard

For those of you who truly love to see great prints of anything automotive or any type of automotive art for that matter I just can't tell you how happy I am with the recent work that Paul Chenard did of Lucky my GT350R. Not only did Paul capture everything that actually recreates the very moment but I just can't tell you how pleased I am with the detail. The type of detail that his work and keen eye seems to pick up on are the sort of things that the driver himself will truly appreciate. It is this special ability that truly makes his work all the more special to the owner of the car. With this in mind I can not think of a better gift to give someone special than one of his pieces.

This work of Lucky ripping through a corner on Mil Cumbre is a fine example even though it is impossible for you to see the awesome quality of it here on the blog. (Click on the photo to enlarge.) Why not surprise someone and contact Paul and have him do a painting of someones special car as a gift. I promise you you won't have any regrets and that special someone will love it. CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!

Paul has a lot of amazing items for sale and it's not all limited to art work. Just get a load of his toys for sale for example. (Click here)

This print is a must have.

When I asked my friend Paul Chenard if he could whip up a little something special for the La Carrera get together in Los Angeles on May 10th I never had a clue what he was going to come up with. But since Paul sent me the first proof today I must say I am positively blown away. Anyone even remotely involved with the extraordinarily rich adventuresome and yes even romantic essence of La Carrera Panamericana will appreciate this amazing piece.


In 1953 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio won the Pan Am for Lancia without winning one daily “leg.” But his accumulated time over the entire event was significantly lower than his nearest competitor. He knew how to pace himself and conserve his equipment when others were slowed by mechanical problems. This amazing tribute not only say a lot about Juan Fangio but in fact says a lot about anyone who has ever completed La Carrera Panamericana. This print would be an outstanding addition to any one's collection. For more information about this fine work or other works by Paul contact him at his site IMPRESSIONS OF SPEED.

Juan Fangio... An Amazing Work

My good friend Paul Chenard sent me this wonderful work of Juan Fangio that he had recently finished and I just had to post it. Be sure and check out more of Paul's work at his site IMPRESSIONS OF SPEED.