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biPROlar

I'll admin it. I have some mental issues. Although I've never been diagnosed as bipolar, like many creative types, I have some manic/depressive tendencies. It isn't uncommon for me to work through the night if I can really get the creative juices going on a good project. I guess I am what I like to refer to as polar and a half.

Those tendencies are perfectly depicted in Billy Joel's classic "I go to extremes."



Call me a joker, call me a fool Right at this moment I'm totally cool Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife I feel like I'm in the prime of my life Sometimes it feels like I'm going too fast I don't know how long this feeling will last Maybe it's only tonight Darling I don't know why I got to extremes Too high or too low there ain't no in-betweens And if I stand or I fall It's all or nothing at all Darling I don't know why I got to extremes Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I'm shot Sometimes I don't know how much more I've got Maybe I'm headed over the hill Maybe I've set myself up for the kill Tell me how much do you think you can take Until the heart in you is starting to break? Sometimes it feels like it will

Nowhere are these tendencies more clearly illustrated than in the classic pro street examples of Rick Dobbertin's epic J-2000 and Scott Sullivan's iconic '55 Chevy. Dobbertin's Poncho had a polished stainless steel chassis, a funny car-style flip up body, and every bolt-on and custom go fast goodie one could imagine. The paint job boasted more colors than I can count and the wheelie bars were about a half inch apart. It was Pro Street taken to the logical (or even illogical) extreme. According to Rick, his goal was to take everything that made up a pro streeter and include it to the maximum extent possible. Narrowest available body. Widest available tires on the back and skinniest tires available on the front. FOUR power adders. And on and on and on.

The antithesis of the J-2000 was undoubtedly Sullivan's incredible '55 Chevy. Sullivan's motto is that he's willing to go to ANY extreme to make it look like nothing ever happened. The Cheezwiz ride has so many tricks that you find yourself finding a new one every time you see it. The engine is immaculate and proved unbelievably reliable, powering Scott on a well documented journey with Jeff Smith that gave birth to the Power Tour. It is overwhelming in its subtlety, and that's the real beauty. As Hot Rod's Rob Kinnan put it, "It was epic, and it inspired us all to stop polishing chrome and sitting on lawn chairs, and start driving our hot rods."

So do I like the J-2000 or the '55 the best?

Yes. As crazy as it sounds, I love them both. To me, they represent the continuum that defines pro street. On the Dobbertin side you could put a bevy of late model builders like Rocky Robertson (who's Kaiser later proved he can live anywhere he wants on the continuum), Matt & Debbie Hay, Mark Grimes, Al Hinds, and Merle Goldesberry. On Sullivan's side of the equation you've got guys like Troy Trepanier, Gary Buckles, and Bob Maynard.

The thing is, most folks, when pushed, aren't quick to tell you what their favorite is, either. The Street Machine Nationals show that Scott debuted his car was somewhat controversial. The February 2009 Hot Rod listed the J as #41 on its list of most influential hot rods ever. The '55 came in at #40. Like Magic and Larry, Scott and Rick are gracious and friendly toward one another yet fiercely competitive. Their works of automotive art were stark contrasts of the state of the art. But just like those hoop players elevated the game around them, so too did Scott and Rick.

And that's why when you ask me which is my favorite, I simply say yes. Like all my favorite cars from the era, the craftsmanship and attention to detail is simply breathtaking. And it was all the more reason you just HAD to get to DuQuoin to see it for yourself.

All the more reason for you to join the movement to get it back!