Drive to and Into Your Office Just Like Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson

bonspeed boy- Brad Fanshaw in the world's smallest production car.

We were walking around at the Barrett-Jackson auction last weekend when Charlie Lillard stopped
us to say hello.  Charlie a great car guy is someone we run into at all the best car destinations.  We talked cars, Charlie reminded Brad that he needs to make reservations for Chicago next November.  He wants Brad to bring his Baldwin-Motion Phase III Vega to the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals.

In the middle of his sentence, Charlie motioned and asked if we had seen his new car.  We looked and asked, where is it?  "Over there in the corner.", replied Charlie.  Then we saw it, the world's smallest production car and when Charlie asked Brad if he wanted to sit inside, no need to ask twice.

Just sitting in this cool little car allowed fantasies of driving into the offices just like Jeremy on Top Gear!

bonspeed boys '34 Hot Rod at the Grand National Roadster Show, Pomona California Look

Look for the "Cruz Bum" 1934 Roadster at the GNRS

The Grand National Roadster Show is this weekend (January 28-30, 2011) in Pomona, CA.  This is the big show that everyone wants to attend.  Filled with some of the finest hot rods and show cars on earth the who's who of hot rods always attend.

This year look for the Speeed Yellow 1934 above.  The "Cruz Bum" belongs to bonspeed boy, Mark Cilani and it has an interesting past.  Find the car and read the story on the show board.

If you are at the show on Friday January 28th be sure to visit the NHRA Museum next door.  The museum will host a great forum featuring bonspeed boy- Brad Fanshaw, Chip Foose, Roy Brizio, Jimmy Shine and more.  They will discuss the link between hot rods and rock-n-roll, including the guitars and the cars they have built.  Brad's forum starts at 1:30p.m.

bonspeed "Speed Cult" Sunfire Concept Sold At Barrett-Jackson 2011

The bonspeed "Speed Cult" Sunfire is shown on the auction block.

 The Pontiac Sunfire concept car that was designed and built in 2003 again visited the auction block. The car designed by Brad Fanshaw and bonspeed is called the "Speed Cult" Sunfire. This speed yellow screamer has a one-off wide body design, hand-built wing, full roll cage, carbon fiber, Air Ride suspension and black bonspeed Wheels.

Pontiac asked bonspeed to design a car that would show what could be done, an out-of-the-box version of the Sunfire. The car debuted at the LA Auto Salon in the GM booth and was a huge success. In 2005 the car was sold at Barrett-Jackson with other concepts designed and built by bonspeed.

The car was auctioned again this year along with the iconic and collectible Speed Cult bass guitar signed by bonspeed co-owner Michael Anthony.

What 24X15 bonspeed Sweep Wheels Look Like Rolling Under a New Chevy!

bonspeed "SWEEP" wheels 24X15 with 405 Pirelli Tires

Sweet Spot: 24X9 fronts and 24X15 rear. Stuffed and no rubbing!

Let bonspeed help you with your wheel set up call toll free: 1.888.999.7258


VISIT US ONLINE: www.bonspeedWheels.com

bonspeed's Brad Fanshaw - Featured Speaker at NHRA Museum Hot Rods & Rock Seminar

Boyd Coddington, Michael Anthony and Brad Fanshaw at the Hard Rock Cafe, circa 1994

 It was about 1994 when I went on a trip to Cabo with Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar.  After some of the famous Cabo Wabo Margarita's, I opened my mouth about how Boyd and I should build a billet bass for Michael.  Well he thought it was great idea and I needed to go home and sell Boyd on the idea.

If you are interested in the entire story, then you may want to be at the NHRA Museum on Friday January 28, 2011. The entire story will be told of how I talked Boyd into the idea, the design and the making of the billet bass.  Also about Anthony's hot rod guitar and the custom guitars bonspeed designed for Ford and Barrett-Jackson.

Michael Anthony and Brad Fanshaw at the NHRA Museum opening of "Axes & Axles"

This is all part of the museum's "Axes and Axles" exhibit, "The Art of Building Cars and Guitars. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Fender Telecaster".

Two sessions will be available (First Session is 10:30 a.m. – Noon; Second Session is 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.). Tickets are $20 per session includes admission to the Museum and light refreshments. Seating is limited. For more information, please contact the Museum at 909-622-2133 or visit us online at www.museum.nhra.com.

First Session: 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Moderator: Tony Thacker, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

• Scott Buehl, Fender Custom Shop 
• Chip Foose, Foose Design
• Jimmy Shine, SO-CAL Speed Shop
• David Steele, Gary Allan Band

Second Session: 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Moderator: Henry Astor, president of Astor Motor Productions www.astormotorproductions.com

• Roy Brizio, Brizio Street Rods
• Brad Fanshaw, bonspeed  
• Billy Ganahl, Brizio Street Rods
• Paul Waller, Fender Custom Shop, Master Guitar Builder

Michael Anthony & Brad Fanshaw - The bonspeed boys Featured in SEMA Magazine

When Brad and Mike; the bonspeed boys and owners of bonspeed Wheels go to the SEMA show in Las Vegas they get excited.  This two-page spread appeared in the SEMA show coverage issue of SEMA's magazine as part of an article of images that summed up the show.

The photo was taken during the filming of Car Crazy hosted by Barry Meguiar (right).  Michael was telling a story about cars or music (I am safe there) and Brad was along for the ride at that point.  SEMA is the world's largest and most exciting car show and trade event.  The bonspeed boys always have cars on display and make the media rounds; 2010 was no exception.  The boys appeared on Car Crazy, Hot Rod TV, Hot Rod Radio and Car and Driver Radio among others.

Detail of copy sidebar

VISIT US ONLINE: bonspeed

bonspeed Wheels Commands the Truckin' Magazine's Top Trucks For 2010

Every Year the editors at Truckin' Magazine take every single super trick, clean, outrageous, tight ride that has appeared on its pages.  These guys spend hours, days and even weeks drinking beer, arguing and yes even throwing fists.

The group of photographers, writers and artists are all going to blows for their choice of what trucks will be called the very best of the year.  When the black eyes are given, the names have been called and most importantly the beer is all gone they make a decision.

Next they must go home sleep it off and then get back to work and finish the issue.

bonspeed Wheels is very proud to announce that of the top trucks in this years selection three of them are wearing forged billets by bonspeed!  Not only are there three, but no other wheel company has more than one winner.  See it pays to know the guy who brings the beer and the biggest baddest guy at the magazine.

Seriously, thanks to the builders who selected bonspeed wheels for their trucks and those who realize bonspeed is the brand for winners.

Chassis by Aaron sculpted this badazz C-10; bonspeed "QUASAR"

Aaron massaged every panel of this 1967 C-10 in his quest for perfection.  If you followed the month-by-month build then you saw the incredible metal work, chassis and attention to detail. The truck was built for L.A. Angels second baseman Howard "Howie" Kendrick and it is a home run.  You can now find it cruising the streets of So. Cal with the 22X8.5 and 24X12 bonspeed "QUASAR" wheels.

Andy Gulick's 1996 Silverado with bonspeed "CLUTCH" wheels

This super slammed silver Chevrolet is very deserving of a prime spot.  Andy Gulick of Phoenix, Arizona bolted on a set of 22X8.5 and 22X10 bonspeeed "CLUTCH" wheels.  To get the truck this low Andy used Belltech drop spindles, Firestone air bags and an Ekstensive two-link to hold that rearend under the truck.

Mark Espino's 1957 Chevrolet Cameo with 22" & 24" bonspeed "ATOM" wheels

Obviously, Mark Espino from Houston, Texas does not settle for just ok.  This guys goes for the very best when he builds a truck!  First Mark started with a super rare and desirable Cameo pickup, then he wedged between the fender wells a 454 big block motor.  To keep that power on the ground a set of bonspeed "ATOM" wheels; 22X8.5 front and huge 24X14 rear were selected.

Check out the others in the Top Trucks for 2010 at: LINK TO TRUCKIN' Top 10

VISIT bonspeed Wheels: bonspeedWheels.com

Photos courtesy of Truckin' and Truckinweb.com

Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale - It Has Become A bonspeed boy Tradition

Brad, Mike, Brad & Mike with Brad's newest buy!

Every year we wait for a week in January when we travel to Scottsdale, Arizona.  This is auction week when the RM Auction, Russo & Steele Auction, Gooding and Barrett-Jackson bring car lovers to our Mecca.  Along with the collectors, spectators and party goers are hundreds of millions of dollars in cars and over a billion in disposable income.

The bonspeed boys; Brad Fanshaw, Michael Anthony and Mark Cilani try and make this outing as part of our annual schedule.  Like most of the regulars, it is much more than an auto auction.  These events are a fun opportunity to see and make friends.

On Stage at Barrett-Jackson sizing up the other bidders.

The stage is crowded and not really the place to check out the cars.  You had better have looked over your choices on the staging field and in the staging lanes.

The stage is where you size up the other bidders and see who else is interested in your choices.  Make friends or at least let one of the bidders assistants know you are serious.  If you don't you might miss out on a car.

Michael, Brad, Andrea, Jim & Steve sitting front row.

After attending the auctions and Barrett-Jackson
for well over the last twenty years, I have one word of wisdom, have fun.  This is the best place to be around cars, have a drink, shop and relax.

SEE YOU IN SCOTTSDALE!

One more shot, it gives you that courage to make one more bid!