Viva Las Vegas Long-Haulers: Rusty But Trusty

Obviously, the Shifters car show at Viva Las Vegas is the kind of gig where it’s a badge of honor to drive your car in rather than trailer it. We’ve already been talkin gabout the gasser Stude that drove from Indianapolis, but in addition, there’s a lot of rides that’ve come from points West. Many of them have what you call the "natural patina," and it’s clear that the owners have fun with their rides no matter what the weather’s doing, and body deterioration is simply a part of the journey. I talked to one guy who was proud of the salt crystals from Bonneville that he was still picking out of the aluminum fins on his Buick brake drums. More on his ride later—in the meantime, click below the jump for shots of some of the rustiest rides at Viva, beginning with this unrestored ‘41 Ford from Idaho, reportedly chopped and channeled by George Barris himself back in 1954! Now, after running a Studebaker motor for many years, it’s got a 300 hp 327 Chevy.