According to Pennsylvania tradition, a big rodent’s shadow is used to mark the end of Winter. In Southern Nevada, an annual gathering of gleaming and snarling rats, mouses, elephants and lots of other barely tamed street animals greet the coming of Autumn. SuperRun 2013 once again closed the main thoroughfare of Henderson for three days in this annual celebration of all things automotive, fast, shiny and loud! 

Right out of the gate, we were greeted by the 1959 Thames mini panel truck owned by Dean Miller. Back in the day, these little brits were the hot set up for street and strip action. Their light weight allowed them to run real fast even if their powertrains were less than cutting edge. Miller doesn’t have that problem though; his little red rocket is powered by a potent GM 350 small block backed up by 700R4 transmission.

First Sighting of the Kiwi Kruizer?

We see a lot of Gordon Tronson’s twin motored quad-blown 1927 model T Ford. The car is an amazing build and it’s always a treat to see what he’s done to it lately. However, this time the car was pressed into duty as a tow vehicle for Tronson’s Chopper.

As is usual for Tronson’s creations, his bike’s appearance is impeccable and the engineering remarkable. In keeping with his passion for multiple motors, the bike is powered by four RevTec V-twin thumpers that measure 100 cubic inches each. However, we are a bit puzzled as to how the bike gets ridden when the rider’s legs lay across the two rear cylinders. The heat generated in that area would be unbearable especially here in the desert. 

Pink Gasser is no Powder Puff

One of the best looking entries of the event had to be Frank Boussad’s 1933 Willy’s Coupe. We first spotted it as it was cruising up the main thoroughfare looking for its assigned display space. At first glance the old school looking Sea Coral color by PPG captures your attention. It’s accented with a turquoise graphic down the side which is also another color that you don’t see much of today. The frame is done in a light pink scheme that complements the exterior especially well when the tilt front end is open. The interior continues with the pink paint color along with some of the leather. Lots of black leather is used in the seat inserts and door panels to give it a very sophisticated look.

Despite its unusual cosmetic appearance, the Willy’s has a serious Gasser attitude. Underneath the aforementioned tilt front end, it’s powered by a gnarly sounding small block Chevy with a Blower Shop supercharger sitting on top of it. Huge Hoosier tires have the job of connecting the horsepower to the street while up front doing the steering duties are some narrow Cooper’s hanging off of throwback spoked drag racer-style wheels. Boussad says that he has over $90 grand invested in the Willy’s and looking at the finished product, there is no evidence to think otherwise. It is, however, for sale for $52,500 if anyone is interested.

Wally’s Wheels

Possibly the most striking and unique car in attendance was this 1961 Buick Invicta owned by Wally and Gail Myers of San Diego, California. This unusual entry is powered by a modified GM 502 crate motor fed by a tuned-port injection system. Wally told us that this potent combination has been dynoed at 575 hp. A 4L80E automatic trans and a 9 inch Ford rear end round out the powertrain. Custom air-ride suspension and Baer disc brakes at all four corners keep everything under control.

Exterior paint work is a two-tone design with PPG Viper Silver adorning the body while a Graphite Gray is applied to the top. The Invicta’s interior is plush and elegant. Six way power front seats donated from the 2002 Cadillac El Dorado provides a comfortable platform for driver and copilot. The upholstery is a rich soft leather in a Lobster Red hue and charcoal gray accents in the door panels console and steering wheel give it that extra touch of class.

These are just a few of the hundreds of sweet rides of all genres that appeared this year. Take a look at the accompanying gallery for more automotive eye candy. The Super Run is becoming an annual ‘must attend’ event in the Southwest for hardcore enthusiasts and casual fans alike.  If you have a chance to attend the next one…don’t miss it!