Donut Gang

2004 History

Note:  We have suspended logging our Gang's "History" pages (after 2004) due to
an ever increasing amount of activities and web site space constraints.

Please see our "Events" page for current year activities.

“This is a great review of what a year in the life of a Donut really is all about!  We are all blessed to have come together as a group of men enamored with not only our prized Rods and Customs, but with each of us being a vital part of such a fine group of guys.”
 Tony Adsley

 2003 was a great year for the Donut Gang!  We all participated in Car Shows, cruise-ins, event activities and lots of member participation.  I recall stating that it would be difficult to top what we did in ’03 in ’04 but after reviewing ’04, I think we surpassed ’03 by quite a bit.
Mickey Greer

January 2, 3, 4

The 30^th anniversary of the Austin Custom Car and Hot Rod Show.  The Donut Gang took the “Club Participation Award” with the following Donuts in Attendance:  Dick Darnell, ’55 Nomad, Don Mayberry, ’72 El Camino, Chester Toothman, ’39 Chevy, Dave Berry, ’39 Ford, Jim Newton, ’31 Chevy, Craig Cunningham, ’34 Ford, Bill Ward, ’29 Ford, Larry Johnson, ’33 Ford, Jim Greene, ’34 Ford, Mark Gustafson, ’37 Ford, Robert Courtney, ’23 Ford, Tom Porter, ’56 Corvette, Jim Smith, ’41 Chevy, Ron Kitchens, ’41 Ford, Tony Adsley ’57 Chevy, Mickey Greer, ’55 Ford F-100. 
 The Donuts took home no less than 23 awards with major awards going to Tony Adsley’s  “So Fine” ’57 Chevy for Best Custom, Ron Kitchen’s “Plain Vanilla” was “Best Hot Rod” and Mickey Greer’s ’55 Ford F-100 Pickup winning “Best Truck”.  We all had fun with the huge crowds, getting together for dinner, burgers at Sandy’s, etc!

Robert Courtney was Prez for late January and organized a Donut Cruise out to Round Rock to the Speed Factory.  They sponsor a ’37 Chevy Coupe in the Fuel Altered Class, one very bad machine!  Robert, Lee, Jim S, Chester, Jim Green, Mickey, Bill W, Don Sevall, Paul B, Larry J, Bob L, Dave B, Dick D, Richard H, Ozzie W and Tom P. made it a very well attended event for the Donuts!

February 6^th

Vintage Air Open House:  12 Donuts gathered out at the “Y” at Oak Hill for a cruise down to San Antonio to participate in this well attended annual open house put on by Vintage Air.  We all enjoyed the caravan down and the bar-b-q once we got there!  Tony Adsley was Prez for this and got us down there in time for some power parking at the great car show made up of all those who attend this great event.

February 27^th

Friday night at the Marriott in Round Rock:  Ed Casltko, a Donut Gang member and President of the Cobra Club organized this state wide event for Cobra Owners.  We all enjoyed seeing the 100+ Cobras assembled for this annual event.  Afterwards, everyone descended upon What-a-burger for a shake and a burger!  All in all, a fun Friday night cruise!

March 9^th

We all met for Coffee, donuts and fellowship at Lee Woods “Shop-Mahal”.  We had an excellent turnout with Host Lee, Jim S, Jim N, Jim G, Warren M, Dan B, Paul B, Ed C, Tony A, Dan B, Stan W, Tom P, Larry J, Mark G, John W, Chester (“T-Man”), Bill W and Mickey G.  Guest Don Rodell and his rat rod Lincoln showed as well.  Donuts were brought from as far away as Round Rock Donuts and of course, Krispy Kreme.  Phyllis Greene’s cookies were also devoured!  Mickey’s FRESH ’66 YELLOW Nova was displayed for viewing as Jim Smith and Mickey had just completed it on March 6^th!!  What a great ride! 

March 13^th
      
Mickey was Prez for our annual trip out to Cooper’s Bar-B-Q in Llano, TX.  We headed out at 9AM from Starbucks parking lot. 
The weather was somewhat iffy, so some drove their civi cars.  Paul B, Larry J, Tom P, Don M, Richard H, Dave B, Ron K, Jim S, Tony A, and Guests Ken McDonald and Don Rodell made the trip. 
It was a good cruise, great food, great fellowship and good bench racing!  Afterward, several Donuts headed down Hwy 16 to Fredericksburg and the Kruse Auction. 
Tony Adsley couldn’t resist buying a ’58 Impala Hardtop with 3 deuces, 3 speed tranny behind a big block 348! 
Larry Johnson came home with a beautiful ’40 Tudor YELLOW Ford that will appear in a later event! 

 
Stan (Bye Bye Dream Girl) Webb

March

The Annual Texas School for the Deaf car show saw many Donut Gang Members and cars make a showing.  Jim S, ’41 Chevy, Paul B, ’32 Ford, Bill W, ’29 Ford, Stan W, ’32 Ford, Larry J, ’40 Ford, Jim N, ’31 Chevy, Ozman, ’36 Ford, Lee W, ’53 Merc, Ken McD, ’34 Plymouth, Dave B, ’39 Ford, Mickey G, ’66 Nova, Guest Don Rodell, ’73 Lincoln.  Larry J and Jim N won most all of the door prizes!!  A good time was had by all and for a good cause!

April (early)

The 3^rd Annual Kontinental Car Club’s Lone Star Roundup was held on South Congress and out at Fiesta Gardens on Town Lake.  Lots of Donuts participated in this as the Roundup is already Austin’s biggest hot rod and custom event with 400-500 cars showing up from around Texas and many other states.  Many of the Donuts made it to the Friday night cruise-in on South Congress and the Fiesta Gardens show on Saturday.   Friday night dinner at Guiros with many Donuts is a given and this year was no exception. 

April 10^th

The Bluebonnet Fest and Car Show:  Several Donuts caravanned up to this show including Jim S, Jim G, Tony A, Dave B, Richard H, Stan W, and Mickey G.  All were driving their rods and customs.  The Ozzeman was picked up on the way out of town.   We met up with Tom Porter and Ken McDonald (newest member).  This is always a good show hosted by our friend Pete Bundrant from Burnet.

April 17^th

12th Annual Open Car Show in Boerne, TX. saw several Donuts attend.

April 23-25^th

Annual New Braunfels Swap Meet:  This is held at the Comal Co. Fairgrounds and is always a popular event for gear heads.  Several Donuts sold their wares and took in the swap meet.

April 30^th

Street Rods Forever Grand Opening!!!!!!!!!  Several fellow Donuts celebrated the Grand Opening of this new business run by Jim Greene and Richard Haas. They will be buying, selling, and consigning street rods and customs nation wide.  A huge crowd gathered over on East Elmo St. for this big event.  Plenty of oldies were playing, beverages flowing and lots of Donuts enjoying bench racing and looking at all the rods that showed up.  GOOD LUCK to Jim and Richard on this new venture!!

May 6^th

The Donut Gang voted on and accepted a new Gang Logo.  The logo was changed to include a ’34 roadster with the words, “The Donut Gang-Austin, TX”.  New shirts and caps were ordered.  Later in the year, several Donuts had jackets embroidered as well.

May 8^th

The First Annual Donut Gang Sock Hop take place!!  It was hosted by Tony and Diane at Tony’s Hot Rod Garage with Bar-B-Q supplied and cooked by Dan Brinkman and wife Jane.  Several Donuts brought side dishes, deserts, chips and dips.  Beer, Margaritas and soft drinks were available to all.  The Donuts invited the Classic Chevy Club and the Hill Country Street Rods to make the event a huge one.  Over 130 attended the hop with around 35-40 rods and customs lining the street.  50’s and 60’s music played from 4PM until 11PM!  Awards were given out for the best dressed male, female, couple and a special award was given to the individual who had the “Most Fun”.  Jim and Phyllis Greene won best dressed with Phyllis and Marty (now Newton) getting recognition for their cheerleading outfits and cheering routines.  Ozzie the Ozman was awarded the “Flying Ozman” award for most fun had by an individual (you had to be there!!!).  All the Donuts ventured into yesterday on this one!!!!

May 16^th

The annual Blanco Classic Car Show was held over in the Blanco State Park by the river.  The Donut’s met at Jim’s for breakfast.  Don Sewell, Jim Newton, Jim Smith, Lee Wood, Tony Adsley, Richard Haas, Ozzie Wagner, Dave Berry, Larry Johnson, Roy Reeves and Mickey Greer. Bill Ward, Paul Brault and Warren Matney showed up at the Park.  The show had a great turnout and all had a good time.  Jim Newton had a little car trouble on the way home, but the Donuts chipped in to lend a hand and all were on their way home together.

May 22^nd

This date found Jim Greene, Richard Haas and Mickey Greer attending the LSSRA State Run in Fredericksburg at the Lady Bird Johnson State Park.  On the way back, Richard Haas had an accident in the Yellow 40 and was air lifted to Austin’s Brackenridge Hospital with injuries. We were all very pleased to learn that Richard would recover nicely after some medical attention.  The Yellow ’40 didn’t fair quite as well.

June 

Dave Berry hosted the Donut Gang at his Monarch Transmission business for what we all hope will be an annual event.  We gathered at Ross’s Restaurant on N. Lamar for an excellent breakfast and then headed for Dave’s place.  All those who made it to Dave’s were treated to a full 25 point inspection by our more mechanically inclined Gang members.  Jim Smith, Dave Berry, and Dan Brinkman each took a car lift and inspected each car that was there!  We had nine rods show up on a rainy day for this event and in all, had 18 Donut Gang members there.

July 10^th

The Bastrop Area Cruisers invited the Donut Gang out for a BBQ. 

The fun meter was pegged for this event with Ronnie Bowman and fellow cruisers supplying the meat, sausage, buns, drinks - - and we brought all the various dishes and deserts.  Do Wop music was provided by generator power as well as the lights. 

We had a great time cruisn out there with T Man, Jim Smith, Robert C, son Brandon, Paul B, Don Mayberry, Bob Lawson, Dave Berry, Dick Darnell and Mickey G. Friends, food, drinks, do-wops, fun, great weather, doesn’t get any better than this!

July 14^th

Ski Shores, on Lake Austin, was where the Donuts gathered for an evening of burgers, beer and a casual dinner with Tony and Diane.  What these two were unaware of was the Donuts were surprising them with gifts for hosting the 1^st Annual Donut Gang Sock Hop.  Diane was presented with a necklace and Tony with a watercolor poster of his ’57 Chevy “So Fine” Hardtop.  Those in Attendance were:  Jim and Phyllis Greene, Dan and Jane Brinkman, Richard and Helen Haas, Paul and Diane Brault, Bill and Drew Ward, Roy Reeves, Chester Toothman, Dave and Angela Barry, Jim Smith, Ozzie and Nancy Wagner, Christian Greenwell, Mickey and Nellie.  A great evening was enjoyed with these wonderful friends.

July 31^st 

As the Summer sizzled on, Samuels Diamonds Summer Sizzle car show took place at the South Austin Home Depot Parking Lot off Brodie Lane.  The local Mustang Club challenged the Donut Gang for the Best Club Participation award and the Donuts responded with 18 rods and customs!!  The Donuts took this award with the following in attendance:  Ron K, Dick D, Jim G, Tom P, Robert C, Brandon C, Stan W, Chester T, Lee W, Paul B, Jim S, Ken McD, Bob L, Art S, Larry J, Dave B, the Ozman, and Mickey G.  The Donuts took a few door prizes as well as some class winners.  Jim Greene, Tom Porter and Mickey Greer helped out with the judging again this year.  The event did earn its name, as it was a Sizzling all day!!!

Early September

The River City Rods hosted the Rosanky Rod Run at the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History as they do every year!  Joe White was MC and performed very well, this little car show is held in conjunction with the big swap meet at the museum grounds.  Several Donuts were successfully selling some old parts!

October 1^st-3^rd

This was the Goodguys Lone Star Nationals in Ft. Worth Texas at the Texas Motor Speedway.  Joe Williams invited the Donuts to what may turn out to be the 1^st Annual Nostalgia party and BBQ held right next door to the TMS in Justin, TX.  As usual, the Donuts met at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Round Rock early Friday morning for the caravan up to TMS.  Don Mayberry, Tom Porter, Jim Green, Dave Berry, Ron Kitchens, Robert Courtney, Mickey Greer, Tony Adsley, Mark Gustafson, and guests Brandon Courtney, Ken Berry, Lee and Lynda Sherrod joined us for the caravan up.  Dan and Jane Brinkman blew us off the road by passing us all in their wonderful and new 38’ motor home!  We all checked into our hotel rooms upon arrival near the TMS.  We then got our credentials and proceeded to go in caravan over to the center of the TMS track where we participated in the “Show and Shine” for the afternoon.  We then went over to Joe Williams place for the big BBQ event, which was only 6 miles away.  What a party!  What a Layout!  Air-conditioned garage, decorated up with nostalgia memorabilia of the Barons of Amarillo, TX of days gone by in the 50’s and 60’s.  Joe’s model car collection was on display in his office and was outstanding!  The BBQ and all the trimmings were so good, many of us had to have seconds!  The evening was capped off with Joe giving us insights to his drag racing days when he was in Amarillo.  All in all, about 35 Donuts and guests were in attendance for this great occasion.  A great party and as usual, Goodguys was just a customs and hotrods heaven!!

October 4^th-10^th

Tom Porter and Mickey Greer took off for Cruisn the Coast with Tom’s ’57 Chevy Belair Hardtop in tow.  A few days of cruisn with Donut friends from the Austin area was enjoyed prior to the heavy rains that came over the weekend.  A good time was had while there, Tom and Mick however, loaded up and headed back on Saturday due to the bad weather.

October 4^th-5^th

The Key to the Hills car show took place, as it always seems to on the same weekend as Cruisn the coast!  Several Donuts with Pre-48 rods were in attendance.  Several Donuts won awards with Don Sprague taking top 10 with his way cool ’39 Packard Pro Streeter.  The weather was great and the rods were way cool as usual.  The Donuts had another great time, thanks to the fine organization and participation that this event typically gets.

October 14^th

The Donuts ordered their new car plaques with Dennis 0’Brien of O’Brien Trucking.  The Plaques promise to be great (designed by our very own Richard Haas with much input from all the Gang).  We expect to get them soon.

October 16^th

A few Donuts cruised over to Rockdale, Texas for the Rockdale Fair & Car Show & Tractor Pull.  The Donut’s friends, Bobby Hohmann and Jack Bradshaw, were competing in the Pull as well as the Donuts in the Town Parade and car show at the Fair.  A fun day full of BBQ, watching the tractor pulls and checking out all the hot rods and customs.

October 20^th

Eleven Donuts showed up at 7AM in the Albertson’s parking lot to a chilly morning of coffee, tacos, sandwiches, T-shirts, mugs, and posters.  Hosted by Bama Brown and KASE Radio. In attendance at the Famous “Y” in Oak Hill was the Mayor of Oak Hill himself, Mr. Jim Greene, plus Richard Haas, Robert Courtney, Dave Berry, Larry Johnson, Lee Wood, The Ozman, Roy Reeves, Jim Smith, Mark Gustafson & Mickey Greer.  Donut Hotrods were everywhere along with Bama’s ’57 Black Chevy Hardtop.  Bama interviewed Mayor Greene and Richard Haas with a few plugs slipped in for the Donut Gang.  All had a fun time!!

October 23^rd

The Donut Gang was a big part of the “Cruise’n Blues Hotrod & Music festival in downtown Oak Hill, Texas on Saturday.  The Donuts turned out in spades with Dan B & the Big Black ’46 Ford Tudor, Richard H in his “Too Low” ’29 Ford Tudor, Dave B in his  “Spot” Yaller ’39 Ford Coupe, T man Chester in his Very Red ’39 Chevy Coupe, Lee Wood in his home built ‘53/’54 Merc Convert, Larry J in his ’33 Ford 5-window “12 Sec” racer, Roy R in his ’40 ford “Snow Ball”, Tony A in his ’34 Ford 3-Window “34 PLAY”, Jim G in his wild and wooly ’41 BLOWN Willis, Art S in his clean machine ’56 Belair post, Paul B in his homebuilt ’32 3-window coupe, Mark G in his “Last Ride” Hearse, the kind that hauled Elvis, and Mickey G’s ’66 Nova “Yaller Bird” 2-door hardtop.  Friends of the Donuts that came along were Rick and Robin Perry with their ’56 Chevy Belair hardtop, Lee & Lynda Sherrod with their ’72 Cuda, Great Bands, played all day long, hot rods and customs were everywhere!  Arts, crafts, free tee shirts, supplied by Larry “Hot Rod” Johnson and Wife Amber, (Thanks Guys).  Of course this was all capped off by a trip to the world famous “Y” cruise in later on.  WHAT A DAY!!

November 6th

Richard H, Jim G, Larry J, Stan W, Art S, Bob L, Paul B & Don White Cruised to Marble Falls for Mike Campbell’s third annual Car Show.  Around 130 Customs, Rods, Classics showed up for this neat show.  Great day and show for the Gang!!

November 13^th

The “Cruise to Jarrell” came off without a hitch!  The southern boys, Jim G, Jim S, Lee W, T-Man, Bill W, Tony A, Mark G, Richard H, Stan W met at the IHOP for Krackle Berries and Java, then up to the Round Rock area to hook up with the northern Donuts.  Art S, Bob L, Dave B, Don S, Ken McD, Paul B, Top P & Dick D joined in for a huge turnout and caravan up to the Centex Rods in Jarrell.  Brothers Cimbanin opened their facilities for a Donut Gang Shop Tour with Coffee & yes DONUTS!!  These guys have a great shop and produce some way cool rides as the Donuts found out first hand!  Keep them in mind when you plan that next project!!  The ’55 Chevy Pickemuptruck was the finest in the land!!!

November 20^th

The Pink Santa Toy Drive & Car Show in Bastrop, Texas was an afternoon and evening of fun filled activities hosted by our buddies to the South, “The Bastrop Area Cruisers!  Ronnie Boman extended an invitation to the Donut Gang for this worthy cause for the little people of Bastrop.  Around 70 toys were collected for the kids, 10 being donated by Lee and Lynda Sherrod AKA ’72 Cuda.  Larry J, Jim G, Richard H and Mickey G cruised out from Street Rods Forever meeting up with Chester T, the Ozmans and Billy Ray W.  Great Old Do-Wop tunes, a BBQ out of this world with everyone bringing a dish of some kind and chocolate cake for desert, all for a great program at Christmas, benefiting the kids of Bastrop!!

November 23^rd

Eighteen Donuts and 3 guests meet up at the Denny’s Classic Diner on 183 North at 620.  It was the North meeting for a Tuesday Coffee with the Donutters!  Tom P, Mark G, Jim G, Dave B, Don Mayberry, Warren M, Richard H, Tony A, Art S, Larry J, Dan B, Don S, Stan W, Roy R, Paul B, the Ozzman, Jim N and Mickey G with Guests, Don Raedell, Art Kellogg and Jim Ehnstronm in from the cold north, headed for the sunny Valley of Texas.  As T-Man says, we did a lot of Street Rodding, gearhead talk and bench racing with lots of good ole fun and fellowship!

November 30^th

This was the day that the Donuts received their car plaques from O’Brien Trucking.  The final design and clean up of these plaques can be traced to Art Smith’s son, Dillon..  They arrived and look great with the ’34 Ford Hi Boy Roadster.

December 1^st

This was the umpteenth Houston Autorama weekend at the Astrodome!  Lee W, Jim S, Don S, Larry J, Tony A, Art S, Roy R, Dave B, Mark G, Richard H, Jim G, Ron K, Ken McD, John W, Mickster G and guest Bill Gibbs.  The Donuts spent the better part of the day checking out all the fine rides, swap meet items and the auction.  Time out for lunch and some bench racing, then back to the capital city just in time for the world famous “Y” cruise in!!

December 11^th

Jim Greene and Richard Haas hosted The “Street Rods Forever” Open House on this Saturday.  The event lasted most of the afternoon with the pinnacle of guests arriving around 3PM.  What a crowd of Hot Rodders!  SRF even had an honoree Donut, Mr. Joe Williams; drive in from Justin, Texas with his new full fendered street rod, a ’32 Ford Roadster.  Thanks to SRF for a great event, with plenty of food, drink and fellowship.

December 16^th

This was the annual Donut Gang Christmas Party!!  What a great way to wrap up the year with all of us getting together over at Ozzie and Nancy Wagner’s house!  The occasion was complete with an outdoor fire, a great view of both Lake Austin and Lake Travis and plenty of good fix’ns to boot!  All but a couple of the Gang made this wonderful event.  Stupendous BBQ by Dan and Jane Brinkman, Tony and Diane also helped in organizing the potluck, which everyone contributed to! Various dishes were brought and wonderful deserts as well!  Tony gave out great Hot Rod CDs for everyone, Richard Haas passed out Donut Gang Calendars and Jim Newton led a very successful Chinese Christmas Gift Exchange.  A fine collection of Rods and Customs were displayed in the parking areas!

December 31^st, 2004

What a fun and busy year the Donut Gang experienced!  Looking back, how did it go by so fast, WOW, well, it did, as we look forward to 2005 with new ideas and new things to do with the Gang.  We are planning for even a better year!!!  We admitted 3 new Members, 4 Donuts left the club and we continue to meet each Tuesday for breakfast, fun and fellowship!!!!!  

 Author: Mickey Greer

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