Someone 2 Know: New Hot August Nights Director

But this year, something is different.

A new classic car lover is in the driver's seat. 

Tony Marini took us for a spin in an exquisite silver, 1940 convertible Ford as the new Managing Director of Hot August Nights. He has been at the wheel for a few months now, but Tony is certainly not new to this event or Reno for that matter. "As a kid it was always, 'Wow, the cars are in town and it's Hot August Nights time.'  So, yes, it's been part of my life for 25-years."

He is proud to say Reno is home and it always has been. "Born and raised, fourth generation, grew up in Donner Springs, went to Wooster High School and attended college at UNR."

Tony spent 17 years in the casino business. He started out parking cars, then finished as director of slots. He also married a local girl, Jennifer, and they are the proud parents of three girls; the youngest is only four months old. 

No question, he's a family man, but part of his heart has always belonged to old cars. "I have a '72 Chevy pick-up with a 4-inch lift.  It's a big truck!" A classic truck he likely will not be able to pull out of the garage this week, while he's at the controls of this event.

Tony says he is stepping things up this year. His team brought the drag races back to John Ascuaga's Nugget. They even added a prom. Plus, Tony is already looking ahead to the future and how to attract the next generation of classic car fans. "It's appealing the 30-somethings, the 40-somethings. How do we get them involved and how do we bring them into our event?"

He already has a lot of ideas for Hot August Nights as he cruises ahead in his new role. But now, he says, it's all about getting northern Nevada to join him for the ride. "Now that you have somebody local running this operation, let's get behind it, let's have some fun and let's put on a hell of a 25th anniversary."

To learn more about the festivities this week, log onto www.hotaugustnights.

1940 Ford Pickup by FastLane Rod Shop « The Just Customz Blog

This is George Poteet’s 1940 Pickup that he sent to Fastlane’s Rod Shop for a tidy up after it had been driven for a few years in the style shown below. George decided that the truck would have a change of style and wanted a more traditional look.

When the truck arrived the body was removed from the chassis and then stripped using media blasting by Precision Auto Body and High Tech stripping in Colona. Whilst the body was removed some of the areas of the cab were replaced then it was treated to a thick coat of Dupont HotHues Sierra Gold which looks great.

The inside of the car was also given the same treatment and reworked to give a fresh new look. You can see from the pictures below that the new white leather interior supplied by Steve and Marilyn Ralffs looks more in-keeping with the look that is trying to be achieved. It is not immediately apparent but the bench seat was also lowered to give a better driving position.

How to Restore Your Ford Pick-Up

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