Kandi's Event Schedule 2017

As I began the drive home this evening, I took notice that the sun was setting just a tad bit later in the evening. Since the Winter Solstice, the days are now growing longer, and so we begin to approach the upcoming Spring & Summer months that we as gear heads and car enthusiasts crave and dream about.

Yes, car season is fast approaching. I can already hear the sounds echoing through garages as engines are tuned and the preparations begin for shows, dream cruises, and of course, racing. I even find myself spending more time than usual in the hot rod shop, working late hours, fixing bugs on common issues during an overhaul or mod-resto, and making sure she runs smoothly. Maybe on occasion I crack the garage door open, crank the Nova over, bring the rpms up a bit, and simply sit there and enjoy the build and dream of upcoming adventures. My senses are pleased with the site in front of me, the sound rumbling through the shop walls, and the smell of one badass street machine.

With all that being said, it’s time we released dates and scheduled events for those fantastic months! This year my schedule has filled very quickly with a variety of guest appearances, co-hosting, mc work, vendor spots, sponsorships, judging, and even some automotive classes and demonstrations. I still have a few available dates if you’d like to have me attend your event. Please feel free to message me or shoot an email to kandiblaze@yahoo.com and we can discuss details.

Below is an updated list as of 1/22/2017 of shows, dates, and information pertaining to Kandi Blaze’s scheduled events and appearances:

* February 11th & 12th: Chazziz DJ Service 8th Annual Indoor VALENTINE’S DAY Car Show at Roberts Centre in Wilmington, OH. Kandi will be a featured guest and mc, along with the official unveiling of the ‘Atomic Fireball’, the 72 Chevy Nova – full off the subframe mod-resto. There will also be a Kandi's Kustoms llc Hot Rod Shop vendors booth and Taz from the Sketch Pad will be there too! Kandi will be bringing her choice award for one lucky registered attendee. To view the official show/event details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/chazziz/
* March 17th, 18th, and 19th: Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto - Rama in Cleveland, OH. Kandi will be located in the Concourse area (lower level) in spot 2611 with the ‘Atomic Fireball’, the 72 Chevy Nova – full off the subframe mod-resto. Red Vixen pinup model with Pretties for Pitties, a non-profit organization, will also be in the Concourse area. To view the official show/event details, please visit: http://www.pistonpowershow.com/
* April 1st: Kandi’s Annual Birthday Bash. Location to be announced.
* June 3rd: TRADITION Rod & Kustom Show at Quaker Steak & Lube in Milford, OH. Show is put on by Taz from The Sketch Pad. Kandi will be a guest MC, pin up judge, and have a Kandi’s Kustoms llc vendors booth on site with the ‘Atomic Fireball’, the 72 Chevy Nova – full off the subframe mod-resto. Kandi’s Kustoms hot rod shop will also be sponsoring a trophy and Kandi will bring one of her special choice awards too! To view the official show/event details, please visit:https://www.facebook.com/events/711044592395878/
* June 23rd & 24th: Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash at Lake Wapusun Campground in Shreve, OH. Kandi will be there assisting with multiple aspects of this two event, including the Pin Up contest to announce the next Ms Bootlegger. Kandi’s Kustoms llc will also be a sponsor , have a vendor booth onsite, and Kandi will bring a choice award. To view the official show/event details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1186962474755710/
* July 8th: Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show on Main Street in Ashland, OH. Kandi will be at this annual show in her hometown showing and accompanying a variety of vehicles done by Kandi’s Kustoms llc. Kandi’s Kustoms will also help sponsor a couple of trophies that Kandi will hand out. To visit the official show/event details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/Ashland-Downtown-Dream-Cruise-and…/
* July 22nd: 4th Annual Kandi's Kustoms HOT ROD SHOP Cruise In for the Ashland Fire- Local 1386. This years event will be located at Kandi’s Kustoms llc – 500 Virginia Ave., Ashland, OH. Kandi hosts her hot rod shops annual event every year. This year the event will be held at the shop, have music, a Lil Miss Blaze contest and tons more! To view the official show/event details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/235612956881890/
* July 29th: 7th Annual Piston Jammers C.C PANTY RAID in Lambertville, MI. Kandi will be there assisting with the Miss Panty Raid 2017 Pin Up contest. Kandi’s Kustoms llc Hot Rod & Restoration Shop is a proud sponsor and will also have a booth onsite. Kandi will be presenting her choice award. This is a one-of-a-kind show of epic proportions. Red Vixen & Pretties for Pitties will be onsite and is a proud sponsor too! To visit the official show/event details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1633735249973657/

List will be updated accordingly. Stay tuned!!!

Chevy Nova with a Custom Kandi Blaze Red

We've given you sneak peaks of the 1972 Nova on multiple live feeds but for those of you asking, here is a video from about 2 weeks ago before the chrome reassembly began. Please note that video and images do not do this incredible ride any true justice!
COLOR:
Kandi Blaze Red - a custom quad color designed by Kandi with metal flake and pearl overlay. Adorned with painted SS stripes and airbrushed flames.
PLEASE READ:
This 14 month, off the sub-frame modresto by Kandi's Kustoms LLC is now in the final stages of reassembly. The exterior is now finished and we are beginning the installation of interior trim today and next week.
CREDITS:
Lead Body Tech - Kandi Blaze & Rob McCrea
Refinishing - Kandi Blaze
 Painter - Thomas Thompson
Airbrush Artist (flames) - Taz from The Sketch Pad
Special thanks to Jenna Krupar and Cheyenne Johnson for their help during teardown and the initial start on the body.

"It takes a team to build a dream!" ~ Kandi Blaze

Official unveiling takes place during Valentine's Weekend at the 8th Annual Valentine's Car Show in Wilmington, OH put on by Chazziz DJ Service. Kandi is a guest feature at the event and will be unleashing this beautiful Atomic Fireball to the public!

Become a fan of Kandi's Kustoms Hot Rod & Restoration Shop: www.facebook.com/KandisKustoms

The Loss of an Automotive Legend

It was two years ago at the 28th Street Metro Cruise outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan that I met the man that was one of my biggest inspirations and car idles since I was a small child.  Pete Chapouris, also known as the 'California Kid', was a legend and name I was highly familiar with growing up.

My dad, Ken Cooper (1942-2009), paved the way for my gear head lifestyle, but it was meeting Pete Chapouris in 2015 that to this day takes the cake for highlights in my career as a hot rod builder.

In August of 2015, Chapouris and I were being interviewed by a local Grand Rapids, MI news team before the opening of the Metro Cruise.  I kept catching Chapouris looking over at the featured ride we had taken to represent my hot rod shop.  It was a highly customized 1947 Cadillac and it captured the eye of many attendee, including Chapouris.

I had been a featured guest at the cruise and brought in to represent my shop and help judge a pin up contest.  After a long but exciting day of meeting people from all over the country, I finally got the nerve up to walk over to Chapouris and ask for an autograph.

Maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal to most, but this was the guy I had idolized since I was a small child.  I had watched shows about his work and documentaries with my dad on some of the builds from his speed shop.  And here he was, just feet away from me!  The man that was one of my biggest inspirations.

What do I say when I get up to him?  Do I start blabbering car talk, do I even mention cars?  What does a gear head girl say to the man that has now seen her work in person and that I feel I should bow down before, as my car hands are not worthy of this hot rod guru?!?! Eeeekkk!!!!

In front of my entire hot rod shop team, I nervously introduced myself as I extended my hand out to humbly shake his.

"Hi Pete!  I'm Kandi Bl...", I couldn't finish my last name, because Chapouris jumped up from his seat and interrupted me.

"I know who you are!" Chapouris shouted! "You're Kandi Blaze!"

Before I knew it, Chapouris was not only grabbing my hand to shake it, but grabbed me as well and gave me a huge hug in front of everyone.  I felt like I was in a dream!  I recall looking back at my team to make sure they were actually witnessing this.  I knew later I would ask them repeatedly about the story and experience, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming or had died of exhaustion.

Pete gave me a few words about our 'fantastic build', as he refereed to the Cadillac.  I was in awe at the words rolling off the tongue of one of my largest inspirations as a kid, and also as an adult in this business.  I could see the look in his eye that resembled the gleam in mine.  It hit me that the legend standing in front of me was looking almost as awe struck at me as I was at him.  I didn't really have many words after that.  At least any that I could muster up, so I mostly kept smiling.  It became obvious that we were both beyond honored to meet each other.

I've had the pleasure to meet some amazing drag racers, car builders, manufacturers, and some pretty big names in this industry, but meeting Pete is still the highlight of my career.

He may have left this word, and I for one am incredibly saddened by the loss of an amazing legend. I hope I can one day live up to similar expectations of others, and one day I am someones inspiration and drive to live their dream, just like Chapouris was for me.

Kandi Blaze