A government employee for 36 years, Mike Szuba of Pasadena has been using retirement as an excuse to catch up on a single passion: building cars.

Like many, his love affair with cars began in the heyday of hot rods during the early 1970s. It was about this time that Szuba became infatuated with the tire-smoking land rockets. Since then, he has built multiple cars and is currently heading up a “rat rod” restoration project for his teenage son.

Founder of the Vintage Tin of Maryland Street Rod Club, Szuba has been around vehicles for as long as he can remember. His latest efforts include promoting Jalopyrama, a one-day benefit show that raises money for the Providence Center of Anne Arundel County. The show is an invitation-only affair, which allows Szuba to hand-pick candidate cars that fall into a very narrow historical window (pre-1962 steel hot rods, custom cars, and vintage racers). The show, scheduled for Nov. 3 at the National Guard Armory in Glen Burnie, is also a tribute to hot rod shows from the 1950s and 1960s of which many were held indoors on wooden floor facilities.

With last year's event drawing over 1,000 people, Szuba thinks with the addition of a live auction and sales of original artwork from industry pin-stripers, the show could top even those numbers.

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Q What do you drive?

A My regular hot rod is a 1947 Ford Convertible, which I've owned for 19 years. The convertible was completely disassembled, body off the frame, in the mid-’90s and took approximately four years to complete and reassemble.

Q And why do you drive it?

A I drive it because that’s what I do. I built it, I fix it when it breaks and then drive it some more.

Q What makes this hot rod so special?

A It is unique since you don’t see many convertibles of this year vintage. Coupled with the changes and modifications, the convertible is a real eye-catcher.

Q What was your first vehicle?

A A 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396.

Q What’s your most memorable driving experience — that you want printed?

A Driving my 1932 Ford sedan from Western Maryland to New England to attend a hot rod show back in the ’70s. I was on the road for 10 days in my ’32 Ford, met a lot of folks, made a lot of friends that I still see and keep in touch with and just enjoyed the trip in my hot rod.

Q And your first ticket — what was it for?

A Never got any … oh wait … yes, I think there was at least one for racing.

Q What's currently in your CD player?

A Rod Stewart’s greatest hits.

Check Out My Stats:

» Engine: 350 Chevy engine with turbo automatic transmission.

» Wheels: Whitewall tires on red rims with rings and caps.

» Exterior: Two-inch chop top, shaved door and trunk handles, nosed, decked, and lowered, midnight blue metallic color, Smithy mufflers, frenched headlights, nine-inch Ford rear, Mustang II independent front suspension, bumpers re-chromed.

» Interior: Custom fitted '50s Ford dash, leather, fabric, and Hartz cloth.

Want us to check out your ride?

Do you know someone who drives a unique vehicle?

Call or e-mail us, and we’ll check it out:

443-573-5162, demanuel@baltimoreexaminer.com