Taking Hollywood types on a tour down historic Route 66 is getting to be old hat for best-selling nonfiction author Michael Wallis He hasn't been guiding just Tinseltown actors, however. The first two tours Wallis guided were for employees of Pixar Animation Studios, who were researching the Mother Road for the 2006 summer hit movie, … Continue reading Michael Wallis takes Disney Imagineers down Mother Road
Category: Businesses
Parts line takes inspiration from Route 66
Navistar has introduced a new line of trucking parts called Lonestar DoubleSix Customs that takes its inspiration from the Mother Road, the company said in a news release today. The initial offering for LoneStar will feature 23 exterior parts and 17 interior parts -- including custom sunvisors, light bars and panels, exhaust, shifter accessories, door … Continue reading Parts line takes inspiration from Route 66
Notes from the road
A few things that should be of interest to most roadies: Roadside America has revamped its Web site. Not only did the purveyors of roadside oddities give it a spiffier design, but there's a new blog, more animation, new tools and more videos. Route 66 roadie Mark Potter reports that the Hot Dogs and Hot … Continue reading Notes from the road
Historic Tulsa hardware store will close
It's been rumored for weeks, and it appears the Tulsa World has confirmed it -- that Swinney's Hardware in Tulsa, which has been operating since 1934, is set to close Aug. 1. Swinney's has a long association with historic Route 66. Swinney's originally opened as a furniture store near Lewis Avenue and Admiral Place, the … Continue reading Historic Tulsa hardware store will close
Triumph T-shirts have a Route 66 flavor
Triumph motorcycles is set to release its summer T-shirts next month, and one of them is going to have a definite Mother Road flavor. A British twist has been placed on an American dream by Triumph with the Route 66 t-shirt design, which features the legendary Route 66 signpost graphic flanked by both American and … Continue reading Triumph T-shirts have a Route 66 flavor
Missouri motor tour runs in September
This hasn't yet been posted on the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Web site, but I received a mailer that announces the association's 19th annual motor tour will be Sept. 5-7. The tour starts with registration at the Comfort Inn in Collinsville, Ill., on Friday. Saturday includes dinner at Zeno's Motel and Steakhouse in Rolla, … Continue reading Missouri motor tour runs in September
Navajo tribe building casino along Route 66
The Navajo Nation is set to construct its first casino along Route 66 near Church Rock, N.M., near Gallup, and hopes to have it open by July, reports the Navajo Times. Here are more details about the casino: The Navajo Nation's first casino will feature 400 slot machines, seven stations for table games and 14 … Continue reading Navajo tribe building casino along Route 66
Corporation acquires Animal Paradise
Animal Paradise Family Fun Park on old Route 66 near Strafford, Mo., has been purchased by Great American Family Parks Inc., according to a news release today. Animal Paradise is a longtime drive-through zoo that had seen troubled times lately. Revenues fell enough at the former Exotic Animal Paradise that the owner auctioned off many … Continue reading Corporation acquires Animal Paradise
Glendora could lose Route 66 funding
The Pasadena (Calif.) Star-News reports that the nearby Route 66 town of Glendora could lose $2 million to $3 million a year in redevelopment funds from Los Angeles County, including money earmarked for Route 66. A judge ruled that Glendora's redevelopment areas, including the Mother Road, were insufficiently blighted to receive the funds. The city … Continue reading Glendora could lose Route 66 funding
Buy a candy bar, help preserve Cuba’s murals
A new business, Route 66 Fudge Shop in Cuba, Mo., has just introduced a new line of candy bars that will help maintain that town's picturesque murals. A signature line of Route 66 candy bars (see above) sell for $2 apiece and come in 12 flavors: Rocky Road, Viva Cuba Mural City Bar, Cruisin' Nut … Continue reading Buy a candy bar, help preserve Cuba’s murals