The Midwest Classics on 66 Car Museum in Wilmington, Illinois, abruptly closed last week less than a year after it opened. Marian Pavel, one of the developers of the Route 66 Navigation app, posted this on Facebook: On the museum's website, this message was posted: "Sorry for the inconvenience, we are closed until further notice." … Continue reading Midwest Classics on 66 Car Museum abruptly closes
Category: Vehicles
$1.5M sought for Albuquerque’s Central Avenue for extra cops, marketing
Several Albuquerque city councilors want $1.5 million to hire extra police officers and pay for marketing to boost Central Avenue, aka Route 66, after the ill-conceived Albuquerque Rapid Transit project decimated the corridor. The four councilors expect the money from a new internet sales tax that will generate an estimated $6 million a year. The … Continue reading $1.5M sought for Albuquerque’s Central Avenue for extra cops, marketing
There’s a new Sheriff in Galena
A new attraction has been placed along old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas -- and the folks there are putting the Sheriff of Radiator Springs on a pedestal. A facsimile of the 1949 Mercury police car that served as the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the 2006 animated film "Cars" now sits on lift above … Continue reading There’s a new Sheriff in Galena
Route 66 Road Ahead partners with Harvest Hosts RV network
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced this week it has joined with the Harvest Hosts network that will give RV users to stay overnight for free at selected sites, attractions, and businesses along Route 66. According to a news release from the partnership: The goal of the new partnership is to expand the current … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead partners with Harvest Hosts RV network
Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs should be fully open by May
The half-block-long Decades of Wheels complex in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, should be fully operational by May, according to an event coordinator there. Decades of Wheels held a grand opening celebration in October that included concerts from high-profile music arts, including the final concert of Steppenwolf founder John Kay before his announced retirement. However, many … Continue reading Decades of Wheels complex in Baxter Springs should be fully open by May
Missouri State uploads “Trucking on Route 66” interviews
Missouri State University Libraries over the years has interviewed a number of Route 66 figures (including yours truly) as part of an oral-history project. It received a Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program cost-share grant to amass a "Trucking on Route 66" oral-history collection. MSU Libraries, in a collaboration with Ozarks Alive, has been uploading interviews … Continue reading Missouri State uploads “Trucking on Route 66” interviews
Hot rodder Ken Block shows his driving skills in Shamrock
This is from the "Don't try this unless you're a pro" chapter. Ken Block of Hoonigan Racing recently showed his driving and burn-out skills on the streets of Shamrock, Texas, including Route 66. It's hair-raising to see how close he comes to slamming into the supports of those old gas stations in town. KAMR-TV in … Continue reading Hot rodder Ken Block shows his driving skills in Shamrock
Majority of Packard collection at Afton Station sold, hauled away
Much of the late David Kane's valuable collection of Packard vehicles at Afton Station Route 66 Museum in Afton, Oklahoma, recently was sold and hauled away, adding uncertainty about the future of the station. Reports filtered in on social media that passers-by had seen the Packards being loaded up onto transport vehicles. Marlin Carpenter, who … Continue reading Majority of Packard collection at Afton Station sold, hauled away
Albuquerque sues company over bad ART buses
Albuquerque announced Friday it was suing the BYD company over its faulty electrical buses made for the city's troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit line. Mayor Tim Keller announced the legal action after forcing the California-based company to take back the buses. According to the Albuquerque Journal: Keller said the city reached out to BYD in an … Continue reading Albuquerque sues company over bad ART buses
VIDEO: Tornado damages Country Classic Cars near Staunton
A tornado severely damaged several buildings and cars Saturday at Country Classic Cars along old Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois. Here is incredible footage from Kyle Swip of the twister hitting the business: It was the second disaster to befall the classic-car lot in less than 18 months. In August 2017, a fire destroyed one … Continue reading VIDEO: Tornado damages Country Classic Cars near Staunton