New Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller can't be too happy with his predecessor now. Not only is his city facing a budget deficit of about $10 million, but the city still hasn't received $75 million in federal money to help pay for the now-completed Albuquerque Rapid Transit project more than a year after it began construction. … Continue reading Albuquerque still waiting for ART grant from feds
Category: Vehicles
Man plans to drive 1918 Dodge the length of Route 66 next year
A California man plans to drive his restored 1918 Dodge car on Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles next year, accompanied by his three sons. It's not the first time a century-old car has traversed Route 66 -- several during The Big Race in 2015 did it. But it's rare, and it takes commitment … Continue reading Man plans to drive 1918 Dodge the length of Route 66 next year
Albuquerque Rapid Transit opens; buses are rolling
The controversial $119 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) began operation 13 months after construction began. Reporters and dignitaries boarded one of the all-electric buses for its maiden voyage Saturday. One of the buses running Saturday was a Route 66-themed vehicle. Mayor Richard Berry, who shepherded the ART project to … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit opens; buses are rolling
Oklahoma now has a Route 66 license plate for motorcycles
The state of Oklahoma, effective last week, began to offer Route 66 license plates for motorcycle owners, and each purchase of one will benefit the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. According to a news release from association executive director Marilyn Emde: The final design is pending approval by the State. The design has a Route 66 … Continue reading Oklahoma now has a Route 66 license plate for motorcycles
It’s not just the military vehicles, it’s the people
Frank Kocevar, a former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries and a frequent videographer of Route 66 events in Arizona, took a slightly different angle with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association's convoy down Route 66. He focused on the people in the convoy. He said in an email: The participants are as interesting as the vehicles. … Continue reading It’s not just the military vehicles, it’s the people
Scenes from the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Route 66 Convoy
We've been tracking the Military Vehicle Preservation Association's Route 66 Convoy, where about 70 military vehicles are going west the length of the Mother Road over several weeks. You can follow the convoy's progress online here, which includes a live feed if the signal is good. The Facebook page for MVPA Historic Convoys also is … Continue reading Scenes from the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Route 66 Convoy
Book review: Charles Phoenix’s “Addicted to Americana”
If you wondered whether famed pop-culture enthusiast Charles Phoenix included Route 66 attractions in his latest book, "Addicted to Americana" (180 pages, hardcover, illustrated, Prospect Park Books), all you have to do is glance at its cover. It contains an image of the Desert Hills Motel neon sign in Tulsa and a tepee from one … Continue reading Book review: Charles Phoenix’s “Addicted to Americana”
Fire ravages Country Classic Cars near Staunton
A huge blaze Tuesday night destroyed at least one building and dozens of old vehicles at Country Classic Cars near old Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois. The Macoupin County Sheriff's Office told KSDK-TV in St. Louis that 11 fire departments were battling the blaze, which apparently started shortly before sundown. No injuries were reported. Country … Continue reading Fire ravages Country Classic Cars near Staunton
Replacement festival opposed for Rockabilly on the Route
A proposal by a city official to organize a replacement festival for the discontinued Rockabilly on the Route music fest in Tucumcari, New Mexico, was tabled after Rockabilly's co-organizer said such a bid would be "theft" of intellectual property. Rockabilly on the Route organizers, however, said they were open on organizing a Route 66 festival … Continue reading Replacement festival opposed for Rockabilly on the Route
Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project
Noted author and retired professor T. Lindsay Baker is traveling Route 66 in a 1930 Ford Model A as part of research into a book he'll be writing about restaurants and dining along the Mother Road. Tulsa World columnist Ginnie Graham caught up with Baker last week in Tulsa. The article is far-ranging and ought … Continue reading Author traveling Route 66 in 1930 Ford Model A for book project