The New York Times published a good article today about the hurdles that drivers encountered in during the recently completed microcar cruise on Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. A few of those vehicles, many of which boasted itty-bitty engines of just 500 cc, encountered problems along the way: “When we got to Kingman, … Continue reading The challenges of a minicar cruise
Category: Vehicles
Springfield festival will honor Bob Waldmire
The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Car Show in Springfield, Ill., on Sept. 24-26 will pay tribute to deceased Route 66 artist and area native Bob Waldmire, according to a preview story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Organizers announced Wednesday that proceeds from the event will go toward the Illinois Route 66 Hall … Continue reading Springfield festival will honor Bob Waldmire
Looks like they’ll make it
The Associated Press caught up to the participants in the 2010 Route 66 Microcar Rally in Odell, Ill. Since Odell is less than 100 miles from the group's goal of making it to Chicago, from Santa Monica, it looks like those folks will get there. But not without some difficulty:
Car-restoration TV show coming this spring
Greene HD Productions, which has produced previous programs about Route 66, has shot a reality-television series, "Reality Rides," about restoring a 1955 Buick Special. The program is set to air in spring 2011. Brian Greene says it's a 12-part series shot in high-definition video. A five-man team restored the Buick from the frame up, even … Continue reading Car-restoration TV show coming this spring
Notes from the road
The documentary "Route 66: Ten Years Later" will have its debut at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Portage Theater in Chicago. Writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning collaborated on their "Route 66" book during a Mother Road trip in 1999. A decade later, they decided to revisit the places they saw and see … Continue reading Notes from the road
Long trip for little cars
The 2010 Route 66 Microcar Rally departed from Santa Monica Pier a few days ago. Here's a video as the group of tiny-car enthusiasts makes its way through the Los Angeles metro area: I noted that one of the itty-bitty cars bore a strong resemblance to Luigi in the movie "Cars." Some of these cars … Continue reading Long trip for little cars
Scenes from the Okie Twist-Off
We decided to go to Oklahoma City on Saturday to see the fourth annual Okie Twist-Off car and music festival. The event, which brings in rat-rod and rockabilly fans, also served as a fond farewell to its host, 66 Bowl, which has been sold and soon will be converted into an India grocery store. Organizers … Continue reading Scenes from the Okie Twist-Off
Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum
Two vehicles owned by the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, including his beloved 1972 Volkswagen minibus, will go on display at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, reported the Illinois Route 66 Association website today. The other vehicle is a school bus Waldmire converted into a small home at … Continue reading Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum
66 Bowl will get a big twist-off
The 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City will be sold to an India grocer in a matter of days. To give the historic bowling alley a proper farewell party, it will host the annual Okie Twist-Off hot rod and music festival next weekend. According to the Daily Oklahoman: The annual event has drawn some of the … Continue reading 66 Bowl will get a big twist-off
Man to drive classic car for asthma nonprofit
If you see a Marine blue 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe sedan on Route 66 in the coming days, chances are good it's Scott Christenson behind the wheel. Christenson, 56, of Champaign, Ill., plans to drive from Chicago to Los Angeles, starting later this week, in remembrance of his niece, Erin Dennington, who died at age … Continue reading Man to drive classic car for asthma nonprofit