New videos from the Mother Road

DiscoverOklahoma, which is part of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism, today posted two videos about Route 66. One is about Afton Station in Afton; the other is about the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

The star of “Two-Lane Blacktop”

Although I didn't like "Two-Lane Blacktop" much, I always wondered what happened to that souped-up 1955 Chevrolet that essentially starred (along with singer James Taylor) in the 1971 cult film that was partly filmed on Route 66. A story in the Berkshire Eagle in Massachusetts answers that question. Walt Bailey of Maryland owns the car, … Continue reading The star of “Two-Lane Blacktop”

Well, blow me down

The Green Roadway, a project to generate "green" energy along highways that is endorsed by the Route 66 Alliance, is auctioning patents to states starting today. What's interesting is how the Green Roadway aims to generate that electricity. I thought it'd be a mix of standard solar panels and wind turbines to do so. But … Continue reading Well, blow me down

Cadillac Ranch takes on unintended meaning

Mitch Potter of the Toronto Star talks to Stanley Marsh 3, the Amarillo tycoon who created the art landmark that is Cadillac Ranch just off Route 66 on the west side of town. But in the summer of 2009, this iconic row of classic Cadillacs jutting skyward from a farm field in the Texas Panhandle … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch takes on unintended meaning

Gull wing gathering

A group of DeLorean car owners from Oklahoma recently went to POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. One of them even had his DeLorean decked out to resemble the time-traveling car from the "Back to the Future" films. Awesome.

Scenes from the Rendezvous

Here is a slide show of the many great rides seen at the annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif. Rockabilly music is by Three Bad Jacks. This year's Rendezvous, the 20th, will be Sept. 17-20.

Route 66 Alliance endorses plug-in vehicle project

In the middle of this story from the Santa Monica (Calif.) Daily Press about the Green Roadway Project, which seeks to eventually bring green-powered infrastructure across the United States to recharge electric vehicles, is this: The Route 66 Alliance, which promotes and preserves the historic roadway that terminates in Santa Monica, announced its endorsement of … Continue reading Route 66 Alliance endorses plug-in vehicle project

Book review: “Driving Like Crazy”

P.J. O'Rourke seems to be in a somewhat dour mood these days. The famed gonzo journalist is feeling the creeping effects of age, blames auto executives, unions and politicians alike for the current free-fall of American cars, and saves his biggest ire to the "Fun Suckers" that are ruining everything he loves. Yet O'Rourke's 14th … Continue reading Book review: “Driving Like Crazy”