Old trucks inspire art

Artist Neil Hannum isn't inspired by waterfalls or sunsets. Instead, he likes old pickup trucks, especially ones with a bit of rust or a busted headlight. He shoots a photograph of the vehicle, paints a watercolor of it, and mounts it on a road sign or scraps of metal he picks up along the roadside. … Continue reading Old trucks inspire art

Three-wheeled cars will travel Mother Road

According to the Prague Daily Monitor (that's Prague in the Czech Republic, not Oklahoma), a small group will drive four three-wheel Velorex cars from Chicago to Los Angeles in September. The three-wheel car with a pipe framework covered with imitation leather were developed and started to be produced in then Czechoslovakia in 1936 for handicapped … Continue reading Three-wheeled cars will travel Mother Road

Cadillac Ranch goes Down Under

Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas, has inspired a number of imitations in recent years. First, you have Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas. Then there was Combine City in rural Amarillo. Then there was Airstream Ranch in Dover, Fla. Now, according to The Land farming magazine, a fellow in Australia is using old utility vehicles, or … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch goes Down Under

Not a museum piece

The Detroit News published a good article today about Tom Nagle, who's going to drive his 2004 Corvette (rebuilt to look like a 1961 model) on Route 66 from California eastward. About a dozen other Corvettes will join him. Nagle my type of guy because of this: Cruisers like Nagle look askance at those who … Continue reading Not a museum piece

This could be yours

The Joliet (Ill.) Area Historical Museum is holding its fundraiser by selling $35 tickets (or three for $100) for a chance to win a 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible. The winner can choose the Mustang or a $25,000 cash prize. If fewer than 2,000 tickets are sold, the winner gets 50 percent of the … Continue reading This could be yours

A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route

The Joplin (Mo.) Globe has a good story about the eventful weekend recently for 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan. The business had a devil of a time hauling around Tow Tater, the tow truck that become the inspiration to Tow Mater in the movie "Cars," to and from the Route 66 Festival … Continue reading A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route

Scenes from the Route 66 Festival

Here are a few shots I gathered at the Route 66 Festival on Saturday in Litchfield, Ill. More photographs by other bloggers at the festival can be seen here and here. If you know of more, send me an e-mail and let me know. UPDATE: Here's more from Denny Gibson. Here's the car show, set … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 Festival

Scenes from the Route 66 Blowout

On Saturday, we spent an hour or two at the Route 66 Blowout in Sapulpa, Okla. The town closes off Route 66 through downtown and turns it into a pretty good car show. This looks like a refugee from the Dust Bowl: Here's a "rat rod" pickup truck. Yes, that's airplane equipment on the dashboard. … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 Blowout

Barstow museum to mark eighth anniversary

The Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., will mark its eighth anniversary with a special event on Saturday, June 14, reports the Desert Dispatch. There will be a car and motorcycle show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. A registration form for those wanting to participate is here. One of … Continue reading Barstow museum to mark eighth anniversary

Notes from the road

There is a "Route 66, Season 1, Vol. 1" DVD set on sale at eBay that is autographed by "Route 66" co-star George Maharis. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Ivanhoe Elementary School in Los Angeles. California artist Anthony Ross recently posted a blog item about his exhibit last year at Redlands Community College in … Continue reading Notes from the road