Man drives 1935 Ford on Mother Road

The Quad City Times in northwest Illinois has the story about Paul O'Brien, who drove a 1935 Ford Tudor from Seal Beach, Calif., to his home area of Grand Mound, Iowa -- much of his trek on Route 66. It took him eight days to complete the trip. The Ford was prone to overheat, and … Continue reading Man drives 1935 Ford on Mother Road

Cars, cars, cars

The Arizona Daily Sun has a story about the 275-strong car show during Route 66 Days in Flagstaff, Ariz. It sounds like the organizers put on a first-rate event: Bortree said the car show, which has grown considerably from 88 entries in 2005, is unique and appealing not only for its location, but in how … Continue reading Cars, cars, cars

Route 66 festival shows growth

The Route 66 Days Festival in Flagstaff, Ariz., started three years ago with just 80 classic cars. Now, the festival this year expects to have 300 cars, reports the Arizona Daily Sun. Cars entered in the car show will begin arriving downtown this afternoon. They'll park overnight in the Wheeler Park parking lot and move … Continue reading Route 66 festival shows growth

Revving up for the Rendezvous

The Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., isn't until next weekend, but two area newspapers are already publishing preview articles about the massive classic-car event. First is the Yucaipa New Mirror's story. Next is the Highland Community News story. Outside of all the wonderful cars that will be there, the best bet during the … Continue reading Revving up for the Rendezvous

Twist-off like we did last summer

An Oklahoma City television station did a nice segment on the recent Okie Twist-off event at the 66 Bowl. The Twist-off was such a success, the organizers are already planning one in 2008.

Okie Twist-off was a hot time

It's safe to say that the first annual Okie Twist-off at the 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City was a success. Reports the Daily Oklahoman: The result was the largest crowd to swell at 66 Bowl since it opened in 1959, owner Jim Haynes said. With 750 individual wristbands sold for the first-time event, Beck said, … Continue reading Okie Twist-off was a hot time

Tow Tater vandalized

Tow Tater, the 1951 International boom truck (shown above in May) that was a primary inspiration for Mater in the movie "Cars," was vandalized late Friday or early Saturday in front of the 1940s-era gas station that's become a Route 66 welcome center in Galena, Kan. Melba Rigg, one of the Four Women on the … Continue reading Tow Tater vandalized

Retro fest

A few Oklahoma City aficionados of rockabilly and punk music, hot rods and pinups have been going to festivals of such ilk for years. Now they've decided to organize an annual festival of their own -- at the 66 Bowl on Route 66 in OKC, reports the Daily Oklahoman. The Okie Twist-off Kustom Culture Extravaganza … Continue reading Retro fest

Riding on the freeway of love

Aretha Franklin's big hit from 1985 uses the freeway, aka interstates, as a metaphor. But the actual freeways shown in the music video don't look nearly as inviting as the footage of old Detroit cars. Also of note: That's Clarence Clemons, of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, playing saxophone. The song contains yet another reference … Continue reading Riding on the freeway of love

Notes from the road

Dida Zende, an artist based in Berlin, is looking for at least one old gas station along Route 66 to repaint so it resembles a FIT art gallery (above). It would be repainted mostly white, with a bit of red trim and the FIT logo. Zende wants to come do this free of charge in … Continue reading Notes from the road