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
Category: Vehicles
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
Report from Rock ‘N Rods festival
The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph has filed a story about the Rock 'N Rods on Route 66 festival in town this weekend. There's not much Route 66 content; it's mostly about vintage cars and how they're modified. I also took note that among the musical entertainment are The Blasters and Commander Cody and the Lost Planet … Continue reading Report from Rock ‘N Rods festival
Company revives Burma Shave jingles for apparel
Here's an interesting press release that should intrigue roadies: WHITTIER, Calif. -- Eagle II Motorsports Nostalgia Drag Racing Team announced today that they have been granted special permission from the holder of the Burma Shave registered trademark, to use the name and roadside jingles of the once famous shaving products line, for use in their … Continue reading Company revives Burma Shave jingles for apparel
Kit-Kat Klocks marks 75th anniversary with tour
I missed the beginning of this event, but Kit-Kat Klocks is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a Route 66 tour, joining with the Great All-American Road Show, from Los Angeles to Chicago. The tour includes a display of the world's largest Kit-Kat Klock, which is 75 inches tall (shown above). The group stopped by Thursday … Continue reading Kit-Kat Klocks marks 75th anniversary with tour
Lightning meets Mater
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe published a story about four women who are refurbishing a former gas station on Route 66 in nearby Galena, Kan., into a tourism center. On Thursday, a family from Texas with a 1995 Mustang Cobra decked out to resemble Lightning McQueen from the 2006 animated movie "Cars" stopped by to visit … Continue reading Lightning meets Mater
Come claim your Belvedere
A fellow by the name of R.E. Humbertson was revealed as the person in 1957 who guessed closest to Tulsa's 2007 population, and so he gets the rusted 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that was taken out of a vault last week, reported the Tulsa World. It is possible Humbertson is still alive; he would be 85 … Continue reading Come claim your Belvedere
Beauty amid the decay
The unearthing of a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere from an underground vault and the subsequent display of its remains sparked these thoughts from Redforkhippie. She also created a slide show, with music, about the Belvedere. (Photo by Redforkhippie.)