Greg and Susan Wageman used to cruise down our nation's two-lane highways, including Route 66, in his blue Corvette. Greg did the driving; Susan did the navigating. Greg had always meant to teach his wife how to drive a stick-shift. But he didn't get the chance. He died unexpectedly of a pulmonary embolism at age … Continue reading Corvette cruise lessons
Category: Vehicles
Surprise on 66
Now this is a surprise party. Vaughn Veit of Minnesota was set to mark his 66th birthday on Route 66 in Victorville, Calif. What he didn't know was that his wife had set up a surprise party, with about 200 friends traveling from Minnesota, at the California Route 66 Museum, reported the Victorville Daily Press. … Continue reading Surprise on 66
Why Toyota is ascendant
For years, I've told my friends that if I were an automobile executive with a new vehicle model, I'd take it down Route 66. First, a cross-country trip would expose any weaknesses of the vehicle so they be corrected before hitting the showroom floor. Second, driving the model down America's most famous highway would generate … Continue reading Why Toyota is ascendant
Way to go, SUV driver
A historic building on Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., was torn down Wednesday, essentially because of a careless SUV driver a few weeks ago. According to the Carthage Press, the Route 66 Antique Mall and Flea Market on Oak Street was demolished. It was built in 1944 to house the Harel Griffith Pontiac dealership. It … Continue reading Way to go, SUV driver
“Highway of Dreams” highlights
This video contains scenes from the Route 66 "Highway of Dreams" Charity Car Show in September at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, Calif., along with montages of images from the Mother Road. Gearheads ought to enjoy it. So should Chuck Berry fans, as it includes his version of "Route 66."
Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
It's always a treat to visit to Henry's Rabbit Ranch, located on old Route 66 in Staunton, Ill. Not only is proprieter Rich Henry an affable host, but it's fun to pet the ever-mellow Montana, one of his 37 pet rabbits, and see the new stuff Henry has acquired or planned. Henry's has a well-stocked … Continue reading Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
Angels of the road
Peter Shelton of the Telluride Watch tells the tale of selfless mechanics on Route 66 who helped get his broken-down vehicle running again -- one time in Holbrook, Ariz.; the other time in Victorville, Calif. It's a good read.
A visit to the Museum of Transportation
Elisa Crouch, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Along for the Ride columnist, recently paid a visit to the Museum of Transportation in west St. Louis County, Mo. It's a cool museum -- lots of displays of trains and antique cars. But Route 66 fans will like it because of this display: There were many other interesting … Continue reading A visit to the Museum of Transportation
Sheriff on patrol
Randy Chevrier, owner of Paintmaster Collision and a prominent member of the Route 66 Business League of Tulsa, sent me this photo of Michael Wallis driving riding along in what looks like an old patrol cruiser in this past weekend's PSO Christmas Parade of Lights in downtown Tulsa. Wallis portrays the Sheriff of Radiator Springs … Continue reading Sheriff on patrol
Roadside miniatures on display at Corvette museum
Artist David Malcolm Rose has created remarkably detailed miniatures of decaying filling stations, motels and cafes, many of which are inspired by what's seen on Route 66. The series is called "The Lost Highway," and you can see photos of the works here. Rose's work will be exhibited at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling … Continue reading Roadside miniatures on display at Corvette museum