Most people go to museums to view art, and I am no exception — except that some of my favorite pieces of art of functional, rolling sculptures of steel, vehicles that not only take people from Point A to Point B but do it with style and fun.
My former co-worker Ken was racing in the Greeley Grand Prix this weekend, so I went to check out the qualifying rounds. There were lots of ultra-low frames on 10-inch tires (and that’s the outside diameter) making lots of noise and enormously big heads sticking out of them. Oh wait, I mean normal-sized heads in ultra-small race cars, also known as go-karts. I never saw Ken but learned a lot about these vehicles. A few facts about them: Continue reading »
Here’s something in the Bay Area, California, that I am thankful to be far away from: sideshows. I thought 4-5 years ago police had been cracking down on them? Maybe, but apparently with less-than-complete success!
If you have never heard of or seen a “sideshow” before, you can 1) be thankful, and 2) take a look at this onwheelsinc.com video clip sent by my friend Tom B. Continue reading »
We were going to the Rocky Mountain National Park anyhow, so a stop in Estes Park was in order. Happily, the weekend also featured the Parade of Years Car Show at the Estes Park Senior Center, which included maybe about 3 dozen or so cars. Vehicles present included a couple of kit car replicas (namely, an AC Cobra and 1930s Mercedes roadster), several ‘Vettes, approximately a dozen 1960s American muscle cars, and even a 1994 Mazda Miata. More photos are here.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen some serious new car eye candy — the last time was probably at the SF Auto Show 1.5 years ago. Happily, Denver also has an annual International Auto Show, one dating back to 1902! Virtually all car manufacturers were present, and there were even quite a few concept cars on display (something woefully lacking in SF in 2004). Here’s a list of some of my favorites: Continue reading »
Last week Sharon had told me that her folks, Robert and Mary Jane, were going to be in Keystone, Colorado at the V8 Club’s Western National Meet. It turned out that they were actually driving their newly-acquired 1953 Ford coupe with other V8 Club members all the way from Southern California, for a distance of 1200 miles (and then 1200 miles back after the event!) I admired their courage and sense of adventure (esp. when I learned that their transmission’s overdrive was blowing fuses), and was more than pleased to be able to meet up with them at the Concourse d’Elegance today in which their car was being entered in the “Preservation” class. Continue reading »
 making lots of smoke and noise while idiotically making donuts in Oakland, CA. (Photo: onwheelsinc.com)&title=Sideshows in Oakland, CA "A revolting late 70's Oldsmobile Cutlass (I think) making lots of smoke and noise while idiotically making donuts in Oakland, CA. (Photo: onwheelsinc.com)")
