The Chase is on!!

Face the facts……we all love seeing our favorite movie star give us a thrill ride during a high speed car chase scene.  There are a few must have’s in any great action film that are required.  It must have today’s biggest Hollywood Stars in it; it must have a great car chase scene and of course it needs to have some crazy stunts and a few explosions!

Let’s look at what is needed to make a great car chase; first we need to establish what vehicle we will use in our chase, should it be today’s hottest new ride or shall it be a classic muscle car?  One of my favorites is when the movie producers put the star in a car that is not known for its ability to evade the bad guys or the police. (Like the little mini cooper that Jason Bourne used in the first Bourne Identity movie).  Second, we need to decide where our hero (or bad guy) will drive, will it be in the city where he has to use his lightening quick moves to maneuver through the daily traffic during rush hour or will he be out in a remote location where he can take his car to the limits of speed?  The driver must have mad skills that would make a race car driver take notice and he must be able to drive the car at its limits and beyond. 

Joseph’s Top 5 Movie Chase Scenes:

1. Bullitt (1968) Starring Steve McQueen……..It features two muscle cars of the day (1968 Fastback Mustang and a 1968 Dodge Charger) and they chased each other through the streets of San Francisco for over nine minutes in one of the most epic chases ever filmed.
2. French Connection (1971) Starring Gene Hackman………This Oscar winning film featured a Pontiac LeMans chasing the bad guy on an elevated train track through the crowded streets of Brooklyn, NY.
3. Cannonball I. (1981) Starring Burt Reynolds and an all-star cast…….This movie was basically one big car chase from start to finish, but the opening scene with the police chasing the girls driving the black Lamborghini is a must see. (Can you say 200 mph?)
4. Ronin (1998) Starring Robert De Niro……You might not be a familiar with this one, but trust me it may be one of the best!  It is set on the narrow streets of Paris and features a BMW M5 and a Peugeot 306.  This fast paced chase was filmed using Formula 1 drivers of the day and actually had the real actors in the cars pretending to drive.  It’s been said that the actors did not have any trouble with showing “Real” emotions during these scenes!
5. Smokey and the Bandit I. (1977) Starring Burt Reynolds……This one is on my list because seeing it for the first time when I was 10 yrs. old and seeing the Black Trans Am running from the Sheriff and even jumping a washed out bridge will forever be etched in my mind as a classic.

Whatever your favorite is, I’m sure it contains the same action packed qualities that mine did, so break out the DVD player and queue one up. (Don’t forget to turn up the volume!!)

Car Forums.........are you hooked?

If you are “Old School” you might be asking what a car forum is, but if you are from the younger crowd, most likely you already know what they are and how addictive they can be! 

I’m not sure of the age or origin of the car forums, but they have become very popular among the tech savvy and car crazy groups and to be honest they can be extremely useful.  I imagine there are thousands of active forums on the internet dedicated to automotive endeavors, it does not matter if you are into Jeeps, VW’s, Mustangs, Trucks, or even vintage race cars, there is a forum for you out there.  Here is the crazy thing, not only is there a forum out there for you, but it’s full of other folks chatting and talking it up about the same stuff you love! 

I must admit that the first forum I got involved with ended up costing me a bunch of money……..how?  Well, it ignited a spark that fueled my passion for the Ford Mustang and after hanging out on that particular forum, I began my quest to own one and approximately 3 Months later, I purchased my first new car and yes it was a Mustang.  As time rolls on you surf the multiple topics and threads (as they are called) and see hundreds of photos of folks just like you who have begun to upgrade and modify their rides and guess what happens………you get bit by the modifying bug.  Now don’t let this scare you away from the forums because another great fact about forums is most of them have some type of tech section where you can get help from people who can help you with issues (troubleshooting) that arise with your vehicle.  Best part is they have already “Been there, done that” and can advise you what your problem is and how to fix it.  Trust me the tech section of the various forums have already saved me many times and saved money in the process. (Note……this money saved can be put back into your upgrade account!)  And speaking of money, another great thing about these sites and the forum section, its free to sign up and get a username/password.  I use to just lurk on these sites, but quickly learned it was way more fun to register and get in on the small talk of my favorite subjects.

I wanted to share a few of my favorites (not in any order):

http://forums.themustangsource.com/  (this is the site that got me hooked)

http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/index.php#axzz2U8OX8Pfo (this is the site in my area that keeps me informed of car shows/cruise-ins/etc…) I bet your local car guys have one…..find it!

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/ (recently found this site and the forum section is packed with ALL [Foreign and Domestic] car stuff!) Lots of Formula 1 and vintage racing stuff on here to!

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum.php (This site is one of the best for custom/resto-mod stuff)

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/index.php4 (another great site for the custom/street machines)

I hope you get time to get involved in the forum scene and don’t just be a “lurker”……register and get involved (Warning…….it is addictive!!).

Joseph

Fast and Furious...what's the big deal?

What’s the big deal about the Fast and Furious movies and why do they grab so much attention?? The 6th installment of the Fast and Furious movies is set to open on Friday May 24th across the nation and car guys will race to see it! (Pun intended) If you have to ask why, you most likely don’t get it. The current episode stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Vin Diesel, and Paul Walker and many of the other regular cast from the other five movies.

For those who may not understand the craze for these movies, lets go down the list of reasons why they are so popular; Fast cars, Hot Girls, Street Racing, Car Chases, and Big name stars………ready to go see it yet?

To me the reason that these movies have been so cool for the car guy is that the ordinary car enthusiast can escape into a dream world of underground street racing and car modifying that is so addictive. Having an unlimited budget for upgrades/mods on your daily driver would be awesome, but how many of us can realistically do that?? (That’s what makes it fun to watch and play the “what if” game)

Have you noticed how the cars that are featured in each of the movies have instantly become “sought after” rides?? I mean just go back and look at the early movies and the cars; they made every young man want to go get a 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS or a 1994 Toyota Supra because those were the rides they drove in the 1st Fast and Furious movie. These cars even have a title that seems to define what they are and just how much they mean to the owners. The buzz word for these cars or the guys themselves is “Tuner”. This term seems to define the younger generation that is so serious about their cars and love to show them off.

The term “Tuner” as defined by urban Dictionary: “A small/small medium car of the compact/compact sedan/compact sports breed, i.e. foreign makes such as but not limited to Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi vehicles, that have been modified with various after-market parts in an attempt to make them better, faster, and more appealing to other owners of cars of the same type and style”.

I must admit that the Tuners these days have taken modifying to the next level……..I seriously enjoy seeing them and the ingenious ideas they come up with and those candy coated paintjobs they have on their cars will make you drool.



Another car featured in these movies is the 1970 Dodge Charger that is driven by “Dominic” (played by the actor Vin Diesel), and yes, it is a Man’s Man car!!
It has everything the true muscle car guy wants; Black paint, Big tires out back, and a Blower sticking out of the hood! This car is a throwback to the Muscle Car era of the 1960 & 70’s and appeals to the older guys who are watching these movies.

I’m not sure what new “Hot” cars will be featured in this latest movie, but I can guarantee you this, they will be copied and cloned just like all the other rides from the past few movies and sales for these cars will skyrocket!

So there you have it, the Fast and Furious movies have all the bases covered if you are even remotely into car stuff. And if you love cars/car shows/cruise-ins/etc……Huntsville, AL is a hub for these car guy activities. During the spring there is always somewhere to go and hang out with other folks who share in the same passion you do...... (No matter what brand or how many mods)!

In fact plans are in the works to have some cars featured/showcased during opening night of the Fast and Furious 6 at a couple of the local Huntsville movie theaters…….I can’t confirm what cars will be there, but I bet they will draw a crowd!

Enjoy the movie……..Joseph

(Article and comments also found at: http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/showthread.php?t=7692#axzz2TgmIxsGm )

When Cars were the Stars!

 If I ask you what Eleanor and General Lee had in common what would you say?  Well General Robert E. Lee’s mother was not named Eleanor, but those two names do share something……they were stars of the TV Show Dukes of Hazard and the Movie Gone in 60 Seconds.  Bo and Luke Duke ran from Sheriff Roscoe and Boss Hogg each week as they tried to stay out of trouble in their 1969 Dodge Charger R/T named General Lee.  They jumped every washed out bridge in Hazard County and slid that car around every corner with dust just a flying! 

Eleanor was the name of the car in both Gone in 60 Seconds movies, the 1974 edition and the more popular version from the year 2000.  The 1974 movie featured a yellow and black 1973 Mustang Mach-1, but most folks remember the silver and black 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang that was stolen by movie star Nicolas Cage.  Maybe that’s where the phrase “drive it like you stole it” comes from.

 

Back in the 70’s a couple of guys named Starsky and Hutch could be seen each week in prime time TV as they chased the bad guys in their wicked looking 1976 Gran Torino.  Starsky nicknamed the car the “Striped Tomato” in one of the episodes and I guess if it had not been for the show, this car would not be very high on the “Cool Car” list, but trust me the red Torino with that famous white stripe down the side will always be associated with a couple of tough cops from California.

There were so many more cars that I could have talked about and I’m sure you are screaming the name of as you read this, but I wanted to mention one more that is my most memorable star car.

Burt Reynolds, better known as “The Bandit” almost drove right out of the screen in the blockbuster movie from 1977 called Smokey and the Bandit.  He burned rubber and jumped a bridge of his own in his black and gold 77 Bandit Trans-Am.  I was only 8 years old when I went to the theater with my parents to see it the 1^st time and it forever changed the way I felt about cars and may have been what lit my spark for being so passionate about cars today.  I’m not going to lie, even when I see a nice looking Bandit Edition Trans-Am today, it gets my blood pumping and it makes me want to grab for my old CB and give a shout out for the Snowman and ask what’s your 20?  If you were a child of the 80’s you know what I’m talking about!! 

It does seem that in many movies we have watch through the years that the cars were the real stars of the movie and I’m sure the Hollywood will thrill us with again with the next big car chase scene.

Thanks, Joseph

Why don’t we have flying cars by now??

When we were young it was believed that in the future we would have cars that can fly and there would be no worries about traffic jams or congested highways!  It seemed like all the futuristic movies and cartoons always showed folks traveling around in flying cars that hovered over the road and we all imagined that by the year 2000 or so, we would all be travelling around like this with no issues.  Well, I hate to break this to you but I don’t think we are any closer now to a flying automobile as a daily commuter than we were when I was a kid. 

1959 Cadillac Cyclone Concept

Now we have made tons of highly advanced and technological steps toward making the cars we drive handle better and go faster.....…have you been keeping up with where we are now as far as horsepower and handling is concerned??   If not, let me tell you about a few stats that will get your blood pumping if you are a car guy or girl.

The 2013 Porsche 911Carrera S has a listed 0-60 mph time of 3.7 sec., runs the quarter mile in 12.1 sec at 116 mph, and recorded an average lateral acceleration of 1.03 G’s.  Even though this car has a price tag of $123,840….....Those are race car stats from just a few short years ago.  (Courtesy of Motor Trend)

(Photo Courtesy of Motor Trend)

The 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1 has an estimated 580 HP, runs 0-60 mph in 3.8 sec. and boasts a top speed in the quarter mile of 117 mph all while being priced at only $57, 265   (Courtesy of Motor Trend)

(Photo Courtesy of Car and Driver)

I remember when I was younger the first thing I did when I opened a copy of Car and Driver or Motor Trend Magazine was to flip to the back and check out the list of new cars and the stats they listed.  I always scanned that list for the fastest car from 0-60 mph or top speed and that was the car I wanted!  Hey, it never hurts or cost anything to dream right??

Okay maybe the cars we drive in 2013, or at least have the opportunity to drive, might not be propelled through the air, but trust me they are “Flying” down the highway!

Thanks, Joseph

What’s on the radio?

Driving our cars with the radio blasting is just a way of life but it has become so much more than just a radio and music these days.  I heard a song the other day while driving to work and it got me thinking about when did the first radios appeared in automobiles.  Well it turns out that mass produced radios built for vehicles were not available until the late 1920’s.  So I researched these little known facts and began to see how quickly things developed with different forms of entertainment in our vehicles.  I remember seeing a Cadillac owned by Elvis in the Country Music Hall of Fame and it had a 45 rpm record player in the back seat so that he could listen to any music of his choice whenever he wanted.  Now that car was custom made for Elvis by historic car builder George Barris, but it was very interesting to see what could be done with an unlimited budget.  Let’s see just how far we have come with electronics in our cars;

The First FM Radio was introduced in 1952, and the First 8-Track Tape Player was available in 1965.  I guess because we had a thirst for something better the first in-car Stereo came along in 1969 and the cassette tape player became popular in the mid 1970’s.  In 1982 Bose became the first “Premium” stereo system in cars. (I wonder just how “Premium” it was back then?)  As the new age began to take hold, the first factory installed in-dash CD player was available around 1985.*

 

After the whole “music in our vehicles” evolution was in full swing, it was time to usher in a new type of media into our cars and trucks; the Navigation system.  They were first introduced in cars in the late 80’s and early 90’s and that opened a whole new adventure for all of us to enjoy (or be frustrated at when they don’t work correctly).  Even though some of the early systems were not very effective, they at least pushed the envelope of technology.  The next big step in the world of vehicle navigation was the use of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) in 1995.  The first system was reportedly introduced by Oldsmobile and was called GuideStar.*

With the advances in technology that have taken place just in my 43 years, I have to ask, what’s next?  If he were still alive, I wonder how crazy it would sound to try and explain Face Book, Texting, or Twitter to my Grandfather.  Can you also imagine how I would explain the fact that you can now talk to your car and just say “Rascal Flatts” and your car will automatically begin to play your collection of Rascal Flatts music from the hard drive that comes factory in the dash of your car.  Wow……times have changed!

*Reference:  Car and Driver Magazine Oct. 2010

Thanks, Joseph

What is your “American Idol”?

As I was watching the show “American Idol” this week it got me thinking about the level of talent and how hard it is to stand out from the crowd these days.  I think we can say the same thing about the cars we see on the streets today, it has become very hard to distinguish one car brand from another.  The past few years has seen the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Charger give us a blast from the past as each of these cars brought back that classic/iconic look that they became famous for.  Even the new 2014 Chevy Corvette unveiled a few weeks ago pulled from the old-school goodies bag by reviving the “Stingray” name……used for the first time since 1967. (I’m a Ford guy, but I think it looks awesome!)

2014 and 1967 Corvette Stingray (photo from Automobilesreview.com)

I think if the American auto maker wants to sell more cars and get back the piece of the pie being lost to the foreign car makers, they must not be swayed by all the market studies and social media hype.  The Detroit boys need to make cars that appeal to the young crowd as well as the older guys who enjoy driving American Iron.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of many cars from across the pond, however, it seems that today’s cars are falling into the cookie-cutter mold and all look the same!  Seriously it’s very difficult to make out a Hyundai from a Jaguar or a Kia from BMW and to me that’s a problem.  I’m not saying the design is not good or that the cars aren’t attractive, I’m just afraid buyers are searching for a unique look that sets their ride apart.  Years ago part of the American dream for every young boy was to own a true “American Idol” and it was parked in your driveway!

Thanks, Joseph
(Article and comments also found at: http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/showthread.php?t=7605#axzz2RbKNNFED)

“A man named Carroll”

A person can get teased about his or her name for many reasons, but a boy with a girl’s name would be hard to overcome.  This is the story of a man born in Texas in 1923 that will forever be famous and not because of his first name; he would change the automotive world as we know it.  He was one of the most influential figures in car racing during the 1950’s and may have gone down in the books as the most successful race car driver of all time had it not been for a heart condition that forced him to hang up his helmet in 1960.  He lived his life in the fast lane, whether he was setting a new land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats or winning at the world famous LeMans race course, there was something special about this man.  Instead of hanging his head in defeat due to his racing career being sidelined, it only gave him more time to focus on his new thoughts of building race cars and race teams.  He also decided to begin designing and building production cars and his first major project became known as the “Cobra” and it set the world afire with its small-lightweight frame and big engines.

His race team would begin to win everything in sight including the FIA World Championship of GT cars in 1965.  As he built on that success, his Ford backed GT40 race team would beat all the European factory race teams and win LeMans in 1966 and 67.  The relationship with Ford was only beginning, because just a short time later a friend named Lee Iacocca called him up and asked if he would use his racing skills and knowledge to help him with a new car he was promoting called “Mustang”. 

The Mustang GT350’s are some of the most expensive muscle cars being sold today.  The partnership with the Ford Mustang has spanned some 48 years and still carries his name today.  He was also involved in the development and design of the Dodge Viper and Charger of the 90’s.  Then again he would rekindle his involvement with Ford in 2003 with the introduction of the Ford GT.  Bringing it full circle, his name would appear again on the Mustang in 2007 as the GT-500 was reborn. 

If I were to compile a dictionary, next to the word “Speed” I would put a footnote that said “see Carroll Shelby”!  Yes, this “man named Carroll” is none other than Carroll Shelby, the man whose name has adorned so many of the cars we love;  Shelby Cobra, Shelby Mustang GT350, Shelby Mustang GT500, Dodge Shelby Charger, and even the new 2013 Shelby GT500 Mustang that is the first production Mustang to have a top speed of 200 mph! 

(Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

In Memory of Carroll Shelby (Jan. 11, 1923 – May 10, 2012)

Thanks........Joseph

Are you “Car Crazy”??

I’ve been called many names in my lifetime but most folks would say that I am “Car Crazy”!  Over the years I have found others out there who are like me and sometimes they don’t even know it.  If you are worried that you may have this disease, let me give you some of the major symptoms.  It usually starts with the eyes; you are always looking for a sweet ride everywhere you go……your eyes are drawn to any hot rod or custom vehicle with a shiny new paint job.  You seem to be able to spot car shows and local cruise-ins from almost any distance.  Your wife will usually be able to tell you are suffering from this disease even before you know you have it.

If your symptoms have gotten worse, then you may already be suffering from the next step in the progression of being Car Crazy.  You will begin to plan family outings or even weekend trips around where you secretly know there is a car show…….after you arrive at your destination, your wife says, “hey there sure are a lot of old classic cars and hot rods here in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge this weekend, are you sure the big car show is not this weekend?”  To which you say…..”I have no idea. That would be cool if it was”.  Another thing you begin to do is to ignore the family calendar of events and activities and then when your wife or girlfriend says, “don’t forget we have a wedding to go to this weekend”, you reply, “but honey you know I have been planning my trip with the guys at the big car show this weekend”……That one never ends well.

Okay, by now you can see how this disease can be very dangerous to your health, because after you have pulled a few of these stunts, you may need to be treated for knots on your head!  Now guys I’m not saying being car crazy is fatal, but let me suggest that if you think you are coming down with it and your symptoms are becoming easy to spot, then I have some friendly advice.  Try your best to see if you can give it to your wife or girlfriend because if you both have it then it makes living with this disease so much easier.  On another note, you can also try and let it rub off on your son or daughter at an early age and then your wife will be out numbered.

If you are car crazy then most likely you already know where the best shows in your area are, but if not, then search the car forums or local blogs that will put you in touch with other car crazy folks like you.  You can also locate a local car calendar that will keep you informed of the shows and cruise-in's close to you. 

Thanks, Joseph

A car story that had to be told

A good friend of mine recently shared his story with me and I just had to post it.........Enjoy!

From British motorcycles and cars to a Shelby - my 44 year journey

By Lawrence Taylor-Duncan

I started off my driving career in Scotland when I graduated from High School in 1969 and bought a small 49cc motorcycle to drive to and from college. As soon as I passed my driver’s test, I quickly leapfrogged into fast bikes with a BSA 654cc Lightning and by 1973 I owned the fastest street-legal motorcycle in the UK, a one-off custom-built 165mph JapAuto race-tuned 960cc Honda - so even early on in my driving career at age 22, I had developed a taste for power and speed.

After big bikes, I progressed to fast cars. My very first car was a classic Jaguar 3.8S in British Racing Green (followed by two more Jags), and later on, a custom Janspeed 3 Liter Turbocharged Ford Capri which was a seriously quick car in its day. I remember one Saturday having a very early breakfast and then driving it with my then girlfriend through 6 countries from London, England to Switzerland and arriving at her parent’s house near Zurich in time for dinner. Her mother was not amused. Yes, we drive a tad faster in Europe….

A few years later on, I had a business partner in England that had a Ferrari Testarossa which was drop-dead gorgeous and at that time, the fastest car I'd ever driven. I was driving an Audi by then so I was into German cars. In the UK, the big fast cars of the day were Italian exotics, Porches, Aston Martins - and they were very very expensive to own and run. American muscle cars were very rare in Britain because they didn't make many right-hand drive cars and they drank gas at an alarming rate - a big deal in a country where gas is 3-4 times more expensive than the USA. We all loved the Dukes of Hazzard and saw lots of big muscle cars on TV, but not on the road.

When I came to the States I fell in love with the whole custom car scene - you can get away with outlandish cars here that would never be street legal in Europe where we have so many rules and regulations. Still, I could only be an onlooker as I went through over 20 years of miscellaneous nondescript cars and then SUVs while my family grew up. Practicality had to come first. But I always promised myself that one day I'd splash out and get a decent muscle car.  I was very patient.

To be honest, the muscle car I had thought I might end up getting was a Corvette and I had not paid much attention to Mustangs or even Chargers or Camaros. Then one day I was fiddling around in Motor Trend Magazine's iPad app and read a review on the 2013 Shelby GT500. I'd been so out of the whole muscle car scene (well to be more precise, I was never in it) that I didn't even realize there were so many Mustang models, far less a Shelby - and although I had heard of Carroll Shelby, I really didn't know that much about him. Until now.

So one minute, there I was reading the GT500 review, and the next minute I had linked to Ford's website and now I was building up my dream spec on a Shelby! I was still not even beginning to think this would lead anywhere (I was more day-dreaming) but then I found a link to dealers in my area where I could check out if they stocked the one I had just “built” and -- Whoa! -- There was my exact car in stock at the Athens Ford dealership just a few miles away from me!  Okay I thought, this is a bit scary...as it’s suddenly getting awfully real.

I made a phone call and yes they had it in their showroom but "it is already sold" they said. Bummer. But they asked me if I would like to see it before it was shipped to the customer. By this time I was extremely curious so within an hour I was there walking in the door of the dealership. Up to this point, I had not been researching or planning to buy a new car at all so I was not even in a buying frame of mind -- and yet there it was -- in the flesh right in front of me. Wow! It was drop-dead stunning. Its looks oozed power and muscle. I got to sit in it, see the huge supercharged engine, hear the exhaust (oh boy - that's all it took - my heart leapt when I heard the growl from those 4 pipes!). Now things were deadly serious…

But it was "sold", or so I thought. It transpired that the buyer had not wired any funds yet, so technically it was still available - and I had made a fatal mistake of walking into the showroom with my checkbook in my back pocket. Hmmm. Unconscious decision. So the next minute I had called my wife, stammered something about a Shelby (she knew that name!) and I had given them a holding deposit on the car. We were there the very next morning at the crack of dawn and after hours of negotiating and a spirited test drive, I was driving off the lot in my new Shelby with a huge wide grin from ear to ear. It was rather a surreal experience.

I have never made a decision to buy a car so fast in my life. I always do a lot of homework on a big purchase, but something special happened when I saw that car that day. It took my breathe away and I made a purchasing decision from the soul. I have not regretted it either. The car is everything I expected it to be and then some. It is brutally fast, a stick shift (we Brits love stick shifts!) and a beautiful car. It is the fastest car I have ever owned or driven and although it can do 202 mph (and that’s a lot of bragging rights) if truth be told, I drive a lot more slowly these days than I did back in the UK in the 70’s. You don’t really have to prove anything in a Shelby. It’s also a car that demands a great deal of respect. I came across a show by Road Testament called “Ten Cars That Want To Kill You” one day and I’ll be darned if the 2013 Shelby GT500 was not second on the list – right after the Hennessy Venom. So my custom tag S0SCARY is very apt – it is a truly thrilling, seat-of-your-pants car to drive.

As we drove off the lot that day there was still another whole aspect of owning a Mustang, and especially a Shelby that I hadn't yet grasped. As I did all my research and homework after-the-fact, I discovered the true world of Mustang ownership included Forums, Clubs, Meets, Cruises and a myriad of potential customization options. Wow - I really had no idea that was all out there!  In the months following, I joined several clubs (including my local Limestone County Mustang Club) and quickly made about 100 great new friends on Facebook. Mustang owners are such fun to be around and very enthusiastic about their cars. The camaraderie is great and we always have a busy schedule of car shows, meets and events throughout much of the year.

So here I am, literally self-catapulted right in to the American Muscle Car scene with a whole new lifestyle and a vibrant social network and it's all happened as fast as that Shelby accelerates. I must add that I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife, who traded in her own beloved Miata when we bought the car and who supported me 100% in our decision to buy the car. This was all within just 5 months of marrying me too. She has owned two Mustangs before and recently bought her own V6 Pony so we are a two-Mustang family now - and yes she drives the Shelby as well as her own!  

Life is good!

Corvette Road Trip Anyone??

Road Trip.

When you hear those words what kind of feeling comes over you??  Most folks either love to take a road trip or they hate it, there is not much middle ground.  For me, I love to take road trips because it gives me an opportunity to see this wonderful country we live in. 

So, if we are going to take a road trip we need to discuss where we should go, but first we need to decide what we will drive.  Shall we take the family car, the truck, or the classic two-door with the top down?  Okay that was not a hard decision……..cruising with the top down is always the best option for a road trip to me.

Let me tell you about a short road trip that is a must.  The National Corvette Museum is located in Bowling Green, KY.  The museum has recently expanded and renovated it facility and offers Corvette lovers a chance to relive the history of America’s favorite Sports car. 

(Photo courtesy of Brents Pepper)

The museum offers over 115,000 sq. ft. to showcase some world famous corvette race cars as well as some very rare production cars.  They also house one of the best collections of “one-of-a-kind” prototypes and concept cars.  The museum has over 70 Corvettes displayed in period correct settings that transport you back in time.  The cost is only $10 for adults, $5 for children age 6-16 and children under 6 get in free, and if you are a true fan of the Corvette then don’t miss the gift shop and café. 

(Photo courtesy of Brents Pepper)

Recently there has been talk of the museum expanding again by adding a motorsports park at the facility in Bowling Green, KY.  If it is built, this motorsports park could offer the chance for the museum to host track-day events.  I’m sure that the track would offer some type of performance driving schools and possibly the opportunity to attract some racing action from the various racing organizations around the country.

One last thing to do before you leave the area on your road trip is to schedule a tour of the Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant that’s across the street from the museum…….yes, the plant where the current model Chevy Corvette is manufactured today.  They offer public tours of the plant Monday – Thursday at specific times.  For more information on these must-see tours visit their website at www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com

So, if you don’t have time for a road trip this weekend, take time to visit one of the local cars shows or cruise-ins in your area and have fun!!

Joseph

Dream Cruise!

Are we dreaming?

Our dreams usually take us to a place far away and can find us doing things we have never done before, and I’m betting that most you reading this story have never been to the place I’m going to tell you about.  Way up North near the town of Detroit Michigan is a gathering that has evolved into the world’s largest one-day automotive event.  It’s called the “Woodward Dream Cruise”.  This event attracts over a million people every year from around the world and needs to be on your bucket list if you have one.  The one day car cruise/car show stretches up and down Woodward Avenue (formally known as M1) for approximately 21 miles between Pontiac and Ferndale in Oakland. 

2002 Woodward Dream Cruise
Photo by Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News

History tells us that one section of this highway in 1909 was the first mile stretch in the world to be paved with concrete.  People from around the world gather each year to see some 40,000 cars, trucks, and bikes cruise up and down the strip.  All three of the big US automobile manufactures (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) come out in full force to promote and showcase their brands and sometimes release new products.  The crowds are treated to some of the most outrageous customs, classics, and modern muscle cars found anywhere.  Folks tailgate and party all along the streets and parking lots as it becomes one big event that is almost like a family cookout with vendors selling food, parts, and collectibles. 

This must see event takes place on the 3^rd Saturday in August every year and has been running continuously sense 1995. So if you are not up for the long journey to Michigan just yet, then look for a local car show or cruise-in in your area.  It seems every year I meet somebody who has gone to this event and come back saying that its the best gathering they have ever been to!  I would be lying if I said I had not fantasized of going to the “Woodward Dream Cruise” for years, so I hope to make my dreams come true and attend this epic cruise-in very soon. (Maybe this year is the year I go)

What's on the Radio?

Driving our cars with the radio blasting is just a way of life but it has become so much more than just a radio and music these days.  I heard a song the other day while driving to work and it got me thinking about when did the first radios appeared in automobiles.  Well it turns out that mass produced radios built for vehicles were not available until the late 1920’s.  So I researched this little known fact and began to see how quickly things developed with different forms of entertainment in our vehicles.  I remember seeing a Cadillac owned by Elvis in the Country Music Hall of Fame and it had a 45 rpm record player in the back seat so that he could listen to any music of his choice whenever he wanted.  Now that car was custom made for Elvis by historic car builder George Barris, but it was interesting to see what could be done with an unlimited budget. 

Let’s see just how far we have come with electronics in our cars;

The First FM Radio was introduced in 1952, and the First 8-Track Tape Player was available in 1965.  I guess because we had a thirst for something better the first in-car Stereo came along in 1969 and the cassette tape player became popular in the mid 1970’s.  In 1982 Bose became the first “Premium” stereo system in cars. (I wonder just how “Premium” it was back then?)  As the new age began to take hold, the first factory installed in-dash CD player was available around 1985.* 

After the whole “music in our vehicles” evolution was in full swing, it was time to usher in a new type of media into our cars and trucks; the Navigation system.  They were first introduced in cars in the late 80’s and early 90’s and that opened a whole new adventure for all of us to enjoy (or be frustrated at when they don’t work correctly).  Even though some of the early systems were not very effective, they at least pushed the envelope of technology.  The next big step in the world of vehicle navigation was the use of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) in 1995.  The first system was reportedly introduced by Oldsmobile and was called GuideStar.*

With the advances in technology that have taken place just in my 43 years, I have to ask, what’s next?  If he were still alive, I wonder how crazy it would sound to try and explain Face Book, Texting, or Twitter to my Grandfather.  Can you also imagine how I would explain the fact that you can now talk to your car and just say “Rascal Flatts” and you car will automatically begin to play your collection of Rascal Flatts music from the hard drive that comes factory in the dash of your car.  Wow……times have changed!

*Reference:  Car and Driver Magazine Oct. 2010.

Have you been to a car show lately?

Have you ever turned on the radio and hear a song and it immediately takes you to a place in your mind, a place back in time?  Was it when you were young or maybe a special time with your family?  It’s a wonderful feeling and it usually makes you feel good inside as you reminisce of days gone by.  The old past time of taking a Sunday drive is dying fast, in fact I’m not sure younger kids these days even know what that’s all about.  I remember it and it was most always filled with fun times.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Life is a journey, not a destination” and that’s so true, it did not matter what our destination was, it was all about the journey getting there.  For some folks a vehicle is just a tool that gets them from point A to B, but for others, it’s much more than that.

Car shows and cruise-ins have been going on across America for years, but it seems the younger generation is becoming more active in this scene.  If you attend a car show or a cruise-in these days you might see an older guy with his 1957 Chevy parked next to a 19 year old in his 2010 Mustang GT.  Here is the funny thing; you will find them talking and sharing stories like they were old friends!!  You might ask, “About what??”  Well they will be talking about their cars and the life journey (however long or short) that has driven their passion for cars.  Once again it’s like that song that you hear, going to a car show transports you back in time to driving your first car or riding to town with your Dad in his old truck to get ice cream.  So load your family in the car and take them to a car show to share in the sights and sounds as you relive your younger days or explore some of those new hot rides.

A few years back Ford Motor Company had a slogan, “Have you driven a Ford, Lately?” and the reason they asked that question was to inspire you to test drive one of their new cars because they knew you’d be surprised how good it was, well, I’m asking this same question today…….Have you been to a car show lately? 

Thanks, Joseph

What is Cars and Coffee?

Just what is Cars and Coffee?

Cars and Coffee is just an informal gathering of people who are passionate about one thing………their cars!  Even though these events are popping up all over the country, the original history of this event takes you to the Crystal Cove shopping center near Newport Beach, CA.  The gathering of cars (both old and new……Classic and Exotic) got so big and began to draw such large crowds that they had to move it to a bigger location that could easily house everything.  The weekly event is now held in the town of Irvine, CA at the Ford/Mazda Center parking lot and has continued to grow into one of the biggest and most talked about car gatherings in Southern California.  These weekly meetings are held early Saturday mornings from 6am to 9am.  It’s a very informal event that is very laid back where everyone drives their rides into the parking lot, get out and just hang out as they chat while drinking their coffee.  Because this original event is held in Southern California they very often have celebrities who bring their cars out for folks to see and to be seen.  Jay Leno and Barry Meguiar are just a couple of guys who hang out for a couple of hours and take in the sights and sounds of this mega event.  If you live near here and you are an auto enthusiast you must check this event out soon!  Its a family friendly event that the wife and kids will enjoy, because there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This little event is spreading across the nation like wildfire and any Saturday morning across the country you can drive around and find these gatherings……they may begin small with just a few friends or car club members, but trust me before long they are growing into something big.  Get out and enjoy one of these “Cars and Coffee” events if you can find the time.  No fee’s……No Cost…….No memberships……Just hanging out and talking cars!!