Last evenings car show was a grand wee trip: a jaunt along Dempster to Prospect Heights and a line-up in the Metra parking lot of choice American automobiles.
Top: Chevrolet Impala, Bel Air, Corvette.
Middle: V8 Hot Rod, Ford Edsel, Cadillac model 75
Bottom: Pontiac GTO, Grande Parisienne, Chevy Corvette (C1)
At a vintage car show at Prospect Heights this evening amongst the Chevy’s, Fords, Oldsmobile’s and other American iron was this wartime utility vehicle. Willy’s 1/4 ton general purpose or ‘Jeep’. In olive drab green and all accessories to see you through the European theater it looked like a fun ride.
A Swiss Army vehicle ready for anything. Indeed it is considered as the first SUV.
Weekend is here! And I hope people have a destination in mind for the road ahead. If the desert beckons and the trucks gas tank is full then saddle up pilgrim and get that hoss out!
The weather was ten out of ten today; blue skies, a few scudding clouded and a cooling breeze off the lake. June blossom gave the leafy roads a memory enchanting swoon. Not too busy roads and an engine ticking like a swiss clock. Lake county roads through a rolling horse country gave a suitable foil to a great ride. No photos but just before heading out a superb example of one of the most beautiful car ever built: an E Type Jaguar. Its cat like maw and sleek body evoke speed.
The owner was there and discussed his grin inducing enjoyment of driving it. His father purchased it new in ’74 and it was immaculate down to the V-12 growl as it purred off down the road.
This 5.3l Series 3 was the last year of the car Enzo Ferrari called “the most beautiful car ever made”. Well, for a perfect summer day, the perfect drive. Now between a 911 and an XKE….. Hmm… Ali, Marciano? Stones, Beatles? Take yer pick?
Of course the MvR meet wasn’t just about motorcycles… It also included a small car show where the four wheeled rockers drove in their 50’s vee-hick-kals. Hot rods, Rat Rods, land yachts, classic trucks, Nader’s Ford Corvair. Enjoy!
It’s twenty years today since the early death of James Hunt at the age of 45. He was the very definition of the playboy race car driver in the 70’s with plenty of action on, hence the nickname ‘The Shunt’, as well as off the track, just look at his race coveralls patch just below his embroidered blood type.
His model wife Suzy Miller is sporting the a T-shirt with the Hesketh Team logo: a teddy bear in full face helmet. The young Lord Hesketh being the teams backer. As an aside Suzy left Hunt for actor Richard Burton including a million pound settlement…
Not to worry though there was plenty more life to live on the edge of speed; here seen enjoying the harbor life of Monaco with friend Barry Sheene. The pair made their mark on the world Grand Prix stage in 1976, James in Formula One and Bazza on his motorcycle. The fans following their exploits on and off the circuits around the globe. A real pair of cheeky chappies!
However when the going got tough they were up there with the best of ’em! Each taking world champion titles that year. Here’s a great behind the scenes shot of the mechanics shed for Maclaren (who took him to his title) in flared jeans, sandals and a relaxed brotherly attitude.
His rival at the time was Nikki Lauder, a great of his day and worthy opponent. Mere weeks after a fiery crash at the Nürburgring where he suffered burns to his face and head he was back in the seat to maintain his points lead over Hunt. The season was down to the last race at Fuji Japan with Hunt winning by one point over Lauder after Niki withdrew over the wet course conditions.
This climactic season is the subject of an upcoming film from Ron Howard “Rush”. Should be good!
James went on to become a foil for world class motor racing commentator Murray Walker and their colorful banter for the Formula One racing made watching them exciting, with Murrays excited exuberance and James’ pithy remarks .
He’s legend in the high stakes world of speed and lived that life with gusto.
A road-going racer: there’s a strong heart under that hood, and what a big hood that is! Aspiring speed demons need only apply…
Of course Steve had it painted British Racing Green.
I’m watching the classic M. Hulot’s Holiday with the wonderfully visual Jaques Tati as the oblivious pipe smoking titular character. His small spluttering car makes several noisome appearances as he gets into numerous escapades at the coastal resort.
Being less than a decade since the end of World War II is shows a french trying to relax and vacate themselves from life; however M. Hulot quietly and unknowingly intrudes on their R&R. If Chaplin was Blues, Keaton Folk then Tati is a Jazz Master.
Plenty of smashing cars at the Auto Show but the 911 Carrera 4S sure looked purdy… Its sparky twilight blue gave those classic Porsche lines a a pleasing appearance. Hints of the exactly half Century original design shine through. From its nose to its tail.
I bet it goes and stops like the best of ’em! I know it’s out of the realm of my ownership but I can look…
One notable two-wheeler was seen last evening at the Auto Show: a custom Harley Davidson propped up next to an all black ’69 GTO. The engine was a shiny piece of art and the cycle work a careful balance of cleanliness and line. For example the rear drum brake was hydraulically activated with the line running within the frame tubes, a suicide gear lever under the left thigh and omitted front brake as well as the throttle lines inside the handlebars created the perfect minimal handlebars. p.s. this moto is actually an award winning custom chopper by Gas Monkey Garage which is televised for The Discovery Channel’s Fast ‘n’Loud show.
The black car? A slick ripplin’ black highway speedster.
Here’s a stock photo of FRED, in the desert… The rose color looks canny under a bright sun with a scrub landscape behind it and blacktop stretching into the distance.
Four Wheels Good: well sometimes! Under the glistening lights of the vast halls of the McCormick Convention Center the Chicago Auto Show displays the latest in automobile offerings. Of course the common or garden varieties are there but I like to look at the tasty fast, expensive and unattainable autos…
Jaguar F Type sport model sir? Yes please!
The brand spanking new Corvette Stingray? Abso-bloody-lutely!
John Cooper Works Mini? Aye aye captain!
Well what about an old late 1940’s Ford Truck? Could be just the ticket! And price!
“I am the Nightrider. I’m a fuel injected suicide machine. I am the rocker, I am the roller, I am the out-of-controller!”
One of my favourite biker films is Mad Max: the fast riding scenes around the quiet narrow lanes of rural Australia, under gloomy grey skies, can quicken any moto-maniacs heart. The Toecutter (R: Hugh Keayes-Byrne) is the excellent psychopathic leader; with an appropriately cool right-hand-man, Bubba Zanetti (L: Geoff Parry). 14 Kawasaki’s K1000’s were used to full effect by the crazed gang only being chased down by Max’s 351 Ford XB Falcon with a whining blower. Or the Goose’s MFP Bike…
“Jimmy the Goose, larger than life and twice as ugly!”
“It’s that rat circus out there, I’m beginning to enjoy it. Look, any longer out on that road and I’m one of them, a terminal psychotic, except that I’ve got this bronze badge that says that I’m one of the good guys.”
There’s also a new Mad max film coming out soon, Tom Hardy playing the titular role; hopefully it’ll live up to this early classic venture. I’ll revisit this one again though… those big Zed’s are a powerful good moto!
The bright, and crisp, January daylight glistened off this Ford truck. The 4×4 extended cab Ranger. In fire-engine red too! I’d tote about in that…
The short drive home was as uneventful as it usually is, until a rumbling splash of yellow muscle car pulled along side. A ’72 or thereabouts Ford Mustang Mach1. No buzz of a bumblebee here; just a grumble of a swarm of honey-seekers. The young lad driving it looked about sixteen…
Probably a 351 Cleveland V8 under that bulging hood.
Sir Alec Issingonis’ design icon. This diminutive car enjoyed a forty year lifespan, which in car terms only compares to The Beetle. The front wheel drive was ground breaking creating a small yet spacious car that could tote four easily; the rounded shape being easy on the eyes; and corner mounted wheels provided a stable platform that would go on to dominate rally racing. I learned to drive on the hills of Sheffield in a latter date racing green model. Far too much fun to drive! Like a roadworthy go-cart!
I saw this particular one in Chicago earlier this year at the Mods and Rockers meet. The Mini is as British as you can get.
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