An under-appreciated racing film -- Checkpoint, 1956

If you like sports cars from the 1950s and road racing, this film is for you! I ran across this film on Netfilx streaming, and despite its two star rating it did not disappoint -- actually it is a diamond in the rough. True, the plot is not the best, but the cars are the stars, and the highway and race scenes are simply as good as it gets. Further, the use of engine sounds really enhances the experience.  After watching this film, I could not wait to get in my 1971 Porsche 911 and enjoy the open road. Don't miss this film -- the last 30 minutes of the film and racing scenes are priceless!

a 1957 Fiat Abarth

This car was also at the Friday night Cruise-In held in Beavercreek, OH last evening. It brought back some memories, going back to growing up in Kenmore, NY and a guy who rented an appointment in the house next to where my cousins lived. His Abarth was green, and all I can remember is this fellow in almost constant agony as he worked on the Abarth in the driveway.  I wonder if he ever got it right.  I doubt that he did..

Another Rat Rod at the Friday Night Cruise In

This is what I would call an exaggerated rat rod. The lime green wheels, front spring and engine detailing is hideous on purpose. Not my cup of tea.

5 Practical Points of Electric Cars -- A Contribution from Liz Nelson

5 Practical Points of Electric Cars

Electric cars are becoming more and more commonplace now that the world is pushing for an energy crisis situation. In the early 2000s, GM dismantled the EV1s giving a variety of excuses such as there would be no interest in this type of automobile. A decade later, there are a hot commodity and many are joining waiting lists for vehicles such as those offered by Tesla Motors. Aside from the ability to function without a single drop of gasoline, what else makes these vehicles practical for daily use?

1. Battery Life - Currently, some of the best batteries for electric cars can allow a person to travel for 300 miles. To some, this simply doesn't sound like enough driving time. To put it into perspective, the state of Colorado is only 280 miles across. Unless you are planning a cross-country trip, 300 miles is quite a bit of in-town driving per day. This is aside from the fact that solar conversion kits can be adapted to constantly provide power to electric cars as they are on the road as well.

2. Grid-Less - Solar panels can be used to charge your electric cars while they are sitting at home. Instead of plugging them into the grid and spinning your meter, you can adapt solar energy and deep cycle batteries to keep your car energy-sufficient and charging throughout most of the day. With renewable energy sources available, the possibilities are near endless.

3. Gas Prices vs. Power Prices - Unless you are using a self-sustaining system such as solar arrays to power your vehicle, there will be a cost of charging it up. However, the cost for power is far less than it would be for the cost of ever-increasing gas prices. In fact, it would be beneficial for more people to drive electric cars for those who don't. When the demand for an item decreases, so does the price. If even 10-percent of people in your neighborhood owned electric cars, the price of gas could steadily drop.

4. Clean Maintenance - Most mechanics who have worked on electric cars commented on how it is a clean experience. As electric cars use very little in the form of petroleum-based products for continued usage, the undercarriage and engine compartment are virtually oil and grease free. No more pouring Coca Cola on your drive way to remove the evidence of an oil leak.

5. Speed - Electric cars can handle to road as well as gasoline powered ones can. In fact, the first generation of Tesla Roadsters can do 0 to 60 in just under four seconds. Unlike electric scooters that may have a top speed of 60, electric cars can hit the road with as much speed as their predecessors can. Using the same aerodynamics to promote gas mileage, these same principles can save on power usage.

There are many who argue about the battery life of an electric car forcing the issue of how impractical it may be. Could these merely be rants from those who are afraid of change or those who have vested stock in oil companies? Or is there any truth to electric cars being impractical? Currently, consumers have the option of purchasing a wide range of vehicles consuming various amounts of fuel. Will there come a day when the government steps in and puts an end to carbon monoxide-emitting engines?

This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston. Questions and comments can be sent to: liznelson17 @ gmail.com.

One Way to Re-Kindle a Romance -- Best Western and the Garten Drive-In Poster Mural

A post from Ed Garten. Thanks, Ed!

What a delight, but in today’s e-mail I received a photo from the hotel chain creative design woman in Missouri who is using the Garten Drive-In Theatre photo as a wall mural.  But I was under the impression it was going to only be used in the lobbies of the Best Western hotel chain but – interestingly – it is being used in the “Romantic Get Away” rooms in each hotel.  See the attached photo of grandfather’s drive-in and with a king sized bed in front of it and in front of the bed they have the rear clip from a 1959 pink Cadillac – tail fins and all J

Note that the creator of this “love nest” bedroom has somehow done a photo shop and inserted a frame from an Elvis movie on the theatre screen with co-star Ann-Margret.  And, of course, there is the requisite hot tub over in the corner.  This is too good to be true!

As compensation for the use of the photograph, she told me she was sending me a “package” next week that would include dinner and two nights at one of the Best Western’s that will feature this romantic get-away room.   I showed the photo to the wife and she said: “You’ve got to be kidding?”  I told my wife that we could “go all the way” in the back seat of a Cadillac. 

When the woman sent me this today I looked at the photo and thought to myself “she is making this up.”  But no its real.

ATS CRUIZE PENANG OFFICIAL VIDEO RELEASE

Here's The Official Dayout  at Penang with our beloved Customers. More than 50 cars hit the island with all type of sound...Thank You So Much  to make this event happened!!!!

The last Drive-In in the Dayton,OH Area -- The Dixie Twin Drive-In, located in Harrison Township

Thanks to Ed Garten for the photos. according to Ed, the last Drive-In located in the Dayton, Ohio area. A popular venue for B grade films druing the 1950s and 1960s, the drive-in has been the victim of suburbanization, the growth of exurbs, and rising land values in once rural outlying locations. For a time it was one place you could take your date to "spark" away from community controls. That time has passed, as now community controls are lax, anything goes in teenagers bedrooms, and parents are often away from the house for extended periods of time.