Classic. Cars. On auto.
Classics are never shy. They sit, diva-like, waiting to be worshiped.
Benevolently, we are graced by them.
Recently, there were seven neatly lined up. All facing the same way. But far away from the other cars.
Kept looking for that Amazing Race flag and some frantic contestants.
Who are they? Do they come in piece? Where are they going? Why are they parked under trees where birds sit?
Each Camaro had some odd thing on the roof: geo positioning devices? Cameras?
So who’s keeping track? And of what?
Google Earth mapping out their next exploration? (That would be out of this world.)
NASA VIPs looking for photo ops?
IRS employees out for an entertaining taxpayer-funded vacation instructional conference or taking a break during a field trip while buying office furniture?
More likely participants of a Camaro Car Club meet-up.
But those odd contraptions on the roof.
Sure there no reality show film crews around?
Cars are such contradictions.
The most sensible not always the ones most popular.
The treasured classics offer something outside of the transportation formula
Look Mom! No brains required. It’s automatic! (FORD/wot.motortrend.com)
The 2015 Mustang GT is hoofing it with something new.
Ford knows who’s out there:
Gearheads who tinker and understand cars.
Nostalgic drivers who want to drive something cool.
And a new bunch: the “everyone’s-a-winner” and “every-one-deserves-to-be-a-race-car-driver-despite-the-fact-they-have-no-understanding-or-talent-or-skill.”
Is the latter the ones Ford is out to impress?
(You know them: Some “drag race” down city streets. Often into trees – but what the heck.)
Everyone wants to look cool!
Ford’s new electronic system line-lock feature lets even your grandma spin tires in place creating a cloud of smoke.
Real drag racers warm up their tires in a track’s burnout box to increase traction for a rocket start.
A bit of modification to the brakes is normally needed to install a mechanical line-lock for this.
Not any more! Easy peasy! No understanding or mechanical skill needed.
The 2015 electronic system can hold the front brakes while releasing the rear.
Now anyone can be a professional race car driver!
A teenage driver’s dream
Just don’t let parents know using this electronic line-lock system, “intended for track use only”, will (according to Ford) void the car’s warranty.
Or that you might as well buy additional sets of tires. You’re gonna need them. Soon.
Watch Ford’s demonstration VIDEO: “New 2015 Ford Mustang GT Feature Makes Burnouts Easy” (Motor Trend)
What? Pay for insurance, gas, AND tires?(Ford/wot.motortrend.com
Does that have your head spinning? Wait! There’s more!
Houston’s 2015 Art Car Parade rolled out Saturday.
Watch a drone’s eye view VIDEO .
The parade route follows Allan Parkway which runs west of old downtown towards the other two “downtown” centers. It’s one of the few curvy, up and down roads here. (Tell people to slow down to stop the crashes. No need to cut down the esplanade trees or straighten the road.)
The Art Car Parade started in 1988 with 40 cars.
This year almost 260 cars were entered – one as far away as Nebraska. The parade took hours. No one complained.
Classic or comic, you decide. Words completely optional.
Sitting pretty! Gotta love the Hen.(Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
Earth Rover (Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
Classy St Arnold’s Brewery entry (Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
Warning to noodlers? (Big fish art car. Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
Entry by elementary school. (Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
Yes, it drives in traffic, too. See? (Gold Digger art car. Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
Driven to see more?
Lots more pictures here and here.
Classic style,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
It’s over when the fat lady sings. (Christine DiStadio/khou.com)
27 Comments
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Oh my gosh what fun! I want to see the art car parade 🙂 I always learn about new things on your blog.
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It is one wild and wacky event. The friday before the parade, many of the cars travel to schools. Artistic expression, creative thinking, and looking at possibilities – all things school should be encouraging. Glad you drove over to chat
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That parade looks like really good family fun. Quick question: towards the end of the drone video, there was a large red Kenworth Aerodyne Tractor pulling a step-deck that looked like it had a 40 foot potato strapped on it. What the heck was that?
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That’s just a regular sized potato grown here. No really, it’s a advertisement by a company. There are more pictures of the potato in one of those “additional pictures here” link. One cool thing this year was the fact that 100 of these cars were never-seen-before-in-this-event cars. We have the old favorites, but always see the new vehicles. It’s a great week as the cars drive to schools and other events while they are all in town. Adds a bit of fun to the commute. Thanks for parking to chat
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That last picture left me feeling slightly ill.
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Was it the opera music or the obesity? (giggles) Always something whacky around here. Thanks for gearing up to visit
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I know people like to express their personalities by their cars… so I can imagine the party. Sleek Camaro owners, retro rev-head Muzzie enthusiasts, and fun creative crazy cats… I’d like to take the WT Trash bug for a spin:)
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Ha! You noticed the license tag! It’s a fun bunch of people. There are other art car parades in other places, but this is the biggest collection – the nice weather is a plus. You do see some of these driving around town all year. Smiles always welcomed in traffic. Thanks for changing lanes to stop and chat
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I love the chicken car! That’s THE perfect ride for me :o)
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We love the chicken! So much to flap about! Thanks for chasing down the cars
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What a fab parade – I would love to experience that, especially sitting in a lawn chair with a chilled adult beverage in hand. I wonder if the turkey entrant was making a statement about the car?
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So many pictures of the turkey car – the feathers were fascinating. Don’t know if the design was type cast. It’s quite a party. Glad you drove over!
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I was so sad to see the fat lady singing at the end. This was awesome and I wanted more!
My husband bought his first Rat Rod earlier this year and we’ve had so much fun fixing it up. Great post and fun read. Glad our paths crossed 🙂
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Somehow I think you have to have lived/breathed under big skies to understand and appreciate the completely whacky. (That boat and car in your blog header are just a wonder. Enjoyed touring your place!) Glad you had time to drive in and chat.
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That boat and car have been sitting in that field for years! When I finally got the nerve to photograph (cross the barb-wire fence in my dress and heels) neighbors came from everywhere to see what I was doing 🙂
I’ll be back to your place for sure!
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Hours long parade, and I’ll bet everyone was sorry to see it end. What fun!! I love the little blue and purple VW, but could do without the WT TRSH tag.
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You need to bring shade then let the party roll past. Something for everyone. It was nice to have so many new/never seen here before entries – we love the favorites, but new blood is always welcomed. Thanks for parking a comment
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While our car is in the shop for repairs (thanks to a distracted driver on the highway), we ended up with a Mustang convertible for a loaner. Um, sorry pony lovers, but it has the most uncomfortable seats I’ve ever encountered! 😉
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Sounds like you had a base model? (heavy doors can leave a bruise as you crawl/fall in and out…) You have to order the right options for it to work…but still don’t recommend long trips in that back seat. We rented a special edition Mustang to run up HWY 1 in CA. Great – even though we had to keep the heater on high! (Heated seats got me sold on 4 Runners)
Hope your car gets fixed quickly and good as new. It’s just easier/more comfortable driving your own car. Thanks for parking a comment
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I love the psychedelic Rolls Royce !!!!! And, of course, the Beetle – I drove one (though not beautifully decorated) for 27 years !!!!!
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That Rolls’ paint job is outstanding. In college we painted a VW with big flowers – wonder what happened to that one! Would be vintage now. They run forever…and the old ones floated…a big plus in this area. Thanks for the drive by.
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That car art parade looks like fun! There are some creative entries there.
Curious that Ford would add a feature that if used, would void the warranty. Makes no sense to have a feature that you essentially can’t use. (Not that I’m into spinning tires or anything, though 🙂 )
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That’s the chatter about Ford’s Mustang GT…if you void the warranty, why add this feature? Bet some parents of teens will be for a rude surprise.
Don’t know who smiles more with art cars: the drivers or the ones along side. The cars certainly make the roadways a little brighter. Thanks for shifting gears to stop and chat
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These are all wonderful! Glad you parked yourself for a tour!
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These car owners are driven to extreme designs! Thanks for honking hello!
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So COOL, Philmouse! We had a great laugh about the caption “Look Mom! No brains required. It’s automatic!”… MOL :D..you’re so funny 🙂
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Sometimes we think we should just post pictures and captions…people need to laugh and smile more. Thanks for the encouragement. Paw waves from a sun-warmed RC Cat!
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