LEARN HOW TO TAIL ANOTHER CAR IN 1974

Thanks to this vintage two-part training video from the CIA called "Follow That Car",  the next time I find myself in 1974 trying to follow a "target" driving an awkward little British sedan, I'll be all over that goon like a bad suit.

Video after the break:

CARROLL SHELBY, AUTOMOTIVE SUPERHERO, DEAD AT 89

Photo from the New York Times Company

The man responsible for the Shelby Cobra, an armada of high-performance mustangs and even Dodge's revered supercar, the Viper has died. During the 60's he made it possible for American manufacturers to compete head-to-head with the European superpowers like Ferrari and Maserati and he did it all from the most humble of beginnings. He was a real-world superhero, and he never once sowed down until illness forced him to exit the world this past week. He was just beginning to enjoy a new, reinvigorated relationship with Ford and he had plans to do much, much, more and now he's gone.
I'm saddened by the loss of yet another brilliant pioneer, innovator and larger-than-life hero.

The NewYorkTimes.com posted a nice article and retrospective right here.

THAT'S WHY CARS IN MOVIES NEVER START

The folks over at JALOPNIK.COM posted this funny explanation as to why cars in movies - especially Horror movies- never start when the character on screen really, really  needs them to. Yes. I see now. :)

The entire article is right here.

ONLINE CUSTOM CAR ARCHIVE A REAL TREASURE

The Rik Hoving Custom car Photo Archive is one of the greatest online resources for old custom cars I've ever found. The above photo is of the very famous "Hirohata Mercury" that became the epitome of 50's customizations. The page on that George Barris-built masterpiece is right here, but the entire website is a treat to wander through for anyone who's ever taken an interest in the first generation of custom car builders.
I grew up at car shows and would see and hear about many of these great projects, so this site is a real walk down memory lane for me. And my memory lane is lined with slow moving "cruisers" like the Hirohata Merc. Rumbling and crawling down the curbside lane so you could get a good look at the people on foot.  It was much later than the 50's when I "cruised the strip" in my custom 62 Studebaker Hawk, but I did have a cassette tape of genuine 50's radio -commercials and all-  to play to get into the mood. Yeah. I'm old enough to remember when gas was cheap. *sigh*.

Have a look at really rare photos of a culture where buying a car off the rack just ain't cool daddy-o.

Visit the Rik Hoving Custom Car Photo Archive right here 

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY ATTRACTS VIPS AT LOCAL COMIC SHOP

 Tim Morris, owner of THE COMIC BOOK COLLECTOR and Batgirl

Check it out: Batgirl and the 1966 Batmobile both showed up to hang out at my uncles Comic Book store, THE COMIC BOOK COLLECTOR this past Saturday (May 5) for an industry-wide special event. They actually live up to the name of the day and hand out free comic books for as long as the supply holds out. I guesstimated Tim Morris and his staff gave away free stuff to two thousand visitors, many in cosplay costumes wearing and comic book merchandise from 9AM to 5PM. It's an amazing event and if you missed out this year, then mark it on your calendar so you get the reminder next May. 

Check out more photos after the break.