Jim Mateja, who has been writing about autos for the Tribune for 30 years, lists ten things General Motors has produced that he'll never forget.
Yesterday, I covered his 50s threesome. Today it's the three from my era, the sixties.
1960 CHEVY CORVAIR-- Immortalized in Ralph Nader's "Unsafe at any speed. Sorry Road Maven. Gave birth to consumer watch dog groups and federal agencies. But the way I lok at it, it made sporty looks affordable and paved the way for the Mustangs and GM pony cars.
1964 PONTIAC GTO or "GOAT"-- A trim level of the Lemans that launched the muscle car era in the US, although sadly, an attempt to bring it back a few years ago on an Australian chassis failed. I had a 1967 Pontiac Tempest that looked just like a GTO and had a V-6. It flew. I was in Australia a short time before the release of the new GTO. After seeing the Holden, I knew it wouldn't have much of a chance of making it. A person buying a GTO wants something that looks like a sports car.
One More Sixties Car to Go and to Me, It Was the Best. --RoadDog
Friday, July 17, 2009
Going Through Our Own Little Hell at JFK-- Part 5
This was definitely shaping up to be the longest, hardest, meanest hour of my young, er, somewhat old life.
But, the key here was that we still had a chance to make that plane, even with all the distance, delays, security checks and waits. All we had to do now was make it to the gate. One last obstacle and we're home, well, almost.
Slide right on by, right? Not so. As it turned out, the gate couldn't have been any farther from the check-in point. It was at the v-e-r-y end of the airport, last gate. Very last gate. And that considering that the international terminal was about as far away from where we were now that you could get.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
There were escalators, moving sidewalks, and straightaways to run-walk. The lady pushing Mom really earned her tip that day. She was running also. I ran on ahead, figuring if I could get to he gate, I could get them to wait (since I still did not know if they knew we were coming).
Got there with a minute to spare. I was out of breath and really sweating, but, by golly, we were there. WE HAD MADE THE PLANE!!!! Tutu would be so happy.
I was all smiles as I sat down. We had made it through hell, but we were on our way out.
But wait a minute. The plane left the gate at the appointed time, but then there was a line of planes ahead of us waiting to take off. We were FINALLY AIRBORNE FIFTY MINUTES LATER. Just one more little parting gift from JFK.
Fun and Games in the Big Apple. --RoadDog
But, the key here was that we still had a chance to make that plane, even with all the distance, delays, security checks and waits. All we had to do now was make it to the gate. One last obstacle and we're home, well, almost.
Slide right on by, right? Not so. As it turned out, the gate couldn't have been any farther from the check-in point. It was at the v-e-r-y end of the airport, last gate. Very last gate. And that considering that the international terminal was about as far away from where we were now that you could get.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
There were escalators, moving sidewalks, and straightaways to run-walk. The lady pushing Mom really earned her tip that day. She was running also. I ran on ahead, figuring if I could get to he gate, I could get them to wait (since I still did not know if they knew we were coming).
Got there with a minute to spare. I was out of breath and really sweating, but, by golly, we were there. WE HAD MADE THE PLANE!!!! Tutu would be so happy.
I was all smiles as I sat down. We had made it through hell, but we were on our way out.
But wait a minute. The plane left the gate at the appointed time, but then there was a line of planes ahead of us waiting to take off. We were FINALLY AIRBORNE FIFTY MINUTES LATER. Just one more little parting gift from JFK.
Fun and Games in the Big Apple. --RoadDog
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Anniversary of One of the Greatest-Ever Road Movies
The movie "Easy Rider" was released July 14, 1969. This movie really wowed me from the start, even though back then, old roads didn't really mean much to me. But that soundtrack just didn't let up. One great song after another. Plus, it was hippie days.
I first heard about the anniversary when listening to Little Steven's Underground Garage from this past Sunday. If you like that good old rock and roll as Cat Mother called it, this is the show for you. He did one of his insightful introductions and played applicable songs, two of which were on the original soundtrack.
It starred Peter Fonda as Wyatt, Captain America, and Dennis Hopper as Billy. Jack Nicholson really made an impact with his way-out lawyer George Hanson role.
MEMORABLE LINES
Some great quotes from the movie. No wonder Jack Nicholson was nominated for best supporting actor, he had some great lines as they sat around the fire and pontificated.
"You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I don't understand what went wrong with it."
"They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em."
Billy: "Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut."
Think I'll Have to Drag Out That Old Piece of Vinyl and VHS Tape. --RoadDog
I first heard about the anniversary when listening to Little Steven's Underground Garage from this past Sunday. If you like that good old rock and roll as Cat Mother called it, this is the show for you. He did one of his insightful introductions and played applicable songs, two of which were on the original soundtrack.
It starred Peter Fonda as Wyatt, Captain America, and Dennis Hopper as Billy. Jack Nicholson really made an impact with his way-out lawyer George Hanson role.
MEMORABLE LINES
Some great quotes from the movie. No wonder Jack Nicholson was nominated for best supporting actor, he had some great lines as they sat around the fire and pontificated.
"You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I don't understand what went wrong with it."
"They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em."
Billy: "Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut."
Think I'll Have to Drag Out That Old Piece of Vinyl and VHS Tape. --RoadDog
Top Ten GM Standouts-- Part 1
The June 7th Chicago Tribune ran an article , with pictures, by Jim Mateja, of the top ten successes among General Motors' offerings over the decades from the 50s to 00s.
1950s
1954 CHEVY CORVETTE-- true American sports car, still-known for exotic styling and jaw-dropping performance and the biggest, baddest V-8 the company has.
1957 CHEVY BEL AIR-- Featuring those tail fins, a small redesign from the 1956 model. Still one of the most-popular collector cars.
1959 CADILLAC-- Hardtop or convertible as big as a yacht. Had the very-largest fins ever!!
I was alive in the fifties, born 1951, but too young to get into cars at that time. However, the next decade was a different story.
Ahh, Corvettes!!! Next, My Generation. --RoadDog
1950s
1954 CHEVY CORVETTE-- true American sports car, still-known for exotic styling and jaw-dropping performance and the biggest, baddest V-8 the company has.
1957 CHEVY BEL AIR-- Featuring those tail fins, a small redesign from the 1956 model. Still one of the most-popular collector cars.
1959 CADILLAC-- Hardtop or convertible as big as a yacht. Had the very-largest fins ever!!
I was alive in the fifties, born 1951, but too young to get into cars at that time. However, the next decade was a different story.
Ahh, Corvettes!!! Next, My Generation. --RoadDog
Rich Rheingold
I was very sad to hear that noted road enthusiast and founder of the US Route 20 Yahoo e-mail group is in a late stage of Mantle Cell Lymphoma and will be going to the doctors to see his options at this point.
He has been battling the cancer for quite some time.
He is interested in knowing if anyone is willing to take over operation of the e-mail group.
Always sad news to hear something like this. Good luck Rich. Our prayers are with you and your family.
A real friend of the road.
A Truly Great Man. --RoadDog
He has been battling the cancer for quite some time.
He is interested in knowing if anyone is willing to take over operation of the e-mail group.
Always sad news to hear something like this. Good luck Rich. Our prayers are with you and your family.
A real friend of the road.
A Truly Great Man. --RoadDog
Going Through Our Own Little Hell at JFK-- Part 4
While we were waiting, I kept looking at my watch and seeing the minutes tick by. Westill had a little time, but that was fast slipping by. Where is this "pusher?' And worse yet, I was perfectly capable of pushing Mom. The ticket agent seemed unconcerned. I asked if she could call the gate and tell them to wait and received a blank stare. Whether she did, I'll never know.
IT'S A SHOE THING, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND
A lady finally showed up. But, we still had to go through ANOTHER SECURITY CHECK!!! If I have to take off my shoes again, I'm going to explode. I really need to get loafers for airport travel. It's sure make my life easier. A big problem is that I have to double knot the lace or it will almost instantly come loose. When I'm in a hurry, it's pretty for certain to really knot up on me, involving intricate maneuvering to get it unknotted.
I could hear a few remarks as the "pusher" got us right up to the head of the line, but I didn't care. After all, we have a plane to catch and not that long to get there.
Will Me Make It? Stayed Tuned. --RoadDog
IT'S A SHOE THING, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND
A lady finally showed up. But, we still had to go through ANOTHER SECURITY CHECK!!! If I have to take off my shoes again, I'm going to explode. I really need to get loafers for airport travel. It's sure make my life easier. A big problem is that I have to double knot the lace or it will almost instantly come loose. When I'm in a hurry, it's pretty for certain to really knot up on me, involving intricate maneuvering to get it unknotted.
I could hear a few remarks as the "pusher" got us right up to the head of the line, but I didn't care. After all, we have a plane to catch and not that long to get there.
Will Me Make It? Stayed Tuned. --RoadDog
Down Da Road: Goodbye Sears Tower-- Save Three Bucks At the Arch
Some News of the Road
1. GOODBYE SEARS TOWER-- Today is the day that the Sears Tower ceases to be, and the name Willis Tower replaces it. It joins Marshall Fields and Comiskey Park in the list of gone Chicago names. Ya gotta have a scorecard to keep up with the changes. What will they sell next? How about renaming the whole place RoadDog City?
Like with Comiskey, I will continue to call it Sears Tower. Stuck in the old days.
3. SAVE THREE BUCKS AT THE ARCH-- This weekend, it will cost you $3 less to go to the top of St. Louis' Arch as part of an NPS country-wide effort for the American people. Some other parks are for free.
Whenever I pay my taxes, I try to think of our fantastic national parks and it doesn't hurt so much. Well, not as bad.
So, Like Now It Will Be Known as the Willis Ledge? --RoadDog
1. GOODBYE SEARS TOWER-- Today is the day that the Sears Tower ceases to be, and the name Willis Tower replaces it. It joins Marshall Fields and Comiskey Park in the list of gone Chicago names. Ya gotta have a scorecard to keep up with the changes. What will they sell next? How about renaming the whole place RoadDog City?
Like with Comiskey, I will continue to call it Sears Tower. Stuck in the old days.
3. SAVE THREE BUCKS AT THE ARCH-- This weekend, it will cost you $3 less to go to the top of St. Louis' Arch as part of an NPS country-wide effort for the American people. Some other parks are for free.
Whenever I pay my taxes, I try to think of our fantastic national parks and it doesn't hurt so much. Well, not as bad.
So, Like Now It Will Be Known as the Willis Ledge? --RoadDog
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