American ingenuity

I've seen this vehicle in this yard when my wife and I are out for an evening walk. We usually are late enough in the evening that the twinkle lights are mostly what we see. I've been wanting to come back during the day to see if there was a useful picture. Boy, was I rewarded today. Brian, the owner, was outside watering his lawn and told me the story behind this 1922 Chevrolet truck.

At one time, an owner of the vehicle replaced the back wheels with tracks similar to tank tracks. This turned the truck into a tractor. Brian's dad gave it to him and he put it to good use as yard art.

Brian then took me to his back yard to see his 1923 Chevrolet dump truck. But what I saw was so much more than just the dump truck. Brian built his own water tower (empty), his own swing, and currently he is building a barbeque station complete with a propane barbeque and a smoker.

These were the most interesting yards, back and front, I have ever seen. Good job, Brian.

The Model A

Speaking of classic cars (see yesterday's "In the pink"), this Ford Model A coupe was on display at the Casa de Parley Johnson open house. Based on the license plate, I'm assuming that this is a 1931 Model A.

The Model A was manufactured from 1928 to 1931 and ranged in price from $385 for a roadster to $1,400 for the top-of-the-line Town Car.

Trunk or treat at Bob's Big Boy

Tonight, Bob's Big Boy was having a Halloween themed cruise night sponsored by the Reflections Car Club of Southern CA.

It was a fun event, with lots of classic cars on display. Many of the cars were decorated, their trunks full of scary stuff.

Bob was even in a costume!

...and cruise it up and down the road

Some cars are actual historical landmarks. A car guy told me that these can only be driven a few times or for so far a year and are for mostly display.

I'm gonna buy me a Mercury

It's the 1920s and you're one of the few in the neighborhood to have a car. Life is grand. This is the future!

It's the 1950s and the carhops are popping up everywhere. You go for a cruise listening to the Beach Boys... What do you want to do tonight? The drive-in? Split a milkshake with your girl? It doesn't matter, life is great. You have a sweet ride!

It's the 1960s and life is awesome. Elvis is King of Rock and Roll and now the movies. We're sending people to the moon. And you have a car that will someday be a classic!

These cars from years past all scream out stories to me as I pass them in the parking lot of Bob's Big Boy.

Downey Street Faire 2012

Today was the 19th annual Downey Street Faire. It was a beautiful day for the event. Lots of food, arts, information, and fun old, restored cars.

"My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance."  -
Tim Allen

The wheel thing

Classic cars have so much character and they are fun to photograph. So, I'm always on the lookout. I spotted this beautiful old Ford in a restaurant parking lot and had to pop out and snap a picture. If you enlarge it, you can see my reflection in the hubcap.