Wednesday, July 31, 2013

From the Peterbuilt Enthusiast Facebook page, the most epic living room EVER for a trucker

The Reservatory (motor life blog) has found photos of the "round door rolls" Jonckheere Rolls Royce at a New York motor show in the early 1950's




at the Herb Shriner's Third Annual International Motor Sports Show, Seventh Regiment Armory, 2/54.

http://www.reservatory6.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-york-city-auto-shows-1952-56.html

Max Grundy is making a series of cool prints for SEMA, here's the 3 so far



Hi Fearists,

The latest print in the SEMA series is now available at www.maxgrundy.com "One Way" is just $60 including shipping within the US.

*Pre-order the complete set now and receive one of the five prints free.

Thanks for the support!

Max Grundy
Fear is the New Beauty
 www.maxgrundy.com

Mazda's magazine Zoom Zoom, had some great infographics in this new issue







thanks Rob! 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

If you haven't heard of the Motorator, (Car Collector by GQ) check out the interviews of car collectors he does in their warehouses and garages, astonishing. Here's Jeff Dunham and Bill Goldberg



in which the incredible Jeff Dunham demonstrates how to open a McLaren, as it has no switch, door handle, or soft pad... very cool. He also explains the Mopar musclecar era fender tag screws. Seriously, I'd never learned this thing he shows, before this. How far out is it to be schooled on Mopar trivia during a celeb garage tour?





I've posted about Bill Goldberg's car collection before, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search?q=goldberg  but this is the first video I've seen of the cars in his garage. He brought the lawman to SEMA! http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/lawman-boss-429-mustang-that-al.html

So, my compliments to GQ and the Motorator, they are doing a terrific series of videos on car collections in Southern California, and the Clive Cussler collection in Colorado http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/07/tim-allens-car-collection-from-new-gq.html

Canine Unit "America's Forgotten Heroes" made from an ambulance

America's Forgotten Heroes is proud to announce that the Western Motorcycle Drag Racing Association (WMDRA) will be donating a portion of gate sales from their 2013 AMSOIL Sturgis Nationals drag race August 5-6-7 during the 73rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

"We saw the America's Forgotten Heroes (AFH) tribute vehicle at the Corbin Rider Appreciation Days during the Hollister Rally and were very moved by the Dog Tags of Courage Memorial inside, the airbrushed images on the outside of the vehicle and the stories behind them," said WMDRA President Sandra Alberti. "We are honored to donate a portion of our gate sales from Sturgis to benefit AFH's continued success."

The America's Forgotten Heroes tribute vehicle is a 1991 ambulance that was recently transformed into an extraordinary rolling tribute to Search and Rescue, Police and Military Working Dogs. With artwork rendered by the renowned airbrush artist, Mickey Harris, who will also be at Sturgis, and custom interior by Mike Corbin, the tribute vehicle honors and raises awareness about the invaluable service, loyalty, and sacrifices of our four-legged heroes - America's Forgotten Heroes.

For more information about the America's Forgotten Heroes tribute vehicle and how you can help, please go to www.AmericasForgottenHeroes.org or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericasForgottenHeroes .

Disney's "Planes" is going to be the focus of the Chino Planes Of Fame Museum

Off Road Warehouse in San Diego is out to hire an installation tech (thought someone here in San Diego might like to know)

Installation Tech Automotive (San Diego and Greater SD Area)
Off Road Warehouse is looking to expand the staff in San Diego County. They are seeking an Installation Technician who is highly self-motivated, detail orientated, reliable, with a positive and professional attitude and is able to increase their professional and technical knowledge through the support of ORW's continual training.

This is a great opportunity for someone who loves off-roading to break into the industry. You will need to be able to lift up to 75 lbs., be capable of working on your feet all day, and adhere to policies and procedures in a fast-paced work environment. They are looking for someone who has the desire to exceed their own expectations and is willing to contribute to a team effort.

Responsibilities: • Ability to install lift kits and other auto accessories • Ability to mount and balance tires and wheels • Ability to perform computerized vehicle alignments • Ability to diagnose and repair suspension issues • Knowledge of gears and wiring a plus

Requirements: • Have and supply own tools to perform jobs • High School Diploma or equivalent • Ability to lift up to 75 lbs. • Clean driving record • SUCCESSFULLY PASS A DRUG TEST

This Position Offers: • Hourly Wages plus Bonus Plan • Health Benefits and 401K Plan • Paid Holidays and Vacation • EOE
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/trp/3961764096.html

Monday, July 29, 2013

Tim Allen's car collection from a new GQ interview, and Clive Cussler's collection from a Hooniverse interview of 2011

Disney has an annual convention, D23 Expo, in the Anaheim Convention Center. It's August 9th, 10th, and 11th

the schedule for the Expo is at https://d23.com/d23-expo/schedule/friday-august-09-2013/ and near the top below the word Schedule are the days in blue, so click on them to see the schedule of events for Saturday or Sunday... but the major highlights are at https://d23.com/d23-expo/venues/ and Talent Round-up https://d23.com/talent-round-up/ says that Noah http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/07/from-scrappy-beginnings-has-evolved.html will be there

plan ahead, read through and find what you don't want to miss, because about 40,000 people are going to be in the expo. There may be lines to get into the rooms, I don't know. Considering the grand opening presentation already has a 4000 person seating, but added a 2000 seat overflow, they know that it's not going to fit everyone that wants to see it....

On Friday, 10am to 1230pm, Pixar major domo John Lasseter is starting the expo with sneak peaks of Disney and Pixar animated films, (the new film Frozen looks good! Pixar's the Good Dinosaur also to be previewed)
at 3 to 5 pm is a 3D screening of Planes
https://d23.com/d23-arena/

On Saturday, the opening event is a Disney live action and Marvel Studios presentation ( Thor - The Dark World, Saving Mr. Banks, Tomorrowland)

These day starters will likely have surprise celebrity appearances, in the past the celebs have included the cast of Avengers, Monsters Inc...

Think about this, Disney now owns Pixar, Lucasfilm, ESPN, Marvel, ABC, and other well known entertainment companies.

You can see the screening of the ESPN film of the 1999 Women's World Cup Team for example, and you might not have known that.

some big events to see

feature animation art concepts, storyboards, and products from the mystical world of Frozen, the daring comedy-adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios releasing in November 2013

Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. 



http://movies.disney.com/frozen/video/trailers/

For more about Frozen, and the next movie, Big Hero 6 : http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-disney-big-hero-6-frozen-20130508-dto,0,4722556.htmlstory

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Big Hero 6,” an action comedy adventure about brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo. With the help of his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—Hiro joins forces with a reluctant team of first-time crime fighters on a mission to save their city. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action and all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the CG-animated “Big Hero 6” hits theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014.


http://blogs.disney.com/insider/articles/2013/05/09/announcing-big-hero-6-coming-2014-from-walt-disney-animation-studios/




check out products on the cutting edge of product innovation and design featuring one of the most popular Super Heroes in the world, Spider-Man, in Marvel’s first-ever appearance at the D23 Expo.


Star Wars fans can have access to experiences created for them by Lucasfilm and Disney. Darth Vader: The Evolution of a Villain, located in the DCP pavilion, showcases the development of the iconic villain from early concepts to striking realization. Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101, presented by Lucasfilm’s resident authority Pablo Hidalgo in Stage 23, will give Star Wars newbies and experts alike a thorough grounding in all matters of the Force and the Star Wars legacy.

Fans can participate in other immersive experiences, including:
Find Your Voice with The Little Mermaid, a karaoke experience celebrating the music from the film;
Journey through the Art of Tink, a gallery where Disney artists, designers, illustrators, and animators from around the world have re-imagined our magical, sassy and feisty fairy, Tinker Bell;
What Makes a Puppet a Muppet?, which will help fans learn what it takes to create a Muppets “plush”; Take a Ride with Disney•Pixar’s World of Cars and Disney’s Planes, which explains how the highly collectible diecast vehicles are made;
 Assembling The Avengers Franchise, an exclusive tour through the history of The Avengers and the chance to see the latest The Avengers products; and
 I heart Mickey & Minnie, a rarely seen collection of beloved Mickey Mouse toys, apparel, and accessories from past decades, along with a showcase of Minnie Mouse-inspired fashions from around the world.
https://d23.com/disney-consumer-products-d23expo-dcp/

Prices, $57 per adult per day, $47 per child

The D23 Arena entrance will open as early as 8:00 a.m. to all attendees for the Friday and Saturday morning sessions. Since recording devices will not be allowed at select D23 Arena presentations, a camera check location will be available. 


Military Discounts
There are no military discounts at D23 Expo 2013.
Parking
Public parking is available at the Anaheim Convention Center. The cost is $12 per entry and $24 per entry for oversized vehicle
StagePass TicketsNew this year, you may choose to retrieve a limited number of StagePass tickets, at no additional charge, to guarantee seating at select sessions in Stage 23 and Stage 28. Visit our ticket distribution area, located in between Halls A and B on the show floor, during normal operating show floor hours. Choose which show you wish to attend. Present your D23 Expo ticket to receive a StagePass ticket for your selected show. You are limited to one StagePass ticket for one session taking place during 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. You are welcome to return to the distribution line after 12:30 p.m. to receive one StagePass for a later session. Arrive at Stage 23 or Stage 28 by 15 minutes prior to the start of the session, with your StagePass ticket, to guarantee your seat.  If you do not arrive by this time, standby guests will fill your seat. StagePass tickets are not available for D23 Arena sessions, and for presentations scheduled prior to 11:00 a.m. in Stage 23 and Stage 28. Stage 23 and Stage 28 are general admission seating only, filled on a first-come, first-served basis. StagePass tickets are not assigned to a specific seat.  https://d23.com/d23-expo/things-to-know/
they even made a cell phone app: https://d23.com/d23-expo-app-now-available/

some of the pavilions:


In honor of the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney Imagineering and the origins of Disney parks and resorts, Imagineering is hosting an “open house” in Hall C, throwing open the doors of its unique facilities and offering an unprecedented look at its creative processes.

 You’re invited to enter the Imagineering “dream factory” at “1401 Flower Street” to get a rare opportunity to meet and interact with an eclectic array of Imagineering’s creative minds—ride engineers, model builders, pre-visualization artists, architects, special effects designers, inventors, and show animators—and join them as they share their skills and talents.

 In addition, you’ll have the chance to glimpse the “workspaces” of several project teams from around Disney’s global portfolio of parks and resorts, perhaps spotting a few clues to coming attractions.

 YOUR “JOURNEY INTO IMAGINEERING” WILL ALSO INCLUDE:
• A sneak peek at Disney Springs, a reimagining and reinvention of Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort that transform it into a timeless and vibrant place that celebrates the turn-of-the century lakeside towns that dotted the Florida landscape.
• The opportunity to meet one of Marvel’s Avengers before he sets sail on a new adventure.
• The chance to experience some recently opened Disney attractions in a unique way.
• A glimpse into the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library that will feature rarely seen models of concepts that were never built, as well as historical and revered original concept art from the early days of Imagineering, including Herb Ryman’s sketch of Disneyland and Peter Ellenshaw’s “surprise” rendering for the Disneyland television show.
• Mickey’s of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering’s employee-only store, to shop for unique souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.


 As the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins approaches, the Archives presents a wide array of iconic display from the Academy Award-winning 1964 film, including
concept art and matte paintings,
Mary and Bert’s carousel horses,
 the snow globe from the “Feed the Birds” sequence,
costumes worn by many of the central characters,
and the recently acquired carpet bag, which Mary famously uses to carry her assortment of magical belongings that bring inspiration and wonder to the Banks household.

 On the heels of the global success of Oz The Great and Powerful, the Archives is proud to assemble artifacts illustrating Disney’s long association with L. Frank Baum’s Oz books.
http://d23medianet.datgmedia.com/index.php

Highlights include a costume from 1957’s “The Rainbow Road to Oz”—a segment from The Fourth Anniversary Show, which celebrated Walt’s four years on television, starring many of the Mickey Mouse Club’s Mouseketeers—as well as concept art from unrealized attractions and Disney Studio productions. Also featured are props and costume pieces from 1985′s Return to Oz, including Tik-Tok, the “Powder of Life” tin, and Dorothy’s costume and slippers. And, of course, there will be an assortment of costumes from this year’s Oz The Great and Powerful.

https://d23.com/d23-expo-blog-day-2-treasure-island/

http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/events/d23-silent-auction/?instance_id=

Only registered Guests may participate in the Silent Auction. Tickets for the D23 Expo Silent Auction Package are $23.00 each. No discounts will be offered in conjunction with this package. Separate D23 Expo admission is required.

to see the things that are going to be auctioned: http://www.disneynow.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x45411db5f

for not available to the public merchandise and collectibles:

D23 Expo guests will again have the chance to explore Mickey’s of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering’s employee-only store, to shop for unique souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.
 For three days only, the private store for Imagineers is coming to the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion at the D23 Expo. For these precious few days, you can purchase WED and Walt Disney Imagineering apparel, collectibles, and office accessories previously unavailable to the public. https://d23.com/mickeys-of-glendale-d23-expo-shopping/


https://d23.com/d23-expo/about-the-expo/

Also, being a fan of magazines, I wanted you to know that the Gold Level D23 club membership includes a subscription to the D23 magazine.  Beginning August 2, it is available at select retail locations for $15.95 To become a D23 Member, visit https://d23.com/?cmp=d23_OFC_D23_vanity_d23_Extl


The Disney twenty-three cover story features exclusive interviews with the film’s cool voice actors Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, as well as a visit with the filmmakers as they bring Frozen’s wintery wonderland to life in Disney’s 53rd animated feature, coming to theaters this November.

 Also, in this issue, Walt Disney lives on in “Every Picture Tells a Story,” an article showcasing newly discovered photos Walt shot with his personal camera. The photos provide a unique opportunity for fans to see Disney’s world through Walt’s eyes.

D23 Members will also get a special treat as former International Ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Legend Marty Sklar welcomes readers inside his home to discuss the fascinating new book about his career shaping timeless Disney icons: Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms.

And a look at Disney parks around the world; journey across the Pacific Ocean to Tokyo Disneyland to celebrate its joyful 30th anniversary in “Happiness in the Park,” and head to Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor to explore one of Walt Disney Imagineering’s most multifaceted and exhilarating attractions yet.



All images used with permission, all images ©Disney. Offficial announcements are on www.D23.com/media and www.D23medianet.com and http://blog.disneystore.com/


Sunday, July 28, 2013

Diego and the Steam Pirates, the Collide Escape world of Armand Baltazar


the book is going to be printed and for sale before Christmas
http://www.armandbaltazar.com/collidescape/

Diego and the Steam-Pirates is an adventure story taking place after earth has been extraordinarily changed by a time fragmentation and collision: layers of time from prehistory to the near-distant future have been mashed together.

This is a world where dinosaurs have reappeared, where people and places all throughout earth’s history exist simultaneously, where pirate raiders, mysterious sea captains and their robots roam the vast inland seas in steam-driven ships.

 Master artist and storyteller Armand Baltazar takes you on an epic voyage to another world, mysteriously similar to our own.






It's made from a 1953 Fordson Golden Jubilee tractor





It's a Bentley Blower!


important note, in the above and below images steam locomotives are powering tugboats and buildings... the basic premise of the storyline is that nothing more complex than steam powered generators are operating.

Nothing with circuit cards, transistors, vacuum tubes, etc... just knife switches, Tesla era generators, etc. So with no city power grid, diesel turbos, and the rest of the modern tech, people had to adapt old power methods to keep cities going.

 So, steam power..., and the most common steam powered generators are old locomotives



http://www.armandbaltazar.com/collidescape/

 Just a moment to appreciate the incredible talented artist that created this, Armand is the incredible artist that has been the senior design concept genius behind Cars 2 with Pixar, but also worked at Disney Feature Animation, and his credits include the scenes of The Prince of Egypt, The Road to Eldorado, Spirit Stallion of the Cimmaron, Sinbad, Shark Tale, Flushed Away, The Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and A Christmas Carol http://www.armandbaltazar.com/animation.htm

 Armand is another of the incredible Art Center College of Design graduates that I frequently celebrate here on this blog


Steampunk Isetta 300 from "Diego and the Steam Pirates" of Armand Baltazar Studios





http://www.armandbaltazar.com/collidescape/

Just a moment to appreciate the incredible talented artist that created this, Armand is the incredible artist that has been the senior design concept genius behind Cars 2 with Pixar, but also worked at Disney Feature Animation, and his credits include the scenes of The Prince of Egypt, The Road to Eldorado, Spirit Stallion of the Cimmaron, Sinbad, Shark Tale, Flushed Away, The Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and A Christmas Carol http://www.armandbaltazar.com/animation.htm

Armand is another of the incredible Art Center College of Design graduates that I frequently celebrate here on this blog, 

from the preview of Anna Kernina, a train station scene


great imagery of traveling in this luggage advertisement

I can't recall where I found this

Compliment of the day

I have always loved cars. This is the best car site I have ever seen. Thank you. I have a 1919 Model T Ford that I drive every day. I take anyone and everyone for rides. I consider myself a living driving museum.

Wendell

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Here is how writing should flow, all the wanna be guest writers? Take a lesson, Chris shows what writing skill is

By: Chris Raymond, ChrisonCars.Com
"Supercars are designed to mess with G-forces. Hypercars are designed to mess with G-strings. – Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear

In the world of automotive journalism, hyperbole is king. Words like supercar and hypercar are used to stir up the masses and increase page views. But neither of these words has an accepted definition, until my epic post "The Supercar Defined." This week we will consider a more recent entry into the automotive lexicon, the hypercar.


A hyper person is someone who is overexcited, manic, agitated, hectic, frenzied, and rabid. A hypercar is exactly the same thing, only worse. The word hypercar became popular sometime in the early 1990's, and was used to describe cars like the Vector W8 and the McLaren F1. The accepted definition requires the vehicle to meet all the standard requirements for being a supercar, which includes: possessing a blistering top speed, having an outrageous price tag, awesome power, supermodel looks, a miniscule trunk, terrifying maintenance costs and teeny tiny production numbers…and then go way, way past it. Everything that a supercar is, the hypercar is…squared.
Depending on your views, cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Aston Martin DBSwould be considered supercars. But these are just insane…the hypercar is psychotic. Instead of just being fast, the hypercar must have the ability to travel in the 240mph PLUS neighborhood…and that is about as exclusive and expensive a neighborhood as you can get. The price of a supercar is described as unholy at around 200,000 to 300,000 dollars, but the price of a hypercar is more than simply profane and can reach over 1 to 2 million dollars.
Where a supercar is designed to be the automotive equivalent of…say, Gisele Bundchin, the hypercar is Marilyn MansonInsane Clown Posse and Adam Lambert all rolled into one. Styling is not just meant to be groundbreaking, it is meant to reach over, grab you by the throat and rip out your tonsils. People who own and drive a hypercar live in the world of the divine…gods beyond the reach of mere mortals.
Which cars actually meet these lofty standards? As I mentioned above, the Vector W8 (242 mph) and McLaren F1 (240 mph) were probably two of the first. I would add to that list the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo* (248 mph), the SSC Ultimate Aero (257 mph), the Hennessey Venom GT (254 mph), the Koenigsegg Agera (250 mph), and of course theBugatti Veyron and Veyron Super Sport (253 and 267 mph respectively). There are others that come close, including some odd little cars made by tiny manufacturers like KeatingDauer, and Gumpert, but they are just a little too slow at 230+ mph.
Other cars that are considered by some to be hypercars, like the Mercedes McLaren SLR, are just posers. They may have bought the right clothes, but they are missing the muscle to really be part of the club. This is a club where the average member (THE AVERAGE MEMBER!) can easily reach speeds of 230 mph, and they are getting faster all the time. Consider that the supercars of old are about as fast as the Honda's of today, and you can imagine where this is all heading. So, what's next on the horizon…Ultracars? Super-Hypercars? Quantacars?
Chris has been writing with style on his website http://chrisoncars.com/ for a couple years now, check it out and you'll see why I've been recommending his site since he started about 3 years ago

31 years ago someone wasted a lot of money on buying this Ferrari. Why wasted? They paid about $100 per mile driven, only drove it 1500 miles, Stupid purchase, huge depreciation, cool car

now they are raffling it off, and the new owner? Will need to replace all the rubber parts, fuel system, and brakes, and rebuild the engine to scrape out the oil that's been congealing for 30 years.

1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi is being offered by theInternational Motor Racing ResearchCenter as its 2013 raffle car. Donated by Greg Galdi, the car has been driven fewer than 1,500 miles. The raffle is the Center’s major fund-raiser of the year in support of its work of preserving the history of motorsports. Raffle tickets are $60 for one or two for $100. Only 2,308 tickets will be sold. (they want $23,000 dollars for the car)

found on http://www.autowriters.com/news/07.2013.htm

1916 Harley Davidson was shipped in a crate, and delivered as freight, here is how they looked in the box


found on http://belinfante-indian-motorcycles.blogspot.com

Keep in mind, that in 1916 when this bike was shipped in a crate, and assembled by the happy new customer, they were still using telegraph wires to order from the motorcycle facotries http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/06/nik-carrosantigoswordpresscom-finds.html

redneck patio solution


found on Facebook

Belinfante Indian Motorcycles Blogspot scored! Phil found a video of Fearless Egbert and his lion riding the wall of death!

Friday, July 26, 2013

a virtuoso on a motorcycle, most amazing performance on a bike I've ever seen, Bill Dixon, 2012 XDL Long Beach



Doing a wheelie facing while riding backwards? That's intense!

the next video added his 2nd run, to the above performance, so maybe you'll want to see it instead and from a higher seat in the grandstands



thanks to Rafik for posting on Facebook! I'd have never seen this if he hadn't!

2 time Emmy award winning artist (Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs) Llyn Hunter created some terrific pun illustrations, I found her booth at Comic Con




more can be seen at http://www.llynsplace.com/BP3.swf from her portfolio of the "Punnies", these images are from her Flikr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/llyn_hunter/with/3248455156/

Her website is http://llynsplace.com/ for a complete look at the amazing variety of illustrations and animation work, and though it's seemingly neglected, (the horror!) her blog is http://www.llynhunter.blogspot.com/

I bought a copy of the monkey wrench, I love that one.