Jumping on the bandwagon, twenty years too late and many miles down the road.

Photo source: Wheels and Deals

I had resisted the lemming like stampede to SUVs, It seemed like hordes of middle class commuters embraced these tall wagons and assumed a smug perspective on traffic below them. This position has now been assumed by Prius drivers.

Special Discovery Channel edition!
Harley and the Davidsons. An intimate glimpse at the birth of Industrial America.

photo source: Discovery channel

I just caught this three part miniseries and I am very impressed. The period of innovation that existed as the 1880's was ending and the new Century was approaching is amazing. There was an explosion of new technology and new thinking that ultimately ushered in our Modern Era. There seemed to be so much opportunity for an individual to enter into these new industries and leave their mark. This series recreates an era that has largely been ignored by television and movies. The industrial birth of modern America. The important early years of manufacturing motorcycles at the dawn of the Twentieth Century. Not only is it fantastic to see these early motorcycles brought to life and in action racing across the countryside, it is fantastic to see the process of manufacturing brought to vivid life.

A little bit of this, A little bit of that.

Elvis in a hot rod. This pressed steel toy was one of the first vintage collectibles I bought. A little research revealed that the plastic Elvis head actually came from a liquor decanter from, I'm guessing the 70s. At some point someone stuck the thing on.

Collecting cool stuff is so much easier than having a bunch of cars. And this stuff doesn't leak oil in your driveway.

My wife bought me this painting a few years back for my birthday. I saw it in a local consignment store and was attracted to the dark moody appearance. I don't know what the artist was trying to convey but I thought it was whimsical that the two little bunnies are hiding in the camp when it looks like an entire army was out in the woods looking for them.

There's more to life than cars.

How about a painting featuring cars? This painting is hanging in my Den (Never refer to it as a Man Cave!) If you are familiar with Historic Downtown Los Angeles you might recognize the Angels Flight railway at the Third Street tunnel. I purchased this painting several years ago at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market. Besides being a huge Raymond Chandler fan, I am also a great fan of the city of Angels, as I worked their for a few years in the early 1980's. Michael Connelly, my current favorite author, wrote a thrilling novel simply titled  "Angel's Flight".

Paradigm shift: n. a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.
(definition courtesy of the New Oxford American Dictionary)

Paradigm Shift, or How does the Heart cool in it's ardor? How do you start out loving old Cadillacs and end up loving old Jaguars? It is a long and winding road.

Photo source: E bay

I was a grammar school kid in Oakland Ca. in the mid 1960s. 

The brotherhood of gear heads, or I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.

                                                   image source: Honest Charley.com

At one time these club affiliation plaques were commonly found displayed in the rear window, mounted above the license plate, or hanging from chains from the rear bumper.