May 23: Oh baby, how far you've come

1958.........step right up folks to see the new to America Toyopet Crown. Something a little different from that far away island of Japan (you remember them, right?). A right sized alternative to the big American land yachts. Sure, it's economical, but really who cares, since gas is so darn cheap.Be the first in your neighbourhood. Your city. Heck, probably your state.

Flash forward to 2014........

Not much resemblance, but then nothing else looks like it did over 50 years ago, either. But what we have here, is the 2015 Camry. Newly rebodied in order to keep it up to date. The main point here is that in the United States, now the 2nd biggest car market in the world, thanks to China's new found wealth, the Camry is the best selling car. Well over 400,000 leave the dealers' showrooms each year. Nothing else is close. So do you think this redesign is important? Lots of interesting lines, on what has been a reliable, but very boring car. Want handling? Buy an Accord or a Mazda6. No matter, the good folks still line up for this A to B transportation.

How did the Camry achieve this lofty position? How did it start? Ok, another history lesson is about to begin........

Here is the first use that I could find of the Camry name......the Celica Camry 2000 GT. We know the Celica as a sporty coupe, but in the '70's, apparently it had a more diverse range. But the Camry name was used in Japan, before it became its own car and was introduced to North America in the early '80's.......

I remember an acquaintance pulling up in that not so great looking fastback and telling me what a great car it was (before the rust set in). Hard to believe this was the start of something so very big. The break through model? An easy choice.......

The 1992 Camry was considered to be a junior Lexus and it even looked like the bigger Lexus LS. Very high quality in all respects (materials/reliability), that Camry has yet to fully duplicate. It was here, that it began its ride to the top of the charts and has been there for several years.

Toyota didn't get to be where they are by being stupid, a bit complacent maybe, but not dumb. The competition is so good, cars like the Mazda6, the Accord, the Altima and the Sonata, should be ready to take a run at the king. But obviously, Camry customers want boring reliability over excellent handling and stunning looks. That being said, Toyota has just changed the world's best seller Corolla and now has increased the emotional factor in the Camry. Will this change be more than skin deep? Good question and one that will have to wait for those first road tests. Will it matter to the loyal Camry customer? Probably not, but still, smart thinking by Toyota.......stay tuned.

Before I take my leave, one more pic of an early Toyoda (yes, that is the correct spelling) from way back in 1951........

Part old Ford, part old VW Beetle. My how things have changed.

Until next time.......

May 20: Storage Wars??

I don't watch a lot of TV (honest). Aside from Modern Family, some car racing and golf, my watching usually consists of sitting in front of my TV and playing channel roulette for about half an hour. Now you probably know where this is going. A couple of weeks back, I came across a show called Storage Wars. Yes, I know, it has been around for a while and is one of the most popular (maybe the most popular) show on A&E. Anyway, that was the first time I had seen it. Sure, it has the typical plot twists (expectations?), but what intrigued me, was that every time Barry Weiss was shown driving to an auction, it was in a different ride and usually a very far out ride. So what was he all about? Time to head to the net and do some research.

Turns out that this guy is not making a living off of gambling on other people's junk. He was partners in a large California produce company and is currently worth millions. One of his interests is cars and it seems like rather unusual ones, such as this chrome land yacht. And land yacht is an apt description, since as you can see, it has a flying bridge, from where the owner can drive it in good weather (bugs permitting). When was the last time that you saw one of these? When was the first time? Guaranteed to be an attention grabber as you pull into the trailer park.

Or how about this demur little big rig..........

I say big rig, since it is designed to look like an old cab over engine (COE) truck that plied the highways back in the '30's and '40's. It is about the size of a pick-up truck and that is actually what it is. Again, not something you'd see at your local Loblaws.

Now, I've seen Barry drive a ten year old Jag XJ, no doubt on those days when he doesn't want to draw attention to himself. But that car sure isn't his show persona. I mean, who would drive anywhere in this wide ride........

Like the royal Lexus in last Friday's blog, only modern technology could keep one from slowly cooking, as they drove along in that hot California sun. Hey, no shrinking violet is going to be seen in this old style bubble top custom. And this certainly seems to fit Mr. Weiss's "out there" personality. But he has fun with it, not like some of the other serious grinders Storage Wars features.

Low and slow, would describe this chop top, lead sled Cadillac from the late '40's. Not quite ZZ Top's Cadzilla, but a classic looking custom ride, never the less. When I saw Barry pulling up to a storage locker auction in this car, I knew something was up.

So I don't watch a lot of TV, but maybe I should do some more channel surfing, trying to turn up some unusual stuff like this. Yes and no to that, but I admit this was a cool find. And maybe the "low and slow" description for Barry Weiss's Caddy wasn't quite accurate..........

Until next time........

May 16: Royal rides

Victoria Day Weekend. Here in Canada this long weekend, named after Queen Victoria, signifies the start of Summer. The time to open the cottage and anticipate the real start of those hot Summer days. Enough background, so what does this have to do with cars? A weekend named after royalty? Doesn't that mean we should take a look at some of the royal rides? Of course, and where better to start than jolly old England?

Beginning with the inside. Because the loyal subjects yearn to see their monarch, those big side windows are an absolute must. The drink cabinet is a nice addition and of course, the mandatory lamb's wool carpets to snuggle those royal tootsies.

To those of a certain age, the name Austin denotes a small English car that sold to the masses, not the Queen. But look at this regal beauty, it is an Austin, specifically the Princess. This top of the line ride was often used by the monarch, as she viewed her masses and acknowledged their adoration with a small, genteel wave.

But being royalty, the car manufacturer's were (and are still), willing to produce something special for your royal butt. This is a one off Ford Zephyr woodie from the late '50's. Made for the duke to run around his Scottish estate. And of course, note the big windows, so that the peasants instantly knew who just blew by them. Lot's of room for those Victoria Day Weekend two fours, that one needs to help celebrate the beginning of Summer.

For the Queen of England, even the French maker, Citroen, got into the act with this lengthened 1970's SM coupe (you know the beauty with the Maserati motor). I think that the extra length and the classic squared off roof line really work well on this convertible version (fit for a queen?).

Easy to focus on England, since that is where royalty lives large, but how many of you were wondering about the Emperor of Japan? I thought so. Here is what that regal gentleman can cruise his island domaine in........

You are correct, this is the very serene Toyota Century, equipped with a V-12 for those times when the masses' adoration gets a little unruly. Sure doesn't look like any Camry I've ever seen.

Now, here is my favourite........

This is a Lexus LS, custom built for Prince Albert of Monaco. See, even the royalty of the tiniest states get the respect of the car makers in the form of custom built wheels. I always wonder how these cars, which to me look like ovens on wheels, protect their passengers from the sun and heat? Modern technology, no doubt.

So as we'll leave our royal rides, as we head off for the weekend, starting with our usual Friday afternoon golf game........

So long, your Majesty (by the way, that is a Daimler)!

Until next time.......

Hot wheels for hot shots

Is there anyone anywhere who hasn't seen a pic of Bob Hope's famous ski slope nosed golf cart? I don't know whether he had it made himself or whether it was a loving(?) gift from adoring fans. Either way, it sure would make a statement on the links. But let's say a real car guy or gal wants to make a golf cart statement and has the coin to be able to do it, what are their options? The typical customized cart seems to be an Escalade or something like this classic ride.......

Pretty standard stuff, a baby mock up of a '57 Chevy, but hey, someone has to have the imagination to really personalize their country club ride. What if one was into pick-up trucks in a big way? What could they come up with?

Sure, this is the way to go, a classic Ford F-150 and you are the star of the golf course. You could shoot 200 and not be ashamed, because you are behind the wheel of a great ride. Want to go one further in the truck line? Practise one upmanship?

Yeah man, now we're really talking. You could use those extra long belly putters without having to leave your cart. The downside of course, is the climb up and down this beast, as you move from shot to shot. But, hey, when you have a macho ride like this, that is a very small price to pay. Not man enough for you? Ok, here is one more truck idea........

With this baby, there ain't no one going to question whether you parred the last hole or shot five over. No sir, this ride would rule.

Not into this truck stuff? In fact, you are the stereotypical old dude on the golf course? Have no fear, you can make your own smooth and quiet statement with this Buick flavoured cart.......

Nothing going to stand out as you cruise the course shooting par in your low key ride. Probably wouldn't even be noticed.

But you are a real car guy, not into trucks, but a sporty individual of unquestionable taste........

Speed from shot to shot in your very own Viper golf cart. Woweeee! Finish your 18 holes in a mere 60 minutes. "Hey, did that guy just play thru? He was going so fast, I couldn't tell."

Me? What would I drive? Well, the Viper kinda catches my eye, but I want to be safe from all those bozos whose "once in a lifetime shots" almost hit me on the head. I want a ride that gets my message across. What would be the ideal choice?

Of course, an armoured golf cart. Great for those inner city courses. You pull up in this as golfers are waiting to tee off and you go right to the front of the line. You won't even have to lock and load that firearm you're obviously packing. That ride along armed caddy is a bit over the top, but a great effect never the less. Ah, if only life was this easy.

So get thinking car folk golfers. Come up with your own great personalized ride, something that says you have arrived and are ready to tee off. Be the talk of your club.

Until next time......

May 9: Pity the poor chauffeur

Pity the poor chauffeur.

What's this all about, Barry, in days gone by these guys got to drive the very best cars. Why even in the lunch bucket town, that I grew up in, a senator's wife had a chauffeur driven Cadillac Fleetwood. So why the pity party for these servants of the rich and powerful? Ok, let me tell you why. Not every car was the beautiful, enclosed luxury mobile, that we currently associate with a chauffeur. There was a time period, when the elitist, capitalist class wanted to be separated from their staff (servants), by more than a mere glass divider, between the back and front seats. Oh yes, friends, there had to be more of a class driven design for these folks.......

Of course, here is the perfect answer to a question that maybe nobody asked.......the Town Car. Let's show those lower classes where they belong. In this case, they belong out in the sun, the rain and the cold, while their "rolling in it" employer rides in the cozy back compartment, separated from the reality of the outside world. Ah, what a life.

A beautiful late thirties Cadillac, with that open to the elements front section. The only good part, might be the leather seats, since that durable material had to stand up to all sorts of real world misery.

Even Chrysler had a custom Imperial done up for the owner, Walter P. Chrysler. Not enough that one owned the company, one had to show every Tom, Dick and Archie, that you were numero uno.

Even as recently as the 1950's (now you are really showing your age, BT), Cadillac showed a concept Town Car. Literally thrown away after doing its auto show rounds, this Caddy was found in a Detroit junkyard. It has been restored to its Motorama condition by well known Chicago concept car collector Joe Bortz.

Not just an American idea, Roll-Royce also did a model or two to show the lower class their place in the world.......

This car is so gorgeous, that maybe, just maybe the chauffeur would be happy to be rained and snowed on, just to be behind its steering wheel. Well, actually, all these cars all had a flimsy little canvas top that rolled out to give the driver a little (just a little) protection.

My favorite is this last one........

Complete with its little top, this hearse let its high class owner show their status, while taking their final and I do mean final ride. Maybe if the wife died first, she got back at hubby, by suggesting that he drive her to her grave (or maybe he was happy to do it). Either way, this was certainly an impressive vehicle to take one to their final reward.

So once again, I say, pity the poor chauffeur. Visibly outcast in the high society circles in which the owner was involved. Ah, the good life, 80 years ago.

Until next time......

May 6: Memories and a cat

Memories. Yes. those old memories. One of my favorite cars of the ol' days was the 1962 Chevy Impala two door hardtop. I had a '61 Impala convertible when I was in university - courtesy of my older brother, who gave it to me when he got his new '68 Dodge Charger. But the '62 was my favorite. The lines had been smoothed from the similar '61 and the two door received a convertible look roof. In those days the cars usually had a two year design cycle. The second year sometimes improved on the design (in my opinion the '62 Chev) or messed it up (in my opinion the '64). Nowadays there are many more cars available, so each brand sells less and so no company can afford major changes every couple of years. Not unusual to see a design run for 5 to 7 years with minimal change. The good thing about it these days, is that you can have a car for four or five years and it still looks new. Back in the day, your new car looked current for one year only. The term was "planned obsolescence".

Keeping all this in mind, I was thrilled when recently a 1962 Impala two door plastic model was released, since for some reason, I never bought one way back when.......

Those with sharp eyes might notice that something is missing on this model and there is a reason for it  -  dusting! Making these models is great, but like everything that stands still, they collect dust. So what is missing? Actually, there is one error, but it was the fault of the model manufacturer, not us. Any guesses?

We liked this model so much, that we built a second one (the white original has a more contemporary vibe with no whitewalls and mag wheels). The white one was built first, but thinking we could do a better job, we then made the blue one. We were right, the blue one was a much better build.

 Who else but the Car Modeling Cat could have assisted me with both models? Of course, she has no memory of the '60's, but she seems to share my love of the oldies. Or does she just like the smell of the glue? Either way, she is a great help.

Memories. By building these models, we can have any car that we want, but in a much more manageable format. Ah, the good life!

Until next time........

May 2: A sign of Spring?

Saw one of these yesterday and to me that was a sure sign of Spring. Certainly nothing weather wise indicates that this was the first of May. I won't even see the golf course until tomorrow and even that is questionable. So back to that icon of Spring, the ice cream truck. Back in my New Brunswick youth, the only experience I had with these treat carrying trucks was from TV or comic books. Never saw one in Saint John. Deprived! Moving to Toronto, I saw that they were a regular feature in the residential neighbourhoods, cruising while playing that annoying tune.

So this got me to thinking, what other ice cream trucks were or are roaming around our world?

This Mini based trucklette is ideal, but of course it wouldn't have room for a double scoop or much else, I would think. Something as cute, but a little bigger is in order........

Yeah, that's it. This little converted van from Australia, which might be based on a Commer van (any thoughts?). A good size and obviously the right colour. Big enough to carry all the necessities needed for those over the top sundaes and banana splits.

Want to see a real ice cream truck, not just a converted van, then look no further than the Good Humor company.......

They sure got it right with their purpose built fridges on wheels, that could be nothing else but a purveyor of good and decadent treats. And check out that spiffy uniform. No mere t-shirt, this company knew how to walk the walk. Not sure that the tie would cut it these days.

And of course, what a great way to meet new "friends". Who could resist a guy in uniform with his truck full of ice cream. It's a no brainer, this was the way to go before eHarmony or Christian Mingle. I can picture the ad now......"guy with good humor desires to meet non calorie conscious mate". The line forms on the right.

To me, good ice cream is from heaven, so with that in mind, I present my candidate for the very best ice cream truck........

"Treats from Jesus" or some such catchy name is all that this truck needs. My "come to Jesus moment" is when I step up to order my butterscotch sundae. Ahhhhhh, nothing better.

Welcome Spring, you couldn't get here fast enough.

Until next time.....