Hawaiian Shirts And Hemis

Rat Trap is another quarter mile monster that ticks all the right boxes.
Aloha.

No Future

I have discovered the secret as to why modern automobiles are so insipid. The answer lies in this photograph of the 1958 Ford La Galaxie. Nobody was interested in the future.
John Citizen was far too busy inspecting Ford's Skyliner. As fascinating as a retractable hardtop may have been, I know exactly where my attention would have been focused.

Super Duper Super Stock

I love the fact that in the 1970's a Super Stock champion could also double as a character from an episode of Scooby Doo.

Pit Stop #1

Some hot rods are right on the money.
This happens to be one of them.

Artistry In Aluminium

There was a time in the not so distant past, before drag racing was contaminated by the vapid corporate dollar, that aesthetics were every bit as important as speed. Top Fuel dragsters from the mid 1960's, their handformed aluminium skins uninterrupted by monotonous advertising propaganda, were as beautiful a creation that ever burned up the quarter mile.

Jewel Of The Orient

If the devil rode a motorcycle it would undoubtedly have been the Honda RC 166. This Oriental masterpiece annihilated the competition to win 10 out of 10 races in its first season in 1966 and clinch the world title for Honda. The almost miniature size of the motorcycle, with its 250cc 6 cylinder motor, belied its top speed of over 150 mph. At 18,000 rpm the ear splitting howl emitted from its six megaphone exhausts was enough to terrify small children and send senior citizens into cardiac arrest.

Perhaps Honda should have named it the
RC 666.

Look Into My Eyes

Relax.
Look into my eyes.
You are feeling sleepy. Very sleepy.
You are feeling powerless.
You are now under my control.
When I snap my fingers you will buy a 1966 Ford Fairlane.

Bizarre Dragsters

A selection of weird dragsters from the mid sixties. How did this madness occur with such conventional hairstyles ?

The Wild Ride

Pure Hell.

Was there ever a more
appropriately named machine ?
Chaos reigned supreme whenever Pure Hell hit the dragstrip with its frenzied, tyre smoking quarter mile runs into the fires of damnation.

They just don't build 'em like they used to.

Less Is More

Here is an outstanding exercise in restraint. It is entirely possible for a hot rod to evoke a menacing presence without the addition of superstitious imagery and unnecessary frippery. Devoid of superfluous lowbrow ornamentation, this vehicle displays an absolute understanding of the hot rod aesthetic.
Stunning.

El Sargento Furia

The world needs more Mexican comics.

Standard Equipment

In 1959, fins not seatbelts, were standard equipment on American automobiles.

Brucia Pista

"Kids ! Finally your papa agrees. Sputafuoco is an irresistible toy."

"Spitfire, the giant Hot Wheels, the fastest and most perfect in the world."

For more highly entertaining translations from the world of Italian Hot Wheels visit:
http://www.grantoros.com/

Frankie The Frogman

I couldn't resist this great advertisement from Popular Mechanics. Will the scuba club ever resurface ?

Chicks Dig Dodges

Miss Deora.

Men In White

White was once the preferred colour for competitors at the dragstrip.

Jack Chrisman, devoid of interminable embroidered hype, cuts a dashing pose with his 1964 Mercury Comet.

Rockabilly - The Naked Truth

" ..... where talent doesn't count as much as a good press and a C-note under the table. The acetate arena where a long-playing bum can sing gibberish and coin a fortune."

Top Secret

WARNING !!!
After reading the official manual forget everything that you have just read.

Simian Of The Stratosphere

"This is Mission Control.
Prepare for lift off."

Wagons Ho !

How did the once flamboyant station wagon decompose into the nebulous people movers that litter today's highways ? Sit back and enjoy a selection of fine images, courtesy of those clever folks at Mercury, from a time before style was eradicated completely.

The Chequered Flag

Here are a pair of superb Italian auto posters from the 1950's. Obviously, the Italians were also capable of producing exquisite advertising.

Piacere.

The G-Bomb

A bizarre prophecy ?

Dig It .....

Just The Facts

Ladies and gentlemen, the paperback you are about to read is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

8 Ball

A classic Mouse ! decal from the golden age of monster art.

Lay It On

Get your jalopy looking swell

with Twinkle Glitter.

It's the most.

Studio Of Style

Here's a killer Dean Jeffries ad from 1960.

Beats me what Krazy Shades and pinstriping have in common.

Like Weird

Krazy Paint

A selection of early advertising from the big three.

Maranello Moderne

It is hardly surprising that Ferrari brochures from the 1950s are as stunning as the cars.

Tuff Enuff

There was a time when you could paint whatever the hell you liked on your car. A refreshing change from today's sterile quarter mile where everything is driven by the uninspiring corporate dollar.

Surf O Rama

Presenting the ultimate in personal motorized surf transportation. Designed and constructed by George Barris this sporty little number is ideal for hodads and lazy surfers alike.

Guardian Of The Galaxy

Honey With A Hive

Our model is wearing the latest vinyl ensemble from Watson's House Of Style. Add a blonde beehive and Ed Roth's Road Agent for the hippest look this summer.

The Kandy Man

A great shot of custom painter extraordinaire Larry Watson's 1959 Cadillac.