Don't Paint My Car...

It was one of those nights this week, what can I say. Let's see, what did I learn? Maybe, be careful where to park. You may think, this seems like it might be worth elaborating on, but it isn't. Suffice it to say...no, it's not even worth sufficing to think this is an art car. The artist will probably have some splainin to do, even if it's just an ol' Ford van.

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Gil Elvgren, Ol' School Pin-Ups...

Shuffling along at a recent rod show, got the ol' time machine door kicked in on me again. While checking out a chopped '33 Ford coupe, I noticed a "Pin-up" painted on the cowl done the old school way, by hand.  That got me thinkin' about back in the day "Pin-up" drawings. You know the type you see on old calendars.

One of the most noteworthy classical American illustrators that did hundreds of "Pin-up" paintings was Gil Elvgren. The medium that Gil worked in was oil on canvas, painting women such as the girl next door whose girlish charms are innocently revealed in that fleeting instant when she was caught unaware in what might be an embarrassing situation. As you look through some of his automotive related paintings, you'll see how he used that moment in time.

Pin-up perched on a Mercedes-Benz. Image © Gil Elvgren 

Brethren...Don't Forget

To my wife Monique, a big virtual hug, who puts up with me doing this whatschamcallit, blog thing. Anyway, if you're into art and think "Valentines Day" and have a chance...check out her painting blog, Monique Straub Studio, go ahead, go now, I'll wait.

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Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2013 ...Update

You can say you heard it here first, well, maybe not. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has just announced that for the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911, there will be a dedicated 911 race at this years Rolex Motorsports Reunion, held on August 15th to the 18th, 2013. The grid will be open to period-correct and historic 1964-1973 Porsche race cars (901, 911, 911R, ST, TR, RSR, ect.). A maximum number of 40 cars will be accepted for entry in this special race, which by the way, is embraced by Porsche Cars North America. To request entry info, read on.

 

The Little Red Racing Car ... An Exciting Project

Every so often something is so wicked, that it enters into our universe of automotive awareness, like a blazing comet streaking overhead. The "Little Red Racing Car" is one of those. It's a story of a father and son discovering a forgotten 1955 Maserati 300S. A car that has passed its prime racing glory days, and was left to spend its remaining life sitting in a barn and collecting memories of the past, as the dust settled on the long lost sparkling paint.

"The Little Red Racing Car" image © Dwight Knowlton

Just a Memory in the Gutter...

There is no distance walked too far, that a memory can't reach back...

Nothing disturbs the notion of your ol' granny until you remember gettin' her stink-eye. And who wants to have their notions disturbed? Not me, that's fer sher. But, that's what I got every time I pilfered her pin cushion when I went to visit. Occasionally I would try a pitiful look attempting to gain sympathy for my plight. Then a, "What ya gonna do?" gesture. What's this got to do with cars you ask?

When I spotted the pin in the gutter, it shot me way back. Back to the days I would pirate one or two away from her to use as shifters and cool shifter knobs in the minature interiors of my plastic AMT model hot rods. It was worth the stink-eye, wouldn't you say...

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