You Must Be Ly'in....The Rest Of The Story!

Awhile back, I posted a picture of a lion riding in a car around a large drum-shaped "wall of death".  I never knew the context of the picture, but now I do. 

Thanks again to CATC friend, Jesse, at "Just A car Guy", for filling me in on that picture of that daredevil lion.  It turns out that lion belonged to "Fearless Egbert" and was a seasoned performer at various state and county fairs back in the 1930's.  Go to Jesse's blog entries for more pictures and information about this unique act. 

Tucker Torpedo 48

Tucker Torpedo 48: by Brian Hague

This is the last "official" Tucker...#50.  Brian took a trip recently to San Marcos, Texas, and took these great pictures.  Be sure to comment and thank him!

Click image for more pictures

Big Pick Up

by CATC contributer: Rick Aurora

Photo: Rick Aurora

There was a need to stop at the rest stop last weekend.  I saw five fellows jump out of this big pick up.

Homemade Hyper-miler

by CATC contributer: Rick Aurora

Photo: Rick Aurora

Whilst filling up my car in

Newton, Iowa look what I saw!

Daytona Speed Week....in 1905

From the Feb. 1905 issue of Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal. 

Laser igniters could spell the end for the humble spark plug -- Gizmag

Laser igniters could spell the end for the humble spark plug -- Gizmag

Reposted from Gizmag.com

 Internal combustion engines are likely to remain in widespread use for some time yet, but it's possible that we may be bidding adieu to that most iconic of engine parts, the spark plug. Researchers from Japan's National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) are creating laser igniters that could one day replace spark plugs in automobile engines. Not only would these lasers allow for better performance and fuel economy, but cars using them would also create less harmful emissions.

Click above link for the rest of the article.

You Saw What? You Must Be "Ly'in"

No background information.  No idea what the context of this picture is, but it's too awesome NOT to post!

A motorcycle driving in a drum.  Great!
A car driving in a drum.  Fantastic!!
A car AND a motorcycle together in a drum?  Unbelievable!!!
A car with a sidecar?  Bizarre!!!!
A motorcycle---with a car---with a sidecar---in a drum---with a LION???
Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE!  We now know the rest of the story.

Michigan: Police Search Cell Phones During Traffic Stops | The Truth About Cars

Michigan: Police Search Cell Phones During Traffic Stops | The Truth About Cars

A few months ago, in the sleepy little town in Decatur, Texas, a local man was arrested for child pornography.  Normally, I would applaud such a thing, however something troubled me as I read the local newspaper's account of the arrest.  To paraphrase, it said that "the arrest was made using information gathered from the man's cellphone during a suspected DUI stop".  

I had never heard of someone's cellphone being searched during a routine traffic stop, even one for suspected DUI. 

Today, I read an article on The Truth About Cars which addressed these concerns and featured the device used to accomplish these searches.  It didn't ease my concern.  Click the above link to read the article about the abilities and issues with searching your cellphone or laptop during a routine traffic stop.  It's quite an eye-opener. 

Table Lake Recreation

The ice melted a few weeks ago at Table Lake.

Rick Aurora is seen here testing a new outboard motor.

Photo courtesy: Table Lake Tourism Board

Life In The Year 2000

Back in Feb. 1950, the folks at Popular Mechanics polished up their crystal ball to show us what life would be like in 50 years.  It's interesting to see what they got right...and wrong.

As usual, click on the pages to read the text.  Click again once it comes up to make it even larger.

Page 1

Page 2

CATC Contributer Rick Aurora Caught in Traffic

CATC contributer, Rick Aurora, was caught by an alert YouTuber on his daily commute while taking part in one of his many hobbies...playing the ukelele whlile driving (UWD).  Sounds good, Rick, but only slightly more dangerous than texting while driving. 

Smart Car Drifting in Japan

I just thought this was funny.

Ad Candy: Nash Bathtubs

In keeping with AMC, it's predecessor, Nash, produced bathtubs with wheels.  

From Plan59.

AMC: What Could Have Been

Just a collection of some AMC concept and prototype cars from a once-proud US automaker.

NOTE:  The "Gremlins" are at work on this page.  To see enlarged pictures, please right-click and open the picture in a new tab/window, otherwise the 'back' button may not work.  Thanks!  

1968 AMX GT Showcar

VW will happily sell you an armored last-gen Jetta... in Mexico — Autoblog

VW will happily sell you an armored last-gen Jetta... in Mexico — 
From: Autoblog

From VW's Mexican website: (translated from Spanish)

Safety engineering applied to

Protect Bora offers peace of mind with attributes such as its run-flat tires with which it is possible to continue moving even if they leak its cargo of inflation.
In addition, passengers are protected with special ballistic steel body, complete with Kevlar fiber mats and glass aramid ballistic protection of polycarbonate, which prevents the entry of chips to the carrier.
Performance it should be the engine of 200 hp 2.0L FSI turbocharged. For its part, the 6-speed DSG transmission with steering wheel changes to achieve optimum use of power.

Airbus Bullies a Smaller Commercial Jet

I saw this on the news tonight, and just had to include it here.  The pilot of an Airbus A380, the biggest commercial jet in the world, doesn't realize just how big it is, and tagged a smaller commercial jet, a 70 seat Bombardier CRJ-700, and spun it around like ti was a toy.  This happened at JFK airport in New York (where else?).  Nobody was hurt and I'm assuming that the pilots exchanged information and went on their way.....NOT!!

New Jersey State Troopers Rock!!

Finally!!  I've been driving since 1970, and this is the first time I've seen the police do anything at all about "left lane bandits".  You know...the drivers who camp out in the fast lane and refuse to move over for faster traffic.  Three cheers for making sure this guy never does it again!

via TheTruthAboutCars

European Car Ad Candy

Here are some ads for European cars that date back to the 50's and 60's.  Be sure to click through to see more.

Movie Stars And Their Cars

Rita Hayworth -- 1941 Lincoln Continental

Click on any of the photos to enlarge. 

Milburn Drysdale Seen in Chicagoland.

 By Caught At The Curb contributor: 

Rick Aurora

In the 1960's there was a well loved television show broadcast called the Beverly Hillbillies. The first show ran on CBS on September 26, 1962. The last show aired on March 23, 1971. It was a remarkable nine year run for a slim premise of hicks dropped into high class culture.

Many people were born after the original airing and it is rare the person who has not seen at least one episode of the show in it's constant reruns that ran for years and years.  The Clampett family were quite backwoods and they had way too much money. So, they had a banker take care of their money for them.

That banker went by the name of Milburn Drysdale. 

Watch an unoccupied tractor destroy cars in a Walmart parking lot

Watch an unoccupied tractor destroy cars in a Walmart parking lot:
Via Jalopnik

1953 Studillac

From the July 1953 issue of Popular Science. 
Click on the pictures to enlarge (then click again if needed). 

Wednesday Cruise in El Cajon, CA

Check out some of these great pictures of the El Cajon Cruise, taken by "Caught At The Curb's" left coast friend and fellow car nut, Jesse, on his "Just a Car Guy" blog.  These are just a sample.  Head over there for more fantastic pics.

Texas House Passes 85 MPH Bill

Ad: Hudson People are No. 1

Life: June 21, 1937

Life: June 21, 1937

Ad: 1937 Pontiac Lineup

Life: June 21, 1937

Life: June 21, 1937

Ad: 1937 Autocars

Life: June 21, 1937

Ad Candy: 1936 Packard

In honor of the Packard in the previous post, here is another great Packard.

From Plan59

1951 Packard Convertible

by Caught At The Curb contributer: 
Rick Aurora

Recently a friend asked to have her 1951 Packard moved out of its winter storage. In all the years that I have been involved with antique cars this was the first time that I drove a Packard. What a treat that was! 

Electric Cars of Springfield

In honor of Lil Red, who singlehandedly almost singlehandedly saved Doodles the cat (and I mean the ONLY almost the only one to save him), I present to you... the Harbinger, by Electric Cars of Springfield, MO.

Lincoln And The Living Garage

My dream car and my dream house, all in one.

1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III- Farm & Ranch Special

Huh?  Never heard of a Lincoln Farm and Ranch Special?  In Texas, gentleman ranchers had to have something more than a dirty old pickup truck.  This one is for sale too.

UPDATE:   The final selling price was $9,703.  Someone got a good deal. 

More pictures after the jump.

Oil Giant BP Develops Battery Cell You Can Refill At The Pump

Oil Giant BP Develops Battery Cell You Can Refill At The Pump

 Click through to see the "full" story....

2012 Chevrolet Volt Convertible – First Volt Convertible Images Revealed – RoadandTrack.com

2012 Chevrolet Volt Convertible – First Volt Convertible Images Revealed
 

Be sure to click through to see all of the "details"....

Grand News: Subaru Reveals Grand Outback

Grand News: Subaru Reveals Grand Outback | TheDetroitBureau.com

 Be sure to click through to get the "full" story.

What Is This?

This was "Caught At The Curb" awhile back while I was doing my paid wardriver gig, and it was one of those things that made me grin. If you can't guess what it is, hit the "read more" jump.