Monday, November 28, 2016

What was that Mysterious vehicle that wouldn't Stop for us...



The 2005 Chevrolet SSR in brilliant, blazing Canary Yellow. (Image source: conceptcarz.com)
And was I-T a PickemUp Truck, Car  or some weird type of cross pollination?

Currently your humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso should be ensconced in another of Honeyman's State Park's Yert's, albeit hopefully just to stay warm in the fall air and NOT trying to keep dry due to abundant precipitation...

As I've got ZERO idea of what unusual, if any? Automotive vehicles will have been prowlin' Honeyman's State Park this past weekend, eh? Excluding the various Sand Rails, etc.

Recently when Out 'N Aboot' with Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen, and naturally Pixie-the-wonderdog WUF, WUF! Whilst on a Walkabout to explore the remains of Fort Casey, part of Puget sound's "triangle 'O Fire's" Fort Flagler, Casey and Worden triplets! Mary Ellen spotted a most unusual lookin' vehicle crusin' thru the campground's tarmac.

Having burbled once by, and having her describe I-T to Mwah, I deduced that it sounded like Chebbies' answer to the PT Cruiser? NO! It's definitely not anything like a PT Cruiser I was quickly informed.

As my only knowledge 'bout PT Cruiser's and it's Kissin' Cousin, the HHR come from Movie Man Rob, who's HHR I once purused at Carpets Manor in Indianapolis a few years ago.

As Rob informed me that the HHR, which I've just learned stands for Heritage High Roof, was indeed Chevy's answer to the then wildly popular PT Cruiser. With its design being credited to Bryan Nesbitt, who GM "Poached;" Err recruited to lead the HHR's design, even serving briefly as the Bowtie's Chief Designer...


But back to Thy Walkabout, for which as we were returning to our Campsite at the nearby Keystone Ferry dock, that same, weird mismatched rumblin' vehicle loped past us again, with Mary Ellen waving dramatically in attempt for them to stop so we could find out what is I-T?

To which the two 50 Somme-thun' middle aged men enraptured in crusin' the campgrounds on a crisp, sunny fall day simply rumbled by us without stopping; DRAT!

Thus, upon returning to Tomaso Manor, as typical I began searchin' Zed Internetz to find out what in thee HELL a SSR was? And have Mary Ellen confirm whether this was the vehicle in Questione?

That is definitely it. Even the canary yellow paint job matches...


Even funnier yet, although I know that Gil de Ferran won the '03 Indy 500, I simply don't recall watching the race, nor being aware' that that year's Pacecar was this very same vehicle. As how many Y'all recall Dat?

As I still really don't know what this retractable steel roof  PickemUp Roadster looks like since it was just a bright blob rollin past Mwah.

As apparently it was the second and final? Pace-truck; Uhm Pace Vehicle. Which I'll try NOT Cornfuzing with what I've Dissed repeatedly at the Penske Racing Museum as the UGLIEST EVER Pace Vehicle, the '02 Oldsmobile Bravada! Y'all know the first, and thankfully LAST SUV to pace the race with then Mrs. Melloncamp, now wife 'O Jay PISSENBOOTZ' Penske and good friend of Katherine Legge, Elaine Irwin at the helm...

Hmm, I've never noticed how the Mellonheadz'; Err Melloncamp's were front 'N center at Mother Speedway fifteen years ago. When Elaine made history as the first female Pacecar driver, and then hubby Johnny Cougar sung at that year's USGP.

As may be it was a package dealio, especially since Duh Indy Racing League was using his song Peaceful World as its theme song that year...

And I'd still really like to know how long the General Motors "Exclusivity" Pace Vehicle contract at Mother Speedway lasts? As I'm extremely tired of year-after-year Chebbies leadin' Duh Pack.

Like C'mon IMS, why not honour Hondre' by letting the new Acura NSX start the race. Or how 'bout one of the countless variations of Mustang's pace the field! Or even wilder yet, a Swede Savage inspired Saleen Dodge Charger...

And next time Y'all see a female with a Chihuahua plus blind guy totin' a white cane waving at Yuhs. Do 'em a favour and politely stop briefly for them, Yuhs Hear!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

JUST DO I-T NICO!




Decade old cherished Nico Rosberg 2006 Williams F1 rookie Hero Card with pencil autograph! (The Tomaso Collection)
Sadly, thanks to the Jackalopes at NBC Sports & Co. Your humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso, who's on Holiday REFUSES to get up at Oh-DARK 30! Even if he could find a Telie' showing the race, and won't get to witness Nico Rosber potentially becoming this year's F1 Driver's world champion; SIGH!

Although I-T definitely doesn't mean one G-DAMN Thingy', it would be very symbiotic for Nico Rosberg to finally become world champion Sunday on Yas Isle! As "We've" got a very tenuous connection to the German, Ja-Ja!

As sure Y'all are gettin' tired of me belabouring the point, especially since I cannot say that Nico's ever moved my "W-O-W Meter!" But ten years ago; CRIKEYS! As a fresh faced 21yr old Williams F1 rookie, he entertained Awntie Harriet, or more likely the other way round; Hya! Who at nearly 87 years young, was flying home from her Juan' & only Formula 1 event, the USGP at Mother Speedway, nee Indianapolis.


And as the master 'O Doublespeak; Err Windbad 'O Soundbytes, Ye 'Ol Uncle Bernaughty, nee Mr. E's stated the obvious by saying Nico better grab the title now, since he may never get another chance; Uh, Duh Bernie! Watch out for 'dem Super Soaker waterin' devices, and DON'T drop Nico's gold medal Bernie!


As it'd be wonderful if Rosberg would simply pull a Lewis and skate off into the horizon from Pole, and win the race by leading flag-to-flag to emphatically cap a most triumphant season!

G-O NICO!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Ye Other Florence beckons...




Pixie the Wonderdog poses with Tomaso on latest Camping Trip to Fort Casey.(The Tomaso Collection)
As I'm looking forward to some finely crafted, Piping Hot Pizzanoe' this weekend in thou Other Florence, nee Oregon's wonderful Sand Dunes...

As your humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso should be touchin' down in Oregon momentarily for his first ever Turkey-Lurkey Festimus', as it'll be STIR-RANGE! Flying down solo for the very first time instead of my usual ridin' Shotgun! As hopefully my final destination's ride won't encounter any stubborn Buzzards fowlin' up the roadways...


As presumably, like my latest Aeroplane adventure this past May, I'll most likely be spendin' MORE time in thou Shuttle Express, Airport and Town Car than the actual flight! Especially since it's only a sixty minutes Puddle Jumper ride. Like when I spent six hours at SeaTac and Detroit's airports for my full day's trek to Indianapolis; Aye Karumba!


As A-L-L this talkin' Turkey; Err travel, etc makes me conjure up the thoughts of "Wood-be" Bovines, not to be Cornfuzed with Whidbey Island where thou Triangle 'O Fire's three Forts, i.e.; Flagler, Worden and Casey surround;

Oh Never Mind!


As All the Gang will be there: Jonathan, Jeannie, Colin and What's her Name? Hya! Whilst Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen and Thy Pixolator' (Pixie the Wonderdog will arrive Justin-time' in her trusty Eh Team Van! Although it'll be slightly sad knowing it's the first time to Oregon without Pixie's life-long Pardner' Mad Molly...


Or Y'all can read Thy monstrous three part Thanksgiving tome revolving around another past trek to thee "Other Florence" in the following post below.


And lastly, for some comic relief, as Y'all push your self's away from the dining  room table after the obligatory serving 'O pumpkin pie.

What better way to relax then enjoy the soothing sounds of the GURR-REAT! Reverend Billy C. Wurtz's momentous rendition of Roberta-Roberta-Roberta! (released on 1989's Deep Fried & Sanctified) As other great tunes from the tinkled ivory "Clergyman" include Will there be A Shopping Mall in Heaven? And Grandma's Behind the Wheel...