Tomaso and Snowbyrd MJ’ stand in front of 2002
Lincoln Continental concept car, with Bumblebee Transformer in background. (The
Tomaso Collection)
“It’s A little bit country, and A whole lot Rock ‘n
Roll!”
This February, thanks to Arizona Bureau Chief Snowbyrd
MJ’, I got to visit the Martin Auto Museum in Glendale, Arizona. Where I had
the most awesome Docent Jeff give me a personally guided tour. As Jeff led me
by the arm and described countless automobiles in brief order, one at-a-time for
nearly three hours, Aye Karumba!
As this was pure Nirvana for Mwah, Talking Cars
for nearly three hours. And no three hour cruise jokes here, Hya!
Where to begin, Eh? Since naturally I’ve long
forgotten all of the various automobiles we sauntered by. Thus just tried to
Jot’ down what I recall in no particular order before it all “Vamooshed!”
Although I do know the very first vehicle Jeff
introduced me to was an 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen replica. Which strangely, I
vaguely recall “Seeing” one of these exact same contraptions on display at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s museum I believe?
There was a very impressive sounding 2002
Lincoln (Mercury) Continental concept car with “Suicide” doors. And a Aston
Martin (Lagonda) sourced naturally aspirated V-12 lump’ shoehorned underneath
the Lincoln’s bonnet. Riding on 22-inch custom wheels.
Interestingly, as Jeff had me run my hand upon
the trunk’s “door”, noting how it slid directly into the rear of the car,
instead of hinging upwards, and featured custom aluminum luggage containers
that fit into their respective tray compartments.
The car’s design was touted as retro-futuristic
and debuted at the 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show, but never went into production.
2002
Lincoln Continental Concept Sedan heading to Auction
Cannot remember what vehicle it was, but when
Jeff described using “lanterns” for running lights to illuminate the road. I
told Jeff how it made me think of the Prestolite company, and Eddie
Rickenbacker and those early lantern “lighting” systems of Indianapolis. As
Indiana seemingly was one of America’s car making hubs during the 1920’s.
We passed by a Ford Model T, Cadillac, etc. As
some of the early vehicles didn’t have windshields, before this became standard
practice as vehicle speeds increased.
Although its been a long time since I’ve seen
them, I asked if there were any of the Cadd-Oh-laccs with the tall rear fins?
To which Jeff said was the 59’ Caddy’, which they didn’t have any. But think He
mentioned something about a 1957 model being present.
There were various Studebakers, including two
Avanti’s. As Jeff had me run my hand over the Avanti’s “torpedo” front bumper.
Explaining how I’d just listened to a story about the Avanti forming part of a
museum’s main theme in California.
A
very special Studebaker Avanti will be on display in L.A.
While what seemed to be the lone Dodge on
display? Was my mumero uno favourite Dodge! A Dodge Daytona Charger, with Jeff
having me run my hand over the iconic, tall rear wing. Asking if I’d seen the
Day-toner’ 500? And what a crazy ending to the race, with Tyler Reddick
“Stealing” it in the last 500 yards!
There were Auburn’s and cord’s, with the Auburn
name “screaming” Boat tail ! Which is the quintessential Auburn. Both being
reproductions or “continuation” cars. As Jeff noted how the names had been
bought and someone had tried selling them again in the 1990’s. While there was
a Packard nearby too.
In the celebrity department, there was the 1964
custom car used in 1977’s The Late Show movie, starring Art Carney and Lilly
Tomlin. But I cannot comprehend why you’d build a car with the front half being
an Oldsmobile and the back half being a Cadillac…
Later on, we briefly stood in front of Red
Skelton’s Rolls Royce Wraith, with Jeff noting it had been bought at auction. Could it be the 1962 Rolls
Royce Silver Wraith noted in the following link I found upon Zed Intrawoods?
Red
Skelton’s six most Jaw Dropping Cars
There was a Ford Starliner with hardtop retractable
roof. A 2016 WaterCar Amphibious vehicle. Presumably a WaterCar Panther, a modern
day version of those wacky Amphicars of the 1960’s
As the Panther has a top speed of 85mph on
land, and 45mph on water, utilizing jet drive propulsion…
Another oddity was the Streetnik Bandit tribute
car, bult by Dennis ‘lil Daddy’ Roth, and many others I failed to recognize or
record. Like the 1934 Desoto Airflow for starters.
As here’s an excellent 19 minutes video of Rick
DeBruhl touring the Martin Auto Museum, which gives far better detail than I
can! Not to mention showing a whole bunch of cars I didn’t even stop at. As
Thars’ simply too much to take in on a single visit!
XVIDEO: Tyler Hoover falls
in love with Tucker at Martin Auto Museum
Photo C/O No Fenders Blogmeister’ Miguel.
