Metaphors in Motion

Blog

  • Automotive Illustrations from the 50's and 60's: Part One

    Before computers and Computer Aided Design software there where Illustrators who graced the pages of automotive magazines. These technical drawings and design drawings are superb and growing up inspired me as much as "Big Daddy Roth" (see an earlier post here "Rat Rods part 2 - Rat Fink) did to explore the world through drawing especially cars, motorcycles, and planes.

  • Chaparral at Indy

    Will Jim Hall build an automatic- transmissioned Indy Chaparral for next year's "500?" Wouldn't that shake up the troops! For those who are Jim Hall fans and love the Chaparrals this short article from Sports Car Graphic October 1965 shows Halls desires and reach in the motor sports world at the time. He is truly an American icon in motor sports racing and sports car design.

  • TRACK TEST: Ford GT 40

    From the pages of Sports Car Graphic October 1965 a recreated article of a Special Track Test of the first Ford GT 40's. My continued interest in these cars led me to this article where the street version is about to be offered for sale and is tested on the track. The test car they used was known as the "roadster". Other GT40 related articles can be found in my 9/29/08 post of Sports Car Graphic May 1966 the final version of the street car as well as a post from 10/11/09 Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman 2009 where the GT 40's where the featured car of the weekend of vintage motor racing.

  • DAYTONA CONTINENTAL 24-HOUR

    In the beginning there was the Daytona Continental which evolved into a 24 hour race and today while Continental still sponsors a race the 24 hour race now belongs to Rolex. This article recreated from Sports Car Graphic May 1966 gives great background and insight into the begins and transformation of these races. Please read my earlier post on the creation of Daytona International Speedway if you are interested in the building of the racetrack "Daytona: Is It Too Hot To Handel?"

  • Are Imports Better Than U.S. Cars?

    The preverbal question - with all the news in the last months about "cash for clunkers" (which cost the taxpayer $24,000 per car great program) and which manufacturers really benefited from the program it would appear that the Asian car companies reaped the most benefit selling the most cars. Why is it that this occurred? Price? Warranty? Design? Technology? Are Imports better than U.S. cars? Flash back to March 1959 the pages of MOTOR LIFE magazine were they too asked this preverbal question and also published a 30 Imported Car Road Tests Reviewed which the magazine or affiliates took from the previous 2 years of road tests for these cars. Americans at this time had not yet embraced imported cars as they have today. Very interesting to see what was being imported to the public in 1959!!! Current fans of mini or micro cars will find some of the classics and novelties within.