Two-Toned Class

This restomod was leaving the local auto parts store while I was headed home from the surplus store. The paint was very shiny with cool scallops, a badge on the side claimed to herald a V8, and the vanity plate says 'sparki.'

I'm not super familiar these cars, it's probably late thirties era Ford or Chevy .

Aluminum Monsters

A short drive around my neighborhood revealed something to me: my neighbors must like road trips. Three vintage-style trailers are within a mike of my home, including two of the ever-so-iconic Airstreams.

Off-Roadie

I recently took a trip to my favorite surplus store, and upon leaving found this beast of a sand-rail/dune buggy parked out front. This is clearly a fairly high-dollar off-roader, all the paint and chrome, the high build quality, and the registration (not simple to get for these vehicles) point to a deep wallet or an un-cluttered schedule.

Plug plug plug.

Major suspension at work.

It's only two wheel drive.

All-business two-seater cockpit.

Plenty of lighting.

Fuel cell and cargo area behind the seats.

Exposed controls ahead of the cockpit.

Hipster Bike

Because it's my blog and I'll write about what I want, but also because bicycles ARE vehicles and should be respected on the road more.
Anyway, I saw this single speed bike on campus recently, it has some sort of shiny silver paint and very wide handlebars.

The front fork also seems stretched forward significantly, I didn't have the opportunity to measure the trail but I guessed it as long.

I don't know if it's a true fixed-gear but I'm glad to see brakes at least on it.
The oddest feature though is the tires, with a diamond/scale pattern painted on them and what appears to be drawer lining glued to the contact area. I've never this before, and I hope it's not a new trend.

From the Archive: Monster Engine

Several years ago I happened to see this flatbed pickup hauling an enormous V12 engine. I suspected at the time that this was a marine engine, for a speed boat or similar, but I really don't know. It's a short block (it doesn't have heads and may not have pistons or a crankshaft) which means it's being rebuilt. 

Going Postal!

Saw this trio of postal jeeps parked behind a post office in Corrales. While they weren't dripping with custom panache they're good examples of the iconic American off-roader.

The Jeep was originally developed by the Bantam car company in response to a call from the government for a lightweight scout vehicle. Bantam developed the original prototype but the government licensed the design to Willys and Ford to actually produce (thinking that Bantam was not large enough to build them in the quantities needed). The distinctive stamped grill was actually added by Ford, and kept by the Army for the production vehicles. 

Willys was the only manufacturer to continue building the jeep after the war, and were given the trademark for the name because of that. The brand went through many owners before ending up with Chrysler.

It is commonly believed that the name comes from the Army's original designation of General Purpose or GP vehicle. The original Bantam prototype was called the Bantam Reconnaissance Car or BRC; imagine if the iconic American 4x4 had been called the Brick!

South Valley Cycle Trail

There's a truly lovely bicycle trail along Albuquerque's bosque outdoor space, it runs fit approximately 15 miles the Rio Grande. The southern four miles or so run between the river and the back of farms or industrial/junkyard complexes.
We saw a really cool, but incomplete, Chevy Biscayne (I think), at least the straight 6 is still there.

The blue one, look at those fins!

As well as a several-layer-high wall of junk cars off in the distance.

 

The zoom will help us.

A little.

I truly recommend anyone local or visiting check out the with bosque cycle trail, the views and wildlife are outstanding, and the pavement and level course make it a leisurely and fun time.

Bird of Thunder

Ford's answer to the Corvette, still cool as heck. I believe this is a 1955 model, before they added the signature porthole windows.

And Now, a Coincidence

Hilariously, I also went to Madrid last week separately from that other guy that posts here.

Much of the population stepped out of the 60s directly into Madrid, and many brought their cars with them.

 I think this is a Nova II from the mid 60s.

I also trespassed on someone's property and saw this thing. Someone who knows more than nothing about these should probably tell me what it is. I believe it said "Shadow" on the tank.

The setting was so perfect I couldn't resist doing a doctored version of the photo.

Before anyone asks. No, I did not use Instasham.

Madrid, NM

We took a day trip around the back of the Sandia Mountains, stopped in Madrid on our way to Santa Fe. Along with beautiful scenery and some small town shopping we saw a few cool cars.

Like this early 60s Chevy Bel Air, looks like the paint is original, and the interior was gorgeous all-white vinyl.

There was also this 80s (I think) Porsche, with a whale-tail spoiler.

And this vintage GMC.

Junk yard finds

We visited the scrap yard of Coronado Wrecking and Salvage, here in Albuquerque. They demolish and haul away buildings (or what-have-you) and many of the materials end up in their salvage yard, which is open to the public six days a week. It's a bit hard to find but once you know the way it's quite easy, simply sign in at their office an explore the yard in your vehicle or on foot. I went with some friends and classmates we were looking for steel tubing, chain, sheet metal, and inspiration. We found most of these things, and more:

Resembles a luggage-tug from the airport. Could this have towed YOUR suitcases?

MASSIVE dump truck, put into proportion by our lovely model, Patrick, from PariahCycle.

Imagine changing this flat by the roadside.

From the Archive: Gran Torino

Cool Ford Gran Torino, this lived near the Dodge Polara and I saw them around the same time period. It needs a little love, but still has 'muscle' written all over it.

From the Archive: Dodge Polara

This is a Dodge Polara coupe I saw in early 2008. I was instantly attracted to this car with its green paint, dark tinted windows, wedge-shaped taillights, and aggressive nose-down stance. The body style indicates that this car was made between 1970 and 1973, but the grill isn't like any I've been able to find.  This style was made for a relatively short period of time, making them mildly uncommon now. I think this is one those overlooked, almost classic vehicles that everybody would want if they knew it existed. I know I want one.

Flaming Jeep

Saw this cool Jeep Wrangler with a flaming paint job on our way to the junkyard the other day.