Hot Rod of the day: 1940 Ford style

Few cars are as iconic as the 1939/40 Ford. It's a car that symbolizes the Moonshiner. Which in fact the '40 featured below served as in a prior life.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises $200,000 for charity

Being a Pittsburgh based car guy and racing fan. I brag about the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix throughout the year. Not only do I show cars and participate in the events, but I also serve as a member of the Car Show Committee. Be it the car shows, the races, the fun of enjoying a nice weekend in the park, what ever fits your fancy, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has a little bit of everything. The best though is that ALL proceeds from the PVGP events benefit two awesome charities, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School. This year, the PVGP set a new record, donating $200,000 to both charities at the recent "Victory Lap" check presentation ceremony. Representatives from the PVGP, event sponsors, car manufacturers, and participating car clubs were on hand at the Allegheny Valley School's campus for tours, a checkered flag waving and Terrible Towel wave (Myron Cope, inventor of the Terrible Towel sat on the board of AVS and the PVGP, and sales benefit AVS also). Each charity will benefit equally, receiving $100,000 each. This money will be used to provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh area.

Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $2.95 million dollars for both charities, with no signs of stopping.

For more information on how you can donate to the PVGP, volunteer or find out about the 2012 event, please visit http://www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com

Charity Ambassadors representing each charity;  Anita Iyengar -Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Brandon Fisher - Allegheny Valley School were on hand to receive the $200,000 check. 

left to right: PVGP Showside Director Bob Speer, Shop 'n Save's Rich Haeflein, Autism Society's Dan Torisky and PVGP Race Director Rocky Farrar with the 2011 check for $200,000.

Petersen Museum co-founder, Margie Petersen 1936-2011

It comes with a heavy heart as we announce that Margie Petersen, husband of the late automotive publication giant Robert Peterson has passed away at the age of 76.

Margie and her husband Robert we co-founders of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Ca. Robert, who passed away in 2007 was the founder of Petersen Publishing. He was the publisher of such titles as Hot Rod and Motor Trend. Since her husbands passing, Margie has served on the board of directors of the museum and has donated millions of dollars to the foundation that operates the museum, most recently the building and cars, totaling over $100 million dollars.

Hot Rod of the Day: 1934 Ford Pickup

What isn't there to love about this 34 Ford? A classic 50s/60s style hot rod in all its glory. Except for maybe the fact that it's powered by a Chevy motor, but you can't fault that when it helps to complete the look. Look at that gold paint that goes on for weeks. And the trick exhaust system, the white walls on chrome steelies. This is one classy truck. This truck was spotted at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show.

Canadian big rigs racing.

There are some wildly crazy forms of motorsport out there, I mean after all can you really get much wilder than school bus figure 8 races? Check out this video from Canada. It shows a race that features big rigs as the weapon of choice, and these aren't your typical truck you see out on the highway. Though they do appear to have been so at one point in their life. Click the link and check it out.

Canadian Big Rig Racing.

The only Gremlin exported to Australia returns to the United States | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

Boomerang: The only Gremlin exported to Australia returns to the United States | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

We found this over at Hemmings this morning. A car that could be easily overlooked if it weren't for the fact that it was right hand drive. And such a fascinating story to go with it. A one of one Gremlin sent as a kit to Australia for evaluation of export production/sales there. Incredible that the car survived.

Source: Hemmings

Hot Rod of the Day!

I found this stunning 1950 Mercury via Fotki (a new photo service we are trying out) and just had to post it. In one shot, it captures the whole essence of Southern California Car Culture at it's best. The Pacific ocean, a hopped up flat head, a woody station wagon, and surfing. What more could you want?