The Blackhawk Museum is one of the top attractions in Danville, CA. The museum's lofty mission to "stimulate interest and understanding of art, culture, and history," isn't so outlandish once you learn it's actually composed of several museums.
Since I was born just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, my first exposure to “gear-head-itis” was to the cars of the 1930s. At that time, all the car makers were vying for what few dollars there were available for new cars. During the Great Depression, many of America’s finest auto makers would perish from bankruptcy.
Last time I left you, we were cruizin' Reedley and eating cheeseburgers in 1960, as well as checking out the gas stations and bulk plants. But, you might ask, how did kids afford cars way back then, not to mention gas, insurance and cheeseburgers? We'll get to that, after a little history.
The last time we slid back in time it was to 1950 and I was pedaling around town on my J.C. Higgins 'Hiawatha' bike, checking out the auto dealerships around Reedley. Today we are going to slide back to 1958, while "cruizin" in my 1940 Ford Coupe.
The start of the 1920s finds Drake Manufacturing moving to their new location at East and South Avenues (now Dinuba Ave.). Having perfected the Jadson Motor Valve, Drake closed the garage and Buick agency to devote all their efforts toward the valve business. The Drake Family still finds time for racing and a new hobby: barnstorming. In fact, on the roof of the new building "Jadson Motor Valve Company" is painted for anyone passing or flying by to see. 1920 was bittersweet for the Drake Family however, as family patriarch John Alexander passes away.
America may have been a late comer to the industrial revolution, but the country had the advantage of possessing the raw materials needed to excel in manufacturing. The only thing imported was cheap labor. The industrialization of transportation began with the "horseless carriage." These vehicles were propelled by three types power.
Perfect weather, streets adorned with seasonal blossoms, more than 1,000 run participants, 80 car show entries, and more than 75 arts, crafts, and food booths, created a successful 25th Annual Sanger Chamber of Commerce Blossom Day Festival, Run and 6th Annual Blossom Festival Car Show.
Dax Shepard (Parenthood) and Kristin Bell star in this sort of indie flick that got a pretty wide release and has some of the best star cameos I have seen in years. A former getaway driver for a gang that used to rob banks leaves the Witness Protection program to help his girlfriend get a new job in LA, while avoiding the former gang he helped put away.
I love fast cars. Between my father, my brother, and me, we own five V-8 Mustangs ranging from the years 1966-2011. My childhood memories consist of Sundays full of the background noise of televised car races that usually drove my mother out of the house for peace from the sounds of hours of monotonous revving engines.
If you love talking cars then Cars 2 is for you. Honestly, if you love just a fun family movie with incredible animation that no one does better than Pixar, Cars 2 is for you.
