Cruise-In at Beavercreek, Ohio: a Mercedes-Benz 450 SL and my 380 SL

So there were two SLs at the cruse-in last evening. The first is a 450 SL, the second is mine. On the first I was struck by the 15 inch wheels and rather wide 215 tires. The car had non-sstock wheels (not pictured) and extra wide tires, and I could not make up my mind whiter I liked that or not. What you see on mine is what you get. I haven't had tome to detail the car this summer, but it has been kept pretty clean anyway, as you can tell from the photo.

Cruise-In at Beavercreek Ohio, Friday, August 8, 2014: 1940 Ford, 1957 Ford Ranchero, and 1964 Pontiac GTO

Hi folks, came early and left early at the cruise-in last evening. I thought it was a slow night, but maybe I am wrong. Pictured above were three of my favorites of the night,; a 1940 Ford, a 1957 Ford Ranchero, and a 1964 Pontiac GTO. the 1957 Ford and 1963 GTO were a part of my family's history, and thus evoked emotions that the other cars did not.  People who go to these events rekindle memories from the past, and I think that is a main reason why people go. Perhaps that is not as healthy as could be -- as a society America may be to past-oriented, thus not tinkling forward at a crucial time in our history.

The Bomber: A "Customized" 1949 Buick Roadmaster

Hi folks. I saw this car parked on  a lot in downtown Mansfield, Ohio today and had to take a few photos of it. It goes to show you what ingenuity can do. For $3,900 or thereabouts you can buy this one-of-a kind "special," including several Pepsi cans that appear to be on the rear floorboard. There is no other car like it!

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Visit and the Automobile

Hi folks -- yesterday I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. This turned out to be a great visit for me, as I have a section in my automobile and American Life book and the automobile and the origins of Roach and Roll, and I teach on this topic in my HST 344 class. I learned a lot yesterday, understandably so since my knowledge of the history of Rock is so limited. Especially so, since when I listen to the radio I listen far more to baseball and talk rather than music!

I left 4 hours later with the conclusion that this is the best museum I have ever been to! If I were a car museum person, I would revamp my exhibits to add a considerable number of video presentations that would continually recycle. This could be easily done given the amount of film on the automobile that is out there.

In terms of the cars in the Rock and Roll Museum, there are three Trabants hanging from the ceiling as one walks in. The meaning is not obvious to many, however, For it was the music that shattered the wall and the world of the Trabants, as the freedom and the energy of Rock stimulated those behind the wall and iron curtain to ultimately break free.

There is also on display Janis Joplin's 1965 Porsche 356 Cabriolet, a tour van, and Johnny Cash's Tour Bus immediately outside the Museum structure.

So what did I learn about the History of Rock and Roll that I can use in my class?

Well, first I need to bring in far more about the significance of the railroad in the development of popular music, especially blues and country prior to the early 1950s. The "Mystery Train" film shown at the Museum drove home that point. Secondly, I need to better connect cars with music and romance, and with BEAT, energy, and motion.

Repainting Mercedes Wheels

Hi folks,
For some time I have been thinking about replacing the 14 inch wheels on my 1982 Mercedes 380SL with 15 inch ones. It is just a lot easier to find good 15 inch tires these days. So I bought some 15 x 7 Mercedes Wheels with an ET of 25 on Ebay. The problem was that 2 of these wheel had scratches on them. But the wheels were ion otherwise excellent condition, particularly in terms of no curb rash. So I used Bondo spot putty to fill the scratches, 320 grit paper to sand it down, did it again, and then used filler primer. Again, after sanding with fine paper, used Duplicolor Wheel Paint and then a final sand with 1500 grit paper. I have finished one, will do the others the next few days. Then when my 14 inch tires wear out, I'll shod these new wheels and be in business.

Women Rally Drives from the 1960s: Ewy Rosqvist, Ursula Wirth, and Eva-Maria Falk

Monte Carlo Rally, 1963. Ewy Rosqvist and Ursula Wirth with a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE.

Touring Car Grand Prix of Argentina, 28 October - 7 November 1964: Ewy Rosqvist-von Korff and Eva-Maria Falk finish in third place in the overall standings in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE. The photo shows the descent from the 1,980-metre-high Cuesta de Miranda

Ewy Rosqvist and Ursula Wirth, winners of the Argentinean Road Grand Prix (October 25 – November 4, 1962) driving a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE.

November 1962. Ewy Rosqvist / Ursula Wirth, wins the Grand Prix from Argentina on Mercedes-Benz (type 220 SEb W 111.)