21st century welcomes the 1920’s

This bright yellow 1928 Ford Model A has been customized to entice onlookers at the Cruise Cle Elum last year to have a closer look at the old Ford Model. Sometimes it just amazes me how old cars like this can be transformed into something funky. I mean, who would not ride this Ford?

“Meteor” Takes Pebble Beach

The Pebble beach event, one of the world's most well-attended car show, has already announced the best car for this year. It is the “Mormon Meteor,” a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Special. It is owned by Harry Yeagy, a Cincinnati collector. The Mormon Meteor was originally raced by Ab Jenkins who rode it to a 24-hour speed record of 135.58 mph back in 1935. At a 2004 auction, Yeagy bought the Meteor for $4.45 million. Whoa!

Two in One

With this new car, parking will cease being a problem. Smart fortwo vehicles only take up half of the parking space made to fit a normal car. It can squeeze its way in a small space and presto—you got yourself a parked car. This is the car the generation needs. It measures 104 inches in length, or 8.8 feet, and at 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide. Wow! No wonder it is the smallest and shortest car in the United States.

Trucks and Art

Cindy Pennington, daughter of the late Jerry Pennington, will be driving this pickup as a memorial to her father. What a way to give honor to one's father. See, Cindy's father spent his life around cars at his Troy shop. It fits just right to have this piece of art in his honor.

"My dad was very talented," said Cindy.

"I look back now that I'm older and realize he was way ahead of his time."

Rock 'n roll ‘n Cars

Cool cars and music make a perfect combination. Lots of chrome and the pulsating sounds of music styles ranging from tejano to hard rock serves as the highlight for this year's Custom Car & Chopper Festival.

I can already imagine it. Saturday's lineup will be spearheaded by Blue Oyster Cult, a veteran rock group while Sunday's will be the known Tex-Mex band Little Joe & La Familia.

What: The Custom Car & Chopper Festival, featuring lots of chrome-studded cars and motorcycles, and music for every taste to rock away the weekend.

When: Doors open both days at 4 p.m.

Where: Texas Avenue in Downtown El Paso.

How much: Tickets available at Circle K stores; $8 advance and $10 at the gate.

Web site: www.elpasofestivals.com.

Information: 351-1191.

Giants’ Jennings and His Ride

Michael Jennings, who is again trying to make the Giants as a receiver and returner, with his customized 1995 Chevrolet Caprice, which has a Corvette engine.

No car driven by a Giant attracts more attention than Michael Jenning’s 1995 Chevrolet Caprice. Michael Jennings, the Giant’s tagged most colorful character, made his arrival with a thumping back beat. He glided past the many heads that turned to look at his ride. No one present must have missed it, he pounded the accelerator and a guttural thunder came out from its Corvette engine.

Cool old school!!