Warning: If you have yet to watch Ford V Ferrari and don’t know the true story behind the movie, you may want to tread lightly. Spoilers ahead!
On the heels of the massive success of the new film Ford V. Ferrari, we thought it would be interesting to learn a bit more about the hall of fame driver responsible for the Ford Shelby winning (sort of) the 24 hour Le Mans endurance race in 1966, after five consecutive years of Ferrari dominance. We knew the name Ken Miles, and we knew about his genius ability to race high powered, high performance vehicles around any race track that was put under his foot pedals.
What we didn’t know, however, was that there were many people that didn’t believe he died in a fiery crash on August 17, 1966 while test driving the new Ford J-car prototype, just two months after racing in the biggest race of his career. The Le Mans race itself is for another blog at another time; today we want to share with you the story of Ken Miles surviving the crash that claimed his life, or…didn’t?
There’s a sort of romance involved in taking on a restoration project. The idea of finding a junkyard gem, long forgotten and tossed aside, and bringing it back to life is on the top of many-a car enthusiasts bucket list. For most of us, it will stay solely on our minds and on that list, along with so many other items that will most likely never to come to fruition. But for those bold enough to follow through with that dream, the reward can be a once in a lifetime feeling.
Did you know that Buick is not only the oldest car brand in the United States, but is one of the oldest in the entire world? Although Buicks are generally associated with wealthier, older car buyers, their distinguishable features are recognized by those of all walks of life, and their popularity has only increased in recent years. Read on to learn about the long history, and more interesting facts, of the brand that continues to stand the test of time.
On August 17th, the Pioneer Auto Show invited those near and far to join in on partying like it’s 1954 at a bash commemorating our 65th year in business! The clear, sunny day provided the perfect opportunity for everyone to join together in festivities for all ages, including kids’ rides, a costume contest, 50’s karaoke, a car show and parade, and a street dance that led into the wee hours of the night. Read on for more fun details about our big celebration!
For the majority of classic cars, an old abandoned prairie farmhouse or a scrap yard becomes their final resting place. Rusted, parted-out, or simply left behind from an earlier generation, these classics will never see the open road again. Far too often we come across one of these once beautiful machines and think, wow, what a waste. Back in ’57, every kid in my neighborhood would’ve mowed lawns from sun-up to sundown to get their hands around that steering wheel. But so it goes, I suppose. “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore” is a very true statement, and probably for good reason. As James May once said, if they were any good, they’d still be made. The fact of the matter is, modern cars are faster, more reliable, more comfortable, and more economical. You name it; modern cars of today are just better machines.
And yet, the classic car is not only still around, but is looked at as a thing of beauty, and the industry is thriving. Why is that? Why the love affair with classic cars? Why do we romanticize the idea of hitting the highways in an old gas hound from the thirties, or tearing around the town at a full speed of 63 mph in a once loved sports model? The answer is not a simple one, but there are several factors that come into play, and each classic car enthusiast surely has their own reason for letting their hearts wander towards the classics.
It all started in 1954, with AJ ‘Dick’ Geisler displaying a 1913 Ford Peddler’s Wagon to attract customers to his new gas station, and now here we are, 65 years later, with over 275 rare and classic cars, 60 tractors, 60 motorcycles, and more antiques and memorabilia than can be seen in a single day. That’s right, Pioneer Auto Show is turning the big 65 and we want to celebrate this monumental occasion with all of you! On Saturday, August 17th, 2019, we’ll be offering $1.00 admission to the museum, and will also be hosting an event chock full of fun for all ages, complete with a car Show and Shine, street dance and much more. Read on for more details about this all day bash!
Here at the Pioneer Auto Show, we’re gearing up for an extra special summer, as this year marks 65 years since our museum was started by AJ ‘Dick’ Geisler! Over the last 65 years, many things have changed: cars, music, technology, the list goes on and on. But one thing remains the same – the Pioneer Auto Show is the place to go for a peek into the past while surrounded by good old-fashioned Midwest hospitality. Since 1954 was the big year for Pioneer Auto Show, we wanted to take you back to that magical time!
In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about easy ways to conserve natural resources, with many hopping on the bandwagon of making changes in their life to be more energy-efficient. In the last 20 years or so, car producers have also joined in on the quest to be more sustainable by making huge strides in the development of electric cars, allowing them to be more attainable by the public. Read on to learn more about this growing trend, which doesn’t look to be disappearing anytime soon.
The arrival of spring means many things to many people. For some, it means green grass, flowers in bloom, and the rebirth of leaves on the trees. For others, it means tan lines and lake days are just around the corner. But for some of us, it means one thing; it’s time to get that classic out of the garage! Yessir, she has sat there, idle for months, giving us those doe-like eyes with her headlights that practically plead for us to just give her key a turn, and perhaps a gentle step upon the throttle pedal. She has been so lonely out there, freezing her bumper off, with not so much as a refuel, or soft cloth ran along her fenders. But now, it’s time to rekindle your relationship, and give her all the love and attention she deserves!
That was the price paid in June 2018 for a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, the most expensive car sold at auction to date. According to Marcel Massini, one of the world’s top collectible Ferrari experts, it was sold in a private sale by German racecar driver Christian Glaesel to businessman and car aficionado David MacNeil, founder of WeatherTech.
Today, radio is often regarded as an older technology that has been surpassed by inventions such as televisions, cell phones and the internet, but radio is the forefather in the widespread communication of news, programming and music, and is still a vital component in our society. Learning the history of the radio is a great peek back into history to see how the world connected before the modern age. Take some time out of your day, tune to your favorite FM, AM or satellite radio station, kick up your feet and read all about the evolution of the radio!
