Rusty's TV and Movie Car Museum brings a touch of Hollywood to Jackson, Tennessee

If you were a car chase-loving kid of the 1980s, you were living in the golden age of television. You could tune in to an action-packed, hour-long drama nearly every night of the week. And while many of us who fit the profile collected model cars or diecasts, Rusty Robinson took it to the next level. An old bread store in Jackson, Tenn., may not seem like much from the outside, but it houses one of the best TV and movie car collections you’ll ever hope to see. Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Museum is packed with well-known vehicles from the biggest hits of the decade. Many of them were actually used on screen. And while it may not be located in Hollywood, California, it does have a Hollywood Street address in Jackson.

Southern invasion. The Belton Car Cuise brings in the big numbers

When some people think of Belton, Missouri, images of the big Quick Trip distribution center or the railroad depot may come to mind. But for area car enthusiasts, the monthly Belton car cruise is the first thing they think of.

This may very well be the biggest monthly cruise in Kansas City. I don’t have the official count from Saturday night, but I’d guess around 300 classic cars and trucks lined Belton’s historic downtown Main Street and various parking lots and side streets nearby. It was a very impressive display.

See famous movie mobiles at Universal Studios Hollywood

In case you couldn’t tell, I kind of like cars. I’m also a TV and movie junkie. So TV and movie cars have always been of particular interest.

While a blizzard hammered Kansas City during the week of February 1, I was in Los Angeles taking in some sun. And my favorite stop was Universal Studios. Sure, the fake floods, King Kong attacks, and earthquakes were cool, and the Jurassic Park water ride was OK, but the things that held my attention the most were the authentic movie and TV cars that were on display around the theme park.

If you haven’t been to Universal Studios Hollywood, let me give you an idea what it’s like. First of all, it isn’t Disneyland. Nothing is quite as polished, the kids they have running the concession stands don’t dazzle you with their friendly personalities. Rides and walls are unpolished, unpainted, and generally skuzzy looking.