2016 Fall Redneck Rumble mixes rust and water

I decided to try something different this year at the Fall Redneck Rumble in Lebanon, Tenn. Instead of just parking my truck out there, I loaded it up with junk to sell at the swap meet. It was fun … for a while. I moved a little stuff. I talked to all kinds of people about the truck, my merchandise, and anything else that came to mind. I really did enjoy it. But then, around lunchtime, the rain started pouring down in buckets, just as the weatherman had predicted. I closed up shop and set out to take pictures. Unfortunately, many of the show cars I saw when I came in had already left because of the weather. There were still enough out there to make a good story, though. Some of those rat rod guys aren’t going to let a little water bother them!

Eclectic mix of cars awaits you at the Lane Motor Museum

When you come to this website, you probably expect to see big ‘50s cars, Corvettes, Kustoms, hot rods, and muscle cars. You will see none of those in this story. Today we’re visiting the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tenn. This 132,000 sq.-ft. facility was formerly a Sunbeam bakery, but today houses more than 330 mostly vintage European cars from the private collection of Jeff Lane. But these aren’t the typical Mercedes, Porsches, and Ferraris that you might expect. The Lane Museum contains an eclectic mix of microcars and Communist dictator limousines. If it’s quirky and interesting, you’ll probably find it here. Let’s take a tour.

2013 Turner Days Car Show - good news/bad news

I always feel mixed emotions when I go to the annual Turner Days Car Show at Turner High School.  On one hand, I’m happy, because there are always a bunch of really cool cars and trucks out there.  But on the other hand, I’m sad, because it usually means we’re getting to the end of the car show season here in Kansas City.  But for the purposes of this story, let’s focus on the positive, and take a look at some of the rides on display at Sunday’s big event.

The cars of the 2013 Parkville Fourth of July parade

Every year on the Fourth of July, the Hovers usually partake in the pancake breakfast at the VFW hall in our hometown of Parkville, Mo., then we take in the parade that goes down Main Street.  Of course, I naturally get excited about all the churches and politicians and things that enter floats in this parade, but between you and me, the cars are what really trip my trigger.  To that end, let’s take a look at some of the more interesting things that cruised through the crowd this morning.

The important role of American car companies during World War II

Since today is December 7, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, I thought we could revisit a World War II car-themed story today.  Actually, it's more of a non-car-themed story, because as you will see, there really weren't even any cars being produced.

People often have a hard time differentiating American vehicles from foreign vehicles these days. The complex equation of assembly plant locations, company headquarters, content origin, and marketing message can throw off even those who want to support the home team. General Motors builds Impalas in Canada. Chrysler has an Italian owner. Toyota and Honda build a few of their vehicles in the U.S. What does it all mean?

A look at the Kansas City Military Vehicle Preservation Society in honor of Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, I thought it would be nice to look back at one of the more significant and poignant vehicle displays I have ever been to.

The Military Vehicle Preservation Society has all kinds of interesting old war machines that they display at various functions, and a couple of years ago they brought out several fascinating, battle-tested vehicles to Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial.  And the enthusiastic group of owners was available and willing to answer any questions that people may have had.

Historic military vehicles at the Liberty Memorial Museum added to the Memorial Day festivities

On Memorial Day, we took the opportunity to visit the only museum in America dedicated to the soldiers who died in World War I, Kansas City's Liberty Memorial. And although it is a very somber place with a serious subject matter, it is still an interesting, educational place for families to check out.

Now, I will admit that one of the reasons I went there in the first place was that I knew the Kansas City Military Vehicle Preservation Association was going to have a display out on the lawn. It was supposed to last until 5:00 on Monday, but when we got there around 1:00, it was pretty much wrapping up. What was still there was interesting and unusual, and you can see them in the slideshow below.