How do I get this car out of second gear?! The Micro-Mini Car Show invades the Westwood City Hall

In 1958, the novelty music group known as The Playmates went to #4 on the Billboard music charts with a crazy little tune called “Beep Beep.” You’ve probably heard it, but if you haven’t, here’s the gist. A guy in a Cadillac is driving along when someone in a little Nash-Rambler appears to challenge him to a race. The song’s tempo gets faster and faster as the guy drives faster and faster to try and outrun the Nash.

Big fun at the Westwood MICROCAR meet

The MICROCAR meet at the City Hall building in Westwood, Kan., was packed with cute little international commuters, specially designed for the narrow streets and high fuel prices of many European countries. So I rolled up in my big, black '96 Impala SS. When you think about it, I was responsible for the equivalent of three micro cars all by myself.

OK, I couldn't be part of this show, but the cars that were there really were interesting to look at. Some of them, like the crazy front-door access Isettas and true-to-their name Minis are fun, in a scary, stay off the interstate sort of way.