Check out Hover Motor Company for the latest car show recaps, stories, upcoming events, and inforamtion!

If you enjoy my Examiner column, I think you'll want to know about my new Hover Motor Company site.

Although I will still post the occasional article on the Examiner, I am excited for the opportunity to build a web-presence of my own.  That's why I'm working to make Hover Motor Company the premiere destination for car show recaps, car stories and history, upcoming events, and automotive news in the Kansas City area.  There will be plenty for the local folks and plenty for our national audience, and it will be presented in a more lighthearted, but still professional style.

For the best enthusiast-focused automotive coverage to be found ANYWHERE in Kansas City, check out:

http://www.hovermotorco.com/

Click on the link, enjoy the ride, and be sure to subscribe for updates!  Thank you!

- Craig

Hot fun at KCCA Corvettes on the Square Kickoff Party at Vintage Vettes, L.L.C.

The Kansas City Corvette Association was gearing up for their premiere event of the year, "Corvettes on the Square," in Independence, Mo., on Saturday. But before that, club members got together for a fun kickoff party at the fabulous Vintage Vettes, L.L.C. in North Kansas City.

The only real issue with Friday's event was the weather. It was hot. Officially, it was the first time that it hit 103-degrees at KCI since 2006. But temperatures easily topped 106, and things were even hotter when you added in the infamous Midwest humidity. And to make matters worse, some nasty thunderstorms were circling the perimeter of the show.

People didn't seem to be letting that discourage them, however. Everyone was hanging out with their cars, noshing on a potluck buffet, hanging out with old friends and meeting new ones.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

NASCAR in Michigan and Dover, NHRA in Brainerd, and lots of local racing. August 13, 14, 15

You say you like car races? Well, you’re in luck! There are great shows on the dirt, on the asphalt, around the ovals, and down the drag strips all over Kansas City, and on race tracks throughout the country. Here’s a handy list of some of the biggest and best motorsports events that you can watch this weekend.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WEEKEND AUTO RACING SCHEDULE

Kansas City car shows and cruises all over the place. Automotive events for August 13, 14, 15

So many car shows, so little time. If you like the competitive atmosphere of an organized, judged competition, or the freedom of a casual car cruise, there are plenty of options around Kansas City this weekend. Everything from the big Corvettes on the Square show in Independence, to the easy going gathering at the Riverside Red-X on Friday night, there is bound to be a car-charged event to fit your mood.

Also, if you are into car races, we have now moved that calendar over to the new Kansas City Motorsports column here on the Examiner, so be sure to check that out to see where you’re going to go for wheel-to-wheel racing competition around town and across the nation.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEKEND'S CAR SHOW SCHEDULE

Larry Phillips may be the greatest NASCAR driver you never knew

When you think of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history, names like Petty, Earnhardt, and Pearson come to mind. Well, there is one driver who competed locally that regularly makes the list for people in-the-know, and you may have never even heard his name.

Larry Phillips from Springfield, Mo., is one of the greatest stock car drivers who ever lived, and he had much of his success here in the Kansas City area.

So why haven’t you heard of him? Well, he only raced one event in what is now called the Sprint Cup series, that in 1976. He was not a media mogul, an attention hound, or a socialite. In reality, he was a crabby loner. But his accomplishments on the short tracks of the Midwest are nothing short of legendary.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Kansas Speedway sponsor Price Chopper launches Chopper Shopper card racing promotion

Local area grocery store chain Price Chopper is the sponsor of the "Price Chopper 400" when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway on October 3. And now, they've put together a promotion that should get most race fans pretty excited, and they can enter it by saving money on their groceries.

All you need to do is swipe your Price Chopper "Chopper Shopper" discount card to enter to win one of several pretty cool racing prizes.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTEST DETAILS AND PRIZES

Cheseburger in Paradise car cruise didn't exactly live up to its name

If you've been reading stories from this column for any time at all, you know how most of these stories go--we go to a cruise, we have a good time, we come back and tell you why it was fun. We love car gatherings, and we encourage every business to have them.

Almost.

We decided to check out the monthly Sunday cruise at Cheeseburger in Paradise in the Legends shopping area in Kansas City, Kan., and it was an experience we'd just as soon forget.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

It's good to be the King in the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Kansas Speedway

When you’ve shopped at the Legends during the summer months, you may have noticed the unmistakable scream of racing engines coming from Kansas Speedway, even on an off weekend. Chances are it isn’t Dale Earnhardt, Jr. shaking down the AMP Energy Chevy. More likely, you’re hearing a bunch of hot, happy people taking part in the Richard petty Driving Experience (RPDE).

The RPDE is more like an amusement park ride than an actual driving school. The gist of it is that you go out and follow an experienced driver around Kansas Speedway behind the wheel of an old Sprint Cup-type car. You can go as fast as you are comfortable driving, as long as you stay within the boundaries set by the pylons on the track, and you slow down if the leader waves you off.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Carnage and mayhem as the Parkville Cruise Night on August 7 packed 'em in like never before

The monthly cruise night in Parkville, Mo., is sort of a hit-or-miss affair. We've been to a couple that really didn't have that great of a turnout, and we've been to a few that were busting at the seams. The event on August 7 was definitely in the "hit" category, for more reasons than one.

We didn't arrive too late, but the show organizers were already warning, "parking is tight." And they weren't kidding. If you got there anytime after things got underway at 4:00, you needed to grab any spot you could find.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Kansas Speedway and NASCAR confirm second NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend date in 2011

Yesterday, we recounted the rumor that Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., was likely to receive a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event in 2011, and today the Speedway confirmed it.

The two big NASCAR weekends will be held on June 4-5, and October 8-9. As is the case in 2010, the October show will be part of the NASCAR Chase to the Sprint Cup championship series.

The fact that Kansas City had one NASCAR Sprint Cup event was pretty significant, but two dates at the same track place it in rarified air with some of the most elite and prestigious racing facilities in the nation. Many tracks would love to get just one date—so to receive two is quite an accomplishment for the owners and staff of parent company ISC and Kansas Speedway.

SEE THE FULL STORY HERE

Montoya wins NASCAR Sprint Cup at Watkins Glen. Nationwide and Camping World Trucks. Local drivers

NASCAR's premiere series were on the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y., and on the oval in Nashville, Tenn., over the weekend, and there was plenty of action to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

The main event was the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen, and while the outcome couldn't have been any further removed from Kansas City, there are still some local connections.

The favorite going into this event had to be Australian driver Marcos Ambrose. That's a fairly unusual pick for a favorite, especially since he has never won a race in the top series. But Ambrose is extraordinarily adept at road course racing thanks to his vast experience driving in the V8 Supercar Series on similar tracks on his home continent. And in fact, Ambrose won his third NASCAR Nationwide Series event in-a-row at Watkins Glen just a day earlier.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

Kansas Speedway looks poised to get a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event in 2011

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule is going through some of the biggest changes in several years, and Kansas City is right in the thick of things.

The Associated Press reported last week on the widely predicted rumor that Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., was going to pick up a second Sprint Cup date in 2001, and the story was picked up on nearly every major local and national sports news source in the country.

READ THE DETAILS ABOUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HERE

Double features and double winners highlight Lakeside Speedway action on Friday night, August 6

Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., had not one, but two sets of feature events for the Modifieds and Grand Nationals on Friday night, August 6, plus a great factory Stock feature. If fans didn’t think they got their money’s worth with all that, there’s no making them happy.

The double-header was a result of a rainout the week before. Heat races were squeezed in, but there wasn’t enough time to see who would bring home the big trophies. Let’s take a look at the makeup events first.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

Aviation Adventure Cruise at the KC Downtown Airport featured hot action on the ground & in the air

Sometimes car cruises are just fun for people who like cars. If you have spouses or kids that really don't share your passion, it takes a special event to really get the whole family on board.

We were able to experience such an event this weekend at the Kansas City Downtown Airport. The Aviation Adventure Day Fly-In and Car Cruise had more than enough to satisfy the car nuts in the crowd, but it also had events to appeal to everybody else.

There were quite a few cars out there. Many of them were cars that we're used to seeing at the KCI Cruise Nights at the Ambassador Building in the northern Kansas City area. That makes sense, because the downtown event was promoted and produced by the same people. And that's a good thing, because the KCI Cruises are among the best in town.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Vintage Vettes, L.L.C. in North Kansas City is the Corvette lover's dream

This week, we had the opportunity to check out Vintage Vettes, L.L.C. in North Kansas City, and if you truly love early Corvettes, this trip is an absolute requirement.

From the street, it doesn't look like much, but once you get inside the un-air-conditioned industrial building, the inventory is mind-boggling. We've been to lots of Corvette shows that didn't have anywhere near the kind of cars that are sitting in this collection. And the best part is that they're all for sale. Well, maybe that's also the worst part when you realize what nice old Corvettes are going for these days. But it's still fun to dream, no?

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

Cars, airplanes, churches, bars, and race tracks. Kansas City car shows & events for August 6, 7, 8

No fooling—this is a big car weekend in Kansas City. If the car and airplane show is as good as the KCI Cruise Night the Kansas City Aviation department is known for, we’re in for a real treat. For the repentant, there are car shows at churches. For the miscreants, there are car shows at bars. For the hungry, there are car shows at restaurants. And for the non-hungry, there are car shows in parks. Combine all this with a full schedule of racing events, and you have the makings of something big. Check out the list below to plan your weekend agenda.

FOR THE FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, CLICK HERE

Downtown Belton Car Cruise does it up big, thanks to the loyal following of the South 71 Cruisers

When you talk about the most significant car cruises in the Kansas City area, the monthly Belton event is the one people seem to talk about the most.

We hadn't been to this venue in awhile, so we decided to battle the road construction and detours between the Northland and the southerly located City of Belton to see what all the hubub is about, and with the number and quality of cars that showed up, this cruise did not disappoint.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Biffle wins weird one in Pocono while Sadler wrecks hard. Sadler did win NCWTS. Plus NNS and I-35

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series made their second stop at Pocono Raceway over the weekend, and the talk around the water cooler this week isn't going to be about the winner or the side-by-side action, but it will revolve around a devastating-looking crash on lap 165 that barely made it into the television frame of the ESPN broadcast.

Bump drafting, or the art of one car slamming another in the rear bumper to give it an extra boost, was going on all over the track. In this instance, Jimmie Johnson in the Lowes Chevrolet gave Kurt Busch in the Miller Lite Dodge a shot to clear another car. Busch lost control, and slammed hard in the outside wall, then crossed back down the track to glance off the inside steel barrier.

Meanwhile, Elliot Sadler in the U.S. Air Force Ford, was collected in the chain reaction of events behind the initial accident. Sadler barreled head-on into the corner of a dangerous guardrail that was fortified by a dirt-pack berm behind it. The force of the impact was so great that it literally launched the entire engine out of the car and on the ground several feet away.

READ THE FULL RECAP AND SEE THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

All-original 1961 Corvette bridges the gap between the early years and the Stingray style

For many years, Jim Hover (the author's dad) refused to take his '61 Corvette to a car show. “I hated having people tell me I should restore it,” he grouses. “This car will never be restored as long as I'm alive.”

Jim has managed to keep his Corvette original for 32 years now. That's how long ago he bought it from an Omaha, Nebr., used car lot for the princely sum of $4,500. And today, the gleaming white beauty sits in pretty much the same condition as it was purchased. Far from perfect, but with a charm and history that's hard to duplicate at any cost.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Get behind the wheel and enjoy a car show, cruise, or race in Kansas City. July 30, 31, August 1

Sometimes, you just need to get out of the house and enjoy a little car culture. And that’s where we’ve got you covered. There are several family-friendly car shows, car cruises, and car races all over the Kansas City area this weekend. So get out there and go someplace! You’ll be glad you did.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Build up your car memorabilia collection at an antique mall. We visit the Brass Armadillo

Even though we cover quite a few automotive events here, there are days that a car show, cruise, race, or swap meet just might not be scheduled. Great--then what are we supposed to do? Well, take a deep breath, we'll get through this together.

One way to spend a rainy day is to hit the local antique mall. Automotive memorabilia is pretty common within the rows of vendor spaces at most of these stores, and if you keep a sharp eye out, sometimes you can find some real treasures.

To illustrate that point, we went to one of the biggest antique malls in the Kansas City area, the Brass Armadillo in Grain Valley, Mo. The Iowa-based Brass Armadillo is actually an antique mall chain, with five locations throughout the country. The Kansas City store is a monster, with more than 42,000 square-feet and 500 dealers.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Vintage Thunderbirds of Kansas City flock to Thoroughbred Ford for high-flying T-Bird display

People generally tend to visit Thoroughbred Ford in northern Kansas City to look at current model cars and trucks. But last Saturday, the attraction was a car that Ford doesn't even produce anymore--the iconic Thunderbird. The Vintage Thunderbirds of Kansas City (VTKC) club was on hand with a nice little display of examples from various points in the car's history. And while a '56 T-Bird has little in common with a '96, they still enjoy getting together and enjoying the legacy of one of Ford's most recognizable nameplates.

The Thunderbird first appeared in 1954 as a ’55 model as Ford’s answer to Chevrolet’s Corvette. But aside from having two seats, the T-Bird was quite a bit different from its cross-town rival.

Unlike the Corvette, the T-Bird didn’t try to be a purebred sports car. It was more of a personal luxury vehicle. It had the heavy, chrome-drenched feel of the full-sized ’55 Ford, and in fact shared many of the same components.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE A PHOTO SLIDESHOW FROM THE SHOW HERE

Joplin, Mo., driver McMurray puts Ganassi Chevy in Brickyard victory lane. ORP and local results

Sometimes, nice guys can finish first. It happened Sunday at the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That's where Joplin, Mo., driver Jamie McMurray took the checkered flag in one of NASCAR's biggest events of the year driving a Chevrolet Impala out of the Chip Ganassi racing shops. He also helped make some serious racing history for himself and his car owner.

For McMurray, he became only the third driver in the History of NASCAR to win what are arguably the two biggest events in the same year--the Brickyard and the season-opening Daytona 500. For Ganassi, his teams were the first to win the Brickyard, the Daytona 500, and the coveted Indianapolis 500 with Dario Franchitti all in the same year. Pretty heady stuff for a former Kansas City-area Modified driver.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE AND SEE THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Touch of "Glass" Corvette Show at Hooters was the place to go for heat, horsepower, & chicken wings

The Touch of "Glass" Corvette Club of Kansas City was out in force over the weekend for their annual visit to Hooters in the Legends area and a big show and shine. Corvettes lined up all round the building, making an impressive display of fiberglass and forward-hinged hoods for those that passed by.

This show was heavy on the late-model Corvettes. But that probably was somewhat due to environmental conditions. With temperatures reaching the century mark, and no relief in sight, driving something with modern air conditioning seemed like a pretty good idea. In fact, there were no first-generation Corvettes on display whatsoever, and they were the only era where air conditioning was not available from the factory.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Trucks, Thunderbirds, and tradition. Kansas City car shows and races for July 23, 24, 25

Another weekend, another great calendar of car events around Kansas City. What kind of sports car do you like? Thunderbirds will be at Thoroughbred Ford. Corvettes will be at the City Market. The Show 'n Shine at the Agricultural Hall of Fame is always a fun time in a neat setting. And in addition to a full schedule of local racing events, NASCAR gears up for one of their biggest events of the year with the Brickyard 400 at Indy. It's a great time to be a car lover!

SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS BY CLICKING HERE

Independence 76 Firefest had a great car show, fun for the kids, and impressive vintage fire trucks

Sometimes when we see cars and trucks parked neatly in rows at a car show, the only assessment we can make is on how they look. Without driving them or seeing them in action, it's hard to appreciate just what these vehicles can do.

This point became obvious this weekend during the Firefest event, sponsored by the Independence 76 Fire Company, in the parking lot of the Independence Event Center. This was a free event with a car show, raffles, fire hoses spraying water for the kids, muster games, and several vintage fire trucks.

SEE THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

2010 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National Convention was in Kansas City. Part 1: 1960 and older

In 1902, Henry Leland founded was has become the most successful luxury car brand in American history--Cadillac. While fine cars from Packard, Duesenberg, Pierce Arrow, Auburn, Imperial, and others have come and gone, General Motors' flagship continues to produce world-class cars to this day.

This weekend, the 2010 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National event, hosted by the Cadillac Club of Kansas City, was held in Overland Park, Kan., and some of the finest examples of this storied nameplate gathered at the Doubletree Hotel for an extraordinarily impressive display.

Because there were too many beautiful cars to do justice in just one slideshow, we're splitting this article into two parts to give you as many pictures as we can.

For this part, we'll look at Cadillacs built before 1961. This break-off point was chosen because 1960 was basically the last year of the excessive, chrome-drenched models stereotypical of early Cadillacs. By '61, there was much less chrome, the famous fins shrunk quickly, then disappeared, and public tastes became more restrained.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY AND A FULL PHOTO SLIDESHOW

2010 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National Convention was in Kansas City. Part 2: 1961 and newer

This weekend, the 2010 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National event, hosted by the Cadillac Club of Kansas City, was held in Overland Park, Kan. The Doubletree Hotel near Corporate Woods was loaded with some of the finest examples of GM's flagship brand in the country.

In the first part of this story, we studied the opulent Cadillacs from the first 60 years of the company's existence. In this segment, we'll look at the more restrained cars from 1961 and on-up-through the 1980s.

We chose 1961 because this was a transitional year for Cadillac styling. Harley Earl, Cadillac's legendary design chief, retired in 1958. His successor, Bill Mitchell, was a big fan of clean lines and simple elegance. Of course, the 1959 Cadillac was among the most gloriously garish vehicles ever conceived, but Mitchell's influence started to show with the slightly less overwrought '60 model, and was even further realized with the completely redesigned '61.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY AND A FULL PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Edwards punts Keselowski for Gateway Nationwide win. Harvick takes NASCAR trucks. I-35 winners too

Was it justified? Whenever a driver decides to bump another driver out of the way in a car race, that driver usually feels like it was the right thing to do. So in his mind, it was justified. Of course, one driver's feelings aren't the only factor at work. Was it justifiable to the other driver? Will the fans think it was justified? Will the sanctioning body and rules makers think it was justified? Was the collateral damage worth taking that action?

There are a lot of opinions surrounding the finish of the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 Saturday night at Gateway International Raceway. Opinions that may linger for years after that infamous final lap was completed.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Platte City Friends of the Arts Summer Concert Series featured a Righteous Rides downtown car show

Sometimes, a nice, easy, small town car cruise is a great way to relax. The Platte City Friends of the Arts had the July installment of their Summer Concert Series last Saturday night, and the Righteous Rides Car Club brought out a select group of members and friends to attract a few gear heads to the free performance.

Local performer Matt Snook performed some easy-going country favorites under the Platte City Courthouse steps, while the Platte County Historical Society provided free ice cream to the hot crowd.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

NASCAR, car shows, cruises, and Cadillacs. Kansas City automotive calendar for July 16, 17, & 18

As the summer gets hotter, the car events also begin to heat up in Kansas City. Sure, there are the usual cruise nights, car shows, and car races around town this weekend, but there are also a couple of nationally recognized events worth noting. First of all, the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National will take place in Overland Park, and this is a good opportunity to see some of the most stylish cars ever built. Also, the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series’ will be at Gateway International Speedway near St. Louis this weekend, so it might be worth the road trip to see some top-level NASCAR action.

FOR THE FULL WEEKEND CALENDAR, CLICK HERE

Independence Bass Pro Shops Cruise Night was crowded with cool cars when the sun set on Saturday

Over the summer, we've reviewed car cruises around town that were very successful, and a few that probably could have used a little more publicity. But the monthly cruise night in the parking lot of the Independence, Mo., Bass Pro Shops was an out-and-out monster. There were so many cars, they almost couldn't find enough space for them all. Now if you're a promoter of a car cruise, that's a good problem to have.

Part of the reason for this event's success is that it is hosted by the Camaro Club of Kansas City. They get people to come to their events, because they have members that participate in everyone else's events. It's hard to go to any car gathering in town that you don't recognize someone from the Camaro club. These guys and gals are passionate about their cars, and they love to bring them out and talk to people about them.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW OF THE CARS

Chryslers and AMCs from all over the nation hit the 26th Annual HPAC Midwest MOPAR Family Reunion

For the 25 years, the High Performance Auto Club (HPAC) of Kansas City has been drawing in the nicest examples of MOPAR vehicles from all over the United States, and they did it again with the 26th Annual installment of this highly anticipated event.

The big car show had been scheduled to take place at the E.H. Young Riverfront Park in Riverside, Mo., as it had in year's past. But the heavy rains and high water level of the Missouri River forced a last-minute relocation across the street in the parking area at the swanky Briarcliff Village shopping area. The new diggs didn't seem to hurt the show, however, as there was plenty of secure space available for folks to bring out their prized Chrysler products.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW OF THE CARS

Vineyard Grand Classic Car Show at the Vineyard Church brought cool cars to God's parking lot

"Thou shall park here." Those were the words on the signs that directed spectator cars at the 2010 Vineyard Grand Classic Car Show at the Vineyard Church.

The turnout was well over 100 cars, and they was everything from nice originals to super high-end customs. Corvettes seemed to be the dominant model, but there was still a nice variety all over the parking lot.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Reutimann and Busch win NASCAR in Chicago, Dillon in Iowa, Lakeside winners and I-35 double features

For fans of stock car racing, the Midwest was not only in the middle of the country, but it was also the middle of the racing action this past weekend. Cars were circling tracks in Chicago, Iowa, and of course, right here in Kansas City.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series were the headliners in the Windy City, and this is significant to us, because Chicagoland Speedway is very similar to the mile-and-a-half oval at Kansas Speedway, so this could be a preview of things to come.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND PHOTO SLIDESHOW

'60 in scale. Dealer promo model cars from 1960. Can't buy the real car? Try a promotional model.

1960. Charlton Heston won an Academy Award for Ben Hur. The Flintstones first appeared on TV. And Elvis Presley returns from Germany after a two-year stint in the Army.

In the automotive world, designs were starting to get a little cleaner, a little more understated than the last couple of years. They're still big, chrome-encrusted, and glamorous, but you can see the impetus of the subdued '60s starting to take hold. Think about a '60 Cadillac. It's still very big. It still has big fins and a heavy chrome grill. But compared to a '59 Cadillac, it's a pretty sterile design.

If you like the transitional style of 1960, but can't afford a huge warehouse full of cars, there's a way to collect the year's greatest hits in the palm of your hand.

Dealer promotional models were given out or sold at dealerships as sales tools. For adults, they represented a three-dimensional, tangible reminder of that station wagon that they might have been on the fence about. They illustrated colors, models, and body styles in a way that a brochure never could.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE A SLIDESHOW OF SEVERAL RARE MODELS

Kansas City car shows, cruises, & races for July 9, 10, 11; National Collector Car Appreciation Day

This Friday, July 9, is National Collector Car Appreciation Day. This resolution was actually passed by the United States Senate. That means it’s our civic duty to attend a car show sometime this weekend. Our country depends on it!

And you’ll be proud to be an American when you see all the great car events around Kansas City. Whether you attend the big HPAC MOPAR meet, a local cruise night, or a car race at the local dirt track, there are plenty of fun automotive activities all over town. God bless the U.S.A.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL WEEKEND CALENDAR OF CAR EVENTS

Long live the King! Elvis braves the Cold Missouri Rain at the July Blue Springs Car Cruise

Missouri rain keeps pouring down, and up ahead's another town … that I'll go cruisin’ through, with the rain in my shoes, searchin’ for you, in the cold Missouri rain!

With wall clouds all around, and fireworks shows being cancelled all over town, you might not have expected a large-scale car cruise to be taking place in the Kansas City area. But that’s just what happened in historic downtown Blue Springs with the July installment of their monthly summer car cruise. As usual, there was another strong turnout, and even a surprise or two in store for the diehards that braved the ominous weather Saturday night.

Elvis was alive and well in Blue Springs, as a young impersonator belted out the King’s tunes throughout the night.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND PHOTO SLIDESHOW

ADRL Drag Races at Heartland Park Topeka were high-powered free fun for the whole family

Last weekend, we had the chance to take in the Hardee's Independence Day Drags IV for the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) at Heartland Park Topeka. We are sure to mention Hardee's specifically, because their sponsorship made it possible for everyone in the stands to get a free ticket to the event.

There really weren't that many spectators there for qualifying on Friday, but the ones that made it saw a great show. Watching the drag races at Heartland Park can be a positive experience even if you do have to buy a ticket, because your grandstand ticket generally gives you full access to the pit area as well.

Having never attended an ADRL event before, and armed with the olds adage, "you get what you pay for," the experience was a pleasant surprise.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW

41st Annual Parkville Days Riverfest Fourth of July Parade brings the car show right to you

Normally, when this column covers a car show, we walk around and find the cars that we want to include in the pictures. But when it came to the 2010 Fourth of July Parade in Parkville, Mo., all we had to do was sit on the corner in front of the American Legion Hall, and all the cars just drove on by.

This parade was hosted by the Main Street Parkville Association, and was a part of the 41st Annual Parkville Days Riverfest activities in historic Downtown Parkville, Mo.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Harvick survives Sprint Cup Daytona derby, Dale, Jr., takes #3 to victory lane, and Lakeside

The Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway was less of a race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and more like a high stakes demolition derby.

Oh, it started on a slow note. After an hour-and-a-half rain delay, everyone seemed to be content driving in a very close, but fairly controlled freight train. But as the night wore on, the carnage grew.

READ THE FULL RECAP AND SEE A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., takes the #3 Wrangler Chevrolet to an emotional victory at Daytona

Sometimes, real life really is like a movie script.

We have mentioned here before the significance of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driving the #3 Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet this weekend at the Nationwide Series event at Daytona. That was his dad's number. That was his dad's paint scheme. Daytona was the track at which The Intimidator lost his life. This was an historic event.

And this was an historic finish. Dale, Jr., hadn't won a Nationwide Series event in four years. Until tonight. But as if it were written in Hollywood, the most popular driver currently in NASCAR, son of the most respected driver in NASCAR history, put the vaunted #3 in Daytona's victory circle.

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Get your Fourth of July weekend off to a bang with car shows, races, and fireworks in Kansas City.

Gear up for your long holiday weekend with some high-octane car events around the Kansas City area. While many communities are giving up their fireworks displays, racetracks like Lakeside Speedway are keeping the tradition alive with professional fireworks shows of their own after the races. Or take in a car show or cruise. Whatever your automotive preferences, there’s bound to be something for you in Kansas City this Fourth of July weekend.

There will also be several parades around the area, and you’ll often be surprised at the cool cars and car clubs that find their way into those slow processions down Main Street U.S.A.

SEE THE FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE HERE

41st Annual 2010 Ararat Shrine Car Show in North Kansas City took place in spite of the odds

The 41st Annual Ararat Shrine Car, Truck, & Bike Show seemed destined to fail.

The event was originally scheduled for June 15, but massive rain showers put the kibosh on those plans. The scheduled rain date was last Sunday, but again, rain was in the forecast. Combine that with the Art of the Car Concours grabbing all the headlines downtown, and organizers of this show really had their work cut out for them.

And yet, the show didn't fail.

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2010 Kansas City Art of the Car Concours. Part 2: Pre-war Classics. See pictures from the show.

Yesterday, we had a look at several of the great late-1940s-1960s cars that were on display at the 2010 Art of the Car Concours event, which was held last weekend at the Kansas City Art Institute. And if you thought those were nice cars, hang on. Because today, we’re getting into the big, pre-war Classics—Packards, Cords, Pierce Arrows, and Auburns, to name a few. These are the kind of cars people think about when they hear the word “Concours”. We’re talking about serious machines here; the cars you might expect to see on the lawn at Pebble Beach.

The Mac-Daddy of the event had to be the 1919 Pierce Arrow limousine that was used by President Woodrow Wilson. This gargantuan would dwarf, say, a Chevy Suburban, but still manages to ooze style from every pore.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

2010 Kansas City Art of the Car Concours. Part 1: Post-war beauties. See pictures from the show.

We attend quite a few car cruises and shows here at the Examiner, but few are as special as the one we went to on Sunday. The fourth-annual "Art of the Car Concours" brought in one of the finest collections of cars ever assembled in Kansas City. Held on the campus of the Kansas City Art Institute, cars came in from eight states to make up this spectacular display.

Today, we're mostly looking at post-war favorites from the show. These are cars that may show up at a normal local car gathering, although few of the cars at this show do.

READ THE FULL STORY AND SEE PICTURES HERE

Johnson takes Sprint Cup at Loudon, Busch breaks Nationwide record, and Kinser wins WOO at Lakeside

Whether it was NASCAR in New Hampshire, or the World of Outlaws in Kansas City, this was a pretty good weekend to be a racing fan.

Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., opened their doors for a rare Saturday night show when the stars and cars of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series invaded the 3/8-mile clay oval. This is not only a treat for race fans in this area, but it solidifies Lakeside's place among the top-tier dirt track racing facilities in the nation.

Meanwhile, a different series titan, Jimmie Johnson, was able to claim his second victory in-a-row in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event Sunday at Loudon, N.H.

READ THE FULL RECAP AND SEE PHOTOS FROM ALL THE RACES HERE

Kansas City Concours, car shows, and car races, June 26, 27, 28. Loudon NASCAR schedule too

The summer car event season is in full swing, and there are more things to do in Kansas City than you can shake a stick at. From the ultra-rare to the commonplace, this weekend is a great time to bolster your automotive education by studying the best cars in town. Check out this weekend’s calendar for some great events all over town.

SEE THE FULL CAR-CRAZY SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKEND HERE

7th Annual Car Stereo Competition and Car Show at the KCI Expo Center was all about the tunes

Just when you think we've been to every kind of car show imaginable, something different comes along. Last Sunday, Kansas City hosted the 7th Annual Car Stereo Competition and Car Show at the KCI Expo Center. This was a regional event for United States Autosound Competition International (USACI), and a pretty big number of cars showed up for this much-anticipated event.

Sure it was a car show, but really, this event was all about the tunes. If you had lots of boomin' speakers, a few TV screens, and a deftly tuned ear, you would have fit right in at the Expo Center.

READ MORE AND SEE THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE

June KCI Cruise Night lives up to the hype. Old cars invade the WireCo building near the airport

Saturday was a strange day around Kansas City. There were thunderstorms that were strong enough to make the creeks overflow. There was wind powerful enough to knock mobile homes off their foundations. Flooding was the order of the day.

And yet, when it was time for the KCI Cruise Night in the afternoon, the weather couldn't have been much better.

SEE THE FULL STORY AND A PHOTO SLIDESHOW HERE