Spruce Goose on the Loose

Howard Hughes's folly "The Spruce Goose" is of course famous for the tiny bit of actual airtime it enjoyed before being permanently docked. But who knew it had gotten to travel--in segments--down the nation's roads beforehand?

Read about its trip here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 07, 2011 - Comments (1)
Category: Eccentrics, Hermits, Transportation, 1940s

Station Wagon or Limousine?

There was an article in my local paper recently about a man who was loaning his unique car to film-makers. The article didn't include any pictures, however, so I went online to see what made the car so original. I admit that I am not much into cars, even though I love the television show Top Gear. But I know weirdness when I see it, and this car definitely qualifies. This is the 1969 Checker Aerobus (pictured). As you can see, it has four doors on each side. Back then they called it a station wagon, but it is now classified as a limousine. The Checker Motors Corporation is more famously known for manufacturing the iconic taxi cab. The Wikipedia article can tell you more (and it's worth reading).

Posted By: Nethie - Sun Aug 22, 2010 - Comments (9)
Category: History, Mass Transit, Motor Vehicles, Cars, Transportation, 1960s

Follies of the Mad Men #116

Airplanes, what airplanes? There were airplanes in this ad?

Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 19, 2010 - Comments (7)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Sexuality, Travel, Transportation, Russia

14 People in a Smart Car

I remember the good old days when a Volkswagen Beetle was the standard, but now it's official -- get 16 people in a Smart Car and you may break the world record.



Here's a shot of the world's smallest car, which is street approved and goes about 40 mph. At 52 inches long, not much back seat action is going to happen in this car.


This tiny car is officially known as the Peel 50 (about 50 were built) and has two front wheels and one in back.

Posted By: gdanea - Sat Mar 13, 2010 - Comments (4)
Category: Transportation

Fast Way to the Beach

I hate it when this happens... a nice day at the beach....clear sky....and then a jet drops from the sky.



It's got to be tough to get out of the flight suit and loose from the parachute.

Posted By: gdanea - Fri Nov 13, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Transportation

Two Disneys

Have you ever seen a bicycle-built-for-two where the riders sit side-by-side? Me neither! And the fact that this one is ridden by Walt Disney and wife Lillian makes the whole scenario even more tantalizing.

From the Life photo archives.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 07, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Celebrities, Couples, Transportation, 1940s

Badger Casserole

It's all badgers, all the time, here at WU!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 28, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Animals, Food, Transportation

WaterCar Amphibious is Half Ram, Half Corvette, and Half Boat

Many of you may have heard of the Amphicar, the classic half boat, half car that did neither job well, but at least it looked good not doing its job. The same could not be said about the 2009 WaterCar Amphibious, however. Supposedly styled after the 2002 Camaro convertible, it looks more like someone welded the front half of a Dodge Ram truck to the back half of a Chevrolet Corvette, and then replaced the chassis with the bottom of a speedboat. The link contains several pictures of the vehicle on land as well as in the water.

Posted By: Salamander Sam - Thu May 07, 2009 - Comments (8)
Category: Boats, Transportation, Goofs and Screw-ups

They Had That Back Then? #1

This series will showcase vintage examples of what you may have thought were relatively recent developments. Today's lesson: Traffic Cameras.


(from the May 1956 issue of Popular Science)


(from the August 1959 issue of Popular Science)

Posted By: Salamander Sam - Thu May 07, 2009 - Comments (3)
Category: Photography and Photographers, Transportation, 1950s

Finnish Railways Ad

I think this might be an advertisement for improvements in Finland's Railway System.

On the other hand, it could be the trailer for a new Tolkien-style fantasy involving petrified swamp cherubs, the skinnier younger brother of Colonel Sanders, stone giants that become the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Joker's Mother.


Finnish Railways - New age of trains from Misko Iho on Vimeo.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 26, 2008 - Comments (2)
Category: PSA’s, Foreign Customs, Fantasy, Transportation, Europe