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The ex-Peter Gregg BMW M1 Art Car dedicated to the
late Ronnie Peterson, goes under the Hammer at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in
2011. (Image source: topspeed.com)
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What could be more enjoyable than another visit to
Tacoma's AWESOME LeMay America's Car Museum, eh? Especially after a very long
winter's slumber since my last visit...
Although how in thee HELL did two-plus months
already slip by before starting this...
NOTEABLE RIDES
- Microstang'
- BMW i8
- BMW Isetta
- Lucky's Garage
- Chevrolet Baby Grand
- Peter Gleeson Master Collection
- BMW Art Cars
- Route 66 Station wagon
Upon entering the LeMay America's Car Museum,
(ACM) albeit believe I-T was in the lobby before the cashier's desk, there was
a black BLOB sittin' silently on display, a
retro themed Ford Mustang, which Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary ELLEN
pronounced to Mwah was called the Microstang'; Microsoft's pathetic attempt at
pumpin' U-P that RECHID operating system winDOUGhs 8, which thankfully was
extremely short lived!
As we next passed into the top floor's main
gallery, where several BMW's were crowding the show floor, notably a BMW i8 in
silver, as just remember thinking how large I-T was, whilst Mary Ellen chimed
that it had those obnoxious "Wagon Wheels" on it, which apparently
this bespoke rim treatment's A-L-L the rage right now? While I thought it
wasn't too bad looking, especially since I-T caught my eye in the sea of
vehicles on display...
Interestingly, reportedly the i8 is the spiritual
successor of the M1, BMW's first mid-engine car...
And there was one of those Clown-like,
adorable Isetta's on-hand, even with a decretive wind-up tab on it, as these
are just the funkiest 'lil People Movers ever! Which think I was first
introduced to them in Der Fatherland appropriately. With this version being of
1957 vintage - whilst I simply wished to get to the Art Cars, Ja-Ja!
Lucky's Garage
- 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
- 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang
- 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Before reaching the BMW Art Cars, seem to
recall that we passed thru the museo's first permanent display fondly known
simply as Lucky's Garage, in honour of the late Harold Lucky' LeMay. As the
display recreates what Harold and wife Nancy's garage looked once upon a time
The first automobile seemingly in this
exhibit that Mary Ellen called out to Mwah was an excellante '59 Caddy De
Ville, noting it's 100-point Hemming's Motor News status; Huh? As LeMay ACM
seemed to have quite a trove 'O automobiles of this desired status.
NOTE
These cars
were not 100 point cars but rather cars that were part of Hemming Motor News’
top 100 American cars. We have marked the cars in our collection that are
on that list.
As I was most interested in the Zed-28', aka Camaro Z/28 and its arch nemesis, a beautiful Big-block Shelby GT 500 Mustang in Brittany blue with black interior...
Chevrolet Baby Grand
Another car I've never heard of before was
mentioned in the Harold LeMay video montage we stopped 'N listened to, whilst
spiraling our way downwards to those lurking Art Cars, noting how he enjoyed
trucking round with a Chevrolet Baby Grand inside one of his refuge haulers! As
LeMay made his fortunes originally in the garbage business.
As apparently this was one of Chevrolet's
first automobiles, notably sporting the first Bowtie insignia, in deference of
Louis Chevrolet's Swiss roots when debuting at the 1914 New York auto Show, as
the Baby Grand was a 4-door Touring Car, part of the 1914-16 H-Series.
1914 Chevrolet H Series - Baby Grand
Peter Gleeson Master Collection
Although I've since looked him up, and even
found an accompanying article 'bout him, still really have ZERO clue who this
Dude is, never having heard of him 'til stepping inside the ACM; other than he's
apparently a very wealthy collector, notably of BMW's who appreciates Art,
specifically moving freight, or rolling stock! As several of his current
automobiles are on loan to the museum, including the Art Cars, and the Z4 Patronas
racecar we spotted, albeit definitely didn't see everythingy' mentioned.
BMW Art Cars
Whenever I hear the term BMW Art Cars, I
immediately conjure up unseen images of the late Andy Warhol, who actually was the
fourth artist BMW commissioned for its burgeoning Art Car project, ironically
also an M1.
Yet, having
stumbled into the just released 18th Art Car, which is actually the 19th
Overall, which will race at the upcoming 2017 Rolex 24 as one of Rahal
Letterman Lanigan Racing's BMW M6 Saloons; Cornfuzed?
As I'd learned
about this upcoming Art Car after having finished this story, Alas this 18th v
19th Art Car is a whole nutter' story topic for another day!
As the first of the two Art Cars sitting in
tandem was, and perhaps is? The second most valuable? Presumably after Messer
Warhol's, eh? Although the very first Art Car may give 'em both a run for their
money?
As the ex-Peter Gregg Art Car is intriguing
since it actually wasn't a BMW commissioned chassis, but instead a special
"One-off" with BMW's permission for the late racer Peter Gregg, whom
BMW invited to purchase said M1 Racecar, created by renowned artist Frank
Stella honouring the late Ronnie Peterson, presumably Gregg's "Hero."
Ironically, Artist
Frank Stella was the passenger riding with Peter Gregg when he crashed en route
to le Circuit de la Sarthe, in Paris prior to the 1980 24 Heurs du Mans, with
Gregg being replaced by some Bloke named Derek Bell aboard one of the factory's
924 Carrera GT's, which finished 13th overall with scheduled co-driver Al
Holbert.
Gregg's noted in "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
marque's lord for winning BMW's first major race in
America, the '76 24hrs of Daytona aboard the legendary 3.0CSL Batmobile. Hence,
ARSE-Sumedly why he was allowed the honour of obtaining his ultra rare BMW M1
Procar from the Factory...
The second BMW Art Car was created by another
artist I'd never heard of before named Dexter Brown, with the 1975 3.3L
"Town Car" Saloon having been painted during the course of the 1993 Italian Autostory Motoring Art Salon,
with portions being painted daily.
NOTE
Interestingly, I was able to find both Art Cars
above upon zed A-L-L Knowing Internetz', albeit the links above are for past sales
and do not reflect current vehicle prices, nor apparently were what their
current owner paid for them? And are solely intended for reference
Karmically, or Symbiotically? The very first
legendous' Art Car was none other than another (E9) 3.0CSL Batmobile created by American Alexander
Calder...
Route 66 exhibit
Lastly, upon our way back topside to
"Exit Stage Left!" Err leave the building, we Zoom-Zoomed thru the
Route 66 exhibit for which we've partaken before, but we came to a screeching
halt! In front of a shiny silver, all aluminum station wagon sporting exposed rivet
heads upon it's flanks. With this unnamed Beast sporting V-12 motive power, for
which a passing-by ACM Volunteer said the car had just arrived and she
"Knew Nothin'" about I-T! Whilst there wasn't any information available
for said chassis.
NOTE
This car was a
hand built car built by Randy Grubb of Oregon. It is called the Falconer
because that is the name of the company that built the engine. (also hand
built) Randy's definitely a true craftsman and, in my opinion, an artist. The car
runs and drives as good as it looks.
Ironically, or is I-T Karmically? Randy Grubb
works out of his Grants Pass, OR workshop, and the ensuing Hot Rod
magazine article notes the car's actually called the Falconer Dodichi, in homage to its V-12 roots.
In a further twist, Mr. Grubb just so happens
to be the man behind the Jay Leno Blastolene creation, which I've previously
scribbled 'bout, whilst I'll now be hunting for more info upon Mr. Falconer,
the creator of the Falconer V-12 engine powering Randy's latest creation...
For some more info upon Lucky's Garage, and it's inspiration, you may wish to check out the following rant: AUTOS: Lucky's Garage and the Man who Inspired It...
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Kudos to Mr. Dale Wickel, Collections Technician of
America's Car Museum for providing answers & clarification regarding the Hemmings
Motor News Top 100 Cars and the Falconer Dodichi...