There comes a time in our lives when we realize that a special individual has touched us in an extra special way. Unfortunately, that day was December 9, 2010. The automotive world lost a good friend in former General Motors Vice President of Design, Mr. Charles M. Jordan. He lost his battle with lymphoma at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
As is true for many automotive designers, Mr. Jordan was an avid enthusiast since he began sketching cars in grade school. It was a model car for Fisher Body Craftsman Guild and a degree from MIT in mechanical engineering that started his 43-year career with GM. The 1955 Chevrolet Cameo Carrier and the 1959 Cadillac along with the 1992 Cadillac Seville models were just a few of Jordan's achievements to make their way out of the GM design center.
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The Damsels of Design Besides being women, Anne Asensio, Chelsia Lau and Diane Allen all have two things in common. One, they happen to be three of the most respected automobile designers in the world today. Second, they owe their careers in large part to car designer icon Harley Earl.
It was Earl, GMs visionary Vice President of Design from 1927 until 1958, who broke masculine ranks by hiring his first woman car designer in 1943. At the time it was an unheard of move in the rough and tumble world of auto production back in the days when Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower occupied the White House.
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Our newest exhibit, Dropped and Chopped, will explore the classic years of traditional rods and customs from 1946 to the 1960’s, focusing on Northern California’s influence. Notable cars on display will include the iconic “Lightning Bug,” the original “T-Bucket;” and the “Buddy Ohanesian” 1940 Mercury, built by Sacramento legends Harry Westergard and Dick Bertolucci.
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From the Swamp Rat to the Bud King, from "the Snake" to "the Mongoose," from the first fans lining airport runways to those who today pack historic venues such as Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, NHRA’s rich and storied past will take center stage in 2011 as the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body celebrates its 60th anniversary.
What began with a simple signature by Wally Parks in March 1951 has evolved in the last six decades into the fastest and most powerful and fan-friendly motorsport in the world. And NHRA will be marking the 60th anniversary of Parks’ formation of NHRA with a yearlong celebration that will pay homage to the evolution of the hot rod, the impact of the sport’s legendary racers, and the lifeblood provided by the many millions of loyal and passionate NHRA fans.
“Wally created NHRA for the hot rod enthusiasts, and the 2011 season, our 60th anniversary, will be a yearlong celebration in their honor,” said NHRA President Tom Compton. “Fans, accustomed to the up-close-and-personal experience through our open-pit environment, will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the stars and see the cars from throughout the 60-year history of the sport.”
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While one man is given credit for designing the first car radio, another had the vision and financial means to make it a reality. William P. Lear, the same Lear who later became famous for the development of the corporate jet that bears his name, and Paul V. Galvin, the founder of corporate giant Motorola, both deserve the distinction for making the mobile radio a reality.
William P. Lear
Born Jun 26 1902 - Died May 14 1978
Lear, with only an eighth grade education, was an engineering genius who, in addition to the car radio and Lear Jet, received over 100 patents during his lifetime. The car radio was one of Lear’s earliest inventions, which he and his assistants developed in the late 1920s. The problem for Lear and his group was that, while they had a winning idea, they didn’t have the capital to market and produce the product.
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Carroll Shelby is an icon of the automotive world. For over 50 years his name has served as a virtual synonym for the term "automotive performance." Shelby began his career as a race car driver and before being forced to retire due to health reasons, won the prestigious 1959 24 Hours of LeMans driving for Aston Martin. Although he was twice named Sports Illustrated's Driver of the Year (1956 and 1957) he is much better known worldwide for his work in his second career as an automobile builder. From his first project that combined the British built two-seat AC Bristol with a Ford V8 to create the "Cobra," to his current partnership with Ford, Shelby has always had his sights set on building the ultimate American sports car. Along the way he has created a long line of popular and extremely successful street and race vehicles bearing the names Cobra, Daytona Coupe, GT40, GT350 and GT500 Mustangs and the Chrysler Omni GLHS.
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The 26th Annual Docent Training Class begins Thursday, January 6, 2011. The Museum is seeking men and women interested in automobiles and their history who wish to become docents. Docents are volunteer teachers/tour guides who interpret the Museum's
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Vendors will offer unique and hard to find automobile collectibles and accessories, including antique auto parts, tools, books, magazines, models and much more! Located next to the Museum at 2400 Front Street - parking in Museum parking lot, on the street,
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On Saturday, August 6th get ready for Sacramento to come alive with the sights and sounds of over two hundred unique cars from various eras and manufacturers as they converge on Downtown and Midtown Sacramento to celebrate an American summertime tradition
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Vendors will offer unique and hard to find automobile collectibles and accessories, including antique auto parts, tools, books, magazines, models and much more! Located next to the Museum at 2400 Front Street - parking in Museum parking lot, on the street,
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