There's one good thing about the blog this week - it didn't fall on April Fools Day. One thing I've learned over the years, is that the automotive industry in general is a huge fan of this informal April holiday. 2016 was no exception, but for a while, it looked like some of the hoax's that were pulled off the year before in 2015, were going to be hard to follow. For example, remember last year when Hot Rod Magazine announced that GM was cooking up an 800 horsepower twin turbo ZL-2 edition of the Camaro? Or how about the "reverse" April Fools Day joke where BMW gave away a brand new vehicle with an MSRP around $50,000 one lucky customer who traded in her old wagon?
One of the best pranks this year was one many gearheads wish would actually come true. The Morgan Motor Company cooked up a totally cool retro hot rod called the MOGrod. Motivation was supplied by a Ford V6, but with the chopped top, 1930's styling, and the sketch that was accompanied in the press release of a land-speed record version of the vehicle for the Bonneville Salt Flats, the MOGrod looked reet from stem to stern.
But these types of jokes are nothing new - in fact, automotive April Fools jokes (and not just via car manufacturers) go back over 50 years. Love them or hate them, BMW is probably the biggest child of the bunch when it come to this stuff. They've been running advertisements for decades about crazy shit that numerous consumers thought were real. One classic example is the BMW rain-deflecting open top car from 1983. One of the earliest examples I've come across appeared in Newsweek back in 1950. Someone had some serious time on their hands in the darkroom when International Soundphoto released a legit looking photo of a flying bus swooping over Paris International Airport. Google both - they're worth it.
No fooling on this next tidbit - the 24 Hours of LeMons is in full swing with it's events all across the country with the bulk of them happening this summer. If you've never heard of the sacred event, shame on you. In a nutshell, it's endurance racing for $500 cars. Regardless of where you live, this is must see entertainment. If you just wish to watch the madness, a $30 weekend pass is all it takes. If you wish to participate, and before you decide to enter Uncle Herb's rusted, clapped out 1978 Chevy Caprice, your best bet is to visit their website; all the juicy details are there, including passing tech and safety.
While we're on the subject of racing, here's another true tidbit - Extreme Barbie Jeep Racing. It's been going on for a few years now, and while it's a little on the dangerous side, it's funny as hell. Most spectators say they have a hard time taking pictures of the events because they're laughing so hard. I'm still unsure who invented this insanity, but the original founders of Mattel must be rolling over in their graves. Subject to way more abuse than these motorized toys were ever built for, (there are numerous videos on YouTube showing these cars & Jeeps literally falling apart), you can't help but want to participate in something like this. Picture a strictly downhill motocross event with these toys and combine it with roller derby. It's so rugged, organizers recommend you not only wear a helmet (which is required with proper clothing), but also padding... lots of it. To the tune of a hockey player.
And people wonder why NASCAR or the NHRA never schedule events for April 1st. The fallout would be mind-numbing.
Until next time, peace out.
Dave
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