June 2016

Day Five on Route 66 — The incredible Kansas link

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(June 28, 2016) Only 13 miles of the historic Route 66 that connected Chicago with Santa Monica, Calif., via a hard-surface road runs through Kansas linking Joplin, Mo., with Miami, Okla. We discovered Monday that the short stretch of Kansas road has been preserved in its original state in several places, one of Route 66's most historic bridges is still standing — and we drove across it — and the people in the towns of Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs have gone to great lengths to preserve their little section of the national treasure.

Honda's 2017 Accord Sport Edition adds premium features for lower price

(June 27, 2016) The 2017 Accord Sedan and Coupe hit showrooms today with a new Sport Special Edition, ready to continue Accord's three-year streak as the most popular car in America with individual retail car buyers. Retaining many of the popular enhancements introduced last year, the 2017 Accord will be available starting June 27 at Honda dealerships nationwide with a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at $25,215 with automatic transmission.

Volvo opens New York City pop up store for S90

(June 27, 2016) ROCKELIGH — Volvo Car USA officially opened its temporary pop up store in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Now through July 4th, the store will feature its new flagship luxury sedan, the all-new S90.

Customers and those interested in the new Volvo S90 will be able to meet product specialists and experience advanced connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay and the Volvo On Call app which enables you to remotely start your car with both Apple Watch and fingerprint touch on iPhone 6s.

From race track to driveway — the Mercedes AMG GT R

(June 27, 2016) From the world's most demanding race track directly onto the road — Never before has Mercedes AMG packed so much motorsport technology into a production vehicle than into the new AMG GT R. The front-mid-engine concept with a transaxle, V8 Biturbo engine rated at 577 horsepower, extensively modified suspension, new aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight construction laid the foundation for an especially dynamic driving experience.

Mercedes-AMG continues to grow and is expanding the top end of its product range with the introduction of the new AMG GT R.

Day Four on Route 66 — Bringing an old Sinclair station back to life

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman
MotorwayAmerica

(June 27, 2016) PARIS SPRINGS, Mo. — George Boswick came ambling out of the nearly 100-year-old  garage at Gary Turner's Sinclair Station on old Route 66 in the village of Paris Springs where he had been working in the 90 degree heat. "How can I help you," he asked, obviously ready to help us.

Day Three on Route 66 — Rabbits, museums and another giant

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(June 26, 2016) CUBA, Mo. — He collects rabbits — the furry kind and the Volkswagen kind — at his roadside gift shop, collection of automotive relics, and real, live bunnies on historic Route 66 in Stauton, Ill. His name is Rich Henry who has become rather famous for his "rabbit ranch," which attracts dozens of tourists a week who are traveling the old road.

UK premiere of 1,479-horsepower Bugatti Chiron this weekend

(June 25, 2016) GOODWOOD, UK — The venue for its first public appearance in the United Kingdom could hardly be more appropriate for the Bugatti Chiron. The motto of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is “Full Throttle — The Endless Pursuit of Power." The Bugatti super sports car with 1,479 horsepower and a top speed of 260 mph limited for road use is being presented at the legendary hill climb piloted by British racing driver and Le Mans winner Andy Wallace. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is being held from June 23 to 26.

Day Two on Route 66 — All things Lincoln

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman
MotorwayAmerica

(June 25, 2016) — Back in the 1950s and '60s a great many people may have planned their Route 66 vacation to include a stop in Springfield, Ill., to visit President's Lincoln's house and the train station from where he left for Washington to begin his first term in 1861. So we took a day out of our hectic schedule down the old road through Illinois to look at all things Lincoln.

Willys Jeep wagon lives in Wisconsin



This 1953 Willys Jeep station wagon was found in good condition in Door County, Wis. The Willys Jeep wagon was the first mass-produced all-steel station wagon designed as a passenger vehicle. It was built in the United States from 1946 to 1965 with more than 300,000 sold.
(Photo by Ed Meachen)

Day One on Route 66 — Not enough time to see everything

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman
MotorwayAmerica

(June 24, 2016) The biggest takeaway from our first day on old Route 66 is that we did not allow nearly enough time traveling the old highway out of downtown Chicago through such cities and towns as Joliet, Odell, Pontiac, Bloomington, Lincoln, and Atlanta on our way to Springfield. The route is teeming with small museums highlighting the glory years of the road, restored gas stations, diners and drive-ins of the past, and dozens of old car displays. One day simply is not enough for the serious visitor to discover the past glory of famous 66.