Lucky in Kentucky

A second day trip in our rented Nissan Cube took us to Elizabethtown, to Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum. Consisting of the personal collection of Sam Swope, car dealer, this free museum is his gift to the community. Among the mostly American cars was this Jaguar XK120.

The weather was kind for March with signs of spring everywhere.

On the return leg we stopped by Bardstown and happened upon R.J. Corman's My Old Kentucky Dinner Train.

Pics by RLT and Annette.

Corvair survivor

Not all the good stuff is in a museum. We spotted this air-cooled Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier in a parking lot in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. See PunchBuggy Passim.
Pic by RLT.

Way down in Bowling Green

We drove south from Louisville early, stopping for breakfast at the Waffle House in Brooks, Kentucky, off I-65. Just about the perfect road-trip breakfast with two eggs and grits. Add sliced tomato. Yum. Note inverted ashtray - smoking permitted.

We went on the factory tour at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green. They assemble eighty Corvettes per ten-hour shift at this 1m-square foot plant, a former Chrysler air-conditioning factory. This was a rather grubby establishment which did not project a high-tech image. Seeing behind the scenes rather diminished the lustre.
On to the Corvette Museum where Roy Orbison's Vette, made in St Louis, was waiting.

Home via the backroads in search of vintage tin, past signs for Abe Lincoln's birthplace and the Jim Beam distillery.
Pics by Annette.

Letter from Kentucky

LOUISVILLE. Ky., We had a torrid trip on United Airlines down to Kentucky and a snafu with the shuttle bus on arrival. A complaint at the Brown Hotel elicited two free breakfast coupons which launched the day at J. Graham's Cafe this morning.
We then took a taxi to the Antique Automobile Club of America Kentuckiana Region Swap Meet at the Kentucky Expo Centre. Over 1,000 vendors in several halls. We scored a free copy of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car magazine, in which I had a short story published. I also bought two wrenches for $1 and 50 cents respectively, plus a motoring hardback book at $8. Back to town for a late bar lunch at the Seelbach Hotel, including a visit to the Rathskeller, haunt of Al Capone and F. Scott Fitgerald. We then scored some last minute tickets for Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt at the Brown Theatre. Outstanding. I have often wondered why I am condemned to roam the highways of North America. Now I know.

Pics by RLT.