An oldie, but still good for a giggle.

Happy 4th of July to all here... and over there too.

 Happy 4th from Mars, PA

Made the front page of the county paper! Tom (monkey) wouldn't give his last name to the reporter, so he listed him as Sidekick Tom. Tom works for my brother's salvage yard. His next batch of uniforms had the name "Sidekick Tom" on them 🙂 Tom calls John "Famous John"

I'm driving another rig in front of them. My picture never gets in the paper. Not so Famous MJ

We'll be at it again this year.

For several years 70's, my Dad would create a car for the 4th of July parade in our hometown of Mars, PA Thought you might enjoy these gems. He had a garage since he was in his early 20's, specializing in automatic transmissions and thought up some amazing things and had a unique sense of humor! 

1973 "Car Pool" Removed the interior and lined it with plastic to hold the water. Swaney sat on a milk crate and worked the brake and gas pedals with wooden dowel rods. My brothers in the front seat, me with the beach ball, sister beside me, cousin sitting on the back 🙂

1976
“One Piece at a Time” inspired by the Johnny Cash song of the same name
The 1966 Cadillac base car and other Cadillac parts came from Myoma Auto Parts
1962 left door, 1960 hood, 1957 right fender, 1960 tail fin

“Econo Car” inspired by gas crisis

The 1968 Toronado was owned by the father of Swaney Automotive employee Mark Pugliese. Mark wrecked the car. A chop saw was used to cut the car in half.

Two coaster wheels were under the new back of the car and a two gallon gas can was used to supply fuel.

1978

“Mars Cop Car” inspired by the Mars Borough Police who totaled two police cars in three months. Legend has it that the police officer who drove and rolled the 1972 New Yorker cop car called in a “10-50” (accident) and said “I’m in it”

The 1966 GTO had no shocks, a trunk lid that lifted, the driver door was on hinges to fall open and the front bumper would fall off when Dad slammed on the brakes. Somewhere close to the post office the gas tank fell out! The crowd thought is was part of the show. Someone watching the parade pulled the tank off the road and Bill sped away with the fuel remaining in the lines.

1979

“Odd/Even” inspired by gas rationing. The last digit of your license plate determined the day you could buy gas.

The cars are a 1967 and 1968 Cadillac Eldorado. This was an extremely challenging build due to the weight of the cars. The top car “Odd” had the motor removed. Two poles are welded in the front of the cars for support. A steel plate was placed between the two roofs and then bolted together. Blocks were used to keep the suspension from “bottoming out” All lights worked on both cars

Since we’re on a July 4 parade kick, I’ll hijack a little bit.  Went about 80 miles to Gibbon Nebraska for their parade.  Town of under 2000 has over 120 entries annually.  Maddie was definitely a hit of the parade this year!