Help kids learn about the USA with this BOOK!
Originally posted from The Malibu Surfside News… BIG THANKS for this one! (Fireball Tim’s BIG BOOK OF WACKY STATES)
If California was a car, what would it look like?
Don’t worry, there’s no right or wrong answer — but there is one place you can look for one Malibu man’s take on it.
And what about Florida? Perhaps it’s a “flamin’ go” hot wheel that’s catapulting over a crocodile en route to the Keys.
Louisiana? Easy. It’s a vehicle made of instruments which is driven by a crawfish.
Illinois? Well it’d be an aquabus driven by a white-tailed deer, of course.
Those are just a few snapshots of what Fireball Tim Lawrence authored and illustrated in his latest children’s book, “Fireball Tim’s BIG BOOK of Wacky States: The Best Book for Kids on the USA Ever!”
Lawrence serves as a TV show host, a Hollywood car designer, a seven-time author with his own publishing house (Vlogmaster Publishing) and a Malibu Surfside News Ride of the Week columnist (if you haven’t already, check out this week’s column on Page 22).
Lawrence’s latest book, published in late October, travels the United States from edge to edge, offering clever illustrations, tidbits of wacky knowledge — Did you know that fortune cookies were invented in California? — and details such as state animals, state trees, state flags and state capitals.
“It’s really fun, and the response I’ve gotten from the parents is ‘Wow, I didn’t even know that,’” Lawrence said.
The target audience for the book is children ages 3-10, but Lawrence assures that it “doesn’t come across as a little kid’s book.” Lawrence adds that there’s tidbits in some illustrations that young children may not fully grasp, such as New York’s “roach city.” Teenagers might appreciate different aspects of the illustrations than 3-year-olds will, he said.
“I just thought from a kid’s perspective, ‘what would I enjoy’ and ‘what would I learn?’” Lawrence said.
This winter, Lawrence will be taking his book and his drawing talents to Webster Elementary and Our Lady of Malibu School for a “wacky car seminar” in which he will ask the students to tell him some of their favorite objects, and he will then make a car out of it.
“I think that I relate to kids really well and I like the fact that they’re pure and they’re genuine,” Lawrence said. “They tell you exactly how it is.”
Lawrence’s wife, Kathie Lawrence, will also attend the school visits, sharing a creative passion of her own. Kathie, through KCL Productions, builds mascots for sports teams, movies and, recently, for Ellen DeGeneres’ “12 Days of Christmas.” Kathie also has a children’s book of her own, “Smokey and Bandit Find a Home,” which Lawrence contributed to.
Lawrence hopes the duo’s visits might inspire a child or two. After all, when he was growing up, he didn’t know how to be involved with cars outside of being a mechanic. Years later, he’s found his niche — and then some.
“To spread my love of vehicles and really love of creativity, you have to find a way to be able to do that that you enjoy [and] that you love,” Lawrence said.
For Lawrence, that path has been filled with creativity and cars — real and imaginary — and it’s a gig that suits him well.
Lawrence’s latest book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
- Lauren Coughlin, Editor
** A portion of the proceeds from this book go to The National Mill Dog Rescue!
More Shots from WHEELS AND WAVES from The Daily Driver Project…
Some more great shots from THE DAILY DRIVER PROJECT. Yet, check out Wes’ site for even more…
**NEXT WHEELS AND WAVES is FATHER’S DAY SUNDAY, JUNE 18st 7-9am!
Join us on our FACEBOOK PAGE!
Fireball Tim’s WHEELS AND WAVES is Fireball’s Exclusive Celebrity Cars & Coffee Event at THE MALIBU COUNTRY MART in Malibu featuring HOT RODS, CUSTOMS, CLASSICS, RAT RODS, EXOTICS, BIKES, MAJOR CELEBRITIES and MORE! Below is all the info you need! Or you can email us at askfireball@fireballtim.com
1939 FORD RAT ROD PICKUP RESCUE! – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 614
Check out ODDSQUAD here!
http://www.oddsquadcc.com/
1939 FORD RAT ROD PICKUP RESCUE! – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 614 – Fireball drives in a #1939 #Ford #RatRod #Pickup from OddSquad Car Club’s Blake Weddington that was rescued in 2016 after being in a barn since 1951! Then, lunch on the beach, hard-core coffee and some CAR LOVE inspiration.
From WIKI… Ford Motor Company introduced its De Luxe Ford line in 1938 as an upscale alternative to bridge the gap between its base model (usually called Standard) and luxury Lincoln offerings.
The “Deluxe” name was used intermittently before and after this to specify an upscale trim, but the De Luxe Ford line was differentiated as a separate “marque within a marque” with separate styling and pricing through 1940.
During 1939, Ford had five lines of cars: Ford, De Luxe Ford, Mercury, Lincoln-Zephyr, and Lincoln. After the war, this was simplified to Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. The 1941 Ford line included “De Luxe” and “Super De Luxe” trim, but these vehicles were not marketed as a separate line. As Mercury sales progressed, the De Luxe approach was cancelled.
This marketing approach was in response from the different General Motors brands, (Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet), and the Chrysler brands, (Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth).
The De Luxe Fords of 1938 featured a more sloping hood and ornamental heart-shaped grille. This look was passed on to the standard line for 1939, as the De Luxe Fords gained sharp v-shaped grilles with vertical bars.
The standard line once again inherited the De Luxe look for 1940, this time with body-colored vertical bars. The 1940 De Luxe Ford featured a three-part grille with horizontal bars.
1952 HANSON VINTAGE TRAILER! – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 613
1952 HANSON VINTAGE TRAILER! – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 613 – Fireball and Kathie head to the Murphy Auto Museum to snag a 1985 Jeep grand Wagoneer and see the inside of a 1952 Vintage Hanson Trailer.
Hanson Trailer Sales was started by Henry M. Hanson Sr. in 1948. They not only built the Love Bug trailer line, but also built larger trailers known as custom coaches at the Hanson trailer factory. Hanson ran the business until 1958 when Kenskill took over operations. They continued to make the Love Bug trailers for two more years.
DIRT DONUTS IN THE 2017 DODGE CHALLENGER – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 612
DIRT DONUTS IN THE 2017 DODGE CHALLENGER – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 612 – Fireball heads to Galpin Auto Sports, launches the Challenger in the dirt, then takes a look at a cool Malibu home.
WIKI… The #DodgeChallenger is the name of four different generations of American automobiles produced by Dodge in Detroit, Michigan. The Dodge Silver #Challenger was produced from 1958 to 1959, as a version of the full-sized Dodge Coronet model. From MY 1970 to 1974, the second generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform, sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda.
The third generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda compact car. The fourth, and current generation, was introduced in early 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
On December 3, 2007, Chrysler started taking deposits for the 4th-generation Dodge Challenger which debuted on February 6, 2008, simultaneously at the Chicago Auto Show[27] and Philadelphia International Auto Show.
Listing at US$40,095, the new version was a 2-door notchback sedan (seated 5 passengers with over 33 cubic feet of rear passenger volume) which shared common design elements with the first generation Challenger, despite being significantly longer and taller.
As with Chevrolet’s new Camaro, the Challenger concept car’s pillarless hardtop body was replaced with a fixed “B” pillar, hidden behind the side glass to give an illusion of the hardtop. The LC chassis is a modified (shortened wheelbase) version of the LX platform that underpins the Dodge Charger (LX), Dodge Magnum, and the Chrysler 300.
The LX was developed in America from the previous Chrysler LH platform, which had been designed to allow it to be easily upgraded to rear and all-wheel drive. Many Mercedes components were incorporated, or used for inspiration, including the Mercedes-Benz W220 S-class control arm front suspension, the Mercedes-Benz W211 E-Class 5-link rear suspension, the W5A580 5-speed automatic, the rear differential, and the ESP system.
All (7119) 2008 models were SRT8s and equipped with the 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi and a 5-speed AutoStick automatic transmission. The entire 2008 U.S. run of 6,400 cars were pre-sold (many of which for above MSRP), and production commenced on May 8, 2008.
Today’s HOLLYWOOD RIDES from the Future…
What’s it like to drive a 1940 FORD WOODIE WAGON? Smooth…
I’ve been in this town for more than 30 years, so when a name pops up like Andy Cohen, you know that cool cars are within reach.
And knowing that Andy loves cars like I do, it was an easy fit when he said that his 1940 Woodie Wagon should be today’s ride.
Welcome to the world of Andy Cohen – a longtime Malibuite, lover of all things on four wheels and a driven desire to spread Autolove across the globe via his cool business, Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories (www.beverlyhillsmotoring.com).
BHMA is an online, high-end auto accessory business helping people who love cars make their rides even better – but that’s not where Andy stops.
He’s dedicated his life to creating ways for car guys and girls to share what they love via his car shows.
If you’ve been to Andy’s car show, you know that the rides are the celebs. But every now and then, complete unknowns like a guy named Jay Leno (who?) shows up with cheapy old cars (you gotta have a mix, right?). But beyond the show, Andy can be spotted cruising through the Bu in his 1940 Ford Deluxe Woodie Wagon. A near stock version, sans the drive-train components and a few minor changes ;-). But let me tell you… this Woodie hauls ass and here’s why…
Last week, Andy invited me up to his Pad for a spin in his ‘family’ wagon. We shot an episode of my Vlog and here’s how it went.
As we jumped into the Woodie and headed back south, Andy brought me up to speed, literally.
“This Station Wagon has a ‘63 Corvette 327 Motor,” he grinned evilly, and his grin even got wider when he mentioned the independent front suspension, power four-wheel disc brakes, power rack and pinion steering, hidden air conditioning and all original wood. Then he floored it and we were gone.
“I’ve had it since 1971 and traded it for some old Ford parts. It goes with the Malibu surf vibe, and since surfing got popular in the 50’s, Woodies got popular in Malibu in the 50’s too.”
So what’s the best part of the car?
“It drives like my Maserati Quattroporte,” he said.
Well that seems to be a stretch, but having scooted around town in that Woodie Wagon, I can attest to it’s awesomeness. Andy went on to tell me that the car has been in the family forever and he actually brought all of his kids home from the hospital in it. But now, he strictly uses it for weekends in the Bu, Car Shows and daily trips in the sun. But then came a cool story.
“I used this car for a delivery vehicle when I started my Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories business in 1976,” he said. “Now, a few hundred thousand miles later and a new ground-up rebuild, I still use it as a promotional vehicle for the same business which I now do with my 19-year-old son Kevin.”
So, he’s had the car for 45 years minus a short decade of letting someone else “borrow” it (watch Vlog #212 for that story).
And it’s right here folks where cars become the glue for love. To be able to work with your kids in a business that you love and driving what you love is what this is all about.
Andy is certainly grateful for being a Malibuite. But it’s more than just being grateful. He realizes that gratitude is actually what causes all these wonderful things to happen. I feel blessed to have him and so many friends that both inspire and charge me with positive energy. And Andy’s energy regarding cars and this town is certainly infectious. Not to mention that his favorite movie car is Jimmy Bond’s DB5.
I want to give Andy a big thanks for taking me for a spin. I have a feeling there’s more driving coming.
Watch! THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD International Trailer will leave you Bloody, Bruised and Happy…
The world’s top protection agent [Ryan Reynolds] is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world’s most notorious hitmen [Samuel L. Jackson]. The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours.
During their raucous and hilarious adventure from England to the Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades and a merciless Eastern European dictator [Gary Oldman] who is out for blood. Salma Hayek joins the mayhem as Jackson’s equally notorious wife. The film will be “hitting” your theatres on August 18.
Classic Cops at CAFFE LUXXE in Malibu on June 7th!!
Join on June 7th at CAFFE LUXXE for this awesome event in Malibu! We’ll be bringing two classic cop cars and a few surprises!
TONY DOW CELEBRITY DRIVE! – FIREBALL MALIBU VLOG 611
Fireball scoots to the home of Tony Dow (Leave It to Beaver) and take he and his wife Lauren to the Automobile Driving Museum to drive three amazing cars!
From WIKI… Tony Lee Dow (born April 13, 1945) is an American film producer, director, sculptor, and television actor.
Dow is best known for his role in the television sitcom #LeaveIttoBeaver, which ran in prime time from 1957 to 1963. Dow played Wally Cleaver, the elder son of June (played by Barbara Billingsley) and Ward Cleaver (played by Hugh Beaumont) and the brother of Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver (played by #JerryMathers).
Dow was born in Hollywood, California, to John Stevens Dow, Jr. (1908–1987), a designer and general contractor, and Muriel Virginia Dow (née Montrose) (May 27, 1906 – April 30, 2001), a stunt woman in early Westerns and Clara Bow’s movie double in Hollywood.
In his youth, Dow was a Junior Olympics diving champion. He won the role of Wally Cleaver in a casting call with almost no previous acting experience.
Dow acted in the series until it ended in 1963. After that, he appeared in the television series My Three Sons, Dr. Kildare, Mr. Novak (five episodes in three different roles), The Greatest Show on Earth, and Never Too Young.
From 1965 to 1968, he served in the National Guard, interrupting his acting career. On his return to acting, he was a guest star in the television series Adam-12, Love American Style, Knight Rider, Square Pegs, The Mod Squad, The Hardy Boys, and Emergency!.
During the 1970s, Dow continued acting while working in the construction industry and studying journalism and filmmaking.
In 1987, he was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award for his role as Wally Cleaver.
Dow’s most recent screen appearance was in the 2003 film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.
He has been married to his wife, Lauren, since 1980. They have one child and two grandchildren.
