Behold… Fireball SKETCHES the S.S. BUDDY CRUISE
BUDDY CRUISE, nestled in the heart of Florida, is not just a cruise company; it’s a beacon of inclusivity, compassion, and the very best of humanity. Their mission? To provide unforgettable cruise experiences tailored specifically for families with special needs children. And today, we celebrate them with Fireball’s new S.S. BUDDY CRUISE aka The BUDDYMOBILE! This SKETCH is a ship withing a ship… and off to Aruba!
What sets BUDDY CRUISE apart is their unwavering commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all passengers. From specialized accommodations to trained staff members, every aspect of the cruise is designed to cater to the unique needs of every individual on board.
But it’s not just about logistics. BUDDY CRUISE embodies the essence of empathy and understanding. On these voyages, barriers melt away, and differences are celebrated. Children with special needs find themselves surrounded by a community that embraces them wholeheartedly, where they’re not defined by their challenges, but by their potential.
Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of these guys is the way they showcase the kindness and generosity of humanity. Passengers and staff alike come together, forming bonds that transcend backgrounds and abilities. It’s a reminder that, at our core, we’re all capable of immense compassion and connection.
In a world often marred by division and discrimination, BUDDY CRUISE stands as a shining example of what happens when we choose empathy and inclusion. It’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey we take together, hand in hand, celebrating our differences and embracing the beauty of diversity. Support them by snagging something cool IN THE GARAGE!!
*Can Fireball SKETCH something cool for YOUR BUSINESS? REACH OUT!
*Be sure to visit BUDDY and book a Cruise! https://buddycruise.org/
Hot Rod cruise to Malibu…
I have one childhood friend. And his name is Mike. We go way back to 7th grade and… we both love cars. We caused a lot of trouble with them and could tell you things that would land us in jail. But that’s another story…
So, Mike took it upon himself to collect something bigger than a Johnny Lightning. He bought a 1931 Ford Model A Tudor. Well, not really. He actually bought a lot of Model A pieces and for the last 2 years, built this gorgeous vehicular contraption. And it’s awesome.
The greatest gift you can give someone is an experience they’ll never forget. And that’s exactly what Mike did for me today. He drove that little Black and Green beast all the way from Irwindale to Malibu. For the first time… on surface streets. When he arrived, we went over the car and all the great stories that made up how he built it. Hand painted in stipple. His boys wrenching… and they’re 7. The brand new Cokers that came in the mail. Where he found the car.
Then… we went for coffee. Up into hoyty toyty Malibu. And you shoulda seen the faces. If I had a dollar for every smile…
Cars bring people together. Adding happiness to the world. And bring peace among people. Thanks, Mike. My buddy always.
Surfin’ to Dukes in a Cruiser…
Over the weekend, it was my buddy Mike’s birthday. So, we grabbed a hold of him and headed to Duke’s in Malibu for some chow via a shiny classic. Only to find more shiny classics!
But, the thing about Mike is that he loves cars and loves to surf. And when someone loves things like surfing that much, then good things happen. Case in point? As we sat down to a cozy nooked table at Duke’s Barefoot Bar, up walked a legend. Ladies and Gents…
Gidget.
Yes, sitting right with us for about 15 minutes was the one and only “real” Gidget from the 50’s. We sat and swapped surf stories, classic cars and life at the beach in the heyday of the Beach Boys. It was awesome.
Now, I’ve been surfing since about ’91, so by no means an expert, but to have this happen on your birthday was a real treat for Mikey. And he’s been a beach bum forever! But also, Gidget is the reason that my wife, Kathie, started surfing in 1965. (She’s to the left, next to our buddy, Bob. Bob’s a sculptor in the movie business.)
So, it was cool to sit with a legend of the beach, have a veggie burg and cruise the classics.
MUNSTERS, Celebs, Hockey, Fall Girl, Predators & SEMA Customs
Welcome to AUTOMOTIVE POP CULTURE DAILY! Has the After-Thanks FULL Food Thud hit you yet? Ug. But nothing makes you feel better than COOL CARS! And today… it’s MUNSTERS with and all-new MUNSTER KOACH MASTERPRINT! Check out the Monster Goods!
DID YOU KNOW?? The show was shot in black and white because the studio did not want to pay an extra $10,000 per episode for color. Cheap Bastards! But the Drag-U-La (Grandpa’s coffin car) was only built once by Barris. Many years after the show, it was hung from the ceiling in Planet Hollywood in Atlantic City, but now is located near Orlando, Florida. The interiors of the Munsters’ mansion were filmed on Stages 30 and 32 at Universal Studios. The set was often damaged by Herman’s tantrums…
Also in today’s DRAG-U-BLAST… Stunning Actor JESSICA CHASTAIN cruises Hollywood in this Flamed Bomb, Fireball at the HULL RANCH in Canada circa 1971 (Hockey Legend Bobby Hull. Son, Brett Hull can be seen tossing a Beer back… at 10 years old!), Fireball’s PREDATOR Concept circulated Hollywood as a potential for many films, but never built. The MiniWEINER wupses on the Freeway… guess there’s no BBQ tonight? The gorgeous HEATHER THOMAS from THE FALL GUY (1981-86) Series was a crowd favorite… and more amazing CARS of SEMA 2024!
And finally, another GARAGE EPISODE with this SHORTY RED CORVAIR!! Watch below!
- SUBSCRIBE to the Fireball Tim Garage BLOG for a daily dose of AUTOMOTIVE POP CULTURE CARS! www.fireballtim.com
- See what’s new in THE GARAGE! https://fireballtimgarage.art
- Fireball Tim is a Hollywood Concept Artist responsible for the design of over 400 film & TV Show Cars, Weapons, Sets, Props & Worlds.
- THANK YOU for LEAVING A REVIEW in the Garage! It really helps!
10% of all Sales goes to DOG RESCUES, so the Pups THANK YOU! - UNSUBSCRIBE HERE by sending an email to askfireball@fireballtim.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line.
Fireball busts out new DEATH RACE, Demolition, BATS & RATS!
Icons of AUTOMOTIVE POP CULTURE are vast, but originals never fail! And today, Fireball expands on DEATH RACE 2000 with this new MASTERPRINT depicting Frankenstein’s car in explosive bloody coolness! Were you a fan of Corman Movies? What was YOUR favorite??
DID YOU KNOW?? Death Race 2000 was a dystopian science-fiction action film about a cross-country race in the year 2000 where contestants kill people for points. The movie was directed by Paul Bartel and produced by Roger Corman. It starred David Carradine as “Frankenstein” and Sylvester Stallone as “Machine Gun Joe Viterbo.” Frankenstein’s car in the 1975 film was called THE MONSTER and was a custom-built, alligator-themed 1968 Volkswagen Beetle with a modified Corvette body, but powered by a flat-six Corvair engine with a reptile-scaled paint, spiked spine, and snake eyes for headlights! Sssss!!
Also in today’s blast, Fireball snaps with Head of Mattel Hot Wheels BRYAN BENEDICT at a show, Keaton and his ’89 BAT ON SET at the WB for BATMAN, Fireball’s DEMOLITION MAN MASTERPRINT now available and cruisin’ tiny Malibu homes in a whopping Cadillac CTS-V!
PLUS, today’s EPISODE is a super cool 1942 RAT ROD from Cruisin’ for a Cure! WATCH!
- Want Fireball to SKETCH YOUR CAR! HERE’S HOW!
- Fireball Tim is a Hollywood Concept Artist responsible for over 400 films & TV Shows designing Cars, Weapons, Sets, Props & Worlds.
- SUBSCRIBE to the Blog for new AUTOMOTIVE POP CULTURE daily! www.fireballtim.com
- THANK YOU for LEAVING A REVIEW! It really helps!
- 10% of all Sales goes to DOG RESCUES, so the Pups THANK YOU!
- UNSUBSCRIBE by sending an email to askfireball@fireballtim.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line.
Fireball Summer Concept Art STRATEGIC PARTNERS Blows Up!!!
What an amazing SUMMER this is going to be as our STRATEGIC PARTNERS are expanding! As of today, Fireball will be LIVE at RECON DISNEYLAND, SOLDIER CON in Texas for September and SEMA in LAS VEGAS for November! Plus tons of other shows, so be sure to check out the SCHEDULE here! Next weekend is RODS & ROSES in Carpinteria!
Check out today’s LINEUP of great BRANDS, SKETCHES and SUMMER Coolness from INSIDE THE GARAGE! All-New ROB PAULSEN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE ART!! Are you a fan of Robs? Snag this awesome Canvas and Fireball will shoot 10% to DOG RESCUES!
*DARK DRAGON with Heather Edwards and Soldier Con, TMNT Van, Buddy Cruise BUDDYMOBILE, THE ROYCE with Jennifer Messina, Wrench Nation PONTIAC GTO, Maniacs Garage BORN49AIN and CHEVY DRAG with Mike Zarnock! Support the Brands, Support CAR CULTURE, Support Pooches!
*THANK YOU for LEAVING A REVIEW if you’ve snagged something from the Garage! It really helps!
*UNSUBSCRIBE by sending an email to askfireball@fireballtim.com with
UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line. Done.
There’s something in the AIR…
So far this week, there seems to be a shift in thought. While everyone is concerning themselves with the “economy” and all things bad, I reserve to ignore it all. And there are others doing the same. Join in… it’s a MOVEMENT.
My Dad, Tony, is a tremendously giving person. He been giving so much, that what’s coming to him is overwhelming. Where do I begin?
1. A published book. 2. A documentary being filmed on his life. 3. A new Musical that he wrote is being received as being “brilliant.” 4. A major actor just signed Monday to a screenplay that he and my Mom wrote over 30 years ago. Did I mention he’s 81? 5. The Writer’s Guild wants to do a performance study for his Musical. 6. His book of Poems is being published. Whew!
Who else? Kathie, my wife. 1. Signed to build a costume for the “Ellen DeGeneres 12 Days of Christmas.” 2. Creating the character for Buddy Cruise. 3. Writing a new Children’s Book.
Others. 1. Andy and Jennifer are getting married in May… on a cruise. 2. My sister, Jordana, just got a $100,000 grant for her school drama department. All this, and many others. What’s their secret? They think positive thoughts. All the time.
And what’s going on with me? Just some stuff. Good stuff. Really good stuff. The kind of stuff that makes you want to put extra chocolate in your Cocoa Latte.
ANDY GRIFFITH Sketched, Crazed Vette, Polizei & BEST OF SHOW
Let’s start the morning with a 1963 Police Cruiser from the Classic ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW! Fireball sketches this up to go along with all the TV & Movie Cop Cars he’s done over the years…
DID YOU KNOW?? The Producers always used the latest models for the Police Cars, supplied free from a local FORD DEALER. Whenever a car came out, it was immediately sent to Stage, the old ones returned and sold as USED CARS. Could you imagine? You could have an original AG Car in your Garage right now! Almost all the cars in the show were Galaxies.
Also sketches is this crazed and extreme VETTE busted out for the VETTE Coloring Book here at Barnes & Noble. Done originally for the film SON OF THE MASK! (Another ALL- NEW COLORING BOOK coming this week!!)
PLUS, Fireball upgrades his piece on the VW Polizei European Cop Car. Do you have this one??
DID YOU KNOW? Fireball’s buddy TONY DOW was a huge CAR GUY. Owned Porsches, Corvairs and many others. Sadly, Tony passed away a few years back but LEAVE IT TO BEAVER lives on… and so do some great shots!
ON DECK fro Fireball SKETCHES… MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. and THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES!
Today’s BEST OF SHOW?? This Limey Green HOT ROD is full custom and belongs on a STREET TACO! WATCH and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to Fireball’s Youtube for MORE COOL CARS Daily!!
*Your Favorite MOVIE & TV CARS on Canvas, Mugs, Tees… and MORE!
**UNSUBSCRIBE by sending an email to askfireball@fireballtim.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line. Done.
***THANK YOU for LEAVING A REVIEW if you’ve snagged something from the Garage! It really helps to create more coolness!
****10% of all Sales goes to DOG RESCUES, so THANK YOU!
This week’s Fireballer… Bob Ricewasser and his ScatPack Challenger
Car shows like mine here in Malibu bring out a lot of interesting people, including collectors who have amassed many different kinds of designs and nostalgic brands.
And as cool as classics are, every now and then you have to cover something new that someone has added to their collection.
This week we welcome retired car enthusiast and collector Bob Ricewasser and his sparkling, green 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Yeah, it’s a mouthful, but oh-so-worth-it.
According to Ricewasser, this green machine has a 392cu Hemi MDS Powerplant with an eight-speed Torqueflight AutoTranny.
“It also has Bilstein high-performance suspension … Brembo 4-Pistons and an active exhaust,” gleams Ricewasser.
“I am not planning any serious mods,” continues Ricewasser. “I am going to get a front license plate mounting bracket that attaches the plate to the lower grill so I don’t have to drill holes in my front bumper cover. That’s about it for mods at the moment.”
I’m both torn and relieved by that statement, as most true car guys can’t wait to get busy.
But since the green Hulkster was acquired on April 16 from Cerritos Dodge, snack-packing it into the garage only means that Ricewasser will have to share his time with his other rides. And, trust me, look at the photo and you’ll see what I mean.
But Ricewasser goes on.
“My big first attraction to this car was the color,” he said. “Known as F8 Green, a 1969 color. I first became aware of it when I saw a Challenger T/A in F8 Green at the LA Auto Show. My fascination with the color stems from my ’69 Dodge Charger (pictured) that is F5 Green, a few shades lighter.
For some reason, I couldn’t get this color out of my mind. Also, owning a muscle car has always been on my bucket list. I turned 75 in March, so I figured if I am going to complete this item on my list, I better do it now while I am in reasonably good shape and can enjoy this car. It is belated birthday gift to myself.”
Nicely done, Bob!
But Ricewasser also gets his twinkie turned because of the engine and powertrain, making this vehicle very exciting to drive.
“I plan on using this as a cruiser, visiting various Cars & Coffee events, (yeah, you better, buddy) car shows and taking some scenic rides in the local mountains and other places of interest,” he said. “It will not be a grocery getter or commuter vehicle. I have other cars for that role.”
Well, as much as I believe him, the wifeys have an uncanny ability to ask for groceries during drives out.
Ricewasser says that people are attracted to the color and what makes it look different is the stripe delete.
“I have also had a few people wanting [to] challenge me to a little acceleration contest on the street, which I have declined,” Ricewasser said. “This car is fast and with a slight blip of the throttle, it will throw you back in your seat.”
Thus, exactly why it’s called the Challenger, but a true enlightened person will know that he can, but never has to.
And finally, a bit of the ’Bu.
“I always enjoy driving in Malibu except when the high winds came up for a Wheels and Waves event a few months back,” he said. “I love cruising PCH when there is light traffic and no road construction.
I also like Mulholland, Topanga Canyon, Malibu Canyon, Stunt Road and ‘The Snake’ near the Rock Store. I have yet to cruise with the Challenger, but I plan on bringing it to the next Wheels and Wave in May.”
Very cool. Always fun to hear how someone is living their passion. Great job, Bob. Let ‘er rip.
Ride of the Week: ‘Ruby’ Woodie provides a Smooth Ride down Memory Lane
They say a smile is worth a thousand words.
Well, it seems fitting when you look at the photo accompanying this week’s column. The smile on the driver behind this week’s Ride of the Week says it all.
This is Rick White, aka Ricardo Blanco. White is in the construction industry, operating in sales with Larrabure Framing.
“We frame large multi-family projects,” he begins to explain. “Mostly in DTLA and Irvine, we are a digitizing manufacturer of framing components manufacturing off-site, then assembling and building on site.”
But in his “non-assembly” time, White has another job: inspiring others with a gangbuster smile while driving his 1950 Ford station wagon woodie named “Ruby.”
White goes on to tell me that “Ruby” was purchased in original condition from her original owner.
“When we rebuilt the engine, we went old school with a flat head, modified with 3/4 cam, aluminum heads, dual carbs, headers and a hot ignition,” he explains. “I bought it about 26 years ago as a family car to raise our two kids, Kyle and Karina, plus dogs Nikki and Buddy.”
Even in 1992, this woodie epitomized coolness.
“This car is a throwback to a friend’s Woodie I used to cruise in Malibu at 14 years old,” White said. “We would come to Malibu with his sticks (surfboards for you non-carvers) and spend the day at the beach.”
For White, the best part of his car is the patina of 26 years of life, cruising to Santa Cruz in the summers, down to Encinitas for the woodie shows in September, and up to Santa Barbara for club meetings and another Woodie show in July.
“‘Ruby’ is a weekend car and a great source of entertainment,” White said.
“One year, my wife, Elaine, the kids and I all headed to Santa Cruz and decided to take Highway 1 through Big Sur. While navigating the curves and the cliffs of Highway 1, I realized that the turning and swaying might be leading towards some car sickness.“But, afraid to say anything, I casually glanced over my shoulder to see the kids happily engaged in their music and videos and not unhappy in the least. That’s when I knew they were totally into the woodie and not the inconveniences of no A/C, stick shift, and a car made from a tree.”
When you hear stories like that, you appreciate the power of the present moment and how a car can add to your life. White gets it and does whatever he can to share the feeling.
“We love the drive through Malibu for the scenery, our Malibu friends and the memories of freedom and summer’s days,” White said. “The woodie lifestyle has kept us together as a family enjoying surfing, the beach, summer nights, and a culture of fresh air and having fun.”
What else could you possibly say to affirm the power of automotive beach life? Big thanks Rick for helping to inspire a culture that embodies so much positivity.
If our society could share that sentiment in this way more often, there’d be a lot less suffering in the world — and a lot more woodies.
Want to be featured in Ride of the Week? Send Fireball an email at askfireball@fireballtim.com.
