Allee Willis Blog » Transportation

10Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Car With Two Front Ends

10Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Car With Two Front Ends

car-2-sides

Today’s KOTD was supposed to be the launch of “Pigmy Will”, my new animated series on YouTube, but Facebook seems to be having stomach problems and I don’t want to risk a malfunction on the Pigmy’s big day. So instead, here’s a car I’ve always wanted to buy. Two front ends so you’re moving forward whichever way you go.

This is a real functioning vehicle tooling around in the Culver City, CA area.

“Pigmy Will” coming tomorrow… as long as Facebook recovers all functionality and returns to normal health. In the meantime I’m going for a ride.

23Jul 2009

Allee Willis Kitsch’ O The Day- CB’er Coffee Cup

23Jul 2009

Allee Willis Kitsch’ O The Day- CB’er Coffee Cup

CB-cup

‘Mama Bear” (Female Police person), “Green Stamps” (money), “Plain White Wrapper” (Unmarked Police Car) and the ubiquitous “10-4″ (Ok, message received) became the second language of Pop Culture in 1975 when “Convoy”, a song that glorified truckers and their C.B. radios, shot up airplay charts as fast as the big rigs and semis it glorified shot down highways. C.B. radio paraphernalia took over store shelves across the country with these Anchor Hocking ‘Fire-King’ milk glass Proof 6 cups at the top of the heap. Twenty six of the most frequently mumbled C.B. codes as well as an array of popular trucks grace the cup, of I own twelve (and counting). Ten regular, 3 3/8″ tall, and two tank size, an inch taller and five phrases richer.

03Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – ‘If This Van’s A Rockin Don’t Bother Knockin’ Tin Sign

03Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – ‘If This Van’s A Rockin Don’t Bother Knockin’ Tin Sign

vans-a-rockin

Swingin’ 70’s aluminum sign from the burgeoning van culture that proliferated in that decade as folks realized they could have living rooms and love lairs on wheels. Zebra coital caves, Disco dens and the like popped up like weeds on the highway and a new automotive accessories market was born that included heart shaped bubble windows, car bars, massive sound systems and waterbeds. Movies like 1977’s Supervan and The Van, featuring the song “Chevy Van”, popularized the free-lovin’-with-matching-vehicles lifestyle.

14Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – “God Bless Our Camper” Plate

14Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – “God Bless Our Camper” Plate

gd-bless-our-camper_9051

There’s nothing more I like to do on Sundays than take rides. I stock the car like it’s a motel, all amenities neatly arranged within arms reach, and tool through LA and vicinity photographing and making strategic pit stops at my favorite soul food restaurants. I’ve always dreamed of having a tricked out camper to make my rendezvous even more comfortable and have a selection of front mirror danglers, mud flaps and chasing lights license plate frames already purchased should the happy day ever arrive. In the meantime, I content myself with camper memorabilia, of which this quaint porcelain plate is requisite.

10May 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Happy Mother’s Day In Matching Outfits

10May 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Happy Mother’s Day In Matching Outfits

smiths-teardrop-trailer_8536

Dated Mother’s Day, 1951, this is a photo of the Smith family who lived in my house long before I bought it. My driveway never looked so good. Neither did mom, matching her family like a set of pristine bowling pins or Melmac plates.