Through the eyes of Coop and Aaron Von Minden, we’ve been lucky to grab some glimpses of The Old Crow, a land speed record racer built from the fuel tank of a fighter plane that both of the guys worked on. Owner Bobby Green was approached by the minions of Tommy Hilfiger to see if he would be interested in having the historic racer involved in a bit of a photo shoot. One thing led to another and Bobby & friends built another car in an incredible 2 days and both cars became the focal point for Hilfiger’s 2008 Spring ad campaign. Currently, The Old Crow is on display in Amsterdam.

Bobby has the full story on The Old Crow blog and we’ve got some video for you after the break.
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3 time world land speed record holder, Art Arfons passed away on Monday at age 81. The legendary racer was a drag racer, land speed challenger and even a tractor puller. Arfons was an old school innovator who built his own machines, along with his brother Walt.

Up here in Ontario, we didn’t see too much about land speed racers before the internet and drag racing was in a whole different world to what I grew up in. During the winter though, we could get our combustion fix by a visit to an indoor tractor pull. It was at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario that I first saw the Green Monster. What a cool scene. I’ll never forget hearing the turbine whine as it spooled up, followed by flames that shot straight up with a whoosh from the after burner. Then, as the jet built power, the rear wheels would begin to spin and the flames subsided to a concentrated blue flame. Pretty heady stuff for a young gearhead. I’m sure that kids and adults alike that had the opportunity to see Arfons compete were likewise affected.

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That wild and crazy artist guy Coop from Cali has been delighting us with his incredibly sexy images (both automotive & nudie) for ages. That lucky guy spent last week at Bonneville for the annual Speed Week with the Old Crow crew and came home with an absolute ton of great shots. It’s a shame that Bonne is so far from Ontario, as these images look like time has stood still on the salt flats.

Regular readers have seen some of Coop’s shots of Old Crow the belly tanker. This week, Coop spent some quality Friday the 13th time in the home of the lake racer. I just love the intake stacks on this roadster, but there are just so many other great toys that you’ll have to visit Coop’s Flickr page. While you’re there, have a look around for Coop’s April Flores captures. Yummy!

It’s been a while since we’ve given you an update on the progress of the Savage Speed Garage 34 Ford Coupe. Work is progessing well, but there’s a deadline looming on the horizon. Bonneville Speed Week may be in the middle of August, but time flies and it’s only a couple of months away.

The Coupe is now supporting itself, with the suspension almost complete. Maestro Aaron Von Minden is trying to decide whether the steering box should be Ford F100 or an old Norden sprint car unit. Now I don’t know too much about the Norden unit, but I would think the ratio is likely quicker than the F100 box. Somehow, I don’t think quick steering is a virtue on the salt!

More pics after the break
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From the archives at Savage Speed, come a few old images, but they’re new to The Garage. As regular readers know, I’ve been bitten by the old skool rod bug and Aaron VonMinden is determined to get me building. I’m starting to think about the upcoming kart racing season, but I’m still planning on keeping my eyes open for a chassis and a body of sorts. I’ll know what I’m looking for when I see it. For now though, I want to share this latest bunch of pics Aaron has sent our way.

One of racings’ most historic tracks, Mosport may be close to The Garage, but these guys get to go play at Bonneville. Too cool.

More pics after the break
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So here I was, checking e-mail and minding my own business when that Aaron guy sent me even more teasers to get me wound up on this quest for a totally irrational new project. The proprietor of Savage Speed is showing of his new roadster project, which is powered by nothing less than a Caddy flathead. If I’m not incorrect, this is the same Caddy mill that did time at Bonneville before finding it’s way into Aaron’s living room.

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Every weekend during the winter, Ontario’s lakes are covered with snowmobile riding rednecks trying to set a new land speed record before they get smoked by a pressure crack. Down in the South Western States, they have the same concept, except it’s warm and they get to drive cars. Well, some of them look like cars anyway.

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A lack of time seems to becoming more common around here, so today i’ll just give a few mentions to some of the lucky bloggers who are out cruising this weekend.

Over at Jalopnik, the boys are cruizin’ (and jaywalking!) on Woodward Ave.
Phillip at Classical Drive has been at Monterey all week leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours and he’s got some great storys and shots. The photo above will give you some idea of the fun he’s having.

The new kid on the block at Autoblog is also at Pebble and has some great shots too.

Some GM student interns were lucky enough to head to Bonneville. I bet it changed their outlook on speed forever.

World Car Fans have a great Ferrari story from Pebble Beach.

Here in The Garage, we’re a tiny bit jealous of all of you this weekend. Hopefully our old buddy Mike will deliver the pics he’s promised from Woodward next week.

When was the last time you saw a Rod at full opposite lock? The guys over at Savage Speed in sunny CA have a serious handle on the cooler things that Hot Rodding has to offer. The gallery has some hot pics of Rods in action, not to mention some killer collectibles like a Don Garlits firesuit. What is that nasty stain on the leg? If you are looking for speed parts for your rat rod that have some real history, these guys can hook you up. How about a Cadillac flathead that ran at Bonneville in 1950. Too Cool.

Source: Jalopnik