Christmas-list item No. 1: Billings Artworks (www.billingsartworks.com) offers the Convoy Duck, an exact replica of the snarling, cigar-chomping hood ornament on Kris “Rubber Duck” Kristofferson’s Mack in the 1978 movie “Convoy.” Prices range from $175 for the nickel version to $225 for the 24-carat gold version. The ornament always reminded us of Howard the Duck, the snarling, cigar-chomping Marvel Comics character introduced in 1973.
That’s what we call intermodal
Christmas-list item No. 2: Do you remember the Lotus Esprit sports car that James Bond drove underwater in “The Spy Who Loved Me”? Apparently so does Alan Gibbs of New Zealand, inventor of the Gibbs Aquada, which can do 100 mph on the highway and 30 knots on the waterway. Available in the United States in early 2009, it has a 175-hp V-6 engine and a starting retail price of $85,000, reports the new duPont Registry: Exotic Car Buyer’s Guide.
That’s progress for you: Leadfoot Aquada drivers can cut off big rigs and towboats.
Maybe chrome highlights would help
Though it’s from the producers of “Trick My Truck,” the new show “Trick My Trucker,” Saturdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on CMT, is more akin to TLC’s “What Not To Wear.” On each episode, a trainer and a stylist “ambush” two truckers and challenge them to shape up, adopt healthy diet and exercise habits and generally change their images. In the finale of each episode, the truckers present their “new” selves to family and friends and compete for cash and prizes. Contestants on the first episode were Brian Greenlee (top) of Victorville, Calif., and Thomas Reedy of Harker Heights, Texas. We believe these are the “before” pictures.
Visit www.cmt.com.
“You know, a trucker, if he’s interested in moving through Northwest Arkansas in expedition fashion, will pay a little extra money to be able to do so. ”
– President Bush talks up tolls during a visit to Rogers, Ark.
There’s more odd news and trivia related to trucking than can fit here. See it all at the new Channel 19 blog, channel19.blogspot.com, and add your comments. You also can share your own offbeat items with Blogmaster Andy Duncan, who will consider them for use on this page.
