You know, it's always amazing to talk to other gearheads and car nuts and see what kind of automotive influences they have had. It's surprising how many of us have been influenced by the same things, no matter what our age or generation. However, the amazing thing is to watch people's reactions when they come face to face with one of those influential vehicles. They stare; they point; they laugh and giggle, and basically...right there in front of your eyes...turn into a little kid again. It’s fantastic!
To illustrate this point, a few weeks ago I had the chance to spend some time with the SPEED RACER guys, and drive the real Mach 5 around and basically be Speed Racer for a couple of days. However, even more amazing than that, was the reaction the car brought out of people! EVERYBODY recognized it, and literally swarmed it like ants when we took it somewhere. The Cops were drawn to it like a "Free donut" sign, and most wanted to get their picture taken with it, which we were glad to oblige. It was a lot of fun.
Now for those of you that haven't seen it, the Real Mach 5 is just that...A life sized version of the car that Speed drove in those classic cartoons. But until you see it live and in person, you may not understand how important cars like this really are. We tend to forget that most of us got our earliest influences and learned to use our imagination by watching cartoons, or tv shows that featured some cool car or truck. Without those influences, we would have had no catalyst to ignite our dreams about going fast or racing, ripping a jeep thru the mud, or just enjoying cars and trucks in some way.
The proof of what I am saying is evident when you see the reaction of the people as they come face to face with that influential car or truck, and they start to tell you about their own unique life experiences that grew out of that influence. It's like peeking into their automotive DNA and seeing how it is put together!
The cool thing is, these kind of influences don't just happen when we are little kids...they can continue to happen throughout our lives... if we don't stifle them!! Way to many times we get so busy being all grown up, that we forget to let our inner kid out to play. Sometimes it takes seeing a car like the Mach 5 (or the Batmobile, or General Lee) at a show to knock us on the head and remind us that we are all still kids at heart, and it is OK to be that way.
So I encourage you to get out to a car show and check out the Real Mach 5 or the Batmobile, or maybe that SS Chevelle, or Hemi Roadrunner you've always wanted...and better yet...take some kid with you. It doesn't matter how old they are! Just drag 'em to the car and thrown 'em in! You have no idea what kind of influence it may have on them, and what kind of dreams you might stir up. Who knows... they might end up being the next Speed Racer!
For more information and to see a clip of the episode that featured Speedracer, click here!
I watched Speed Racer as a kid. I didn't understand everything completely, but the Mach 5 was cool! Childhood memories! Guess that was my gearhead beginnings! I am a grandfather now; the cartoons my grandson watches (or the ones my kids watched, for that matter) really annoy me. Even the Warner Bros. cartoons spoke more on an adult level than what you see today. Makes sense that the Simpsons and Family Guy exist-because adults still like cartoons.
Posted by: Gaylen Barnes | March 17, 2010 at 09:08 PM
Stacey, I completely understand the whole Speed Racer thing and influences. I was COMPLETELY influenced by the General Lee when building my Jeep. The General has become an American television and automotive ICON for a lot of us gearheads out here. People love and swarm my General (Lee) Jeep everytime it is parked anywhere for more than a couple of minutes. Hell, I even have people taking pictures while I am sitting at red lights. And they ALWAYS ask if I have the horn and will I demo it....of course being a good ole boy at heart I always oblige.
Posted by: John V | March 18, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Stacey- As a "California Boy", I love to see the sometimes not so subtle different looks i see on your cars, upgrades, & repairs, very cool. I look forward to your show every early Saturday morning. Just want to say I enjoyed the hot wheel episode . Most importantly, THANK YOU FOR THE SHOW1
Posted by: Gordy Simons | March 21, 2010 at 07:44 AM
Kid at heart indeed! Seeing a true piece of history like this, in person, has got to be a highlight for most! How many of us grew up with toy Batmobiles, General Lees and Speeds' famous striped ride??!!
Guess some guys just have all the luck...
ConceptOne Pulleys
Posted by: Chevy big block pulleys | July 28, 2010 at 06:04 AM
I've always loved speed racer basically because of the Mach 5.The thing is at the same time that Speed was on TV a great sci-Fi show named Star Trek was on the air,me and my dad before he passed away used to always have arguements about how real these things like the mach 5 could be.years later,we have CD's that was used on the U.S.S Enterprise and we have cars that can raise themselves of the ground and talk to you.....Sorry dad,you lose.
Posted by: Charles (The Lincolnman) Melton | December 11, 2010 at 07:15 AM
how in hell do i send you a message AND photos?
nelson
Posted by: nelson valosen | December 30, 2010 at 10:38 PM
The Mach 5! \m/
It suddenly made me remember the super fast English. Hahaha! Kidding aside, anyone who watched Speed Racer as a kid would definitely want to drive this! Imagine if you can press the A button on the road. JUUUMP! LOL!
Posted by: Kevyn Hagemann | April 17, 2011 at 07:04 PM
I woke up this morning in a bad mood but after reading this site my mood improved.
Posted by: Outlet Ralph Lauren | August 07, 2011 at 11:50 PM
Among thousands of people, you meet those you've met. Through thousands of years, with the boundlessness of time, you happen to meet them, neither earlier nor a bit too late.
Posted by: ugg on sale | August 20, 2011 at 01:45 AM
Time has changed all of us. But I agree that there are things that can't be changed, and one of those is the fact that we all know Speed Racer and his car Mach 5. Did you know that there's an 8th button in Mach 5? It's not located in the steering wheel, rather it's mounted on the center console with the rest of the controls for the homing robot. The 8th button sends the homing robot back to the Racer house.
Posted by: Simon Schempp | October 07, 2011 at 12:37 PM
A perfect symbol of speed!
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