The Driskill Ford Though I enjoy cars as much as the next guy, I'm not great at distinguishing very old models, much less remembering them once I find out. You see them so rarely, it's hard to keep them straight. If you are ever in Austin, Texas, be sure to visit the Driskill Hotel. Opened in 1886, it's the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill and is a landmark of Texas hospitality. Out front you will find this old Ford park on the street. I thought it fitting to give it the old photo look, though the car is actually in great shape.

Capt'n Fun Sometimes you see something out of context and you have to blink and look again to see if you saw what you think you saw. Imagine the first time I saw a Volkswagon sitting atop a roof. Such is the case on this island shopping area in Pensacola. Souvenir shops come up with all kinds of ways to draw the customers and this tactic seems to work pretty good.

V8

This is the front grill of an old Chevy truck (I think) permanently parked at a restaurant on the beach. It may never see road action again, but it still gets noticed a lot.

Classic Impressions One cool thing about classic '50s cars is the details, things like big fins, chrome bumpers and bullet taillights. This Impala convertible is a great example of that styling.

Let's Roll

In my early driving days, I had an older Mustang that I fixed up and actually entered in a few auto shows. Today, I still twist my neck when passing a nice classic or hotrod on the road.

The Beauty and the Beast

The Beauty and the Beast The appreciation people have for cars varies greatly; collectors who strive to maintain its original form and the guys that will do anything to get more speed.

On the Prowl

Hot rods come in all shapes and sizes. From 1997 to 2002, Chrysler Plymouth made 11,702 Prowlers and today it is still sought after for it’s unique look. One of the most striking design features of this retro styled car are the open, Indy racer style front wheels.

The Wheels Half This is the other half of the Wings and Wheels get-together each month for the Wings and Wheels at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in Houston. In the parking lot you will find some really nice wheels, while on the tarmac, you will find some really nice wings. So whether your interest is on or above ground, there is something to catch your eye. Get there early, so you can catch your photos without too many crowds. Your kids can watch the big commercial jets come and go, while you look at the cool stuff too.

A Friend of Optimus Prime We all think we own the road, until we see one of these in our rear-view mirror. It’s at this point you better hope this guy is a member of the Autobots and not the Decepticons. Either way, you better pull to the other lane and let this big rig pass.

Truck in the Sky

This truck on a tower was a commercial display at last year's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The Old Model A

This 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup was on the edge of the cars gathered for a recent show. The timeless backdrop was ideal for showcasing this beautiful classic.

Hell Wagon It’s usually the more exotic and over-the-edge designs that usually draw the crowds at car shows. Maybe it’s a paint fancy job or maybe it’s an engine big enough to power the space shuttle. Whatever custom features they may adorn, they are sure to grab your attention and stretch your imagination. This Hell Wagon features an awesome flame job, graphic murals and it’s own skeleton chauffeur. Anyone need a ride?

Heritage Softail As nice as this Harley Softail was, it was the circles of lights and front wheel that caught my attention. I'm sure the bright red paint had nothing to do with it.

Flat Fins The late fifties and early sixties were a special era in the automotive design field. Cars everywhere were growing bullet taillights, tail fins and other extremities.

The Same, Yet Different It’s odd how two things can be so similar, yet so different. These two classic hotrods are alike in that they have been customized with body modifications, paint, engine, suspension and more. Yet their tastes vary in color, fenders, even down to the mirrors. Both reflect a different taste in style, yet both show great style in the quality and outcome of their restoration.

No Brand Required You don't have to be an auto expert to appreciate a beautiful car. You don't even have to know what year, size engine or even what manufacturer.. You just have to appreciate it for the hard work, time and vision that went into it. As I walk around car shows, I recognize many of the older cars, but occasionally I just like it for what it is and not even recognize if it's a Chevy, Ford or Chrysler. They are always easier to identify if their big logo is on the front, but with custom versions that have been de-badged, it can be hard to tell. So, I'll just say that this is a pretty, red hotrod. No brand required.

Patience Pays Off Shows and exhibits can be a lot of fun to view things at, but bad for photographers trying to catch the exhibits without all those pesky people walking in front of your camera. And then there are those walking behind the exhibit with their heads popping over the top of whatever you're trying to shoot. My biggest pet peeve are those who walk up and stand there, just as you get your tripod ready and about to hit the shutter release. You must have accidental turned on your cloaking device, because even though they might look right at you, they act like you aren't even there. The moment you give up and leave, they do too. I've actually had a few folks follow me as if they were posing for my camera. This wide angle view took me an hour of patient waiting for just the right moment when no one was in the shot. You believe me don't you? Okay, I confess. This is a table full of the small metal models some vendors sell at car shows. I figured it was the easiest way to get a group of cars while keeping the people out!

Yellow Hotrod This yellow T-bucket is a great representation of a typical hotrod you might see at a car show, with a small, lightweight body and an oversized engine.

The Old International This old International L-150 was found at the Sugar Land Farmer's Market, just outside the old Sugar Refinery.

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera This yellow Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is one of only 172, of which only 45 were made in yellow, making this car pretty unique.

Ford GT The Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater sports car. Ford Motor Company produced the Ford GT for the 2005 to 2006 model years. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's GT40 racing cars of the 1960s. This was a car, straight from the factory, that had the class and performance to rival anything you could purchase in overseas. Of all the cars I've seen, this model is one of my most favorites.

Cruisin' in Blue At a recent Aeros and Auto Show, this blue '57 caught my gaze and stood out from all the other cars in its area. Slightly lowered with a great paint job, it was a car to be admired.

Model A Head On This Ford Model A looked like it just rolled off of Henry's assembly line. Its owner should be proud and commended for maintaining a bit of rolling history.

Faster in Red Real sports cars come in red. Sometimes they come in blue, but always in red. There is something about red that makes the car go faster. It's a scientific fact, but no one is really sure why. It has something to possibly do with quantum physics or creating a miniature rift in the time-space continuem.

This Eldorado is All Business Cars, like people, have personalities. Some are meek and mild, while others command respect and authority without having to say a word. This 1958 Eldorado Cadillac has the size, beauty and boldness that you don't argue with. Cars back then meant business and this one takes it very seriously. This was one of several Cadillacs that attended Saturday's Wings and Wheels event at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in Houston, Texas. It was supposed to rain all day, but it turned out to be a great day to take in a few cars and airplanes.