J.Ukrop submitted a new blog post: "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby" Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Read the book several times and still have a copy. A copy comes with this compilation of hot rod records from Rhino. You get 4 CD's, the book, fuzzy dice, Mooneyes keychain and decal sheet in a box resembling an AMT model kit.
I've read the book.In fact,I've read most things he's written and love his take on life,art,and society. Wolfe is credited with introducing the terms statusphere, the right stuff,radical chic, the Me Decade,trophy wife and "social x-ray" into the English lexicon.In fact,I think I'll head over to the bookcase to see what Wolfe book I'll be reading this weekend....thanks for the heads up,Mr. Ukrop.
Tom Wolfe's book is probably one of the best reads relating to the era. Some would say he gave legitimacy to the hot rod/custom car culture movement in the eyes of "citizens" and I would agree.
Yes, a great read - thanks for the reminder, think I'll dig out the book and read it again. Another story worth reading in that collection of essays is "The Last American Hero" about Junior Johnson, which I think spawned that Jeff Bridges film some years later? Regards Jon'.
Ronnie Camp ended up really pissed at Barris as I recall ( Its been a long time since I read the book) and parked his car in failing paint outside a car show to showcase Barris' "crappy" paint job that didn't last .There was also a really cool section on "Jersey Girls"
Great post about a great book. Thanks. As has been mentioned the essay on Junior Johnson and NASCAR is excellent. The one on record producer Phil Spector and his "Wall of Sound" is also very memorable. I'll have to dig my old paperback out for a re-read now!
I don't read much, but when I do.... I read books about hot rods, Ed Roth, and mid-century happenings in the Beatnik world! Tom Wolfe's writing style makes me smile, and if you haven't read any of his works, you ought to.
Been reading (other than auto related) more things lately. Seems as though I have many more ahead of me. Your style and now, your subjects are growing all the while. Keep them coming, Carp.
Wolfe was the first person from the "square" world to look at guys like Barris, Roth, Starbird and the rest and say, if there is such a thing as art in this world, these guys are artists. This "art movement" had been going on in plain sight for 10 years with "exhibits" at armories and parking lots across the country but nobody noticed before Wolfe. He had a lot of insights, and first hand descriptions that are especially valuable as those of an outsider with a fine arts degree. He is also one of the giants of the New Journalism and a top ranked author whose books have been made into Hollywood blockbusters more than once.
I'm working my way through the PDF version that was linked. Great read so far. It's one I'd always heard of, but never had the presence of mind to pick up when I was out looking for something to read.
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