The Jalopy Journal

**Mazooma1** · 05-20-2008, 04:14 PM

Pasadena, California:
"Tales From the Strip" is the first comprehensive museum exhibition to recognize the legendary hot rod and drag racing cartoonist Pete Millar (1929-2003). After finding his original inspiration from the artists of MAD Magazine's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. Millar turned his drawing skills to humorous situations involving souped-up cars and their errant drivers, as well as his spoofs of actual personalities and controversies during the rapid growth of the drag racing culture in California. Millar's virtuoso drawing abilities were nurtured by his training as an engineering draftsman and first hand experience as a drag racer. He built and drove three dragsters while he published his drawings and comic strips in "Drag Racing", "Hot Rod", "Rod & Custom", and produced his own periodicals, "CAR'toons", "Drag Cartoons", "Big Daddy Roth Magazine", and "Drag Comics". Millar is considered one of the greatest satirical cartoonists, working within the hot-rodding and drag racing communities.
This exhibition will include over 40 original drawings and paintings from the Millar estate and will also feature vintage publications from both the golden age of drag racing and the recent era of hot rod nostalgia.

The exhibit runs from June 1st to September 14th
Pasadena Museum of California Art
490 East Union Street
Pasadena, California
Please come and support the efforts of the Millar Family to preserve and share Pete's artwork
www.laffyerasphalt.com

wbrw32 · 05-20-2008, 05:26 PM

Love that poster!!! Pete attended the races at Green Valley,(dont remember year) early 60s..Pete stayed with me during his stay in Dallas for the races...
I was so happy to talk with his wife and daughter,Robin,last year at the CHHR
in Bakersfield....He was a dear friend of mine....Long live his memory!!!!

Johnny1290 · 05-20-2008, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the heads up, I can't wait to go!

stinsonart · 05-20-2008, 05:48 PM

This is great, and LOOOOONNNGGG overdue! I wish they'd done this when he was alive to enjoy it. Pete was an enormous talent and a founding father in the genre that is hot rod art, and one heck of a neat guy.

Hats off to you, Pete. You were the best!

Bill Stinson

**Mazooma1** · 05-20-2008, 05:56 PM

Here's the Millar website:
www.laffyerasphalt.com

Pasadena Museum of California Art
www.pmcaonline.org

safariknut · 05-20-2008, 05:56 PM

Thank you for the head-up on this;I may have to bite the bullet and fly out there for it.
Pete Millar was probably the biggest influence(along with Donn Varner)in my getting into the pinstriping and cartoon business as a kid.I would unremorselessly ATTEMPT to copy his cartoon characters to use on my specialty at the time:convertible top boots of cars.They never seemed to have the feeling that Pete's did and it was many years later before I understood why.
To me the 3 greatest cartoonists that have ever lived were Pete,Charles Schultz,and Johnny Hart.They all had that rare ability to,using an absolute minimum of lines,completely capture an expression on the face of their characters.And they defy duplication.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Pete in person although I did get to speak with him on the phone before his untimely passing.A very nice and humble man.
As an aside,I was at home one night when I received a call on my wife's phone.It was Robyn;Pete's daughter.She had seen some pictures of my car that Ilene Roth's brother had taken and noticed the tribute I had painted on the fender.Co-incidentally my(old) phone number was readable in the picture.
She just called to thank me for the nice words I had put on there about her dad.Made my day!

Yo Baby · 05-20-2008, 06:05 PM

Edit: I think I red lighted.After visiting the site it prolly isn't,but it is a good cartoon never the less.

I think,but I'm not sure that this is one of his cartoons. It is related to a "Blower Explosion Rating System"

KIRK! · 05-20-2008, 06:07 PM

Damn, I wish I could make that exhibit!

**Mazooma1** · 05-20-2008, 09:16 PM

OK KIDS! I just got the word from the Millar family that you HAMBers are invited to the OPENING NIGHT of the Pete Millar exhibit!
That will be on saturday evening, May 31st from 7-9PM.

Hot rods and custom drivers can park in the lot to the east of the museum.

details in the above posts

**Mazooma1** · 05-20-2008, 11:10 PM

btt

**Jeff Norwell** · 05-20-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinsonart

This is great, and LOOOOONNNGGG overdue! I wish they'd done this when he was alive to enjoy it. Pete was an enormous talent and a founding father in the genre that is hot rod art, and one heck of a neat guy.

Hats off to you, Pete. You were the best!

Bill Stinson

I agree completely..... Pete was the man......

abc123 · 05-22-2008, 09:30 PM

I expect to be at the May 31 opening. In 1984 I took a basic graphic arts class at South Coast Regional Occupational Center (adult education) in Torrance, California. To my surprise, Pete Millar was teaching the night class. At the end of the semester he made a caricature of the students. I'm the tall guy in back (red arrow). His signature is enlarged in the red box at the upper left. Pete was a great teacher.

**Mazooma1** · 05-25-2008, 06:41 PM

Bump...the opening is next saturday night....31st..

gallagher · 05-25-2008, 07:26 PM

i been planning on checking it out i first saw his work a few years ago my co worker said that was his uncle and when he was a kid pete would give him sweaters for xmas with his art . wish i had uncles like that

aceuh · 05-26-2008, 08:28 AM

Here's a cover that I scanned a while back.

And another.

safariknut · 05-26-2008, 11:49 AM

Here's a few more:Issues #1-4.The first issue took me a LONG time to get.

Johnny Ace · 05-26-2008, 12:13 PM

It is VERY difficult to catalog and begin to present a big picture of Pete Millar's scope and influence....
I'm convinced that he was responsible for making Roth into a unique cartoon character to accompany the physical...kinda like Stan Lee and Spider Man, you get the idea....

Alfred E. Nueman of the crazy painters/builders....he hired the best artists SoCal had working: Alex Toth, Ron Dias (Hanna Barbera/Disney low-key superstar),Python's Terry Gilliam, Gilbert Shelton, etc etc....I suspect he even introduced Ed to Wes Bennett,Roth's top-secret Disney moonlighter.....
Wish we could be there......

**Mazooma1** · 05-26-2008, 12:17 PM

Johnny, I'll post photos of the opening for you guys.......

65Riviera · 05-27-2008, 07:03 PM

definately will be there, pete's a major influence on my career....

**Mazooma1** · 05-30-2008, 06:51 PM

Bump:
Its tomarrow guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05-20-2008, 05:26 PM	#2
wbrw32 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: jefferson,tx Posts: 2,097	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Love that poster!!! Pete attended the races at Green Valley,(dont remember year) early 60s..Pete stayed with me during his stay in Dallas for the races... I was so happy to talk with his wife and daughter,Robin,last year at the CHHR in Bakersfield....He was a dear friend of mine....Long live his memory!!!!

05-20-2008, 05:35 PM	#3
Johnny1290 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,277	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Thanks for the heads up, I can't wait to go! __________________ "The light was yellow, sir"

05-20-2008, 05:48 PM	#4
stinsonart Grenade Inspector Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Livonia, Michigan Posts: 330	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip This is great, and LOOOOONNNGGG overdue! I wish they'd done this when he was alive to enjoy it. Pete was an enormous talent and a founding father in the genre that is hot rod art, and one heck of a neat guy. Hats off to you, Pete. You were the best! Bill Stinson

05-20-2008, 05:56 PM	#5
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Here's the Millar website: www.laffyerasphalt.com Pasadena Museum of California Art www.pmcaonline.org

05-20-2008, 05:56 PM	#6
safariknut Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 902 River Acres Drive Tecumseh MI 49286 Posts: 4,161	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Thank you for the head-up on this;I may have to bite the bullet and fly out there for it. Pete Millar was probably the biggest influence(along with Donn Varner)in my getting into the pinstriping and cartoon business as a kid.I would unremorselessly ATTEMPT to copy his cartoon characters to use on my specialty at the time:convertible top boots of cars.They never seemed to have the feeling that Pete's did and it was many years later before I understood why. To me the 3 greatest cartoonists that have ever lived were Pete,Charles Schultz,and Johnny Hart.They all had that rare ability to,using an absolute minimum of lines,completely capture an expression on the face of their characters.And they defy duplication. I never had the pleasure of meeting Pete in person although I did get to speak with him on the phone before his untimely passing.A very nice and humble man. As an aside,I was at home one night when I received a call on my wife's phone.It was Robyn;Pete's daughter.She had seen some pictures of my car that Ilene Roth's brother had taken and noticed the tribute I had painted on the fender.Co-incidentally my(old) phone number was readable in the picture. She just called to thank me for the nice words I had put on there about her dad.Made my day! Attached Thumbnails __________________ "This is NOT a bald spot:it's a SOLAR PANEL for my sex machine!" http://www.pinheadlounge.com/elvago

05-20-2008, 04:14 PM	#1
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Pasadena, California: "Tales From the Strip" is the first comprehensive museum exhibition to recognize the legendary hot rod and drag racing cartoonist Pete Millar (1929-2003). After finding his original inspiration from the artists of MAD Magazine's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. Millar turned his drawing skills to humorous situations involving souped-up cars and their errant drivers, as well as his spoofs of actual personalities and controversies during the rapid growth of the drag racing culture in California. Millar's virtuoso drawing abilities were nurtured by his training as an engineering draftsman and first hand experience as a drag racer. He built and drove three dragsters while he published his drawings and comic strips in "Drag Racing", "Hot Rod", "Rod & Custom", and produced his own periodicals, "CAR'toons", "Drag Cartoons", "Big Daddy Roth Magazine", and "Drag Comics". Millar is considered one of the greatest satirical cartoonists, working within the hot-rodding and drag racing communities. This exhibition will include over 40 original drawings and paintings from the Millar estate and will also feature vintage publications from both the golden age of drag racing and the recent era of hot rod nostalgia. The exhibit runs from June 1st to September 14th Pasadena Museum of California Art 490 East Union Street Pasadena, California Please come and support the efforts of the Millar Family to preserve and share Pete's artwork www.laffyerasphalt.com Last edited by Mazooma1; 05-31-2008 at 04:35 PM.

05-20-2008, 06:05 PM	#7
Yo Baby Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern Ok. Posts: 2,621	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Edit: I think I red lighted.After visiting the site it prolly isn't,but it is a good cartoon never the less. I think,but I'm not sure that this is one of his cartoons. It is related to a "Blower Explosion Rating System" __________________ Borrowed quote,"Nitro Is My Bong Water" Last edited by Yo Baby; 05-20-2008 at 06:16 PM.

05-20-2008, 06:07 PM	#8
KIRK! Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: At your mom's house naked! Posts: 10,031	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Damn, I wish I could make that exhibit! __________________ I'm Making Tasteful and Classic ONE-OFF Shift Knobs - Legion Lucky Knobs Click Here!

05-20-2008, 09:16 PM	#9
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip OK KIDS! I just got the word from the Millar family that you HAMBers are invited to the OPENING NIGHT of the Pete Millar exhibit! That will be on saturday evening, May 31st from 7-9PM. Hot rods and custom drivers can park in the lot to the east of the museum. details in the above posts

05-20-2008, 11:10 PM	#10
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip btt

05-22-2008, 09:30 PM	#12
abc123 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California Posts: 72	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip I expect to be at the May 31 opening. In 1984 I took a basic graphic arts class at South Coast Regional Occupational Center (adult education) in Torrance, California. To my surprise, Pete Millar was teaching the night class. At the end of the semester he made a caricature of the students. I'm the tall guy in back (red arrow). His signature is enlarged in the red box at the upper left. Pete was a great teacher. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by abc123; 05-22-2008 at 09:39 PM. Reason: Add image that was previously uploaded but did not appear.

05-25-2008, 06:41 PM	#13
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Bump...the opening is next saturday night....31st..

05-25-2008, 07:26 PM	#14
gallagher Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: califorina Posts: 132	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip i been planning on checking it out i first saw his work a few years ago my co worker said that was his uncle and when he was a kid pete would give him sweaters for xmas with his art . wish i had uncles like that

05-26-2008, 08:28 AM	#15
aceuh Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: LaFayette Georgia Posts: 966	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Here's a cover that I scanned a while back. And another.

05-26-2008, 11:49 AM	#16
safariknut Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 902 River Acres Drive Tecumseh MI 49286 Posts: 4,161	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Here's a few more:Issues #1-4.The first issue took me a LONG time to get. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "This is NOT a bald spot:it's a SOLAR PANEL for my sex machine!" http://www.pinheadlounge.com/elvago

05-26-2008, 12:13 PM	#17
Johnny Ace Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cannibal Coast,Tx Posts: 2,202	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip It is VERY difficult to catalog and begin to present a big picture of Pete Millar's scope and influence.... I'm convinced that he was responsible for making Roth into a unique cartoon character to accompany the physical...kinda like Stan Lee and Spider Man, you get the idea.... Alfred E. Nueman of the crazy painters/builders....he hired the best artists SoCal had working: Alex Toth, Ron Dias (Hanna Barbera/Disney low-key superstar),Python's Terry Gilliam, Gilbert Shelton, etc etc....I suspect he even introduced Ed to Wes Bennett,Roth's top-secret Disney moonlighter..... Wish we could be there...... __________________ Johnny Ace & Kali The Workshop of Filthy Creation Roth Studios (Monsters that MEAN business!)1982-2001, and beyond..... www.acekustoms.com http://www.myspace.com/aceandkali

05-26-2008, 12:17 PM	#18
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Johnny, I'll post photos of the opening for you guys.......

05-27-2008, 07:03 PM	#19
65Riviera Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 139	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip definately will be there, pete's a major influence on my career....

05-30-2008, 06:51 PM	#20
Mazooma1 Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: outside of El Lay Posts: 5,590	Re: Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Bump: Its tomarrow guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode