A recent donation to the Petersen Automotive Museum will ensure that generations to come can enjoy one of the quintessential American hot rods. Renowned car collector Bruce Meyer recently handed over the keys to his ’32 Ford “McGee Roadster” to Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Constructed by noted hot-rod builder Bob McGee, the McGee Roadster introduced an aesthetic that quickly became nearly ubiquitous in the roadster community. The popular hot rod will become part of the Petersen’s permanent collection.
The Petersen Automotive Museum and the McGee Roadster share an origin story that stems from Hot Rod magazine, founded by Robert E. Petersen in 1948. The McGee Roadster’s popularity skyrocketed after appearing on the cover of Hot Rod magazine, the first street car to do so. Petersen’s subsequent success in publishing allowed him to launch one of the world’s finest automotive museums in 1994.
“Hot rods are vital to the entire automotive industry, and Robert Petersen is the man who really brought hot rodding to the people. This car is an important piece of automotive history, and there is no more worthy destination than the Petersen Automotive Museum,” said Meyer, who is also founding chairman of the Petersen.
The iconic roadster has raced on the Bonneville salt flats, served as a daily driver and originated many of the design cues synonymous with hot rodding. McGee, who started working on the roadster in 1947, created the signature look with plenty of customization, including lowered suspension, larger Lincoln Zephyr rear wheels, a three-piece louvered hood, peaked and filled grille shell, hidden door hinges and shaved door handles, all painted bright red with a custom interior.
In 1956, McGee sold the roadster to Dick Scritchfield, an avid hot rodder and automotive career man. Scritchfield, who had contacts in the film industry, started leasing the car to movie producers and television shows for use in their productions. Repainted by a friend of Scritchfield’s using Candy Apple Red paint and silver metal flake, the roadster also became the first non-experimental metal-flake paint job in the automotive industry. Over the following years, the car underwent many additional modifications before Meyer restored it to its original 1948 configuration in the late ’90s.
The McGee Roadster paved the way for hot rodding’s entrance into mainstream culture. Its appearances in many films and classic television shows, such as “Happy Days,” “Dragnet” and “Fantasy Island,” helped it become an icon for a generation.
It was featured on the U.S. Postal Service’s “Hot Rods Forever" commemorative stamp in 2014; the stamps were designed by Derry Noyes and digitally rendered by graphic artist John Mattos. The car has also been shown and won in its current configuration at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Grand National Roadster Show. On April 12, 2017, the McGee Roadster became the only hot rod added to the National Historic Vehicle Register. The McGee Roaster is currently on display in the Ross & Beth Myers Gallery at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
2023 Easter Jeep Safari Preview
These collective themes hint at the next grouping of the Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts by Mopar concept sketches of mission-capable vehicles heading to the 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, April 1–9.
Kahn Media Wins AVA Digital Gold Award
Kahn Media has announced that it has been added to the list of 2023 AVA Digital Awards winners taking home a Bronze Award in the Digital Marketing Campaign category. The judges recognized Kahn Media’s results-driven campaign for its client, Cognito Motosports, created in-house by its team of digital marketing experts. In January alone, that campaign produced an ROI of 6,301%. For all of 2022, the digital marketing team delivered a 1,306% ROI.
Created in 1994, the AVA Awards originally celebrated and awarded achievements in the audio-visual arts. As the roles of digital media and the internet rose, the awards shifted focus. Today, the AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that “recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communication,” according to its website. Everything from digital and social media campaigns to video production to website development and mobile marketing is considered for the AVA Digital Awards, with more than 100 categories judged.
Acura Reveals Limited-Production TLX Type S PMC Edition
Acura is creating 50 hand-assembled TLX Type S PMC Editions finished in Gotham Gray matte paint, the signature color of the performance brand’s NSX Type S supercar. The paint utilizes a clear matte metallic finish to give the TLX Type S a more sinister appearance. Mirroring the production of 50 Gotham Gray NSX Type S models built for the U.S. market, the 50 handcrafted high-performance sedans will enter production next month at the company’s Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Ohio4 and arrive at select dealers this spring priced at $65,000.
Exterior design elements unique to TLX Type S PMC Edition include Berlina Black paint for the door handles and part of the lower side-sill garnish. Also, NSX-inspired Y-spoke 20-in. lightweight wheels are finished in Berlina Black, while a gloss carbon-fiber decklid lip spoiler, carbon-fiber rear diffuser, lower side sill garnish and black-chrome quad exhaust finishers complete the more aggressive look. Gloss black TLX, Type S and SH-AWD exterior badging is also standard.
Inside, the TLX Type S PMC Edition is further distinguished by carbon-fiber interior trim panels, illuminated side sills and premium floor mats with Type S badges and colored accent binding. A striking Red Milano leather interior is contrasted with black stitching and Ultrasuede inserts. The lower console is accented with an individually numbered serial plaque to designate the ’23 TLX Type S PMC Edition as a limited-edition vehicle (1 of 50) handcrafted at the Performance Manufacturing Center.
The ’23 Gotham Gray TLX Type S PMC Edition follows previous PMC Editions as well as the NSX supercar, all hand-crafted by master technicians at the Performance Manufacturing Center. Following the hand-assembly process, each PMC Edition receives the same quality-control process applied to NSX, including a dyno check, paint inspection and rough-road simulation. To protect the paint during shipping, PMC Editions are wrapped in a specially designed car cover and transported to Acura dealers via enclosed, single-car carriers.
Polaris Unveils RZR Pro R Factory Race-Ready UTV
Polaris Off Road has unveiled a purpose-built race-ready UTV—the RZR Pro R Factory. Based on its RZR Pro R platform, RZR Pro R Factory is specifically engineered to thrive against the grueling demands of open-desert racing, providing a powerful centerpiece for its recently announced Polaris Factory Racing team.
Harkening back to the days when automotive OEMs developed factory-engineered, race-ready trophy trucks for their factory off-road racing programs, Polaris is doing the same with RZR Pro R Factory and breaking entirely new ground for the UTV racing class. Four Pro R Factory vehicles have been developed for the Polaris Factory Racing team, with the team and vehicles making their debut at the upcoming San Felipe 250. This season will see the team compete in the SCORE International series and the Best in the Desert's Vegas to Reno race. Last year, the RZR Pro R demonstrated a combination of performance and durability when Brandon Sims captured the 2022 Baja 1000 UTV Overall.
Universal Technical Institute Recognized for Efforts to Train America’s Veterans for In-Demand Careers
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has announced it has once again earned the Military Friendly School designation, which accounts for student retention and graduation and job placement rates, among other criteria. UTI’s campuses in Avondale, Arizona; Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga and Long Beach, California; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Lisle, Illinois; and Exton, Pennsylvania, along with NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina and Motorcycle & Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando, Florida, were among the schools awarded for 2022–2023.
UTI first began earning the Military Friendly designation in 2011. The award is given to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that work to embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and the workforce. Most UTI campuses are outfitted with a veteran-friendly space and UTI offers the Salute to Service Grant, which gives eligible veterans a 10% tuition discount.
In partnership with UTI, BMW and Premier Truck Group, offer on-base training programs, allowing active service members to train for careers as automotive or diesel technicians near the end of their military service contract. For more information on UTI's Military and Veterans Services, click here.
Kia Niro Named “Supreme Winner” in 2023 Women’s World Car of the Year Awards
The ’23 Kia Niro has been named the 2023 Women's World Car of the Year. While the Niro initially earned the “Urban Car of the Year” award from the all-women association earlier this year, the jury panel ultimately recognized the Niro as the overall “Supreme Winner” among all other category winners. Beating out five other category winners, the Niro impressed the judges with its state-of-the-art electrified powertrain options wrapped in a sleek, aerodynamic and technologically focused package. In its second generation, the Niro remains the only vehicle on the market available with three different electrified propulsion options.
Created in 2009 by New Zealand automotive journalist Sandy Myhre, the Women’s World Car of the Year is comprised exclusively of women, with 63 journalists spanning 43 continents. To determine the winner, a total of 59 vehicles were tested and evaluated on safety, quality, value, design, performance and environmental impact, among other important factors based on the same principles that drivers consider when making a vehicle purchase.
Gold Eagle Company Produces “DRIV[H]ER” Documentary
Gold Eagle Company has announced the rollout of a new documentary that highlights the incredible stories of two female racers—Sally McNulty and Kelsey Rowlings. The documentary, “DRIV[H]ER,” initially shared online on March 8 for International Women’s Day, can be viewed on YouTube and online at www.goldeagle.com.
The new 25-minute professionally produced film chronicles the inspiring story of two women and how they overcame challenges and prejudices to gain the respect of industry peers and enthusiasts in their respective series. McNulty races competitively in TC America, a touring car racing series sanctioned by the United States Auto Club and Rowlings competes in Formula DRIFT.
Power Automedia Launches New Website With Focus on Nine Digital Brands
Power Automedia has announced an all-new online experience for its corporate website, PowerAutomedia.com. With a new ownership team and recent acquisitions, 2023 has brought big changes to Power Automedia. Now, the company has refreshed its online look to showcase its nine online publications. The website has been redesigned from the ground-up with prioritization on easy navigation and a clear view of the company’s offerings.
Power Automedia re-introduces its team with a new employee “grid,” allowing visitors to easily identify the person that can best help their digital media needs. An “About Us”-style video offers a chance to learn more about the company’s executives and discover how they are shaping the future of the automotive industry. Lastly, a newly designed careers page features an efficient way to view the latest opportunities across all the Power Automedia brands. Visit PowerAutomedia’s new website at PowerAutomedia.com.
Mullen Automotive and Qiantu Motors to Launch EV Supercar Branded Mullen GT and GTRS
Mullen Automotive Inc. has announced that it has been granted the North and South American IP and distribution rights from Qiantu Motors and affiliated companies as part of a license agreement allowing assembly and distribution of the DragonFLY K50 in the Americas.
Mullen will begin its program to re-engineer and redesign the product to meet homologation requirements for U.S. certification and customer expectations for today’s supercars. These modifications will be in line with Mullen’s vehicle design language currently found in the Mullen FIVE and Mullen FIVE RS. To ensure supercar status, the vehicle will also feature an updated powertrain, targeting sub 2.0 sec 0-60 MPH and a top speed exceeding 200 mph.
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