Here’s To The People Who Keep Our Cars Alive And Looking Cool: COTD

Some cars become virtual legends. Countless eyes have seen the Deadmau5 “Purrari,” the WhistlinDiesel Tesla Cybertruck, our Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, and now our AutoZam AZ-1. While these cars and their drivers get a lot of the fame, the people who work on them deserve a huge amount of credit, too!

Jason wrote about how our AZ-1 was adored by most at Monterey Car Week. Parsko:

I want to give a shout out to the folks at Galpin who did the actual wrap. They don’t get enough credit for creating something so cool. Not sure their name, but thanks for being great at your job. Kudos, you should be proud.

So true, this AutoZam wouldn’t have been possible without the skilled Galpin folks. The CrossCab’s adventures couldn’t have happened without the people who installed the lift kit, slapped on the PPF, and wrapped our Mustang wheels in the all-terrain tires. My mechanic is a huge reason for the CrossCab’s continued cross-country trips. All of them are so great!

Angel “the Cobra” Martin:

We were at the track on Thursday and when we went to the Mazda pit, there was a tech working on the real racecar. I jokingly asked him if that was the Autopian car or the real one. The tech actually laughed and said he had hear all about the Autopian car and was hoping to see it. Looks like he got his wish.

LTDScott:

Can confirm. Concours d’Lemons was the only Car Week event I attended and all eyes were on you when you pulled up. I’ve seen photos of it all over Car Week media. And I finally got to learn if I fit in an AZ-1 (no) and if I can gracefully exit one (also no).

Absolutely fantastic that you got to park it next to the real 787B. Having a silly car that brings a smile to peoples’ faces is incredibly fun. I’ve literally caused traffic jams towing The Homer around, and it always draws a crowd, from young to old.

And on that note, you’ve inspired me. I have (mostly) retired my car from Lemons racing and after 20 years I’ve decided to sell it. A new Simpsons movie is coming out in Fall next year so that would be a great time to sell. I’m going to do my best to somehow make the car street legal so I can drive it around Comic Con and Car Week and partake in some of the same silliness you have. Maybe I should talk to Matt about next year…

Mike Harrell:

This was easily the nicest Autozam AZ-1 dressed up to look like a Ferrari F40 with XPEL’s color PPF and then dressed up on top of that to look like a Mazda Le Mans car that I’ve ever seen at the Concours d’Lemons, which is not something I say every day.

Jason wrote about a weird Mercury ad. Sid Bridge:

Farmer: Thanks for coming! The barn’s on fire!
Fire Dept: Yep. It is. Look, the PR folks from Ford want to get some barn fire pictures. Is it ok if we park a couple of Mercury vehicles here and take some promo pics?
Farmer: Um, yes. You’re going to put the fire out first, right?
Fire Dept: …
Farmer: Right?

Todd Lappin’s 1997 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon that got into a hit-and-run, but still won a prize at Monterey Car Week. Dogisbadob:

It’s not really a Toyota until has a Camry Dent.

Matt wrote a Morning Dump with a question about the most-rushed car in history. Cheap Bastard:

The Nissan Altima that just rocketed by you on a bald space saver doughnut.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Top graphic image: Griffin Riley