Highway Creepers 2026

The Highway Creepers car show took place in Kearney last weekend and it was, as usual, a feast for the eyes. You never know what you are going to see there, like, for instance, this absolute beast:

It started out as a 1948 Oldsmobile before someone let their imagination run wild. It is branded with the name of a local car lot, so this must be one eye-catching rolling advertisement. Those fins are likely a point of contention with most people either loving or hating them.

Speaking of fins, the ones on this 1959 Buick are fantastic.

Buicks were restyled in wild fashion for ’59, and the overall body length ranged from 217.4 to 225.4 inches. For comparison purposes, a new Chevy Suburban has a body length of 226.3 inches. Buick also implemented new series names, replacing the Special, Century, and Roadmaster with the LeSabre, Invicta, and Electra.

The Electra, like the one pictured at the car show, was the new Roadmaster. It was powered by the Wildcat 445 engine with 4-barrel downdraft carburetor and automatic Twin Turbine Transmission. The Triple Turbine Transmission was available as an option. The Electra had additional brightwork, like rocker and wheelhouse moldings, and other standard features included power steering, power brakes, two-speed electric wipers, and dual exhaust. The distinctive grille, made with rectangular squares, was one of the few holdovers from the previous year. A Buick Electra was also chosen as the pace car for the 1959 Indy 500.

March 19, 1959, Terra Haute Tribune.

On the subject of land yachts, this 1973 Lincoln Continental (body length of 229.9 inches) is gorgeous in metallic green. Notice the curb feelers installed to keep those wide white walls pristine.

A few more highlights:

1955 Mercury
1929 Ford Model A Pickup
1934 Chevy Sedan
1956 Ford F100
1946 Chevy rat rod with tequila bottle coolant reservoir

1967 Chevy C-10
1956 Chevy Bel Air Gasser

Finally, this photo of kids playing on a lifted Ford F250 is pretty funny:

Early 2000s Ford F250

For the record, no children were harmed in the making of this blog post (not even the one wrapped around the rear tire)!

Oldsmobile’s “Winged Spur” Crest

By 1929, Oldsmobile had already been in existence for more than three decades, and the company decided it was time for a new crest that was symbolic of Oldsmobile and the important place it occupied in the automotive industry.

According to the story that went with this 1929 headline, each element of the crest depicted, in the language of heraldry, some characteristic of the company:

“Centered in the shield is a winged spur. This symbol of fleetness represents the harnessing of horsepower and the development of transportation to its present efficiency. The role of the Oldsmobile in this development has been so outstanding that the prominence of the winged spur is well deserved.

Under the spur and superimposed on the gold field are three acorns. These represent the historical position of Oldsmobile, the first company to introduce quantity production methods and from which the automotive industry branched out and grew to its present foremost position.

Oak leaves form a decorative background around the top of the shield. These symbols of strength and sturdiness are symbolic of the industry as well as of the strength of Oldsmobile and its parent corporation, General Motors.

Centered above all is the lamp of knowledge, depicting the brain and research power at the command of this veteran company. The flame of this lamp represents the continuous research work being conducted by Oldsmobile engineers and the additional facilities afforded them by the General Motors’ proving ground, General Motors’ research laboratories and their staffs of experts.

At each side of the lamp of knowledge are a micrometer and a triangle. This modern touch tells the story of exactness and precision methods. They also represent the spirit of craftsmanship which impelled the Oldsmobile workmen to originate and take as their creed, the motto, ‘Anything short of my best is not acceptable.'”

Some examples of Oldsmobiles sporting a variation of the “Winged Spur” crest in 1958, 1948 and 1937, respectively:

Highway Creepers Car Show

The Highway Creepers usher in the outdoor car show season in my area, and they host a terrific show replete with low riders, fins, rat rods, and hot rods. If you were unable to make it to Kearney over the weekend, here is some of what you missed: 

’32 Ford

’54 Chevy

’51 Merc

’54 Chevy

’55 Caddy

’51 Chevy Deluxe

’48 Olds

’55 Mercury Montclair

’59 Buick

1950 Shoebox Ford