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)!

Show and Shine in the Fourth of July City

We spent Independence Day in Seward, Nebraska’s Official Fourth of July City. This town takes America’s birthday very seriously and has hosted a celebration virtually every year since the town was established in 1868. The town is located in Seward County, and both were named for William H. Seward, a Republican and strong opponent of slavery who served as President Lincoln’s Secretary of State during the Civil War.

Seward has less than 7,000 residents, but the number of attendees at this annual festival is estimated at an incredible 40,000. This year it included everything an American could want for the country’s birthday celebration such as an anvil firing; flag raising complete with reveille and the firing of an historic cannon; parades and fireworks; an apple pie eating contest; a craft show with vendors covering the entire courthouse square; live music and blocks of food trucks; Revolutionary and Civil War era soldier encampments; actors portraying Presidents Lincoln and Grant mingling with folks at the Nebraska National Guard Museum, and so much more. Happily for me, there was also a car show, so here are a few pictures of some of the entries. Note that the ’54 Willys Jeep is for sale, priced at $19,995 obo!

1936 Chevrolet Coupe
1972 Dodge Charger
Rat rod with Punisher grille
1954 Chevy Bel Air
1953 Chevy Bel Air Gasser
1959 Dodge Coronet
1954 Willys M38A1
1937 Pontiac
1930 Model A

Awesomely Ratty Tow Truck

We took a trip to Kansas a couple of weeks ago for the Highway 36 Treasure Hunt and spied this beast of a tow truck crouched along the highway on the north edge of Phillipsburg:

This awesomely ratty truck is labeled “Ford-ish,” and I do see a few familiar Ford parts.  It appears to be diesel powered, judging from the size of that exhaust.  Speaking of size, that hook is a monster:

If I needed a tow truck, I would be super happy to see this thing rolling up.  Nicely done, Kibbee’s Repair and Towing!