DVDs for car lovers in your household
Looking for another gift or two for your favourite car guy or gal? There’s still time to get a couple of entertaining DVDs locally or through the Internet. I’ve compiled a few titles for your consideration, a mix of new and old, how-to and cult classic rides across America.
White Knuckle (2012): Bronx based filmmaker Brian Darwas has done it again, turning his high-definition camera towards motorcycles this time. Ride along with him as he travels from coast to coast in the United States on an epic journey. The Motorcycle Cannonball is an endurance run for pre-1916 motorcycles just like the days when manufacturers and daredevils were out to prove that you could ride across the continent in record time, even when there were no highways.
“I followed some friends as they rode on the first Motorcycle Cannonball. Some were single cylinder engines, some had no transmissions, just a belt and a tensioner,” Darwas said. “They started in Kitty Hawk, N.C., and rode clear across the country to Santa Monica, Cali., all on secondary roads, no highways.”
Witness as the antique bikes are pushed beyond their limits. Get a close look at parking lot engine rebuilds and watch as the top guys machine parts in the back of their vans to keep their bikes on the road and in the race.
Jesse James Presents… (2011
2012): Master metal fabricator and all-around bad-boy Jesse James is back and better than ever. Jesse returns after a self-imposed exile from the tabloids and Hollywood. He’s sold West Coast Choppers and moved to Austin, Texas, with his kids in tow.
Jesse is now a part-owner of the Austin Speed Shop where he and his team specialize in low volume, high quality traditional hotrods and customs. Discovery has joined up with Jesse to produce a new reality show called Outlaw Garage that focuses on the guys at the speed shop and Jesse’s attempts to pass on his metalworking knowledge to them.
El Jefe Entertainment, a Jesse James company, has produced a series of 60 minute videos beginning with Austin Speed Shop.
Two-lane Blacktop (1971): This one is a true cult classic in the same vein as the iconic Vanishing Point. In fact, the ending — no spoilers here — is almost as mysterious as the demise of Kowalski and his white Challenger. But the ride across country with the four principals is well worth the trip.
Director Monte Hellman keeps things to the bare minimum in this tale of two drag racers and their potent 1955 Chevy. None of the characters even have names, they are just referred to The Driver (James Taylor) who slouches around and rarely speaks, The Mechanic (Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys) who is an ace with the wrenches, G.T.O. (Warren Oates) who comes on all macho with his GTO but is the most needy of the three, and The Girl (Laurie Bird) who is the hippie chick desired by all three guys.