Okay, this isn’t the best scan or photo. You can click on it to enlarge but the detail is still a bit rough.

Still, I thought fans of the old double six might find it of interest. This is Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman, Arizona, circa 1940 when it was known as the Kimo Cafe & Shell.

I base the date on two items. The car seems to be a 1940 Plymouth and the house in the background was replaced by the Dunton dealership in 1946.

http://route66chronicles.blogspot.com/2008/01/packard-mystery.html This link is for an older post pertaining to a steam powered Packard mystery.

In spite of numerous inquiries all I have learned about this car is that it was built by a Mr. Marshall and that as late as 1990 it still existed. Well, last week I received a few more clues and some information about this fascinating car.

A friend in Ashland, Wisconsin purchased a copy of Floyd Clymer’s Steam Car Scrapbook at a yard sale and forwarded it to me. On page 193, 194, and 195 are many of the photos that I have in my collection as well as brief notes that indicate the car is a 1940 Packard 180, the engine is a Stanley 4×5 and it is coupled to the original axle.

Anyone have more information? Does anyone know where this car may be today?

A couple of quick notes on upcoming events.

The next Chillin’ on Beale Street is scheduled for the evening of August 15. This thing could be really big.

Thee will be cars, music, food, vendors, and even a farmers market. The goal is to fill eight blocks with vehicles of every description. There is no charge for vehicle entries but if you want more information, or are interested in being a vendor, contact Tim McDonnell with the Route 66 Association of Kingman at kingmanroute66association@gmail.com.

Next on the list is the Kingman Street Drags. Billed as the largest sanctioned street drag in the world this event has morphed into a monster and this year it will be even larger as an after racing block party with a wide array of activities planned will take over block after block of Beale Street in Kingman’s historic district. http://www.kingmanstreetdrags.com/

Last but not least is Route 66 Days in Flagstaff scheduled for the 11Th, 12Th, and 13Th of September, the convention for Route 66 enthusiasts from throughout the world. http://www.flagstaffroute66days.com/

My contribution will be a book signing of The Big Book of Car Culture, Backroads of Arizona, and Route 66 Backroads at the Barnes & Noble on Milton Road on Saturday afternoon. I hope you can attend and if you do hope you will look me up to say howdy.