If you are a true roadgeek, then the odds you have seen a famous vehicle cruising the highways and byways are pretty good. What have you seen on the road???
- I have been followed by the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile on the road in Western Colorado a few years ago.
- I have also driven beside the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 car on I -90 in Cleveland. I believe a car collector in the area bought the movie car and would drive it in parades and festivals.
I too have seen the Weinermobile. It was at an event at a local grocery store, which my family stopped at, but none of us knew it was going to be there.
I've also driven behind the Dominator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SRV_Dominator) from Storm Chasers in my hometown. (And no, there were no tornados nearby.) That was a weird sight.
On the way back from Las Vegas on I-15, I passed the time machine from the Back to the Future movies. It was being transported on a trailer. It had the Mr. Fusion adapter. Had both the mid 80's California License Plate, and also the Future license plate next to it. I think I also saw the flux capacitor and digital time display when I was checking it out. Looks like someone at possibly bought it from a collector auction.
Also around year 2000. I was driving south on I-95 between Richmond and Petersburg VA. Going in the other direction was the Blues Brothers 1975 Plymouth police car. It had the big speakers on top. If you remember from the movie, you might know what I am referring to.
I see NASCAR haulers on I-95 and I-85 occasionally, usually when they're racing in Richmond. To expand the category to just "very rare cars", I've seen an Aston Martin of some sort on I-40/85, a couple Nissan GT-Rs, a few Lamborghinis, high-end Porsches, and a Ford Model A.
I've seen a few NASCAR haulers, moreso heading to the Brickyard several years ago than Kentucky Speedway, because I haven't worked in Frankfort and thus commuted on I-64 since Kentucky got a Cup race.
I routinely see the Wienermobile on my way to work, as OM uses a nearby hotel for the traveling "hot dog ambassadors". Occasionally, there will be upwards of 3 or four parked there at the same time. Most of the time it's the full-sized version, but I've also seen the "cocktail wienermobile" (http://www.prototypesource.com/oscar-mayer-mini-wienermobile.htm) (build on a Mini Cooper) as well. Most recently, the Planters Peanutmobile (http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/notes-from-the-hotline-9-5-2011/peanut-mobile-3a/) has been there as well.
Presidential motorcades.
Seen them several times, been in two of them.
I saw Bush 43 do a campaign stop for a Kentucky gubernatorial candidate back in 2003. It was at an airport, so I got a good look at Air Force One on the runway.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 24, 2014, 02:00:39 PM
I saw Bush 43 do a campaign stop for a Kentucky gubernatorial candidate back in 2003. It was at an airport, so I got a good look at Air Force One on the runway.
The 747s used for Air Force One routinely do landing exercises at the Newport News / Williamsburg Airport. They are very loud.
I frequently pass by NASCAR trailers on I-85 between Charlotte and Greensboro.
When Queen Elizabeth visited Jamestown a few years ago, my dad (who worked on an I-64 project on the way there) saw her land at Richmond and take off towards the Historical Triangle.
Quote from: getemngo on May 23, 2014, 07:42:44 PM
I've also driven behind the Dominator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SRV_Dominator) from Storm Chasers in my hometown. (And no, there were no tornados nearby.) That was a weird sight.
I've seen it several times, but it's probably not as notable for me because I live in Norman, Oklahoma.
I've seen Marine One heading into Boston from the south/west a couple of times. I don't know if it was carrying someone important (president was in town at least one of those times) or if there's a staging point off in that direction.
Trucks for Indy cars, Nhra and Nascar on Ca 37 Parkway to Sonoma/Sears Point Race Track passing through Vallejo.
News ENG Vans for San Francisco TV Stations and Sacramento TV Stations on I-80 Solano County before going to story scene.
KABC7 News, CBS Los Angeles trucks going to the Fire Scene on the I-210 Freeway to look for wildfires.
My family raced several NASCAR haulers in the past when they were heading to Daytona along I-77/I-26 in SC.
The Google Street View car. Twice. On the same day.
We saw the Weinermobile parked with its hood open, presumably for repairs, at a Penske truck rental place near our house.
Living in the DC area and working downtown for several years, I've seen the presidential motorcade go by quite a few times. The current limo is far more unique and distinctive than previous ones because it's so much more heavily armored. I think it's quite ugly, actually.
Last fall I was parked in front of this car I've seen quite a few times (that's my black Acura with my wife standing next to the open door). The license plate tells you who owns it:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2FE266C542-CD22-4F94-8962-22D27B9F4BDB-490-000000AD2CF38600_zpse7c55f2a.jpg&hash=fbe02ca0ab3598291a67cb71dbcf1e30c8588b72)
I saw the Wienermobile going thru the toll plaza entering the Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 1 years back.
Quote from: renegade on May 26, 2014, 02:26:27 AM
The Google Street View car. Twice. On the same day.
I've also seen the Street View car twice, but on different days.
One time when I was sitting in the Pizza Hut in Ebensburg, PA, the OM Weinermobile pulled into the parking lot. Its occupants parked it in the back of the lot and came in for dinner. This was probably about 25 years ago.
Man cannot live on hot dogs alone...
:-D
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2014, 08:53:47 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2FE266C542-CD22-4F94-8962-22D27B9F4BDB-490-000000AD2CF38600_zpse7c55f2a.jpg&hash=fbe02ca0ab3598291a67cb71dbcf1e30c8588b72)
Needs more fender flares.
I've been behind the GMSV car before. I may be on GMSV in a few places in Hopewell now.
I've seen the GMSV car 4 different times on various roads. Also saw the OM Weinermobile at my work last summer. They pulled in for gas and bought drinks inside.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2014, 08:53:47 AM
Last fall I was parked in front of this car I've seen quite a few times (that's my black Acura with my wife standing next to the open door). The license plate tells you who owns it:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2FE266C542-CD22-4F94-8962-22D27B9F4BDB-490-000000AD2CF38600_zpse7c55f2a.jpg&hash=fbe02ca0ab3598291a67cb71dbcf1e30c8588b72)
It's not computing for me.
Alex Ovechkin. He's been nicknamed "Alexander the Great" and "the Great 8" (he wears sweater number 8).
This whole time I thought it was Gilbert Arenas, who used to play for the Washington Wizards and had a nickname of Agent Zero (A0 could be an abbrevation thereof) and was a total head case.
Couple of race trailers, NBC Sports trailers, not much else.
Jackson Browne's tour bus stopped at the Burger King I worked at in college.
How could I forget the Google SV car.... :pan: the damned thing was parked at my (old) apartment complex for the better-part of a month!
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2014, 05:16:19 PM
Alex Ovechkin. He's been nicknamed "Alexander the Great" and "the Great 8" (he wears sweater number 8).
Oh. Hockey. Which is Not A Thing in my world. :bigass:
CC Slater (Otto Yamamoto) has a saying having to do with hockey that I won't repeat here.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on May 25, 2014, 08:40:06 AM
I've seen Marine One heading into Boston from the south/west a couple of times. I don't know if it was carrying someone important...
I do! If you saw Marine One, it was carrying the President. :-)
The Goodyear blimp flew past my home a few months ago. It was very very loud. I heard it coming 7 minutes before it flew by. Didnt get a picture tho, Mrs Allniter misplaced my camera :pan:
Quote from: andrewkbrown on May 23, 2014, 11:26:17 PM
Presidential motorcades.
Seen them several times, been in two of them.
Comes with the territory if you work in downtown D.C. I also saw several vice-presidential motorcades, in the Bush/Cheney years followed by an ambulance.
Quote from: Takumi on May 24, 2014, 10:28:43 PM
When Queen Elizabeth visited Jamestown a few years ago, my dad (who worked on an I-64 project on the way there) saw her land at Richmond and take off towards the Historical Triangle.
When I visited Ottawa in 1997, I knew it would be Canada Day, but I didn't know the Queen would be there too (those days, she was attending Canada Day ceremonies for major anniversaries every five years, in that case Canada's 130th). I was in the back of a huge crowd watching her speak on Parliament Hill. Thereafter, I saw her limo at least once, on the streets of Ottawa taking her to other Canada Day events. I, and thousands of others, got the royal slow wave.
Back in the U.S., in late August/early September 2012 I saw a Romney campaign bus at a truck stop along I-80 in Nevada (probably the Flying J in Winnemucca). I think the candidate wasn't there, the bus was just being shuttled between events.
Quote from: empirestate on May 27, 2014, 12:43:47 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on May 25, 2014, 08:40:06 AM
I've seen Marine One heading into Boston from the south/west a couple of times. I don't know if it was carrying someone important...
I do! If you saw Marine One, it was carrying the President. :-)
I mean I don't know if P/VP was on board at the time. I know that technically it is not called "Marine One" unless the president is aboard, but they don't hang a sign out or anything to indicate the occupant.
An Oscar Meyer Weinermobile was stationed in north Arlington (TX) for several months during 1989 or so. Often saw it parked in a particular apartment complex parking lot, also saw it on the road several times. Have also seen a Google Street view car several times, once as a pedestrian. (Periodically I look up that intersection but so far, I personally am still not visible on Street view. Yet.)
Oh, and I've marched in parades near various art cars and "Tow-mater"
I am in GSV driving behind the camera car. It took about a year to show up, though.
Meaghan's seen the OM Weinermobile in the town next to ours, which was a curious place for them to go since it's a town with no paved roads and barely 200 residents.
About the only "famous" vehicle I've bumped across is the Google Streetview car. I found it on MN 95 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajfroggie/11412155176/). And he found me (https://maps.google.com/?ll=45.510208,-93.000324&spn=0.002308,0.005681&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=45.510214,-93.001421&panoid=nr3NZnHVuDmGlTCMV2g07Q&cbp=12,75.4,,2,2.2) (in the Chevy Cruze).
Not counting presidential motorcades/flyovers from my 4 years in DC...
Quote from: allniter89 on May 27, 2014, 02:30:58 AM
The Goodyear blimp flew past my home a few months ago. It was very very loud. I heard it coming 7 minutes before it flew by. Didnt get a picture tho, Mrs Allniter misplaced my camera :pan:
I used to work in Pompano Beach, Florida; so it was a very common sight during the winter and spring months, to the point where I didn't even think of that! I even saw it about an hour before it crashed back in 2005.
Living and working just a few miles from the Notre Dame campus for over 30 years, I've seen the Goodyear blimp so many times it's hardly worth looking up. The Navy jet flyovers are a regular occurrence too. I've also seen Air Force One delivering several presidents for commencement addresses and campaign speeches.
I was surprised exiting my office one day to see the Weinermobile parked right in front. Since I work at a newspaper, I assume it was there for some hoped-for publicity.
I happened to be in Ft. Wayne on business the day after the assassination attempt of civil rights leader Vernon Jordan. I was near Colosseum Blvd. when a motorcade bearing Sen. Ted Kennedy zoomed past. He was in town to visit Jordan's bedside.
Discussing aircraft reminds me of the time a Stealth Bomber flew overhead as I was playing golf at the course nearest my house (Greendale, a Fairfax County course). I hadn't bothered to bring a camera, naturally, since I'd played there hundreds of times and didn't expect to see anything interesting. Dumb–had I thought about it, I'd have remembered that was the weekend of the Andrews AFB air show such that there was a chance of seeing something different. The aircraft flew over the course three or four times during my round.
I seen some unmarked Google Maps Cars and marked Bing Cars but they may be contracted to to other GPS Services the unmarked Google Maps Car.
I saw John McCain's campaign bus traveling south on I-77 in South Carolina during the 2000 presidential primaries. I was heading north, so I couldn't get a good picture.
A few years ago, I went and viewed the #16 National Guard car at the South Reserve Street Subway in Missoula. About a year later, DeWalt dispatched their demo truck with the demo car of the #17 DeWalt Car of Tomorrow and I went over to Murdoch's (used to be called Quality Supply) to view that one, too. Pretty cool sight to see the evolution of the Roush Fenway cars from the fourth to the fifth generation stock cars.
I've seen several NASCAR haulers and the presidential limo. I've also seen a few replica General Lees going down the interstate.
Saw one of the Bing camera cars this morning as it came into the commuter rail lot at Melrose Highlands (MA). Didn't note the make, but it was a small hatchback about the size of a Ford Fiesta. Made a loop around the lot, went into an adjacent lot for an elderly housing building, and then went back out onto a side street. Unlike the GSV vehicles, it appears that the Bing cars use multiple stationary cameras instead of a single "spinning" one. And, given the height of the camera support, I could imagine places where the "BingMobile" wouldn't fit.
Quote from: andrewkbrown on May 23, 2014, 11:26:17 PM
Presidential motorcades.
Seen them several times, been in two of them.
I've seen two presidental motorcades. First was Jimmy Carter's motorcade heading though Wyoma Square when he visited Lynn (MA) in 1977. Second was Ronald Reagan's motorcade coming out of the Sumner Tunnel when he visited Boston in 1981.
Spent much time visiting my sister when she lived in Washington DC in the early 1980s, but somehow never saw a motorcade once during those stays.
on my first major road trip in 2003, I saw on I-80 in Nebraska, an otherwise anonymous YELLOW branded 18-wheeler... with a police escort ahead and behind, and a helicopter overhead. no idea what was in there, but I thought it may not have been all that unusual in that part of the world. have not seen it since.
in 2005, a rocket stage was being very carefully moved down US-395 not all that far from Edwards Air Force Base. it took up both lanes, but with good coordination and a few passing zones, traffic was able to move in both directions.
I am quite sure that the black Mercedes SL (55 or 63; I forget) with license plate BAZINGA belongs to Jim Parsons (plays Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory). at least, the driver looked remarkably like him. this was on I-15 on a Sunday afternoon; I think he was coming back from Vegas.
as for presidents - there was an Obama motorcade in San Francisco one morning when I was there. I have no idea if I actually spotted the president's vehicle; I was just feeling rather annoyed at the additions to San Francisco's already byzantine road closure and turn restriction laws.
In 1996, while driving home from work along I-95 south at the Girard Point Bridge, I saw Air Force One come in for a landing at nearby PHL. The approach path to Runways 9R-27L & 9L-27R parallel the bridge. Needless to say, the next two exits (Enterprise Ave. & Bartram Ave.) right after the brdige were blocked by police vehicles when the 747 came in.
Near where I work, a meeting of most if not all the governors came to Philly for some gatehring several years ago. The streets surrounding Independence Hall looked like a Cadillac/Chevy dealership with all the black Suburbans/Tahoes & Escalades parked all around.
I once saw Bob Dole's presidential campaign motorcade leaving JAX in 1996 along FL-102.
I saw the easternmost Honda in the lower 48 once, then got in it and drove it home.
I see the NYC subway being driven down my street every now and then.
Quote from: CNGL-Leudimin on May 26, 2014, 10:31:44 AMI've also seen the Street View car twice, but on different days.
Three times now :sombrero:. The latest was yesterday at 7:00 a.m. Eastern.
Rich Piehl posted on Facebook that he saw a car with no signs, but a telltale camera array, go by his house yesterday. The popular speculation was that it was Bing's vehicle.
(Not sure if Rich is a member here or not. If he is, I don't know his nym.)
I've seen the Google Street View car 2 or 3 times. I found it parked at a grocery store in Bend and got a picture. Also passed it somewhere along US-97 south of Bend, and on a local street in Bend.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7yutXy6.jpg&hash=636db2424de815e566cce77e7868c113872e41a0)
Saw the Pikachu car in person.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/11973617894_65c91c4581.jpg)
I have also seen the Weinermobile on the road.
Quote from: formulanone on May 27, 2014, 06:07:51 PM
Quote from: allniter89 on May 27, 2014, 02:30:58 AM
The Goodyear blimp flew past my home a few months ago. It was very very loud. I heard it coming 7 minutes before it flew by. Didnt get a picture tho, Mrs Allniter misplaced my camera :pan:
I used to work in Pompano Beach, Florida; so it was a very common sight during the winter and spring months, to the point where I didn't even think of that! I even saw it about an hour before it crashed back in 2005.
I've seen a couple GY Blimps last year - one near LA Harbor/Long Beach and one over Dodger Stadium.
For those asking if the Prez was on Marine One? Here's a tip. If the president is not on Marine One, the vehicle is
not Marine One. (same for the other vehicles). ;)
Quote from: SSOWorld on June 13, 2014, 05:01:20 PM
For those asking if the Prez was on Marine One? Here's a tip. If the president is not on Marine One, the vehicle is not Marine One. (same for the other vehicles). ;)
They should have a "Marine One" magnetic sign that they can just slap on there as needed so that people won't be confused about this any more. :spin:
Quote from: hbelkins on June 11, 2014, 12:44:43 PM
Rich Piehl posted on Facebook that he saw a car with no signs, but a telltale camera array, go by his house yesterday. The popular speculation was that it was Bing's vehicle.
Of course they might not have a standardized fleet, but I ran into Bing street view vehicles around San Francisco, three separate times on the same day. They were all identical, current-generation RAV4s with Bing logos on the doors.
Scooby and the gang were on their way to solve a mystery on Easter Sunday this year. I saw the Mystery Machine traveling along the HOV/Carpool lane of the 60 freeway eastbound in Riverside, California. Too bad I got caught on the small traffic jam that builds itself right after merging from the transition ramp of the 215 freeway. The right 2 lanes end too soon.
It was a Volkswagen bus (van), which ended production last year after all these decades.
When I used to work in downtown Baltimore, I spotted Brad Paisley's tour bus and entourage coming down I-395.
Quote from: briantroutman on June 13, 2014, 06:22:57 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 11, 2014, 12:44:43 PM
Rich Piehl posted on Facebook that he saw a car with no signs, but a telltale camera array, go by his house yesterday. The popular speculation was that it was Bing's vehicle.
Of course they might not have a standardized fleet, but I ran into Bing street view vehicles around San Francisco, three separate times on the same day. They were all identical, current-generation RAV4s with Bing logos on the doors.
I ran into a bing camera car on Sunday morning, it was a current-generation RAV4 with a bing logo on the door.
I would love to have a job driving a Bing or Google map car.
Quote from: spooky on June 16, 2014, 07:36:07 AM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 13, 2014, 06:22:57 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 11, 2014, 12:44:43 PM
Rich Piehl posted on Facebook that he saw a car with no signs, but a telltale camera array, go by his house yesterday. The popular speculation was that it was Bing's vehicle.
Of course they might not have a standardized fleet, but I ran into Bing street view vehicles around San Francisco, three separate times on the same day. They were all identical, current-generation RAV4s with Bing logos on the doors.
I ran into a bing camera car on Sunday morning, it was a current-generation RAV4 with a bing logo on the door.
Hopefully not literally! Though that would make for some pretty entertaining Street View imagery...
Quote from: Scott5114 on June 16, 2014, 06:56:41 PM
Quote from: spooky on June 16, 2014, 07:36:07 AM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 13, 2014, 06:22:57 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 11, 2014, 12:44:43 PM
Rich Piehl posted on Facebook that he saw a car with no signs, but a telltale camera array, go by his house yesterday. The popular speculation was that it was Bing's vehicle.
Of course they might not have a standardized fleet, but I ran into Bing street view vehicles around San Francisco, three separate times on the same day. They were all identical, current-generation RAV4s with Bing logos on the doors.
I ran into a bing camera car on Sunday morning, it was a current-generation RAV4 with a bing logo on the door.
Hopefully not literally! Though that would make for some pretty entertaining Street View imagery...
Haha no. It was making a left hand turn at a 4-way intersection, which made me think it wasn't taking pictures.
Well there is
Quote from: briantroutman on June 13, 2014, 06:22:57 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 11, 2014, 12:44:43 PM
Rich Piehl posted on Facebook that he saw a car with no signs, but a telltale camera array, go by his house yesterday. The popular speculation was that it was Bing's vehicle.
Of course they might not have a standardized fleet, but I ran into Bing street view vehicles around San Francisco, three separate times on the same day. They were all identical, current-generation RAV4s with Bing logos on the doors.
That was me I saw an unmarked Bing Maps or subcontractor of Google Maps driving around Fairfield and Vallejo, for many GPS services out there.