It's down to the final week. The last day of the exhibit will be Sunday, September 14th, from Noon-5:00. If you have to see the whole exhibit to really appreciate Pete's work. Orah Mae, Pete's widow, and daughter, Robin, will be there that afternoon and would love to talk to any of you that has followed Pete's work. Pete Millar's Art Exhibit, Car'toons, Tales From the Strip Pasadena, California: "Tales From the Strip" is the first comprehensive museum exhibition to recognize the legendary hot rod and drag racing cartoonist Pete Millar (1929-2003). After finding his original inspiration from the artists of MAD Magazine's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. Millar turned his drawing skills to humorous situations involving souped-up cars and their errant drivers, as well as his spoofs of actual personalities and controversies during the rapid growth of the drag racing culture in California. Millar's virtuoso drawing abilities were nurtured by his training as an engineering draftsman and first hand experience as a drag racer. He built and drove three dragsters while he published his drawings and comic strips in "Drag Racing", "Hot Rod", "Rod & Custom", and produced his own periodicals, "CAR'toons", "Drag Cartoons", "Big Daddy Roth Magazine", and "Drag Comics". Millar is considered one of the greatest satirical cartoonists, working within the hot-rodding and drag racing communities. This exhibition will include over 40 original drawings and paintings from the Millar estate and will also feature vintage publications from both the golden age of drag racing and the recent era of hot rod nostalgia. The exhibit runs from June 1st to September 14th Pasadena Museum of California Art 490 East Union Street Pasadena, California Please come and support the efforts of the Millar Family to preserve and share Pete's artwork www.laffyerasphalt.com
I loved his little cartoons in the tech letters section of HRM back in the early '60s. TRJ just did an article on him recently too.
Thanks for the heads-up....I just wished the museum offered a companion book to the exhibit for those of us so far away...but I don't see one on their store page...Oh well.
Robin Millar here. We printed a DRAGcartoons comic paper. It is a special issue. Most of the art in it is art which was in the exhibit 24 pages $5.00 5 years since dad passed away 5 years since he was honored. Bob Moravez (grand marshall) driving the Western Hoist, we put dads ashes in the chute and he popped the shoot at the 8oo foot mark and dad had his last ride!! The closing of the exhibit (5 years in the making) The last DVD of LIONS the greatest Drag Strip (by Don Gillespie) The centerfold is 'Field of Dreams'(orig. hanging at the NHRA Motorsort Museum) with all the names of those who have passed since dad did the drawing. I dont have it on the website, yet (www.laffyerasphalt.com) However, if you are interested you can email me at millarkey@aol.com We are doing what we can to get the exhibit on the road. Just need the museums to pick it up! Thank you for your support! Robin Millar
how cool is that...ashes in the chute and then pop the chute for the one last ride...maybe its just me but that is very cool, as I swallow my adams apple back into my throat and wipe my eyes....well done Robin, I'm sure a lot of members here share your loss, God Bless.
You guys were outside of Phoenix a couple years back at a nostalgia drags thing at Speedworld and were selling reprints of old Drag'toons? Had a family emergency and had to leave early, meant to go back and buy something!!! Your Dad was a great inspiration to a bunch of us goofy people!! I'll check your site.
I'm a huge Pete Millar fan, and here is why. In 1967 on my second trip to Bonneville, my wife and I were wandering the pits in the sweltering heat, and as we walked up to a red Ranchero with Drag Cartoons painted on the side, we were invited to stand under the canopie for some shade, by none other than Pete Millar. I new well who he was, as I had bought many of his magizines and was a fan of his art, in Hot Rod Magazines for quite a few years at that time. The whole crew were so friendly, and there was a great comraderie among them all joking and kidding around. They made us feel like we were part of the crew. He invited us to accompany them in the push truck while they went for fuel, and then to the startiing line for there next run, and then down to retreive the race car. We hung around with them for most of the week. He was the GREATEST. My most unforgettable Bonneville experience in the 28 years that I have been there. Oh yea, I have a collection of 31, of his Car Toons and DragCartoons. I'm a huge fan. Attached are a few of the photos of that time. HemiDeuce.
Thank you for posting those pictures. Mom will love to see them. Dad took my sister & I to Bonneville, back in the mid 60's, still remember that trip! He was a cool father. I was very lucky! thank you for those kind words about dad! Robin Millar
Robin, I spoke to your Mother when I was at the HRR in Bakersfield a couple of years ago, and told her my story of meeting your Father at Bonneville in 1967. HemiDeuce.
I remember you. I was there also! We enjoyed meeting you and hearing your story. Stop by at the next CHRR '09. Robin
Check this out!!!! Robin Millar Cackle Cars will compete at 2009 CHRR That's right, it's not a misprint...However it will not be on the strip. Let me explain how this thing all went down. Former Top Fuel champ Herm Peterson was going around the pits at this years Hot Rod Reunion with a decible meter and checking out just how loud some of the cackle cars were. When he got over to Rod Hynes in Rocky Childs "Addict" fueler Herm got a reading of 123 or so decibles on 85% which at that point was the loudest. Rod was thinking this is way cool and Herm was digging on it to. Well when Herm checked out the "Thunder Chief"later, it came in at like 2/10ths louder....on 98% mind you! Well Rod & I got to talking about this and I had an idea of making some really bitchin trophies (ask my buddy Jeffy Utterback)for the deal. Rod said he'd call Herm as soon as he got back from Alaska fishing. In the meantime I called Orah Mae Millar (Pete's Wife) and asked her if she & Robin would like to be involved. My Idea was to make these trophies and use some of Pete's artwork on them with a Top Fuel Rod & Piston mounted on Mohogany. Orah Mae & daughter Robin would give them out as sponsored by "Drag Cartoons 1st annual Cackle Off". Orah Mae was tickled about keeping Pete's name out there (and that's why I asked her) and she gave me permission to use some of Pete's art work. When Rod got a hold of Herm this week, Herm was totally stoked!,He loves the idea. Herm & Rod will be talkin back & forth about a "Standard" for the contest. Where and how far from the car,engine wheels or whatever they come up with to measure each car. Rocky is already thinking about how to kick up the noise level on the Addict and was out in the garage the other night writing down notes. Rod says, "Were winning one of those trohpies next year period!"(FYI The Addict was "cold" and only on 85%) Rocky has more than one trick in the Addict & by just getting some heat in it on 85% it thunders! With the "Ace" he has up his sleeve ,BEWARE if they "Tip the Can". Rocky Childs helped me out years ago, more than you'll ever know when I was down & out after blowing everything up at CHRR #2. So this one's for you Rocky...Thank You & Ray Ackerly. This should really be a laid back fun deal as the "Cackle Guy's" do it for the love of it and I feel they should get a little recognition for there efforts, and or bragging rights. I may come up with a winner's jacket to. We have a year to do this thing,Orah Mae & Robin are looking for the art work I need and Herm and Rod & Rocky are already planning their strategy for 2009 CHRR. John's "Bank Americard" fueler is one loud sucker too! and with that BIG fuel tank is a threat. Even the "Shutter Bug" is unreal for a Pontiac on fuel.Anybody who wants to compete at at this point can, if they choose. So it looks like at this point next years California Hot Rod Reuion there will be a new competition class. AA/FCO (AA/Fuel Cackle Off) Funnies and Altereds make noise to, so no telling who will step up. Toco Harper Gartin AA/FA? Holy Toledo Ed ? Little did my old friend Bill Pitt's know what he was creating years back at Carlsbad Raceway when we use to run the Antique Drags there in the mid 80's .I raced and he Cackeld his restored Magic Car , which I always thought was bitchin. There we were,me in an old Modified Roadster racing and Bill Displaying .Neither of us I think knew just how big this nostalgia thing would get.We both got to relive our childhoods so to speak . Carlsbad is where I first saw the "Poison Ivy" car in bare tin,a blown Hemi and carbs sitting on top of the blower. Dont think anyone knew the cars history. Bill was one of the first to really bring " back to life" one of drag racing's great cars, that we loved & remember. (The other being The King "Big Daddy" Don Garlits & what has restored for the " Museum of Drag Racing " So the way it looks right now is.......... 1st Annual CHRR Cackle Off 2009 sponsored by "Drag Cartoons" Should be a lot of fun. What do you think? StOrMy
I've always enjoyed Pete Millar's works, all the way back to when I was a little kid. He's always been one of my favorite cartoonists. Sad say when I learned of his passing. If there's any chance of this exhibit coming to Tucson, or nearby, I'll be there!
Here is a fabulous vintage video....even has short rare footage of Pete Millar's Drag Cartoons Chicken Coupe. http://www.ina.fr/media/entretiens/video/CPF04008049/les-dragsters.fr.html
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