DVD review: “Cars on Route 66”

I’m not a big cars person. Growing up on a farm, it was necessary to know how they work and what to do if something went haywire. But I never cared much about vehicles except ensuring that they got from Point A to Point B.

So I was struck by how much I enjoyed Christopher and Linda Lewis’ latest Route 66 documentary, “Cars on Route 66,” which was released a few weeks ago by their company, The Entertainment Group and can be purchased at Amazon.com or VCI Entertainment.

Using the hit movie “Cars” as a launching point and Route 66 author Michael Wallis as emcee, “Cars on Route 66” meets classic-car aficionados who live on the Mother Road. You’ll see David Kane’s collection of Packards. You’ll see James “Bozo” Cordova’s customized rides. You’ll see Bob Tyler’s muscle cars. You’ll see Kenny Campbell’s Divco delivery truck. You’ll meet people who not only have classic cars, but classic trailers.

Fortunately, those people avoid gearhead language and describe their automotive treasures in interesting, easy-to-understand detail. It makes it easy to understand why they became enthusiasts.

The documentary isn’t just about cars, either. The Lewises found new angles about Route 66 that haven’t been seen in previous documentaries:

• Shirley Mills and Darryl Hickman share their memories as child actors of the film production of “The Grapes of Wrath.”
• Jim Conkle shows a California inspection station that Okies had to go through during their mass migration from the Dust Bowl.
• A look inside at sumptuously decorated Route 66 Casino near Albuquerque.
• Johnny Meier waxes eloquently at the artistry of neon lighting.
• You’ll meet the owner of the architecturally magnificent Aztec Motel in Monrovia, Calif.
• Bob Moore tells about his Route 66 Radio Show.
• Laurel Kane explains why she collects postcards from the Mother Road.
• Dean Walker and the film crew see the Spook Light.
• A guide shows off the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
• Ned Luechtner tells why he rebuilt the Cool Springs Camp from scratch.
• Harley and Annabelle Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop improvise a song about Route 66.

Despite the varying story lines, “Cars on Route 66” remains a cohesive, well-paced documentary because of its compelling subjects and crisp editing.

And the DVD is packed with bonus material, too:

• An interview with Wallis about the making of “Cars.”
• Complete interviews with Mills and Hickman about “The Grapes of Wrath.”
• Wallis’ interview with the late Lillian Redmon, a former Harvey House girl (and longtime owner of the Blue Swallow Motel).
• A gallery of images from the film.
• An old video segment Wallis hosted called “Postcards from the American West.”
• The original music video of Rascal Flatts performing “Life is a Highway,” from the “Cars” film.

I give “Cars on Route 66” a big thumbs-up … just like if I were hitchhiking on the Mother Road.